For large bulk buys, consider a chest freezer if you have room to open the lid from above. If you often reach for individual portions, the drawers in an upright freezer can make organising them easier. A compact freezer or the freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer may be a better choice if you only need to store a small amount. Whatever you choose, check the usable freezer capacity, where it will go, the permitted ambient temperature and the stated power-cut storage time for the specific model.
If you store large batches of food and prepared meals, compare the usable freezer capacity with the floor space the appliance will take up. A chest freezer also needs enough clearance to open the lid and reach the food inside.
If you often take out a particular portion, look at the layout of the drawers and shelves, and check they have room for your containers. The litre capacity alone won’t tell you how easy it is to reach everything.
Whether it’s going in a small kitchen, garage or cellar, measure the appliance and make sure there’s room to open it. If the room isn’t heated, also compare its seasonal temperatures with the stated operating range for the specific model.
Start with your main consideration — how much you need to store, how easily you want to reach individual portions, or where the appliance will go — before comparing model specifications.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and dimensions | Usable freezer capacity, external dimensions and the clearance needed to open it. | If I want to store large bulk buys and batches of prepared food, I need to make sure the freezer will fit while still being easy to access. Around 36% of consumers prioritise finding a capacity that suits their available space. |
| Access to individual portions | The layout and dimensions of the drawers, baskets or shelves, and which way the door opens. | If I regularly take out prepared meals, I want to find a portion without moving all the other food. Easy access and organisation are the top priorities for around 29% of consumers. |
| Location and power cuts | The permitted ambient temperature range for the model and its stated storage time in hours during a power cut. | If the appliance needs to go in a room with changing temperatures, I need to make sure it’s suitable for that location and know how long it’s stated to keep food frozen during a power cut. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Limited storage needs | The usable freezer capacity of a compact freezer or fridge-freezer, followed by the energy consumption in kWh/year and noise levels of the models you’re considering. | If I only freeze small amounts, an extra appliance is only worth the space it takes up if my current freezer compartment isn’t big enough. Around 14% of consumers prioritise finding an appliance that suits their modest storage needs. |
Que Choisir compares chest and upright freezers based on storage and access needs. When comparing specific appliances, the European Commission says the energy label provides details including annual energy consumption, storage volumes and noise levels. Use this information alongside your measurements of the available space.
The stated capacity won’t tell you how easy it will be to organise portions or whether the appliance will fit where you want it. Reaching into a chest freezer from above is a different everyday experience from using the drawers in an upright model.
Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance needed for the door or lid. Then consider the interior layout with the size of your containers in mind.
The permitted ambient temperature range depends on the model. A feature advertised for a model designed for cold rooms won’t automatically apply to other appliances from the same brand.
Check the room’s usual temperatures throughout the year and compare them with the published range for the exact model.
A feature that manages frost doesn’t replace comparing stated annual energy consumption. You can’t compare two appliances of different sizes or capacities based on this feature alone.
Compare kWh/year, usable freezer capacity and noise levels on the energy label and the specifications for the models you’re considering.
Anses states that domestic freezing at -18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most microorganisms survive freezing. A larger freezer doesn’t remove the need to maintain the cold chain.
Plan your shopping and meal preparation to keep food out of the cold for as little time as possible, and follow the appropriate storage and defrosting instructions for each food.
Beko offers a range of upright freezers. Features and suitability for cold rooms vary by model.
Liebherr’s range of chest freezers includes options to consider for storing larger amounts of food at home.
Bosch freezers offer storage configurations worth considering if you keep meals in individual portions.
These chest freezers and this upright freezer suit two of the needs covered here: increasing your freezer storage or organising portioned meals. To choose between them, compare their capacity and layout with the space you have available. If it matters to you, also check the permitted ambient temperature range and the model’s stated storage time during a power cut.
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Worth considering if you need a 291 L chest freezer for bulk shopping and are happy with top access.
Advertised with fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket, LED lighting and a 5-level temperature control; energy rating E.
Allow enough clearance to open the lid. If you plan to keep it in a garage or cold room, check the permitted ambient temperature range. Also check its stated storage time during a power cut.
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This 197 L chest freezer is suited to a smaller household stock than the 291 L AUCMA model featured here.
Advertised with fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket and a 5-level temperature control; energy rating E.
Check how easily you can reach food at the bottom, the model’s permitted ambient temperature range and its stated storage time during a power cut.
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For prepared meals or moderate-sized bulk buys, this chest freezer offers 141 L of capacity. Check it’s enough for the amount you usually store.
Advertised with fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket and a 7-level thermostat; energy rating E.
The lid opens from above. If you plan to keep the appliance in a cold room, check the permitted ambient temperature range and the stated storage time during a power cut for this model.
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The drawer layout may suit you if you organise portioned meals and want to reach them by level. Make sure 161 L is enough for your needs.
Advertised with No Frost, drawers, an LED display, a reversible door hinge and an alarm; stated temperature setting range of -14 °C to -22 °C and energy rating C.
Measure the space and allow room for the door to open. Also check the kWh/year, permitted ambient temperature range and stated storage time during a power cut for this model.
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This 140 L chest freezer may suit you if you need a moderate amount of extra storage. Compare its capacity with the amount you freeze after shopping or preparing meals.
Advertised with a storage basket, counterbalanced lid and adjustable temperature control; energy rating E.
Measure the space above the lid. Check the kWh/year, permitted ambient temperature range and stated storage time during a power cut if you’re comparing installation and usage requirements.
Anses uses -18 °C as the reference temperature for domestic freezing and says that most microorganisms survive freezing. Choosing a larger freezer doesn’t replace maintaining the cold chain and following defrosting instructions.
No. Compare the temperatures the room actually reaches with the permitted ambient temperature range for the exact model. Beko says its RFNE448E45W can be used at temperatures as low as -15 °C, but this feature doesn’t apply to every Beko freezer or every chest freezer.
As well as the energy rating from A to G, check the annual energy consumption in kWh, storage volume and noise level. The European Commission provides details on this information for fridge and freezer labels. Compare it across models that offer the capacity and format you need.