An upright freezer is a good choice if you sort food into portions and need to access them regularly. A chest freezer is better suited to storing large packs, provided you have enough floor space. If you’re already replacing your fridge and only need to freeze a moderate amount of extra food, a fridge freezer may be enough. If so, compare the capacity of its freezer compartment rather than just its total capacity. Whatever you choose, check the installation dimensions and the ambient temperatures the model is designed to handle.
If you regularly freeze portions in containers or bags, an upright freezer’s drawers make it easier to organise them and find what you need without rummaging through a chest. However, check that the appliance’s height and the space needed to open its door are suitable for the room.
A chest freezer is worth considering for bulk buys or bulky packaging, if you have enough floor space. If you plan to put it in a cellar, pantry or garage, check that its instructions allow for the temperatures the room actually reaches.
If you only need a little extra room for frozen food and would rather keep a single appliance, consider a fridge freezer. The capacity in litres of its freezer compartment tells you how much extra space you’ll have for meals.
Start by working out what you want to freeze, then compare each type with your usual access needs and the space available.
Consider this if: you prepare portions and want to organise them in drawers that are easy to access every day.
Bear in mind: compartments can make it harder to store particularly large packs.
Consider this if: you want to store bulky shopping and can set aside floor space for a freezer that opens from the top.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom can be harder to reach; baskets can help keep smaller portions organised.
Consider this if: you’re already replacing your fridge and want to keep a single appliance for a moderate amount of extra frozen food.
Bear in mind: some of the total capacity is taken up by fresh food, so check the freezer capacity separately.
| Factor | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the capacity in litres of the freezer compartment, separately from the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Also consider the usable space for your containers and larger packs. | I want to know whether my usual portions will really fit, rather than relying on how big the appliance looks. |
| Storage and maintenance | Look at the number and layout of the drawers, trays or baskets. Check whether it needs manual defrosting or has a feature to limit frost build-up. | If I reach for meals in the freezer often, I’d rather be able to find a portion without moving everything else. |
| Location | Measure the appliance, the route into the room and the space needed to open it. Check the room temperature against the climate class and the ventilation instructions in the manual. | If the appliance is going in an unheated garage or pantry, I need to make sure the room stays within the temperature range allowed for the model I choose. |
| Power cuts | Compare the stated storage time in hours and the conditions under which it was measured. If you’re freezing a large amount of fresh food, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | If I store lots of meals, I want to understand what the stated storage time means, rather than assuming it’s guaranteed in every situation. |
| Energy use and noise | The energy label shown by the European Commission includes the energy class, consumption, storage volumes and noise emissions. Compare appliances of a similar type and capacity. | Noise matters to me too if the appliance is in a kitchen or a room I use often; I wouldn’t choose based on the energy class letter alone. |
A large fridge freezer doesn’t necessarily offer lots of space for frozen food: Electrolux lists a total capacity of 269 L, including 62 L for the freezer, for its ENA7CD19S model.
Before replacing a dedicated freezer with a fridge freezer, compare the freezer capacity in litres with the space taken up by your usual portions and shopping.
Climate class defines an ambient temperature range, as Beko explains. Liebherr’s stated compatibility down to -15 °C for the CFd 2505 Plus doesn’t automatically apply to other chest freezers.
Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then make sure they fall within the range specified on the appliance rating plate and in the manual for the exact model.
You’ll also need enough space to open the door or lid and allow air to circulate. UFC-Que Choisir recommends leaving at least 10 cm above and behind appliances; check the manual for the precise clearance required for your model.
Before choosing a position, measure the access route, the space needed when the appliance is open and the required clearances.
A time measured using a specific method won’t reflect every possible power cut. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests include assessing how long food stays below -9 °C during its simulation.
Compare results measured under similar conditions, and take account of how full the appliance is, the room temperature and how often it’s opened.
These models show the features to check for a specific product; they aren’t representative of every range from these brands.
A freestanding upright freezer to consider if you want to sort meals into different categories.
An example of a chest freezer to consider if the room may get cold.
An example of an integrated fridge freezer for anyone already replacing their kitchen appliances.
A brand whose information on climate class highlights why room temperature matters.
This selection includes fridge freezers for keeping everything in one appliance, chest freezers for adding extra storage, and an upright freezer for organising portions in compartments. The capacity shown in a fridge freezer’s name is its total capacity, so check the freezer capacity before choosing.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing a fridge rather than adding a separate freezer. Its name gives a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Check the freezer compartment capacity, clearances and the permitted ambient temperature for your chosen location.
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This Total No Frost fridge freezer is designed for replacing your existing appliance with a single unit. The 360 L refers to its total capacity, so compare the freezer capacity with the meals you want to store. Also check the installation dimensions and the expected ambient temperature range.
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This chest freezer adds extra freezer space without taking up the height of an upright model. Its removable basket can keep smaller items within easy reach; compare the 99 L capacity with the size of the meals and packs you store. Check the manual for maintenance requirements, permitted ambient temperature and storage time in the event of a power cut.
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The drawers in this upright freezer make it easier to organise portions by category; its name also indicates a reversible door and an alarm. The stated temperature settings of -14 °C to -22 °C are not the permitted ambient temperature range. Check this, as well as the dimensions and storage time, for your chosen location.
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This chest freezer comes with a storage basket and a counterbalanced lid, which may be useful if you access the contents often. Measure the space needed with the lid open, and check the permitted ambient temperature and storage time in the event of a power cut for the exact model.
Yes, as long as the temperatures the room actually reaches stay within the range permitted for your chosen model. Check the rating plate and manual: Beko explains that climate class defines this range, while Liebherr only states compatibility down to -15 °C for the CFd 2505 Plus.
As well as the energy class, check energy consumption, freezer compartment capacity and noise. The European Commission states that this information appears on the label. To choose the right capacity, compare freezer space separately and, ideally, compare appliances of a similar size.
No. Capacity and ease of storage are still worth considering separately. No Frost mainly affects frost management and maintenance; if a model needs manual defrosting, follow the instructions in its manual.
No. It’s a measurement that should be read alongside the conditions it was taken under, not a guaranteed time regardless of how full the appliance is or how often it’s opened. As part of its testing, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long food stays below -9 °C during a simulated power cut.