If you want to grab prepared portions regularly, choose an upright freezer with drawers that suit your containers. If you’re stocking up for less frequent use, compare chest freezers and their internal layout. If there’s no room for a second appliance, compare the freezer space in a fridge-freezer with the amount you plan to store, or keep your existing appliance if it has enough room. In every case, check the dimensions, installation requirements and the specific model’s storage time in the event of a power cut rather than choosing on its stated capacity alone.
If you cook several meals in advance, drawers that fit your containers can make it easier to organise food by meal or date. Also check how much space the appliance takes up and how noisy it is where you plan to install it.
If you cook large batches or buy in bulk, it’s worth comparing a chest freezer with an upright model. Baskets, containers and labels can be especially useful for finding food at the bottom.
If access, door clearance or room temperature restricts your options, start by measuring the space you can use. A fridge-freezer could meet your needs if its freezer compartment is large enough; otherwise, adjust the number of portions to suit your existing appliance.
Upright and chest freezers suit different ways of storing portions. A fridge-freezer or your existing appliance can avoid the need for a separate freezer when space is limited. The consumer organisation UFC-Que Choisir highlights format, capacity, cooling system and climate class among the factors to consider.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Size and layout of drawers or baskets; space for your containers. | If I regularly take out a prepared meal, I want to find its container without moving everything else. For around 33% of consumers, easy everyday access is their top priority. |
| Space for large batches | Capacity dedicated to freezing; whether you can separate and date batches. | If I cook or buy in bulk, I need to put new batches away while keeping older ones easy to identify. This storage capacity is the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Suitability for the room | Dimensions, door opening and required clearance; permitted ambient temperature and stated noise level. | In a small kitchen or unheated room, I need to know whether the appliance can be installed and used in the conditions I have. Around 25% of consumers would put this suitability first. |
| Keeping track of temperature and use | Stated storage time in the event of a power cut and any alarm; the model’s energy label. | If I’m storing prepared meals, I want to compare useful information in the event of a power cut and keep track of the appliance’s energy use. This would be the main concern for around 17% of consumers. |
The litre capacity won’t tell you whether your containers will fit in the drawers, or whether the appliance will fit through the access route to its intended spot.
Measure the delivery route and available space, then check your containers against the model’s internal layout.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the appliance, not simply on whether it’s a chest or upright model. Beko and Liebherr advertise features for cold rooms on certain models only.
Compare the temperature in your room with the operating range and installation requirements in the manual for your chosen model.
The stated time for a power cut doesn’t mean you can ignore the actual length of the outage, how often the door is opened or the condition of the food. Anses notes that freezing does not destroy most microorganisms.
Compare the model’s stated storage time and alerts. During a power cut, keep the door closed, then assess the food according to the relevant food storage guidance.
You could lose your stored food if the recommended storage conditions are no longer met.
A range that includes chest and upright freezers, worth considering if you’re looking to build up a stock of food.
Upright models to consider if organising portions by compartment is an important factor in your choice.
A freestanding range to compare if defrosting, noise or a cool room could influence your purchase.
Upright models with drawers to consider if you want to organise a large stock by category.
These models show three ways to store prepared meals: an upright freezer for organising portions, chest freezers for building up a stock, and fridge-freezers that combine both uses in one main appliance. Before choosing, compare the space dedicated to freezing and check whether the appliance can be installed where you plan to put it.
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Worth considering if you want to organise portions in a separate freezer and access them regularly.
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Worth comparing if your priority is storing large batches and you can organise a stock that’s accessed from above.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your main appliance rather than adding a separate freezer.
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Worth comparing if you want to store portions in your main appliance and its freezer compartment can accommodate the amount you plan to keep.
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Worth considering for extra storage if accessing food from above suits the way you organise your meals.
Not simply because it’s a chest freezer. Check the permitted ambient temperature and installation requirements for the model you’re considering. Beko and Liebherr’s features for cold rooms apply only to specific models.
To compare appliances that can store the amount of food you need, look at their energy class and product information, taking into account the capacity dedicated to freezing. The EU energy labelling rules for mains-powered refrigerating appliances covered by the legislation are set out in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016. Then compare the specifications of the specific models.
No. Anses says that domestic freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most microorganisms survive. Follow food preparation, storage and defrosting guidance. A freezer can’t make up for food having been stored incorrectly before freezing.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a trader to a consumer, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Contact the seller if the appliance is faulty or doesn’t match its description. Any commercial guarantee is separate from this legal right.
No. If you want to reduce the need for defrosting, check that your chosen model has this feature, then focus on usable capacity, drawer layout for your containers and installation requirements. No Frost doesn’t replace these checks.