If you regularly find that portioned meals are taking up too much space, consider a freezer cabinet. For larger quantities that you can access from above, a chest freezer may be a better fit. A larger fridge-freezer is worth comparing if you also need to replace your main fridge, while taking stock and improving how you organise your food may be enough if the main issue is forgotten stock. Before adding another appliance, check its dimensions and the ambient temperature range the exact model can handle.
If you cook in advance, being able to spot your containers and reach your portions easily matters just as much as the available capacity. Look at the drawer layout and storage options of the model you are considering.
A chest freezer can be a good fit for bulky multipacks or provisions intended to last several weeks, provided you have enough floor space and can organise its contents using baskets or categories.
If you plan to install your freezer in a garage or cellar, first compare the room’s actual temperature with the range permitted for the exact model. ADEME recommends checking the recommended ambient temperature for the chosen location.
First work out whether you consistently need more freezer space or whether you find it hard to locate food you have already stored. Then choose a format that suits your containers, how often you need to access the food and the space you actually have available.
Consider this if: you often reach for individual portions, have enough height and want to organise them in drawers or separate storage areas.
Bear in mind: the interior layout and space needed in front of the door vary by model. The stated capacity alone does not tell you how easy it is to access your containers.
Consider this if: you have bulky items and larger stocks to organise, and enough floor space to open the lid from above.
Bear in mind: without suitable storage, it may be harder to find items placed at the bottom.
Consider this if: you also need to replace your main fridge and would rather keep just one appliance.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is not the same as the space available for frozen food, so compare the freezer compartment separately.
Try this first if: food gets forgotten or poorly labelled containers make your current freezer difficult to use.
Limitation: clearer organisation will not create extra capacity if your needs consistently exceed the space you have.
| Factor | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres with the space provided by the drawers or baskets for your usual containers. | If I want to store more portions or bulky multipacks, I need to be able to organise them without losing track of what I have; around 31% of consumers would prioritise this usable capacity. |
| Access and space requirements | Measure the space available and the clearance needed for the door or lid, then check the interior layout. | If I often take out a frozen meal, I want to find it without blocking the way through the room. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise access and the space the appliance takes up. |
| Installation in a cold room | Compare the room temperature with the ambient temperature range permitted in the documentation for the exact model. | In an unheated cellar or garage, I cannot assume a freezer will work at the room’s temperature; around 23% of consumers would put this compatibility ahead of other factors. |
| Whether you need a second appliance | Take stock of what you have and compare the freezer capacity of your current fridge-freezer with your needs; also consider its annual energy consumption. | If my containers are mainly poorly organised, or I already need to replace my fridge, I would rather look at those options before adding another appliance. Around 15% of consumers would prioritise this question. |
When comparing appliances, the European Commission says the energy label provides information including the efficiency class, energy consumption, storage volumes and noise level. Check the capacity reserved for frozen food rather than relying on the total capacity of a fridge-freezer.
Two appliances with similar capacities can differ in the shape of their drawers or compartment, and in how easy it is to access the food. With a fridge-freezer, the total capacity also includes the fridge section.
Note the dimensions of your usual containers and compare them with the interior layout and freezer compartment capacity of the exact model.
Whether an appliance is suitable for a cold room depends on the model, not its shape. ADEME advises checking the recommended ambient temperature for the room where it will be installed.
Make a note of the temperatures the room may reach and check the permitted range in the product details or manual before ordering.
A second freezer gives you more space, but it will not, on its own, make forgotten portions easier to find.
Keep an inventory for several weeks and date your meals to work out whether you have a consistent shortage of space or an organisation problem.
An appliance that fits its intended location must also be able to get through the doors, corridors and stairways leading to the room. If you are replacing an old freezer, you should also check the arrangements for having it taken away.
Measure the route to its final location and check the delivery, installation and collection terms before ordering.
These ranges offer useful points of comparison for freezer cabinets and chest freezers; check the details mentioned against the product page for the model you are considering.
The range includes freestanding and built-in freezer cabinets worth considering if you want to sort portions into separate compartments.
The range includes freezer cabinets and chest freezers, so you can compare both access styles according to the space you have available.
Its chest freezers are worth considering if you want to store bulky provisions and have a space where you can access the appliance from above.
The chest freezer range is worth exploring if you need to store larger quantities, particularly if you plan to install the appliance in an unheated room.
Compare the efficiency class, annual energy consumption, freezer compartment capacity and noise level. The European Commission says this information appears on the label; with a fridge-freezer, do not confuse the freezer capacity with the total capacity.
No. The ambient temperature range permitted for the model must match the temperature of the room. ADEME recommends checking the advised temperature for the intended location; the suitability for temperatures as low as -15 °C stated for some models does not automatically apply to other chest freezers or freezer cabinets.
Freezing does not replace good food hygiene and storage practices. Anses points out that poor storage, a break in the cold chain or cross-contamination can encourage bacteria to grow. Use clean containers, label your meals and avoid handling them in ways that unnecessarily interrupt the cold chain.
If you buy a new appliance to replace an old one of the same type, the DGCCRF explains that the retailer must offer free collection on a « one-for-one » basis. Before ordering, check the practical collection arrangements, particularly if your old freezer needs to be collected from your home.