If you want to store a large amount of food in a pantry, a chest freezer is a good choice if you have enough floor space and can reach food stored at the bottom. An upright freezer is more practical for frequent access, thanks to its drawers. An under-counter model is better suited to providing extra capacity, while a large fridge-freezer makes most sense if you’re replacing your fridge too. In every case, check the usable freezer capacity, installation dimensions and the ambient temperature range specified for the exact model.
If you buy or freeze food in bulk and have a dedicated space, compare the usable capacity with the amount you need to store, and make sure you have enough room to install and open a chest freezer. Que Choisir also highlights ease of use as an important factor when choosing a freezer.
If you want to find portions quickly, check how the drawers are arranged and how easy they are to use, as well as how the door opens. Que Choisir stresses that ease of use matters just as much as capacity.
If you’re placing a freezer in a cellar or pantry, check the model’s permitted ambient temperature, its dimensions, the access route and the space needed to open it. The appliance’s stated climate class must be suitable for the room temperature.
Start by working out how much freezer capacity you actually need. Then check how easy it is to access your food and whether the freezer will fit in your pantry, before comparing energy use and stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity for large amounts of food | Compare the litres of freezer capacity and measure the route into your pantry. Liebherr France lists a capacity of 359 l for the CFd 2505 chest freezer. | If I freeze large amounts of food, I want enough capacity for my supplies and an appliance that will fit through to the room; around 36% of consumers prioritise having plenty of storage. |
| Access and storage | Check how easily the drawers slide out, whether your containers will fit and how far the door needs to open. Bosch Électroménager France lists 200 l of freezer capacity for the GSN29EWEV upright freezer. | If I often take out portions, I want to find and remove them easily; around 29% of consumers prioritise access to their food and how it is stored. |
| Temperature and available space | Check the room temperature and compare it with the conditions specified for the model. Bosch gives a range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T; Liebherr separately states that the CFd 2505 with FrostProtect is suitable for temperatures down to −15 °C. | If my cellar is cold or difficult to access, I want to check that the model suits its temperature and dimensions; around 21% of consumers put the room’s constraints first. |
| Energy use and storage time | Compare the kWh/year and frozen food capacity shown on the energy labels; the European Commission confirms that this information is included. Bosch states a storage time of 9 h for the GSN29EWEV and 16 h for the GTV15NWEB. | If I’m comparing running costs and stated storage time, I want to check the information for each model rather than assume performance based on its format; around 14% of consumers prioritise these criteria. |
The fridge capacity is not the same as the freezer capacity: Bosch Électroménager France lists 330 l for refrigeration and 108 l for freezing for the Bosch KGN49XWEA.
Work out how much frozen food you need to store and compare only the litres available for that purpose.
If the freezer capacity isn’t enough for your needs, you may have to keep a second appliance.
The Bosch GTV15NWEB is described as a freestanding under-counter appliance, while the Electrolux LUB3AE88S is a built-in model.
Before preparing an alcove, check the installation type and the clearances specified in the instructions for the exact model.
An unsuitable alcove could mean changing your plans for the location or layout.
The SN-T range stated by Bosch starts at 10 °C. Liebherr separately states that the CFd 2505 with FrostProtect is suitable for temperatures down to −15 °C; this feature applies to this model.
Compare the actual room temperature with the conditions documented for the appliance you’re considering.
For the CFd 2505, Liebherr describes SmartFrost and StopFrost as technologies designed to reduce frost build-up; Bosch lists No Frost for the GSN29EWEV. These features are not interchangeable.
Check the technology listed and the maintenance required for the model you buy.
Worth considering if the room is cold, but be sure to check the specifications of the exact model.
The range mentioned here includes an upright freezer, a freestanding under-counter freezer and a large fridge-freezer. Compare them based on the freezer capacity you need.
Haier offers drawer-style upright freezers and chest freezers, so you can compare their layout and capacity.
Some chest freezers are worth considering if you need to store a large amount of food. Check the conditions that apply to the specific model.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a small built-in freezer; note that it’s different from a freestanding under-counter model.
These models include chest and upright freezer options for adding extra freezer capacity in a dedicated space. Check the dimensions and installation requirements for each model.
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This upright freezer could suit you if you want to organise portions in separate compartments.
Stated capacity: 161 L.
Three drawers and two shelves are listed.
No Frost and energy class C are listed.
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This chest freezer could suit you if you’re looking for extra frozen food storage with a storage basket.
Stated capacity: 140 L; energy class E is shown in the product title.
The counterbalanced lid, front water drain, wheels and adjustable feet are described.
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This model could suit you if you want to switch between fridge and freezer modes.
Stated capacity: 197 L; a removable basket is listed.
The capacity is used in either fridge mode or freezer mode, not both at the same time.
The description recommends leaving at least 10 cm of ventilation space around the appliance.
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This compact chest freezer could be a good extra option if you only need a little more storage.
Stated capacity: 99 L; stated floor area: 0,26 m².
A removable basket and sliding lid are described.
The description recommends leaving 10 cm of space around the appliance and manually defrosting it when the frost is more than 5 mm thick.
Not based on the climate class alone: Bosch states that the SN-T range starts at 10 °C. Some models have an additional documented feature, such as FrostProtect, which is listed as suitable down to −15 °C for the Liebherr CFd 2505. Check your room temperature against the specifications for the model you choose.
Compare the kWh/year and the capacity of the freezer compartments shown on the energy labels, choosing capacities that suit your needs. The European Commission lists this information separately on the label; the appliance’s shape or energy rating letter alone isn’t enough to establish the energy use of a specific model.
Follow the instructions for the model you’ve received. For its refrigeration appliances, Electrolux recommends transporting them upright and waiting at least 4 hours after transport before plugging them in. Don’t apply this waiting time automatically to other brands.
No. In France, when you buy from a professional retailer, a commercial guarantee is optional and supplements the applicable legal guarantees. The DGCCRF states that a claim under the legal guarantee of conformity must be made within two years of the goods being delivered.
When buying an appliance of the same type, the FAQ from the ministry responsible for ecology describes the “one-for-one” take-back scheme for household appliances and states that there is no minimum sales floor area for this category. Check the collection arrangements with the retailer.