To store more prepared meals, choose a chest freezer if you have a large stock that you don’t access often, or an upright model if you regularly take out portions and want to organise them in drawers. An under-counter freezer is better suited as a compact extra; a large-capacity fridge-freezer is a good option if you also need more space for fresh food, provided its freezer compartment is big enough. Before choosing, check the available space, installation requirements, kWh/year and the stated power-cut storage time.
If you buy in bulk or prepare lots of portions in advance, storage capacity is especially important. Compare a chest freezer with a large upright model, taking into account the space you have and how often you need to find specific items.
When you need to find meals and ingredients easily, organisation matters just as much as capacity. The drawers in an upright freezer let you separate portions without rummaging through your whole stock.
If you have a small kitchen or an outbuilding where the temperature varies, measure the space and check the operating conditions before comparing capacities. The appliance needs to fit in the room and have enough clearance to open and ventilate it as instructed in the manual.
For prepared meals, start by deciding whether you need plenty of storage or easy access to individual portions. The available space and room temperature may rule out a particular design, even if its capacity looks suitable.
Consider one if: you want to store lots of bulk-bought food or meals that you don’t take out every day.
The trade-off: a chest freezer takes up floor space, and items at the bottom are harder to reach.
Consider one if: you often open the appliance to take out portions stored in separate drawers.
The trade-off: the compartments dictate what will fit, particularly when you have large containers.
Consider one if: you need extra freezer space in a small kitchen.
The trade-off: its more limited capacity is less suited to storing lots of meals or bulk purchases for long periods.
Consider one if: you want more space for both fresh and frozen food by replacing your main appliance.
The trade-off: the total capacity isn’t the same as the freezer capacity, and the appliance may need more space.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the net litres available for frozen food. If you freeze a lot of fresh food at once, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | When I cook in bulk or buy in larger quantities, I want to store portions without filling up all my freezer space. Around 31% of consumers rank this capacity as their top priority. |
| Access to portions | Look at the drawers or baskets, their usable height and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. | If I regularly take out a prepared meal, I want to find the right portion without moving the rest of my food. For around 25% of consumers, easy access is the top priority. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space and clearance needed to open the appliance, then check the ventilation requirements and the specified ambient temperature range for the model. | In a narrow kitchen or an outbuilding, my first priority is being able to install and use the appliance in the intended space. This compatibility comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Compare the kWh/year for appliances with similar capacities, the defrosting method and the stated power-cut storage time. | As the appliance runs continuously, I want to consider its energy use and the maintenance it will need. Around 19% of consumers prioritise these practical considerations. |
A chest freezer or large fridge-freezer may offer the storage you want but still get in the way, or make it difficult to open the lid or pull out drawers.
Measure the delivery route and the space where the appliance will go. Allow room for doors or the lid to open, as well as the ventilation clearances specified in the model’s manual.
According to Whirlpool, the climate class indicates the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. So a cellar, garage or conservatory won’t necessarily be suitable for the model you’re considering.
Compare the room temperature with the range shown on the technical information or rating plate for the specific freezer.
As ADEME points out, a freezer runs continuously. The rating letter alone doesn’t let you compare the annual energy use of appliances with different capacities.
Check the kWh/year and freezer capacity together, then look at the defrosting method if maintenance is an important part of your decision.
UFC-Que Choisir lists storage time during a power cut as a factor to consider, particularly if power cuts are a concern.
Before you decide, check the number of hours in the product information sheet or the model’s manual.
These ranges offer different designs to compare. Features mentioned for a specific model won’t necessarily apply to other models from the same brand.
The range includes freestanding and built-in freezers, including NoFrost upright models.
The range of upright freezers includes No Frost models and Freezer Guard models designed, according to their product information, for use in certain unheated rooms.
Haier offers upright and chest freezers, two designs to consider depending on how easily you want to access portions and how much space you have.
Bosch large-capacity fridge-freezers are designed for households that want more space for both fresh and frozen food.
These appliances offer the choice of a dedicated freezer or a fridge-freezer if you also need to change your refrigerated storage. For fridge-freezers, compare the freezer compartment capacity rather than just the total capacity; for chest freezers, consider how easy it is to reach items from above.
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Worth considering if you want more space for fresh and frozen food in one appliance. The 467 L refers to the stated total capacity: check the freezer capacity and the space needed to open all four doors.
Features listed in the product title: Total No Frost, energy rating E, Smart Inverter and silver finish.
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Worth comparing if you’re replacing your fridge and want more room for frozen meals. The 360 L refers to the stated total capacity: check how it’s divided between the fridge and freezer before choosing this model.
Features listed in the product title: Total No Frost, energy rating E, Wi-Fi and My Zone.
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Worth considering if you want a dedicated freezer for portions and bulk purchases, and 99 L is the capacity you need. The removable basket helps keep some items separate, but food underneath is still accessed as it would be in any chest freezer.
The product title lists a 4-star rating, adjustable thermostat, sliding lid and energy rating E. Check how much space you’ll need to open the lid.
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Worth considering if you want a chest freezer that can be set to refrigerate or freeze. The 291 L is the stated capacity of the convertible appliance: check the usable capacity in freezer mode before choosing it for your prepared meals.
The product title lists a removable basket, five-level digital control, LED lighting, a defrost drain and energy rating E. Allow enough space to lift the lid.
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Compare it with other chest freezers if you want an extra 140 L of dedicated storage. Its basket lets you keep some food separate; consider whether top access suits how often you take out portions.
The product title lists a counterbalanced lid, temperature control, adjustable feet and energy rating E. Also measure the clearance needed above the appliance.
Choose a chest freezer if plenty of storage is your priority and you don’t mind having less direct access to food at the bottom. An upright model is a better choice if you regularly take out portions and want to keep them separate in drawers. Either way, check the freezer capacity and the space needed to open the appliance.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range specified for your chosen model. Whirlpool says the climate class tells you what this range is. Check the technical information or rating plate rather than assuming that every freezer is suitable for an unheated room.
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for your model and installation type. Whirlpool’s recommendations for its freestanding fridges shouldn’t be applied as they are to another freezer or a built-in appliance.
Compare the kWh/year shown on the energy labels of appliances with similar capacities and designs, then consider their freezing capacity and defrosting method in relation to how you’ll use them. ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously, so the energy rating letter alone doesn’t tell you its annual energy use.