For storing your harvest or bulk buys, a chest freezer is a good choice if you have enough floor space and can keep its contents organised. An upright freezer makes it easier to access portions you’ve sorted into categories. A small freezer or the freezer compartment of a fridge freezer may be enough for extra storage, provided you compare its freezer capacity with the amount you need to store. Before choosing an appliance for a cellar or garage, check the ambient temperature range specified for that model.
If you need to store fruit, vegetables or food bought in bulk, consider how much space your stock will take up when the freezer is full. A chest freezer can hold a large amount, provided you have enough floor space and can reach the food at the bottom.
If you regularly need to find individual portions, it’s worth comparing an upright freezer with drawers against a chest freezer. A fridge freezer may also be suitable if its freezer compartment can hold your prepared meals; consider this separately from the appliance’s total capacity.
The room temperature must stay within the operating range of your chosen model. Beko specifies an ambient temperature of up to −15 °C for the HSM14540, while Liebherr states that the CFd 2505 Plus has FrostProtect down to −15 °C. These specifications don’t apply to every appliance from either brand.
First, decide how you’d like to store and access your food, then compare the capacity you need with the space available. After that, check the installation and freezing specifications for the exact model you’re considering.
Consider it: for a harvest or bulk buys, if you have enough floor space.
Keep in mind: reaching food at the bottom of the freezer means you’ll need to organise your stock, for example with baskets and labels.
Consider it: if you regularly take out portions or want to sort food into categories.
Keep in mind: check that the drawers can fit your larger dishes and that the appliance’s height suits its intended space.
Consider it: as extra storage when space is limited.
Keep in mind: compare its freezer capacity with your harvest or the largest batch of meals you prepare before relying on it as your only freezer.
Consider it: if you also need a fridge and freezing is a secondary requirement.
Keep in mind: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much frozen food you can store. According to its product information, the Electrolux LNA7CE18S0 built-in fridge freezer has a total capacity of 249 L, including 62 L for the freezer.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and dimensions | Compare the freezer’s net capacity, not just the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the appliance. | I want to store my harvest or largest bulk buys without choosing an appliance that won’t fit in my home. |
| Access to food | Check the model’s drawers, shelves or baskets, and make sure there’s room for your containers. With a chest freezer, plan how you’ll identify and rotate your stock. | If I regularly take out prepared portions, I’d rather be able to find what I need without moving everything else. |
| Room temperature | Compare the minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in the room with the range allowed in the model’s manual. Follow its ventilation instructions too; Electrolux advises installing the appliance at the ambient temperature specified for it. | I may put my freezer in a cellar, utility room or garage, so I need to choose one that suits the temperatures in that space. |
| Freezing performance and power cuts | If you’re freezing fresh food, look for a 4-star compartment: the Ministry of Agriculture says this can quickly bring the centre of the food down to −18 °C. Check the freezing capacity and stated storage time during a power cut separately. | I want to freeze some of my fresh produce and know how long the appliance is expected to keep food frozen if the power is interrupted. |
| Energy and maintenance | Read the model’s energy label, as recommended by ADEME. Also check its stated noise level and the defrosting method listed in the product information. | An appliance that runs continuously should meet my expectations for energy use, noise and maintenance, especially if it’s near a living space. |
A large freezer takes up floor space, and food at the bottom can be harder to find.
Measure the space, the clearance needed to open the lid and the delivery route. Then plan to use baskets and labels to organise your harvest and portions.
A room that’s too cold or too warm for the manufacturer’s specified temperature range could affect how the appliance works. The down-to −15 °C temperature ratings given for some Beko and Liebherr models don’t apply to every appliance in their ranges.
Check the room temperature at the times of year that matter, then compare it with the manual for the exact model before deciding where to put it.
The two compartments share the total capacity. For example, Electrolux lists a total capacity of 249 L, but only 62 L for the freezer in its built-in LNA7CE18S0 fridge freezer.
Make a note of the freezer compartment’s net capacity and compare it with the maximum amount you expect to store.
The Ministry of Agriculture explains that a 4-star compartment can freeze fresh food, quickly bringing its centre down to −18 °C.
Check the star rating and freezing capacity stated for the appliance, especially if you plan to add a large amount of fresh food at once.
These examples highlight features to compare on the models in question. A feature listed for one model doesn’t necessarily apply to the whole brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large-capacity chest freezer for a cold room.
The HSM14540 chest freezer is an example of a model to consider for an unheated room.
A useful model for comparing the capacity of a dedicated upright freezer with that of a fridge freezer.
The LNA7CE18S0 built-in fridge freezer shows why it’s important to distinguish total capacity from freezer capacity.
This selection includes two fridge freezers, a small chest freezer and a compact upright freezer. Compare their freezing capacity with the amount you plan to store: an extra freezer may not be suitable for a large harvest.
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Worth considering if you also need a fridge and want to set aside part of the appliance for frozen meals. The model name indicates a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity separately with the maximum amount you plan to store. If you’re putting it in a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a fridge freezer for a kitchen where width matters. The model name indicates a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm, Low Frost and a 70/30 split. Check the freezer’s net capacity rather than assuming the total 262 L tells you how much frozen food you can store. Confirm the ambient temperature range before installing it in a cold room.
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This chest freezer could provide separate storage if 99 L is enough for the amount you want to keep frozen. The model name indicates an adjustable thermostat, a removable basket and a sliding lid. If you’re storing a harvest or prepared meals in it, also check its stated storage time during a power cut and the permitted ambient temperature for its intended location.
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Worth considering for extra storage in a small space, rather than for storing a large harvest. The model name indicates a reversible door, adjustable temperature and an E energy rating. Check the interior layout before organising your portions, and make sure the ambient temperature range is suitable if you’re placing the appliance in a cold room.
Choose a 4-star compartment. The Ministry of Agriculture states that it can quickly bring the centre of food down to −18 °C. Also check the model’s freezing capacity if you plan to add a lot of fresh food at once.
No. Compare the garage temperature with the appliance’s specified operating range. Beko states an ambient temperature of down to −15 °C for the HSM14540, while Liebherr specifies FrostProtect down to −15 °C for the CFd 2505 Plus. Check these features for each model you’re considering.
Compare the stated storage time during a power cut for the models you’re considering, without confusing it with their capacity. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol looks at how long food stays below −9 °C without a power supply, for example. The time therefore depends on the criterion used and isn’t a guarantee that will be the same in every situation.
As ADEME explains, it helps you compare the energy performance of appliances that meet similar storage needs. Also consider the freezer capacity you actually need: two appliances of different sizes won’t necessarily serve the same purpose.