If your fridge still does the job and you only need more freezer space, adding a separate freezer lets you keep your current appliance. If both compartments have become too small, compare a new fridge-freezer with two separate appliances instead. To choose between an upright and a chest freezer, start with the food you need to store, how often you’ll access it and the space available, then check the specifications of each model.
If your fridge is still doing its job, a separate appliance gives you the extra space you need without forcing you to replace it. An upright freezer makes it easier to organise food in compartments; a chest freezer is worth considering for larger quantities or bulky packaging, if you have a suitable place for it.
Your choice is then between replacing the fridge-freezer and installing two separate appliances. Compare the usable fridge and freezer capacities separately: Bosch, for example, lists 260 L and 103 L respectively for its KGN39EXCF fridge-freezer.
The room temperature could matter more to your choice than whether you go for an upright or chest freezer. Whirlpool explains that the climate class indicates the permitted ambient conditions. Check the temperature range listed for the model you’re considering and compare it with the temperatures in the room.
First decide whether your fridge needs replacing too. Then compare the space available for frozen food and the installation requirements. Don’t assume energy use or noise levels from the appliance format alone.
Consider this if: both the fridge and freezer capacities are too small, or one appliance is a better fit for the space available.
Bear in mind: the total capacity includes both compartments, so it doesn’t tell you how many litres are available for frozen food.
Consider this if: your current fridge still suits you and your only new requirement is more freezer storage.
Bear in mind: a second appliance needs its own space. Check the energy-use and noise figures for each appliance you’re considering.
| Priority | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the usable capacity allocated to freezing, not just the total volume. Bosch lists 103 L of freezer capacity for the KGN39EXCF fridge-freezer; Haier lists 276 L for the H4F272WCH1 upright freezer. These figures refer to two specific models. | I don’t need much extra space for fresh food, but my frozen food and prepared meals no longer fit in the current compartment. |
| Access and storage | Look at the drawers in an upright freezer and how you could organise food in a chest freezer. Haier lists four drawers for the H4F272WCH1; Electrolux presents a chest freezer as an option for storing large quantities. | I open the freezer often and want to find each item easily; or I’d rather have space for bulky packaging. |
| Dimensions and location | Check the width, depth and height, then measure the space and delivery route. The published dimensions are 600 × 742 × 1775 mm for the Haier H4F272WCH1 upright freezer and 140,5 × 69,8 × 91,6 cm for the Whirlpool WHM4612 chest freezer. | I have room for a tall appliance, or enough floor space and clearance to access a chest freezer from above. |
| Ambient temperature | Check the climate class and permitted temperature range for the exact model. Compare these with the lowest and highest temperatures in the room where you plan to put it. | If the appliance is going in a cellar, garage or another room with variable temperatures, I need to make sure it can operate there. |
| Energy use and noise | Check the kWh/year and dB(A) figures for the models you’re considering, using comparable energy labels. EU Regulation 2019/2016 provides for an A to G energy label for household refrigeration appliances. | If the appliance is near a living area, I’ll check its stated noise level. For everyday use, I’ll also compare its stated annual energy consumption. |
A large figure may mostly refer to the fridge compartment. Bosch lists 260 L of fridge capacity but only 103 L of freezer capacity for the KGN39EXCF.
Before looking at the total capacity, compare the usable freezer space with the extra room you need.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the appliance, as Whirlpool explains in its guidance on climate classes.
Check the temperature range listed for your chosen model and make sure it covers the temperatures in the room where you plan to put it.
The Whirlpool WHM4612 chest freezer is 140,5 cm wide, while the Haier H4F272WCH1 upright freezer is 60 cm wide and 177,5 cm tall. Access to the food also differs between the two.
Measure the space and delivery route. Also think about how you’ll reach items stored at the bottom of a chest freezer.
Stated figures apply to specific models: Bosch lists 35 dB(A) for the KGN39EXCF fridge-freezer, while Whirlpool lists 42 dB(A) for the WHM4612 chest freezer. These figures don’t represent every fridge-freezer or chest freezer.
Compare the dB(A) and kWh/year figures for the appliances you’re actually considering, rather than choosing based on freezer style alone.
These manufacturer examples can help you compare formats and specifications. Their features don’t apply to every model from the brand.
The freestanding KGN39EXCF fridge-freezer is a useful point of comparison when you need to replace both compartments.
The H4F272WCH1 upright freezer is an example of a separate freezer organised with drawers.
The WHM4612 chest freezer is an example worth considering if storage capacity is your priority and you have enough width available.
Its freezer guide explains the different uses of upright and chest freezers.
These options include a fridge-freezer to replace both compartments, along with upright and chest freezers for extra storage. First choose the option that works with your current fridge, then check the space available and the specifications for your chosen model.
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Worth considering if you want to replace your fridge as well, rather than just add a freezer. The product title lists Total No Frost, an E energy class, Wi-Fi and My Zone.
To see how much extra space you’ll actually gain, compare the usable capacity of its freezer compartment with that of your current appliance. Also check its dimensions and permitted ambient temperature range for the room where you plan to put it.
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This separate upright freezer lets you keep your current fridge while adding compartments for frozen food. The product title lists three freezer drawers and an energy class of C.
Before choosing a location, check its dimensions and permitted ambient temperature range. Also consult the manual to understand the temperature range shown for the appliance.
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This chest freezer gives you additional freezer space separate from your fridge. The product title lists a storage basket and an E energy class. You access the food from above.
The listed dimensions for this model are 637 × 556 × 846 mm. Remember to measure the space needed to open the lid, too. Before deciding where to put it, compare its annual energy consumption, noise level and permitted ambient temperature range.
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Worth considering if you need extra storage but not as much as a large chest freezer offers. The product title lists a removable basket and an E energy class. Check that 99 L is enough for the food you plan to store.
Allow for access from above and check the dimensions of the space. To compare it with another appliance, check its annual energy consumption and permitted ambient temperature range.
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This compact separate upright freezer is for a little extra storage rather than a significant increase in capacity. The product title lists three drawers and an E energy class.
Check that the capacity suits your food and that the dimensions of 44,5 × 47,5 × 84,5 cm fit the space available. Before installation, also check the annual energy consumption, stated noise level and permitted ambient temperature range.
First compare the usable freezer capacity and dimensions of each model: a fridge-freezer’s total capacity also includes the fridge. Then check the kWh/year, dB(A) and climate class. For the household refrigeration appliances covered, EU Regulation 2019/2016 provides for an A to G energy label.
It depends on the permitted ambient temperature range for the model you choose and the temperatures in the room. Whirlpool explains that the climate class provides guidance on this. Check the appliance’s product details and manual: one model’s suitability doesn’t apply to other freezers.
No. You can’t draw that conclusion from the format alone. Compare the stated annual energy consumption in kWh/year for specific models, taking their capacities into account. General advice about opening a chest freezer is no substitute for checking each appliance’s energy label.
Check the defrosting method listed for the exact model. A No Frost or automatic defrosting label can help guide your choice, but it doesn’t describe every model from the same brand or all its compartments.