If you only need more freezer space, adding a separate freezer is a more direct solution than replacing your whole fridge. An upright freezer makes it easier to access food organised in drawers; a chest freezer suits bulk storage if you have enough floor space and can keep its contents organised. Consider a larger fridge-freezer if you also need to replace your fridge, and check its freezer capacity separately.
If you often take out portions, vegetables or ready meals, being able to see and separate your food matters as much as capacity. The drawers in an upright freezer can help keep everything organised; check that they’re the right size for your containers.
If you buy in bulk or prepare large quantities of food, compare the usable capacity with the space your packaging actually takes up. A chest freezer gives you more flexibility for bulky items, but you’ll need to organise the contents to find things at the bottom.
In an unheated room, the ambient temperature could be a deciding factor, whatever type you choose. Check the room’s temperatures and the model’s operating range before planning where to install it.
Choose this if: you often take out frozen food and want to organise it in drawers, but have limited floor space.
Bear in mind: the space in each drawer may limit how you store larger containers; check the model’s layout.
Choose this if: you stock up or store bulky packaging and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom can be harder to find; baskets or containers can help you organise it.
Consider this if: your current fridge is also too small or needs replacing, and you’d rather keep just one appliance.
Check: the total capacity includes the fridge; only the freezer compartment capacity tells you how much extra room you’ll have for frozen food.
| Consideration | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Access and organisation | Check the size of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. | If I often take out small portions, I want to find each item without unpacking everything; around 42% of shoppers would prioritise access and organisation. |
| Storage capacity | Compare the usable freezer capacity and the space available for your bulkiest containers. | When I shop in bulk or prepare large quantities of food, I mainly want enough room to store everything; around 33% of shoppers would prioritise storage capacity. |
| Location and power cuts | Compare the room’s ambient temperature with the appliance’s operating range, and check the stated holdover time in hours. | If the appliance will be in an unheated room or away from the kitchen, I want to know whether it can operate there and how long it will stay cold during a power cut; around 25% of shoppers would prioritise these considerations. |
The type of freezer doesn’t determine the ambient temperature at which it can operate. An unheated cellar or garage may fall outside the operating range for the model you choose.
Check the room’s usual temperatures, then compare them with the climate class or operating range given in the model’s product details and manual.
A large storage space is still inconvenient if it’s difficult to find the oldest or most frequently used food at the bottom.
Plan how you’ll organise food by category, and measure both the floor space it will take up and the clearance needed to open the lid.
The rating alone doesn’t tell you the available capacity, noise level or how long the appliance will stay cold during a power cut.
For appliances with similar capacity, also compare kWh/year, usable capacity, noise in dB(A) and the stated holdover time in hours.
A fridge-freezer with a larger total capacity won’t necessarily give you enough extra space for frozen food.
Work out how much extra fridge and freezer space you need separately, then compare the freezer compartment in the fridge-freezer you’re considering with a standalone appliance.
These ranges give you a starting point for comparing different types and layouts; check the features and installation requirements for each individual model.
Beko France offers upright and chest freezers, with layouts and frost management systems that vary by model.
The GSN54EWCV upright freezer is an option to consider if you’re looking for generous capacity in a vertical layout.
The range presented by Whirlpool France lets you compare a chest freezer with an upright model, rather than assume one type suits every household.
The freezers presented by Electrolux France also offer options to compare if you’re planning an integrated installation.
These models let you compare two upright freezers, two chest freezers and a fridge-freezer. Compare their freezer capacity and layout depending on whether you only need more room for frozen food or also want to replace your fridge.
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Worth considering if you want extra freezer space organised in drawers, without needing a large storage capacity.
Three drawers, adjustable temperature and a reversible door; energy rating E is stated in the product name.
Check that 60 L is enough for your food and that the installation requirements suit the room you have in mind.
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Worth considering if you want to keep different types of frozen food separate in an upright freezer.
The product name states that it has three drawers, a reversible hinged door, an alarm and an energy rating of C.
Before choosing where to put it, check its dimensions and ambient temperature range. The freezing temperature range shown in the product name doesn’t describe the room temperature the appliance can operate in.
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Worth considering if you prefer a chest freezer for extra storage and have enough floor space for it.
The product name states that it has a removable basket, adjustable thermostat, four-star freezer rating and energy rating E.
The basket can help you separate some items, but food at the bottom will still need organising; also allow enough space to open the lid.
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Worth comparing if you’re also planning to replace your fridge, rather than simply add a freezer.
The stated capacity is split between 182 L of fridge space and 71 L of freezer space; the product name also states No Frost and a noise level of 39 dB.
If you need extra storage, compare the 71 L freezer capacity with that of a separate appliance, not the total 253 L capacity.
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Worth considering if you want extra room for frozen food in a chest freezer and have enough space to open it.
The product name states that it has a storage basket, counterbalanced lid, adjustable temperature and energy rating E.
Measure the floor space and lid clearance; also check the ambient temperature range if the room is unheated.
No. The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model, not simply on whether it’s an upright or chest freezer. Compare the actual garage temperatures with the operating range stated in the product details and manual. For example, Beko France states a minimum ambient temperature of −15 °C for the HSM14540, but this doesn’t apply to other models.
Look at the annual energy consumption in kWh alongside the freezer capacity, rather than focusing only on the energy rating letter. Where applicable, EU energy labels also provide information about noise; compare models with a capacity suited to similar needs.
No. No Frost relates to frost management, not the storage capacity you need. If you choose a different system, check the manual for the model’s maintenance and defrosting requirements.
Sort food into categories using baskets or containers that fit your chest freezer, and keep frequently used items near the top. Also measure the available opening space: a large capacity won’t be much help if the lid can’t open easily where you plan to put it.