If your frozen food stocks have outgrown the space in your fridge freezer, start by choosing a model that suits the room you have available and how often you need to access your food. A chest freezer is a good choice for storing large quantities if you have enough floor space; an upright freezer makes it easier to organise food and access individual portions regularly. A large fridge freezer is also worth considering if you need to replace your main appliance. Compare its freezer capacity rather than its total capacity.
If you buy in bulk or prepare portions in advance, compare the usable freezer capacity with the space the appliance will take up. The stated power-cut storage time and the room temperature range the appliance can handle also matter when choosing a specific model.
If you often open the freezer to find bags, boxes or prepared meals, the drawers in an upright freezer or the baskets in a chest freezer may matter more than maximum capacity.
Whether you’re putting it in a small kitchen, utility room, cellar or garage, measure the space and access points before choosing a capacity. Also check the ventilation clearances, stated noise level and ambient temperature range for the model you’re considering.
Consider it: for large stocks that you don’t need to access item by item every day.
Bear in mind: depending on the model’s dimensions, it takes up floor space and can be harder to organise, with food at the bottom less easy to reach.
Consider it: if you want to sort portions into drawers and access them regularly.
Bear in mind: the compartments may be less suitable for very bulky food; also check how much room the door needs to open.
Consider it: if your main fridge also needs replacing and you’d rather have both functions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: only the freezer capacity meets your need for extra storage; the fridge freezer’s total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room you’ll have for frozen food.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the usable litres dedicated to freezing. If you often add a lot of fresh food, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | When I prepare portions in advance or buy in bulk, I want separate storage from my fridge freezer. Capacity would be the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Installation | Measure the appliance, access points and opening space, then check the room temperature and required clearances against the model’s instructions. | If I need to install the appliance in a utility room or garage, I first want to know that it will fit and can operate there in the expected conditions. Around 33% of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
| Access and maintenance | Check the drawers or baskets, cooling system and defrosting instructions. If the room is close to a living area, also consider the stated noise level in dB. | If I often need to find small portions without moving all my food around, I prioritise easy-to-access storage. Organisation and maintenance would come first for around 25% of consumers. |
A large chest freezer can hold plenty of food, but its width, lid and access to food at the bottom all affect how easy it is to use. Que Choisir explains the difference between chest and upright freezers.
Measure the space and delivery route, then make sure the lid can open fully. If you’ll often use small portions, check how the baskets are arranged.
The recommended ambient temperature and ventilation requirements vary by model. Bosch highlights the importance of the climate class; one appliance’s stated suitability for a cold room doesn’t apply to every freezer.
Check the room temperatures throughout the year and compare them with the range the model can handle. Follow the clearances specified in its own installation instructions.
The letter on the energy label doesn’t tell you everything about noise, usable capacity or stated storage time during a power cut. These features vary from model to model.
Compare the models you’re considering by annual consumption in kWh, freezer capacity, dB and storage time in hours. The model’s EPREL product fiche can provide more information to help you understand its energy label.
Beko offers freestanding upright freezers, including some No Frost models with fan-assisted cooling.
Whirlpool offers upright and chest freezers. Compare the two formats based on how you want to access your food and the space available.
Bosch offers upright freezers with drawers, including No Frost models.
Liebherr offers chest freezers, some of which are specified to operate at low ambient temperatures.
This Joybuy selection includes an upright freezer for organising portions and chest freezers in different capacities to add dedicated storage. Compare their dimensions and the ambient temperature range they can handle before choosing where to put them. This selection doesn’t include the large fridge freezers mentioned above.
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Worth considering if you want to keep frozen food separate from your fridge freezer and organise it in an upright model. The product fiche lists a 161 L capacity, No Frost, an LED display and a reversible door. Check the dimensions and ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
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A chest freezer for extra storage, with the stated option to switch between freezer and fridge modes. The title lists a 141 L capacity, a 7-setting thermostat and a removable basket. Don’t assume that its advertised uses mean it’s suitable for an unheated garage: check the model’s ambient temperature range.
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Add 99 L of chest freezer storage without replacing your main fridge. The model is shown with a removable metal basket and an adjustable thermostat. Check the defrosting instructions and make sure it’s suitable for the temperature of the room.
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Add more space for frozen food with this 140 L chest freezer. The title mentions a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and temperature control. Check that the lid can open fully in your chosen spot, and check the model’s ambient temperature range and noise level.
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A dedicated 95 L of storage if you’re looking for a smaller chest freezer. The title lists fridge and freezer modes, a 7-setting thermostat and a removable basket. Check the dimensions and ambient temperature range before choosing a location, especially if the room is unheated.
Yes, if the model’s stated ambient temperature range covers the temperatures in your garage. Check the product fiche and instructions for the exact model. For example, the Liebherr CFe 2080 Pure is specified to operate down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to other freezers.
Compare their annual consumption in kWh on the energy label, while also taking into account the freezer capacity you need. The EPREL fiche for the exact model lets you check its declared specifications; the energy rating letter alone doesn’t sum up its noise level or storage time during a power cut.
Yes. Leave the clearances specified in the model’s instructions so you don’t obstruct ventilation or prevent the door or lid from opening. Don’t assume that the clearances Whirlpool recommends for its freestanding fridges apply to all freezers.
Follow the defrosting instructions in the manual when ice builds up. Electrolux advises against using sharp objects to remove ice. If you want to reduce the need to defrost, check the technology specified for the exact model rather than assuming that every freezer in a range works in the same way.