Households freezing meals in portions
If you regularly store tubs and bags, drawers can help you separate portions and find what you need. Just check that they’re the right size for the containers you usually use.
Who are these formats for?
Households building up a large stock
A chest freezer is worth considering if you store a lot of shopping or bulky containers. You’ll need enough floor space for it and room to open the lid fully.
Households that prefer one cooling appliance
A large fridge-freezer can meet your needs for fresh food and weekly freezing. Compare the capacity of its freezer compartment with the stock you plan to keep, rather than looking only at its total capacity.
How do the formats compare?
If you shop regularly and prepare meals in advance, start by thinking about how you’ll store and retrieve your food. Que Choisir compares upright and chest freezers in its buying guide; you’ll still need to check each model’s cooling and installation specifications.
Upright freezer
Choose this if: you regularly take out portions and want to organise them across several drawers.
Bear in mind: the shape and size of the drawers may limit the containers you can store, even if the overall capacity suits you.
Chest freezer
Choose this if: a large reserve or bulky items matter more than being able to reach each portion easily.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom takes more sorting through, and you’ll need clearance above the appliance to open the lid.
Large fridge-freezer
Choose this if: you’re also replacing your fridge and want freezer space without installing a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: some of the total capacity is taken up by fresh food, so check the space available for frozen food separately.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage layout | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with the space actually available for your containers. Also measure how much room the door or lid needs to open. | When a big shop and family meal prep start to pile up, I want a freezer where bulky containers will fit. Around 33% of consumers would make this need for extra storage their top priority. |
| Access to portions | Check the size and layout of the drawers or baskets, and how easy it is to reach food stored at the bottom. | For tubs and bags I use every week, I need to be able to tell them apart without unpacking the whole freezer. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Room and keeping food frozen | Check that the climate class is suitable for the room temperature, and compare the storage time during a power cut using equivalent test conditions. | If the appliance needs to go in a room without temperature control or keep food frozen during a power cut, I want to know its operating conditions. Around 20% of consumers would make this their top consideration. |
| One appliance and energy consumption | Check how the capacity is split between refrigeration and freezing, then compare annual energy consumption in kWh/year for appliances that suit your needs. | If I’m replacing my fridge, I’d rather check whether its new freezer compartment is big enough before adding a second appliance. Around 20% of consumers would put this need first. |
What not to overlook
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Focusing only on the litre capacity
Drawers that are too small for your containers, or portions that are hard to reach at the bottom of a chest freezer, can make storage inconvenient—even if the overall capacity is sufficient.
Measure your usual containers, check the internal dividers and allow enough clearance to open the appliance.
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Assuming any freezer will work in a garage
According to Beko France, a climate class indicates the ambient temperature range an appliance is designed for. A claim that a particular range or model is suitable for certain conditions doesn’t apply to every model.
Compare the temperatures the room may reach throughout the year with the appliance’s climate class and the guidance for the exact model.
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Assuming the stated storage time applies to every freezer
Storage times vary by model and test conditions. In its testing protocols, Que Choisir measures, among other things, how long it takes for the temperature to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without power. Don’t assume this is directly comparable with a manufacturer’s stated figure without checking.
Compare results measured on the same basis, and check whether the appliance has an alarm if you’re storing a large amount of food.
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Comparing energy ratings alone
The energy rating won’t tell you whether the freezer capacity suits your shopping or how many appliances you plan to run. Consider annual energy consumption alongside the capacity and intended use.
Compare the kWh/year figures for appliances that meet your needs, then look at any available test results for adding food to the freezer and for warmer periods.
Brands to consider by model
These ranges give you a starting point for comparing formats, but specifications vary from one model to another.
Beko
Beko France’s range includes both upright and chest freezers.
- Beko France highlights the drawers in its upright freezers for organising food, and the large capacity of its chest freezers for bulk storage.
- The claim that some Freezer Guard models can operate down to -15 °C applies only to those models. Check the specifications of the one you’re considering.
