Start by choosing according to the space you actually have available and how often you access your food: a chest freezer prioritises capacity, while an upright freezer makes sorting easier thanks to its drawers. A large-capacity fridge-freezer may be enough for moderate needs, provided you compare the freezer’s usable capacity rather than the appliance’s total capacity alone.
If you store multipacks, homemade meals or frozen food for several weeks, look for genuinely usable additional capacity. Que Choisir reports that chest freezers maximise capacity, while upright freezers make sorting and access easier.
For an installation outside the kitchen, the actual room temperature, climate class and ventilation clearances become crucial. An unheated cellar or garage is not automatically suitable for every freezer.
When every square metre counts, compare an upright model, a compact chest freezer or a higher-capacity fridge-freezer based on usable freezer capacity and everyday accessibility.
Start by measuring the space, then compare usable capacity, internal organisation and the conditions expected in the room where the appliance will be installed.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and footprint | Compare the freezer compartment’s usable capacity, unpackaged dimensions, the route to the room and the space required to open it. For a fridge-freezer, look at the capacity dedicated to freezing rather than its total capacity. | I want to store more shopping without choosing an appliance that is too wide, too deep or impossible to open in the intended room. |
| Storage and access | Check for drawers, removable shelves or adjustable compartments for frequent use. In a chest freezer, make sure baskets are included and plan to use boxes or labels so that food stays visible. | I want to find food quickly and avoid products being left at the bottom of the freezer. |
| Room temperature | Compare the climate class and permitted temperature range with the minimum and maximum temperatures in your kitchen, utility room or garage. Also follow the clearances specified in the instructions. | My appliance must be able to operate in the room where I plan to install it, even if it is colder or warmer than a kitchen. |
| Power cuts and consumption | Compare the stated storage time during a power cut, kWh/year, freezer capacity and noise levels between similarly sized appliances. Since 2021, the EU energy label has ranged from A to G and also displays this information; the QR code provides access to EPREL. | I want to assess how long food will stay frozen without power and understand the consumption of an appliance that runs continuously. |
A chest freezer can offer plenty of storage, but it requires substantial floor space and food placed at the bottom is less immediately accessible.
Measure the available space, the route to the room and the lid’s full opening angle. Before opting for a large model, also plan how you will organise it with baskets, boxes or labels.
The climate class corresponds to the ambient temperature range in which the appliance is designed to operate. Beko points out that standard models are not automatically designed for sub-zero temperatures.
Record the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then check the climate class and the instructions for the exact model. Low-temperature operation must be explicitly specified.
The A to G rating alone does not indicate an appliance’s absolute consumption, especially when capacities differ. The EU label also shows annual kWh consumption, capacity and noise level.
Compare kWh/year, usable capacity and noise levels between similarly sized models. If you want to estimate running costs, multiply the kWh/year by your electricity price per kWh.
Que Choisir reports that a 3 mm layer of frost increases electricity consumption and recommends allowing air to circulate around the appliance.
For a manual-defrost model, plan maintenance when frost starts to build up. Follow the precise clearances in the instructions and do not block the ventilation grilles.
A brand available in France, offering chest and upright freezers for additional household storage.
A brand worth considering for vertical storage and everyday access to food in an upright freezer.
A brand to consider if the appliance must be installed in an unheated room and low-temperature operation is required.
These Joybuy options focus mainly on chest freezers, from compact models to higher-capacity options, as well as an upright freezer designed for compartmentalised storage.
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A practical choice for bulk shopping and large packages, provided you have enough floor space.
291 L; dimensions 1100 × 597 × 872 mm; five-level digital control; removable basket; 226 kWh/year; defrost drain. Check the climate class, clearances and storage time during a power cut before installing it in a cellar or garage.
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This upright freezer suits households that want to keep food separate and access it regularly.
161 L; No Frost system; three drawers and two shelves; LED display; alarm; reversible door; stated temperature range from -14 °C to -22 °C; energy class C. Check the dimensions, ventilation, climate class and storage time during a power cut for the intended location.
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A compact addition for a small kitchen or utility room, rather than for storing very large quantities.
99 L; dimensions 54.5 × 47.6 × 83.5 cm; removable metal basket; sliding lid; castors; adjustable thermostat; stated noise level of 39 dB; stated freezing capacity of 4.5 kg/24 h. A 10 cm clearance around the appliance is specified.
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An intermediate-capacity option for adding frozen food storage without moving up to a large chest freezer.
140 L; dimensions 637 × 556 × 846 mm; storage basket; counterbalanced lid; castors; mechanical control; front drain; adjustable feet. Check annual consumption, storage time during a power cut, climate class and ventilation clearances.
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A compact chest freezer for an apartment or kitchen where a small footprint matters more than maximum capacity.
95 L; dimensions 550 × 475 × 848 mm; fridge/freezer mode; seven-level thermostat; removable basket; defrost drain; 165 kWh/year; stated noise level of 38 dB. Check the installation and operating conditions for use in a cold room.
No. Check the model’s climate class and compare its operating range with the minimum and maximum temperatures actually recorded in the room. Beko states, for example, that class SN-T covers 10 to 43 °C; some specialist models claim to operate at temperatures as low as -15 °C, but this must be confirmed for the model you choose.
Measure the available width, depth and height, the route to the room, and the space needed to open the lid fully and allow air to circulate. Que Choisir reports that chest freezers are commonly around 110 to 140 cm wide and 70 cm deep, but exact dimensions vary by model.
Use it as a comparison criterion, then consult the model’s technical specifications and instructions. In its testing protocol, Que Choisir measures the time taken for the temperature to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without power; manufacturers’ figures may depend on their own test conditions.
No. For fridges and freezers sold in the European Union, the A to G label also shows annual consumption in kWh, storage capacity and noise level. Focus especially on kWh/year and capacity when comparing similarly sized appliances with comparable capacities.
It may be enough if you are already replacing your main fridge and the usable capacity of its freezer compartment covers your usual shopping. If you regularly store large quantities or lots of homemade meals, a separate freezer will generally provide more dedicated capacity.