If you’re short on freezer space, consider a dedicated appliance: a chest freezer gives you more flexibility for bulky packs, while an upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to access food regularly. A larger fridge-freezer is worth considering mainly if you also need to replace your fridge. In every case, check how much extra usable freezer space you’ll gain, how much room you have and the annual energy consumption of the models you’re considering.
If you buy in bulk, prepare meals in advance or store large packs, start by working out how much extra capacity you actually need. Then consider whether your food will fit neatly into drawers or whether you’d benefit from a more open space.
If you regularly take out small quantities, drawers or storage compartments can make it easier to find what you need. Check their layout and whether they’ll fit the packs you usually buy.
A cellar, pantry or garage could provide extra room, as long as the ambient temperature falls within the range specified for the model. Remember to allow enough space to open the appliance and for ventilation.
First, work out how much extra freezer space you need, then compare the available formats with your chosen location and how often you’ll use it. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the large, open storage space of chest freezers and the more compartmentalised layout of upright freezers.
| Criterion | What to check | Depending on my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and format | Compare the litres of freezer space, not just the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. Check the clear space in a chest freezer or the drawer dimensions to make sure they’ll fit your larger packs. | I mainly need room for supplies or bulky dishes: a chest freezer could work if I have enough floor space. If I only need a little extra capacity, I can compare a small dedicated appliance with the freezer compartment of a new fridge-freezer. |
| Access to food | Check the number and layout of drawers, bins or baskets, as well as the space needed to open the door or lid. | If I take frozen food out almost every day, I want to find it without having to move everything else. An upright freezer with compartments may be more convenient than a deep chest freezer. |
| Dedicated appliance or fridge-freezer | Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately for the fridge-freezer you’re considering. If you’re buying two appliances, allow space for both and check their installation requirements. | My fridge still suits me, so adding freezer capacity alone means I don’t have to replace it. If it also needs replacing, I can look for a fridge-freezer with enough freezer space for my needs. |
| Energy consumption and noise | Compare the kWh/year, freezer capacity and noise level shown on the energy label. The European Commission says this information is displayed alongside the energy class; the letter alone doesn’t tell you the annual energy consumption. | I want to know the declared consumption of the full setup I choose, especially if I’m adding an appliance that runs continuously, as ADEME points out. Noise also matters if it’s going near a living area. |
| Installation location | Check the ambient temperature range, ventilation clearances and the appliance dimensions when open in the manual for the exact model. | If I’m putting it in a cellar or garage, I won’t rely on the freezer’s format alone: I’ll check that it’s designed for the temperatures in that room. |
Two appliances can offer different amounts of freezer space, so the energy-class letter alone isn’t enough to assess the consumption of a setup that meets your needs.
Use the energy label to compare kWh/year alongside the freezer capacity and noise level of the models you’re considering, as set out in the information described by the European Commission.
The specified ambient temperature range varies by model. For example, Beko states a minimum of −15 °C for its HSM14540, but this figure doesn’t apply to its other appliances.
Compare the temperatures in your chosen location with the range specified in the product information or manual for your chosen model.
Its open space can accommodate large packs, but you’ll need to be able to reach food at the bottom and lift the lid fully.
Check the appliance dimensions and the space needed to open it, then plan for baskets or another layout that will help you find what you need.
No Frost defrosting, a door alarm and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut vary by model.
Check the product information and manual for each feature you need on the exact model, rather than assuming it applies to the whole range.
These examples can help you identify layouts and features to compare. Always check the specifications of the model you choose.
Worth considering for an upright freezer you’ll use regularly, especially if drawer layout and storing larger packs are important to you.
Worth considering for a chest freezer, particularly if you’re planning to put it in an unheated room.
Worth considering for chest and upright freezers if defrosting is an important factor in your choice.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a high-capacity upright freezer with drawers.
These models offer two ways to gain freezer space: add a convertible chest freezer and use it in freezer mode, or consider a fridge-freezer if you also need to replace your fridge. Compare their freezer capacity with the space you’re short of, and don’t confuse the total capacity of a fridge-freezer with that of its freezer compartment.
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A good option for bulky supplies if you have room for a chest freezer with a top-opening lid. The product description states a capacity of 291 L, a removable basket, two modes (refrigeration and freezing) and 226 kWh/year in energy class E. Confirm the energy figures on the label. Before installing it in a cellar or garage, check the ambient temperature range in the manual.
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Worth considering if you also need to replace your fridge. The product description states a total capacity of 360 L, including 125 L for the freezer with three drawers, and energy consumption of 271 kWh/year. Confirm the energy consumption on the label. Check the manual for the ambient temperature range and clearance required in your chosen location.
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A way to add freezer space without replacing your fridge, if a top-opening lid suits the way you use it. The product description states a capacity of 197 L, a removable basket, two modes (refrigeration and freezing) and 197 kWh/year in energy class E. Confirm the energy figures on the label. Check the ambient temperature range before installing it in an unheated room.
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Worth comparing if you need less extra capacity than the 197 L and 291 L chest freezers featured here. The product description states a capacity of 141 L, a removable basket, two modes (refrigeration and freezing) and 179 kWh/year in energy class E. Confirm the energy figures on the label. Check the installation requirements in the manual, especially if you’re planning to put it in a cellar or garage.
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For a little extra storage rather than a large stock-up, provided 95 L is enough to meet your needs. The product description states a removable basket, two modes (refrigeration and freezing) and 165 kWh/year in energy class E. Confirm the energy figures on the label. Check the manual for the permitted ambient temperature and ventilation clearances.
No. Its open space can make it easier to store large packs, but an upright freezer with drawers may suit you better if you often take food out. Compare the capacity you need, the floor space available and how you want to access your food. UFC-Que Choisir highlights these differences between the formats.
Yes, as long as the model’s specified ambient temperature range covers the temperatures in that room. Check the product information and manual for the exact model: a freezer’s stated suitability for a particular location doesn’t apply to every model.
Follow the clearances specified in the installation manual for your chosen model, as they vary between appliances. Also check that the door or lid can open and that drawers can be removed in your chosen location.
Compare the annual energy consumption in kWh of the setup you’re considering with the freezer capacity it actually provides. The European Commission says this information is shown on the energy label. The averages published by ADEME for different appliance categories aren’t a comparison of models with the same capacity.
Take it to an appropriate collection point for electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it in household waste. The ministries responsible for the ecological transition point out that these appliances may contain components that require special handling. Ask the retailer about its take-back service or find out about local recycling options.