Households that check their frozen food regularly
If you want to find food without rummaging, look at upright freezers with drawers or separate compartments. Also check how much room you need to open the door fully.
Which type suits your household?
Households that store large quantities
A chest freezer could suit larger reserves in a secondary room, provided you can access the contents from above and choose a model suited to that room’s temperature.
Households with limited space
A compact or under-counter freezer can provide a little extra storage. Before settling on this type, compare its net capacity with what you actually want to store.
What should you check before choosing?
Start by considering how much frozen food you need to store and how often you’ll access it, then check the available space. If you’re also short of fresh-food storage, compare adding a freezer with replacing your main fridge-freezer.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Access and organisation | Drawer or basket layout; door clearance. | If I take food out often, I want to find it without moving the rest of my supplies. Around 31% of consumers would make easy access their priority. |
| Bulky items | Net capacity; dimensions and height needed to open the lid; appliance climate class. | If I want to store large quantities in a secondary room, I’m happy to sort through the contents of a chest freezer. Capacity would be the priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Limited space | Net capacity in litres; dimensions, ventilation and required opening space. | If I only have a small space available, I’m looking for extra storage that will genuinely fit. Around 23% of consumers would prioritise a compact footprint. |
| Replacing the main appliance | Freezer compartment capacity in a fridge-freezer; dimensions and stated energy consumption. | If I also need more fresh-food storage, I’d rather look at a new fridge-freezer than add a separate appliance. Around 15% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming any freezer will work in a garage or cellar
The climate class specifies the ambient temperature range the model is designed for. A room that gets cold in winter can fall outside this range, even if it seems suitable for storage.
Keep track of the room’s low and high temperatures throughout the year, then compare them with the range shown on the product listing and the appliance’s rating plate.
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Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone
Opening it from above and storing food deep inside can mean moving items to reach anything at the bottom.
Think about which foods you take out most often. If easy access and organisation matter more than storing large quantities, compare upright models with drawers too.
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Comparing only the letter on the energy label
The label helps you compare energy use, but a small supplementary appliance and a large freezer don’t meet the same storage needs.
Consider the stated energy consumption alongside the net capacity, and choose a size that suits your storage needs first. Then check the noise level and installation requirements of the model.
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Confusing a commercial warranty with the legal guarantee
For a purchase from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity is separate from any commercial warranty extension. The DGCCRF notes that the way some commercial offers are presented can make the additional duration unclear.
Ask for the extension’s terms in writing, including its total duration, exclusions and how to make a claim. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity can be invoked for two years for new or second-hand goods.
Brands to consider
Beko
Beko offers upright, chest and supplementary freezers. Compare the product details based on the capacity you need and where you plan to install the appliance.
- Beko’s product listing for the B5RFNE315G specifies a net capacity of 286 L, five drawers and an SN-T climate class: features specific to this model.
- Don’t assume these specifications apply to other Beko models; check the climate class and layout of the one you’re considering.
Bosch
Depending on the model, Bosch’s range includes features such as NoFrost and a BigBox drawer to help organise your frozen food.
- These features give you practical points of comparison if ease of maintenance or space for certain foods matters to you.
- They aren’t available on every model. Check the product listing for the one you’re buying to confirm these features and its climate class.
Liebherr
Liebherr offers freestanding freezers in a range of capacities, including models with NoFrost.
- The range lets you compare different capacities and maintenance requirements without assuming they’ll all suit the same space.
- Check each model for NoFrost, dimensions, noise level and climate class.
Freezers for different storage needs
These Joybuy models include chest freezers in several stated capacities, an upright freezer and a small vertical freezer. Start by choosing a type that suits your storage needs and how you want to access the contents. If you’re planning to put it in a cellar, pantry or garage, check the ambient temperature range allowed for the model you choose.
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AUCMA convertible chest freezer, 291 L
Worth considering for substantial storage if opening the freezer from above suits you. The product name indicates convertible fridge-freezer operation, a removable basket, a five-setting control and an E energy rating.
Check the climate class for the room you have in mind, and bear in mind that a basket doesn’t offer the same drawer-style organisation as an upright freezer.
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Heinrich´s upright freezer, 161 L, stainless steel
Consider this if you want to organise your frozen food in an upright appliance. The product name specifies No-Frost, a reversible door, a temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C and a C energy rating.
Before choosing a spot, check the dimensions, door clearance and climate class for this model.
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CHiQ JR99DWE chest freezer, 99 L
This listed 99 L chest freezer could suit you if you need a little extra storage and prefer a top-opening design. Its product name mentions an adjustable thermostat, a removable basket and an E energy rating.
Allow room to open the lid and for manual defrosting; check the climate class before installing it in a secondary room.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E) upright freezer, 60 L
Consider this for a small amount of extra storage when space is limited, rather than for large bulk buys. The product name specifies a reversible door and an E energy rating.
Measure the space, check the required clearances and ventilation, then check the climate class if the appliance will be installed outside the kitchen.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR chest freezer, 140 L
Compare this model if you’re looking for more capacity than a small supplementary freezer but less than a large chest freezer. The product name specifies 140 L, a basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating.
Before choosing where to install it, confirm the usable net capacity, the space needed to open the lid and the climate class.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a freezer in a garage, cellar or pantry?
Yes, provided the room temperature stays within the range specified for the model’s climate class. Bosch and Beko list SN temperature ranges of +10 °C to +32 °C and N ranges of +16 °C to +32 °C. Check the exact class on the appliance listing rather than assuming that a cool room will automatically be suitable.
What should I compare on the energy labels of two freezers?
Compare the energy class and stated consumption, taking into account the capacity you need. The European Union describes the label as a way to compare energy performance; the letter alone won’t tell you whether a small supplementary freezer and a large chest freezer suit the same needs.
Do I need NoFrost on a separate freezer?
No. Choose this feature if reducing frost-related maintenance matters to you. Bosch and Liebherr offer it on certain models, so check for it on the specific appliance rather than assuming it comes with a particular type or brand.
Does a commercial warranty replace a freezer’s legal guarantee?
No. For a freezer bought from a professional seller in France, the commercial warranty is separate from the legal guarantee of conformity. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the latter can be invoked for two years for new or second-hand goods; check the terms of any extension separately.