If your fridge freezer no longer gives you enough freezer space, choose an upright model for easy access to food organised in drawers, or a chest freezer for storing larger quantities if you have enough floor space. A compact model can provide extra capacity in a small kitchen; replacing your fridge freezer is most worthwhile if you’re also short of fridge space. Whatever you choose, compare the net freezer capacity and check that the appliance is suitable for the space you have in mind.
If you buy frozen food in bulk or prepare portions in advance, compare chest freezers if you have enough floor space. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll need to organise the interior so that food at the bottom remains accessible.
An upright freezer with drawers lets you separate food and find what you need without rummaging through a chest. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, check that you’ll be able to open the door, handle each drawer and remove food easily where you plan to install it.
A compact built-in freezer can give you extra storage without the need for a full-height appliance. Check the net capacity and the requirements of the housing: this format may not meet your needs if you want to store large quantities.
Start by working out how much extra frozen food you need to store and how often you’ll need to get to it. Then consider the room’s requirements and the model’s features.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the net litres available for frozen food, not the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Consider how this figure measures up against the space you’re short of today. | “I need a little extra storage” calls for a different capacity from regular bulk shopping. If I’m also short of fridge space, I could consider a larger fridge freezer, while checking its freezer capacity separately. |
| Access to food | With an upright freezer, check that the door can open fully and the drawers are easy to use. With a chest freezer, consider access from above, the depth of the compartment and the baskets. | I often take out small portions, so drawers could make it easier to organise food by category. For food I use less often, I could consider a chest freezer, as long as I can reach what’s at the bottom. |
| Location | Measure the available space and the clearance needed to open the door or lid. If you’re planning to use a garage, cellar or warm room, check the room’s ambient temperatures against the model’s stated operating range. | If the appliance needs to go in an unheated room, I can’t assume it’s suitable based on the brand or format. I need explicit confirmation for the model I choose. |
| Energy use and noise | For appliances with similar capacities, compare the stated annual energy consumption in kWh/year, the energy efficiency class and the noise level. ADEME notes that the energy label also includes a noise class. | If it’s near a living area, noise matters to me. I also want to compare energy use rather than relying on the energy efficiency class letter alone. |
| Frost and power cuts | Check the defrosting system and the stated storage time during a power cut for each model. UFC-Que Choisir includes temperature stability and food preservation during a power cut in its freezer tests. | I’d like to know what maintenance to expect and how long the manufacturer says my food will stay frozen during a power cut. |
A large fridge freezer may allocate only a small proportion of its capacity to frozen food. The Electrolux ENG7TE75S built-in model is listed with 376 l of total capacity, including 89 l for the freezer.
Compare the net capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the extra storage you need.
An unheated room isn’t automatically suitable for every appliance. Beko and Liebherr state that certain specific models can operate down to -15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to their entire ranges.
Check the usual temperatures where you plan to install the appliance and make sure they fall within the range specified in the documentation for your chosen model.
It can be difficult to find everyday items when they’re covered by other food. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking that food is easy to remove.
Keep frequently used items in the baskets and organise the rest of the compartment by category. If easy access is a priority, compare upright freezers too.
The letter alone tells you nothing about storage capacity, noise or maintenance. These features also matter when you use the appliance every day.
Compare models with similar capacities, looking at their stated kWh/year, net capacity, noise level and defrosting system together.
These examples relate to specific models. Check the features of the product you’re considering rather than assuming they apply to an entire range.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a high-capacity upright freezer with organised compartments.
Examples of upright and chest freezers to compare if you’re considering an unheated location.
A chest freezer to consider if you need to confirm its suitability for an unheated room in the model’s product details.
Built-in options to compare if your choice depends on a kitchen housing or replacing your fridge freezer.
These options include an upright freezer for organising extra storage, chest freezers in different capacities and a fridge freezer to consider if you also want to replace your fridge. Compare their freezer capacity and where you could install them before choosing.
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An upright freezer to consider if you want extra storage with easy access to separate compartments rather than a chest.
The product name lists a capacity of 161 l, three freezer drawers, a No Frost system and a C energy efficiency class. Check the overall dimensions, door clearance and ambient temperature range for your room.
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This chest freezer is worth considering if you have floor space and prefer a chest for extra storage.
The product name lists a removable basket, fridge or freezer mode, a defrost drain and an E energy efficiency class. Check the ambient temperature range before considering installing it in a garage; the chest format alone doesn’t confirm that it’s suitable.
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A chest freezer to compare for extra storage if access from above suits the way you organise your food.
The product name mentions a basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy efficiency class. Check how much space you need to open the lid, the annual energy consumption and the ambient temperature range for your installation location.
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This option is mainly for households looking to replace their fridge while increasing their frozen food storage.
The 467 l in the product name refers to the appliance’s total capacity. It’s listed as No Frost and has an E energy efficiency class. Check the freezer’s net capacity separately, along with the dimensions and installation clearances.
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This 99 l chest freezer is worth comparing if you need extra storage rather than a large capacity for bulk shopping.
The product name lists a removable basket, adjustable thermostat, four-star rating and E energy efficiency class. Check how much space you need to access the lid and the ambient temperature range for your room.
No. It can offer plenty of storage, but takes up floor space and opens from the top. If you often take out small portions, compare an upright freezer with drawers too, and check that its door can open fully.
No. Compare the ambient temperatures in your garage with the operating range stated for the model you’ve chosen. Beko and Liebherr state that certain models mentioned here are suitable down to -15 °C, but you can’t assume this based on the brand or format.
Look at the energy efficiency class, then compare annual energy consumption, usable capacity and noise information for appliances with similar capacities. ADEME notes that the label provides information on energy performance and noise class; the letter alone doesn’t tell you everything about day-to-day use.
Not necessarily. A fridge freezer can also solve a lack of fridge space, but it’s the net capacity of its freezer compartment that determines how much extra frozen food you can store. For example, Electrolux lists 89 l of freezer capacity for its ENG7TE75S built-in fridge freezer, despite its total capacity of 376 l.
Not necessarily. Choose a defrosting system that suits the maintenance you’re happy to do, while also considering the model’s capacity, noise and energy use. LowFrost and StopFrost refer to other frost-related technologies; check how they work in the appliance details rather than assuming they’re the same as No Frost.