If you regularly take out pre-prepared portions, an upright freezer with drawers is likely to suit you best. For larger stocks, consider a chest freezer if you have enough space. A fridge-freezer saves you from adding another appliance, provided its freezer compartment has enough room for your stock. Whichever you choose, check the dimensions, how it opens and the ambient temperatures the model can operate in.
If you often take out a particular meal, an upright freezer’s drawers can make it easier to organise and access your food from the front. Check that your containers will fit in the compartments of the model you choose.
If you shop less often or store bulky items, a chest freezer’s main compartment could suit your needs. You’ll also need to allow for its floor space and think about how you’ll reach food stored at the bottom.
If you want to store a few meals without adding a second appliance, consider a fridge-freezer’s freezer compartment. Compare its usable capacity with the portions you need to store, rather than looking at the appliance’s total capacity.
Best if: you regularly take out portions and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: a large-capacity upright freezer can be tall and deep, so check that you can reach all its compartments.
Best if: having plenty of storage matters more than being able to access every small portion day to day.
Bear in mind: the main compartment takes up floor space, and food at the bottom needs to be organised so you can find it.
Best if: you want to store a few portions in a single appliance.
Bear in mind: the freezer compartment may limit how many meals or shopping items you can store at once.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Look at the size and layout of the drawers or baskets, then consider how easy it is to reach food stored at the bottom. | If I prepare meals in advance, I want to find the right portion quickly without moving all my other food. Around 40% of consumers would put easy everyday access at the top of their list. |
| Storage capacity | Compare each appliance’s usable freezer capacity with the containers you need to store at once. Also measure how much floor space a chest freezer will take up. | If I want to shop less often or store large quantities, I need to be able to fit everything in without creating an awkward stack. This would be the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Space and installation | Measure the available space and the clearance needed to open the door or lid. Check the manual for ventilation requirements and the permitted ambient temperature. | In a narrow kitchen or an unheated room, I first need to find an appliance that can be installed and used in that space. Nearly 30% of consumers would prioritise this consideration. |
Its main compartment can hold a lot, but a chest freezer takes up floor space and opens from the top. A blocked walkway or lid that cannot open fully will make it harder to use.
Measure the appliance, the delivery route and the overhead clearance needed to open the lid fully.
The minimum permitted ambient temperature varies by appliance. A temperature rating for a chest freezer designed for a cold room does not apply to other freezers.
Compare the operating range in the manual with the temperature in your garage or cellar during winter.
The letter on the energy label does not, by itself, tell you everything you need to know about the practicalities of using a freezer continuously.
For the models you’re considering, also compare the stated annual energy consumption, noise level, stated power-cut storage time and any features that would help you organise your food.
The total capacity of a fridge-freezer includes the fridge section, so it doesn’t tell you how much room is available for frozen portions.
Count the containers you need to store at the same time, then compare them with the capacity of the freezer compartment alone.
These examples of product ranges and models can help you identify features to compare. Dimensions and installation requirements vary from one appliance to another.
Upright freezers to consider if you want compartments to help organise your portions.
Chest freezers to consider for storing a stock of food, particularly if you plan to install the appliance in a cold room.
Chest freezers and under-counter models to compare, depending on the space available and capacity you need.
These models show three ways to store batch-cooked meals: upright freezers for separating portions, fridge-freezers for using a single appliance, and a chest freezer for building up a stock. Before choosing, compare the capacity available for frozen food and any installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you want to organise portions in a separate freezer rather than in an open chest.
The product name states that it has a capacity of 161 l, No Frost technology, a reversible door and an alarm.
Check its dimensions, required clearances and permitted ambient temperature if you plan to install it in an unheated room.
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Worth considering if you’d rather store your portions in a fridge-freezer than install a separate freezer.
The product name states a total capacity of 360 l and Total No Frost technology; this figure does not refer to the freezer compartment alone.
Check the capacity of the freezer compartment, the dimensions and the installation clearances in the manual.
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Worth considering if you need a separate appliance for a small stock of portions.
The product name states that it has a capacity of 60 l, a reversible door and adjustable temperature settings.
Compare this capacity with your containers and check the clearances and permitted ambient temperature range before installation.
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Worth considering if your kitchen is designed for an integrated fridge-freezer and you only need a small amount of freezer space.
The product name states a total capacity of 249 l and TwinTech No Frost technology, but does not tell you how much space is available for frozen food.
Check the freezer compartment capacity and the niche dimensions required for your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you prefer a chest freezer for storing a stock of food and have a suitable spot with access from above.
The product name states that it has a capacity of 291 l, a removable basket and digital temperature control. It can also be switched between fridge and freezer modes.
Measure the clearance needed to open the lid fully and check the permitted ambient temperature before installing it in a garage or cellar.
Yes, provided the ambient temperature range stated for the model covers the temperatures in your garage. Beko states that the HSM14540 chest freezer can operate down to −15 °C, and Liebherr gives the same limit for some FrostProtect chest freezers. Check the manual for the appliance you’re planning to buy.
Measure the space available, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the door or lid, then check the model’s ventilation requirements. For example, Bosch’s specifications for the GSN58AWEV state that its ventilation spacers add around 3.5 cm to its depth.
A chest freezer is best suited to situations where storage capacity matters more than frequently accessing small portions. To find individual meals, plan out storage zones and use baskets or labels. An upright freezer with drawers may be more convenient if you often take out a particular portion.
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to a freezer sold by a business to a private individual in France, whether it is new, second-hand or refurbished, according to the French Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. It covers conformity defects. Keep your proof of purchase so you can exercise your rights with the seller.