Households preparing several meals in advance
If you take out portions throughout the week, consider how easy it is to store and find your containers, rather than looking at the stated capacity alone. Access and ease of cleaning matter too.
Who are these options for?
Households buying food in bulk
When building up a stock, compare the freezer capacity with the largest amount you expect to store, and plan an organisation system that makes it easy to find items. Also check how long the model can keep food frozen during a power cut.
Households replacing their fridge too
A fridge freezer is worth considering if its freezer compartment can hold your meals and shopping. Compare the litres allocated to freezing, not just the appliance’s total capacity, as the European Commission’s data makes clear.
How do the different formats compare?
For batch-cooked meals or bulk shopping, first decide whether you mainly need a large stock, easy access to portions or a new fridge. Then check the installation requirements and the specifications of models that meet your needs.
Upright freezer
Consider it if: you regularly take out portions and want to organise them in easy-to-reach storage.
Bear in mind: drawer layouts vary between models; also allow enough space to open the door.
Chest freezer
Consider it if: you’re building up a bulk stock that you use less often and can organise into sections or baskets.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise items to reach those at the bottom; allow for the floor space and clearance needed to open the lid.
Fridge freezer
Consider it if: your fridge also needs replacing and the freezer compartment is big enough for your stock.
Bear in mind: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough freezer space; check the capacity of the freezer compartment separately.
| Consideration | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the largest amount you’ll store, including packaging, with the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres; measure the space available, including room to open the appliance. | If I need to fit batch-cooked meals and bulk shopping in at the same time, I want enough space for all my stock. This is the top priority for around 42 % of shoppers. |
| Access and organisation | Check the layout of drawers, baskets or compartments against the size of your containers and how often you’ll open the appliance. | If I take out a portion almost every day, I want to find it without moving the rest of my stock; around 33 % of shoppers prioritise easy access. |
| Replacement and use | For a fridge freezer, distinguish freezer capacity from total capacity; when comparing suitable models, also check kWh/year, noise, climate class and storage time during a power cut. | If I’m already replacing my fridge, I’d rather check whether its new freezer compartment meets my needs before adding another appliance. This comes first for around 25 % of shoppers. |
What to avoid before you buy
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Choosing based on the energy rating alone
Two appliances with the same rating shouldn’t be treated as identical without considering how you’ll use them and checking their other specifications. The European Commission’s label also shows annual energy consumption, capacity and noise emissions.
Compare kWh/year and freezer capacity in litres between appliances that meet similar needs, rather than focusing only on the A to G rating.
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Assuming the format determines storage time or energy use
“Chest” or “upright” doesn’t tell you how long an appliance will stay cold during a power cut, or how much energy a particular model uses. UFC-Que Choisir assesses storage time during a power cut and measures energy consumption at different ambient temperatures.
Check the stated or tested storage time for the exact model and its annual energy consumption before comparing the two formats.
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Installing the appliance without checking its climate class
The ambient temperature range a freezer is designed for is particularly important in a garage or unheated room, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Compare the range shown in the manual with the temperatures the room may reach throughout the year.
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Confusing a fridge freezer’s total capacity with its freezer capacity
The stated capacity of a fridge freezer includes the fridge space too. The European Commission lists the capacity of each compartment separately in its appliance information.
When planning for portions and bulk shopping, base your comparison on the capacity of the freezer compartment.
Brands to consider
There are no brand profiles to display in this section.
Appliances to suit your storage needs
These appliances illustrate three ways to add extra space for meals or shopping: an upright freezer, a chest freezer or a fridge freezer if you’re replacing your fridge too. Before choosing a format, compare the freezer capacity and how easy it is to access items, based on the stock you actually need to store.
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Heinrich´s 161 L No Frost upright freezer, stainless steel
Worth considering if you want to organise portions in a dedicated freezer. The title lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost technology and drawers; check the interior layout and dimensions against your containers and the space you have available.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1 495 L multi-door fridge freezer, black
Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too. The stated capacity of 495 L is for the whole appliance: check the capacity and layout of the freezer compartments separately to see whether they’ll hold your stock.
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CHiQ JR99DWE 99 L chest freezer, white
If you need extra storage that you won’t have to search through every day, this chest freezer has a stated capacity of 99 L and a removable basket. Check that you’ll be able to reach items underneath the basket, and bear in mind that this model requires manual defrosting.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR 140 L chest freezer
Worth comparing if you need more space for bulk storage. This model has a stated capacity of 140 L and a storage basket; measure the space needed for the freezer and to open its lid, then check how you’ll reach items at the bottom.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E) 60 L upright freezer, white
If space is limited and you’re looking for extra freezer capacity, compare its stated 60 L with the amount you need to store: it may not be enough for a large stock. Check the interior layout before planning storage around the three drawers mentioned in the title.
Frequently asked questions
What should I compare on a freezer’s energy label?
As well as the energy rating, compare annual energy consumption in kWh, freezer capacity and noise emissions. The European Commission displays these details on the labels of relevant appliances; you can check the exact model in the EPREL database.
Can I put a freezer in a garage?
Yes, provided the model’s specified temperature range covers the temperatures in your garage. Check its climate class in the manual and compare it with the conditions in the room throughout the year; UFC-Que Choisir highlights how important this range is for the appliance to work properly.
How can I estimate the freezer capacity I need without using a per-person rule?
Start with the largest amount you plan to store at any one time: prepared portions, bulk shopping and their packaging. Then compare it with the capacity of the freezer compartments in litres, allowing enough room to find and take out what you need.