If you’re short on freezer space but happy with your fridge, a separate freezer could give you the extra capacity you need without replacing your fridge-freezer. Choose the format based on how often you access portions, the space available, the room temperature and annual energy consumption. Consider a larger fridge-freezer mainly if you need to replace the fridge too.
If you regularly take out portions, easy access to drawers and space for your containers matter just as much as capacity. Que Choisir Ensemble notes that ease of use is also an important factor when choosing a freezer.
You’re looking for extra space for groceries or large dishes, and have room to install and organise a chest freezer. Que Choisir Ensemble highlights differences between formats, including their capacity and ease of access.
You need more freezer capacity, but will have to choose between a compact appliance, an upright freezer or replacing your fridge-freezer, depending on the space you actually have. Fridge and freezer formats vary, as Que Choisir Ensemble explains.
Choose this if: you take out portions often and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: drawer dimensions may limit the size of dishes you can store; check that the door has enough clearance too.
Choose this if: you store bulk groceries or large containers and have an accessible spot where the lid can open upwards.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom is harder to find; check which baskets are included and how much floor space it takes up.
Choose this if: you only need a little extra space and there isn’t enough height for a full-size upright freezer.
Bear in mind: storage space is more limited; an integrated model needs a housing unit with dimensions specified for that exact model.
Consider this if: you also need to replace your fridge or can’t fit a second appliance.
Check: only the freezer compartment’s capacity meets your need for storing meals; total capacity also includes the fridge compartment.
To compare the different formats, look at usable capacity and how easy it is to access your food, then check the dimensions and room temperature. Que Choisir Ensemble highlights ease of use, while ADEME recommends taking the model’s specified ambient temperature into account.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who this matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Accessing and storing meals | Drawer dimensions, door opening, usable capacity and defrosting method. | I want to get portions out often without moving all my supplies around; around 33% of consumers prioritise easy access to meals. |
| Capacity for large dishes | Usable capacity, container dimensions, included baskets and lid clearance. | For bulk groceries or large dishes, I want storage that’s organised and easy to access; around 25% of consumers prioritise this capacity. |
| Space and room temperature | External dimensions, opening clearance, installation type and the model’s ambient temperature range. | If the appliance needs to fit in a particular room, I need to check that it can be installed there and will work at the temperatures it may be exposed to; around 25% of consumers put these constraints first. |
| Purchase and running costs | Annual energy consumption in kWh, freezer-only capacity and delivery or installation costs. | I’m comparing the cost of adding an appliance with replacing my fridge-freezer, and want to factor in energy consumption; around 17% of consumers prioritise purchase and running costs. |
The fridge and freezer have separate capacities. So, with a fridge-freezer, the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room there’ll be for frozen meals.
Compare the usable capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the extra storage space you need.
An open-top compartment can hold items in a variety of shapes, but food at the bottom takes more organising to find, and the freezer uses up floor space.
Measure the space and check which baskets are included if you’ll often need to access individual portions.
The specified ambient temperature range depends on the model. ADEME recommends checking it for the room where the appliance will be installed, especially if it’s unheated.
Compare the room’s actual temperatures with the range specified for the exact model and check its instruction manual.
The brand’s range includes freestanding upright freezers and fridge-freezers, giving you options to compare if you’re adding extra storage or replacing an appliance.
The HSM14540 chest freezer is one model to consider if you’re looking for open-top storage.
The brand’s range includes a compact freestanding appliance and a model designed to fit under a worktop.
The WHM31112 2 is a freestanding chest freezer to consider if you have enough floor space in the room.
This selection includes an upright freezer and fridge-freezers to compare if you’d like more space for frozen food.
Image unavailable
Designed to help you organise portions, this model is shown with three drawers and two shelves.
Listed capacity: 161 L. No Frost, an LED display and an alarm are specified for this model. The stated temperature range is −14 °C to −22 °C; check that it suits your needs.
Image unavailable
Compare this model if you’d like more freezer capacity in a combined appliance rather than adding a separate freezer.
The freezer compartment is listed as 125 L, with three drawers; the fridge is listed as 235 L. The product details mention Total No Frost and a Direct Access drawer.
Image unavailable
Consider this model if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer and want to compare its freezer compartment with the extra capacity you need.
The freezer is listed as 115 L and the fridge as 322 L. The product details mention two shelves or baskets in the freezer and a freezing capacity of 5,5 kg/24 h.
Image unavailable
Compare this model if you want more freezer space in a combined appliance and have room for its size.
The product details list 149 L for the freezer, split into two sections, and 336 L for the fridge. They also mention Total No Frost and a freezing capacity of 11 kg/24 h.
Image unavailable
Consider this model if you’d like more freezer capacity in a combined appliance and have enough width for it.
The product details list 168 L for the freezer and 276 L for the fridge, with a width of 83 cm. No Frost is specified; check the clearance needed for installation and to open the doors.
Compare the usable capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the extra space you want, then consider whether you also need to replace your fridge. A fridge-freezer’s total capacity isn’t the same as its freezer capacity.
It depends on the model’s specified ambient temperature range and the actual temperatures in the room. Beko states that the HSM14540 can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C; this feature doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
No. Liebherr describes SmartFrost as a technology that reduces frost build-up. Check the defrosting information for the model you choose, and don’t confuse reduced frost with No Frost.
The French Ministry for the Economy and Finance states that delivery charges and, if installation is chargeable, installation costs must be disclosed before you buy. When buying remotely from a trader, you have a right to cancel for at least 14 days, subject to the applicable exceptions. The legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a trader to a consumer. Check the terms that apply to your purchase and distinguish this guarantee from an optional commercial extended warranty.
For each specific model, compare its energy class on the A to G scale and its annual energy consumption in kWh, as shown on the label. The French Ministry for the Economy and Finance describes the energy label as a summary of the appliance’s characteristics.