If you need a significant amount of extra freezer space, choose between a chest freezer, which gives you more room for bulky items, and an upright freezer, which makes it easier to organise food by category and access it frequently. A large-capacity fridge-freezer is worth considering if you only need a moderate amount of extra space. In every case, compare the usable freezer capacity and check the available space and installation requirements.
If you want to store bulk buys, prepared meals or bulky items, the available capacity matters just as much as the floor space you can spare for the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes chest freezers, which can offer a large capacity, from more compact upright models.
If you open your freezer frequently, easy-to-use drawers and compartments may matter more than a large open space. UFC-Que Choisir includes access, storage and cleaning among its ease-of-use criteria.
The temperature in the room must stay within the permitted range for the model you choose. Some models from Beko and Liebherr are designed to operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this does not apply to all their freezers.
Consider it: for large quantities or bulky items, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: the top-opening lid means you’ll need to organise your food to reach items at the bottom.
Consider it: if you often take food from different categories and prefer to keep it separated in drawers.
Bear in mind: the compartments may be less practical for very bulky items; check that you have enough height, too.
Consider it: if you want a moderate amount of extra freezer space in your kitchen without installing a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: only the freezer compartment’s capacity meets this need, not the fridge-freezer’s total capacity.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the net freezer capacity with the size of the items you need to store; for a fridge-freezer, exclude the fridge capacity. | If I store bulk buys or prepared meals, I want enough extra space for a separate appliance to genuinely meet my needs. Around 37% of consumers would prioritise capacity. |
| Installation | Measure the delivery route, the space available and the clearance needed to open the appliance; compare the room temperature with the model’s permitted range. | In a cellar, pantry or garage, I need to be able to install and open the appliance while keeping it within its permitted ambient temperature range. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise whether it suits the location. |
| Access and storage | Check the layout of the drawers or baskets and how easily you’ll be able to take food out. | When I regularly use products from different categories, I’d rather find what I need without moving everything on top. Around 27% of consumers would put access and organisation first. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Compare the kWh/year for models with similar capacities, then check the defrosting system and the stated power-cut storage time. | For an appliance that runs continuously, I want to keep an eye on its energy use and know what maintenance it needs. Around 9% of consumers would put these considerations first. |
An unheated cellar or garage can fall below the temperature allowed by the appliance’s climate class. UFC-Que Choisir notes, for example, that climate class SN starts at 10 °C.
Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then confirm the stated operating range for the exact model, including whether its product information says it is suitable for garage use.
A large chest freezer can take up a lot of floor space and make it difficult to reach food at the bottom.
Measure the space and the clearance needed to open the lid. Think about how you’ll arrange food in the baskets; if you often take items out by category, compare an upright freezer with drawers, too.
A freezer runs continuously, as ADEME points out. The energy rating alone won’t let you compare the annual energy use of models with different capacities.
Check the kWh/year shown on the label and compare appliances with similar capacities and uses. Look separately at defrosting, noise and how long food stays frozen during a power cut.
In France, a commercial guarantee is a contractual commitment that is separate from the statutory guarantee of conformity, according to the DGCCRF. A commercial guarantee statement therefore does not, on its own, describe the rights that apply.
Before buying, check who the seller is and read the cover and terms of any commercial guarantee. Keep your proof of purchase afterwards.
Worth considering for storage in an upright freezer: Bosch lists the GSN58AWCV with a freezer capacity of 366 l.
A brand to consider if you need to put a chest freezer in an unheated room.
Liebherr’s chest freezer range includes high-capacity models, with features that vary by model.
Whirlpool’s French range includes both chest and upright freezers.
These models provide extra freezer capacity in a separate appliance: four chest freezers with open storage and top access, plus an upright model if you prefer drawers. Compare their capacity with your needs, then check that you have enough space and that the ambient temperature is suitable for the model you’re considering.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for extra freezer capacity in a top-opening chest freezer.
Advertised capacity of 291 L; can switch between fridge and freezer modes, with a removable basket, LED lighting and five-level digital control.
Allow clearance for the lid and check the permitted ambient temperature for your room.
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Consider it if you prefer drawer storage to the open space of a chest freezer.
The title lists a capacity of 161 L, drawers, No Frost, an alarm and a reversible door hinge.
Compare its capacity with the extra space you actually need, and check its dimensions, kWh/year and permitted ambient temperature range before choosing a location.
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Worth considering if you want extra storage but don’t need the 291 L AUCMA chest freezer featured above.
Advertised capacity of 197 L, fridge and freezer modes, five-level digital control and a removable basket.
Check the clearance needed to open the lid and the permitted ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
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Consider it if your household only needs a smaller amount of extra freezer space.
Advertised capacity of 141 L, fridge and freezer modes, a seven-level thermostat and a removable basket.
Before installing it, check there’s enough room for the lid and that the ambient temperature is within the permitted range.
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Worth considering if you want to add 140 L of freezer capacity with a chest freezer.
The title lists a storage basket, counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an E energy rating.
Check the kWh/year, opening clearance and permitted ambient temperature before choosing this model.
Yes, provided the model’s permitted ambient temperature range covers the actual temperatures in the room. UFC-Que Choisir states that climate class SN starts at 10 °C; for a colder room, look for an explicit statement from the manufacturer about the exact model. Some Beko and Liebherr appliances are stated to operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this does not apply to their entire ranges.
Measure the space, the route through doors, corridors and stairways, and the clearance needed to open the lid or door. Compare these measurements with the dimensions of your chosen model and the clearances specified in its manual. A chest freezer generally needs more floor space than an upright model, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
No. Also check their annual energy consumption in kWh/year, comparing appliances with similar capacities and uses. ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously, so the annual figure on the label can help you distinguish between models with similar storage requirements.
No. UFC-Que Choisir states that No Frost removes the need for manual defrosting, but you’ll still need to clean the appliance and follow the instructions in its manual. Check the noise level of the model you’re considering, too, rather than assuming it based on the cooling system alone.
For goods bought by an individual from a business seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory, according to the Ministry of the Economy; it is separate from any commercial guarantee. The Ministry for Ecological Transition also states that, when you buy a new appliance in store or online, the retailer must offer to take back your old appliance. Check how this works in practice before delivery.