Liebherr
Worth a look if you’re after a chest freezer for storing a large amount of food.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 359 L and FrostProtect down to -15 °C for the CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer.
- This model is 167 cm wide, so check the space available. Its specifications don’t necessarily apply to other chest freezers from the brand.
Whirlpool
Compare its drawer-style upright freezers and No Frost models individually.
- Whirlpool France lists a capacity of 404 L, six drawers and a stated freezing capacity of 19 kg/24 h for the WHFF 6403 W4E.
- Its stated storage time is 11 h, while other Whirlpool models quote a different figure. Compare the exact model and test conditions.
Bosch
Consider its upright freezers, whose internal layouts vary by model.
- Bosch Electroménager France highlights features including VarioZone and BigBox on the GSN54EWCV, which help you adapt the storage to bulky items.
- Check the capacity, climate class and storage time of your chosen model separately.
Haier
Haier France’s range includes both upright and chest freezers.
- Haier France lists chest freezers ranging from 196 L to 696 L and upright freezers from 226 L to 301 L.
- Capacity alone doesn’t tell you about the layout, energy consumption or temperature performance of each appliance.
Joybuy products by format
These products illustrate the three options: a fridge-freezer if you want one appliance, an upright freezer to separate portions, and chest freezers for building up a reserve. Compare their freezing capacity and installation requirements with the food you plan to store.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4-door fridge-freezer, 467 L
Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Stated total capacity: 467 L; four doors, Total No Frost and energy rating E. Check the freezer compartment’s capacity against the amount you plan to store.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3-door fridge-freezer, 360 L
Consider this if you want one appliance for fresh food and regular freezing.
Stated total capacity: 360 L; three doors, Total No Frost, energy rating E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the space set aside for frozen food before choosing this format.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L No Frost upright freezer, stainless steel finish
An upright freezer makes it easier to store portions separately, provided the compartments fit your containers.
Stated capacity: 161 L; the product name specifies No Frost, a reversible-hinge door and energy rating C. Check the dimensions and climate class before installing it in a room without temperature control.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest fridge-freezer
Worth considering for bulk storage in a chest freezer if you have floor space and enough clearance above the lid.
Stated capacity: 291 L; convertible between refrigeration and freezing, with a removable basket and five-level digital control. Check the model’s climate class before considering it for a room without temperature control.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
This chest freezer could suit a more modest reserve, as long as you’re comfortable accessing food from the top.
Stated capacity: 140 L; storage basket, counterbalanced lid and energy rating E. Measure the space available and check the climate class if the room isn’t temperature-controlled.
Frequently asked questions
Is the freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer big enough for batch-cooked meals?
It may be, if your portions fit in the freezer compartment and you’re not building up a large reserve. Compare the compartment’s capacity and layout, and the model’s freezing capacity, with the amount of food you add after shopping. The fridge-freezer’s total capacity won’t answer this question.
Can you install a freezer in a garage?
Yes, as long as the temperatures in the garage are within the operating range of your chosen model. According to Beko France, the climate class defines an ambient temperature range; check the appliance documentation for details. A specific claim about performance in cold conditions, such as one made for certain models, doesn’t apply to an entire brand.
How should you compare storage time during a power cut?
Compare figures measured under equivalent conditions; don’t try to estimate them from the freezer’s capacity. In its testing protocols, Que Choisir measures how long it takes for the temperature to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without power. A figure stated on a manufacturer’s product sheet should be read in light of its own test conditions.
What should you look for on the energy label?
When comparing appliances that suit your storage needs, look at their annual energy consumption in kWh and the capacity of their freezer compartments. The label helps you compare these details, but it doesn’t replace checking the climate class, internal layout or storage time during a power cut.
Does No Frost mean you never need to maintain the freezer?
No. Depending on the model’s system, this feature relates to frost build-up; you’ll still need to follow the instructions for cleaning, installation and ventilation. Also check that the internal layout and capacity suit your containers.