To increase your frozen food storage, choose an upright freezer if you often access your food and want to organise it in drawers. Consider a chest freezer if capacity and space for bulky items are your priorities, provided you have a suitable place for it. If you can’t install a second appliance, compare the freezer compartment capacity of a larger fridge-freezer with your actual needs, rather than confusing its total capacity with that of the freezer compartment.
If bulk buys or batch-cooked meals are overflowing from your current freezer, usable capacity becomes crucial. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes, in particular, between high-capacity chest freezers and more compact upright models.
If you open your freezer frequently, drawers and compartments can make it easier to find and take out food. Also check that there’s enough room to open the door and pull out the drawers.
The temperature in the room matters just as much as its dimensions. Compare its minimum and maximum temperatures with the ambient temperature range specified for the exact model. Information about a different freezer isn’t enough.
Consider this if: you use your frozen food regularly and want to find bags and meals quickly in separate compartments.
Bear in mind: drawers can limit the space available for bulky items. Check that they can be opened in your chosen location.
Consider this if: you store large shops or bulky food and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: a deep chest needs to be organised carefully so you can still reach food at the bottom.
Consider this if: you can’t add a separate appliance but can replace your current fridge-freezer.
Bear in mind: only the freezer compartment capacity meets your frozen food storage needs. Compare it with what you currently store.
To choose between these formats, first estimate how much food you need to store at the same time. Then check how easy it is to access and the limitations of the space where you plan to install the appliance.
| Factor | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Usable capacity in litres; freezing capacity in kg/24 h if you often add large quantities of food. | If you want to store bulk buys and batch-cooked meals without having to make room by removing other food, capacity comes before the storage layout. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise storage capacity. |
| Access and storage | Layout and dimensions of drawers or baskets; room needed to open and remove them. | When I regularly take out a meal or a bag of food, I want to find it without rummaging through the chest. Easy everyday access would be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Location | Dimensions, clearance for opening and the ambient temperature range specified for the model. | In a garage, cellar or tight space, I first need to know whether the appliance can be installed and operate as intended. Around 27% of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
| Ongoing use | Annual energy consumption in kWh, noise, defrosting and stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | If I store a lot of food for a long time, electricity use, maintenance and how the appliance performs during a power cut all influence my choice. These considerations would come first for around 13% of consumers. |
UFC-Que Choisir says chest freezers are on average 110 to 140 cm wide and around 70 cm deep. The delivery route or the space needed to open the lid could make a model unsuitable for your room.
Measure the access route, the floor space and the clearance above the appliance. Also follow the ventilation clearances set out in the instructions.
According to Bosch, an ambient temperature outside the specified range can affect how the appliance works. Liebherr’s stated suitability for cold conditions for the CFe 2500 does not apply to other models.
Record the room’s temperature extremes over the year and compare them with the climate class or installation conditions for the exact model.
Two freezers with different capacities won’t necessarily meet the same needs. The European energy label also lets you compare annual energy consumption, capacity and noise.
Compare appliances of a similar type and capacity, then look at their energy class, annual kWh use and noise level together.
UFC-Que Choisir includes storage time without a power supply and ease of use in its assessment of freezers. Alarms and defrosting methods vary between models.
For the appliances you’re considering, check the stated storage time, any temperature alerts and the defrosting instructions.
The GSN54EWCV is an example of an upright freezer designed for flexible storage.
The CFe 2500 Pure is an example of a high-capacity chest freezer.
The WHFF 6403 W4E is a high-capacity upright freezer with drawers.
These appliances suit different needs: chest freezers for extra storage, upright freezers for organised storage, or a fridge-freezer if you’d rather replace your main appliance. Before choosing a model, compare the capacity of the compartment you need and any installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for extra storage in a chest format and can access your food from above.
Fridge or freezer function, removable basket, five-level digital control and energy class E. Check the space needed to open the lid and the recommended temperature range for your room.
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Worth considering if you’d rather replace your main appliance than add a separate freezer.
The 467 l capacity is for the whole appliance, not just the freezer, so compare the freezer compartment capacity with your needs. Total No Frost and energy class E are listed in the product name. Check the dimensions and installation clearances too.
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Add organised freezer storage that’s easy to access regularly.
The product name lists drawers, No Frost protection, an alarm, a reversible door and energy class C. Check the dimensions, door clearance and temperature range suitable for the room.
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Worth considering for some extra storage rather than a very large family stock-up.
The product name lists a removable basket, sliding lid and energy class E. Check the required clearances and make sure the appliance is suitable for the room temperature.
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An option to consider if you want extra storage in a chest freezer and can access it from above.
The product name lists a basket, counterbalanced lid, adjustable temperature control and energy class E. Measure the clearance needed to open the lid and check the room’s temperature conditions.
A chest freezer is a good choice if capacity and room for bulky food are your priorities, and you have enough floor space. If you often want to find meals stored by category, an upright freezer with drawers may be more practical. Compare the usable capacity and layout of the specific model.
Yes, as long as the actual temperature in the room meets the installation requirements for your chosen model. Bosch, for example, lists different climate class ranges, while Liebherr states that its CFe 2500 is suitable for temperatures down to -15 °C. Check the instructions or rating plate for the freezer you’re considering; don’t assume these specifications apply to every appliance.
Compare the energy class and annual kWh use of models with similar capacities and formats. The European Commission says that, since 1 March 2021, the energy label for domestic fridges and freezers has used a scale from A to G. Also look at the stated capacity and noise level to assess the appliance as a whole.
It helps you compare how models perform without a power supply, but make sure you read the stated figure alongside its test conditions. In its test procedure, UFC-Que Choisir measures, in particular, how long it takes for the temperature to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without power.