If you often reach for small portions, consider an upright freezer with drawers. If you need to store larger quantities and have enough room, consider a chest freezer. A fridge-freezer is a good option if a smaller freezer compartment will do and you want just one appliance. If your current appliance already has enough space, try organising its contents more effectively before buying another one.
If you regularly reach for ready meals, bags of food and small portions, look at the drawer layout in an upright freezer or the freezer compartment of a fridge-freezer. Easy access to each category matters just as much as the stated capacity.
A chest freezer is worth considering for bulk shopping or large containers, provided you have room to install it and a way to find items stored at the bottom.
If another appliance would take up too much room, compare the freezer compartment capacity of fridge-freezers with the amount of food you want to store.
UFC-Que Choisir describes chest freezers as offering plenty of space and upright freezers as more compact. The layout and the space available will help you decide which style best suits your needs.
Worth considering: if you regularly take out small portions and want to sort them into separate drawers.
Bear in mind: check that the door can open and all the drawers remain accessible in your chosen location.
Worth considering: for larger quantities or big containers, if you have enough width and depth available.
Bear in mind: items are accessed from the top, so you’ll need to keep the contents organised to find food at the bottom.
Worth considering: if you want one appliance to do both jobs and your frozen food will fit in its dedicated compartment.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s total capacity isn’t the same as the space available for freezing.
Worth trying: if your food already fits in your appliance but is difficult to identify or reach.
Limit: organising your food won’t create space for quantities or containers that don’t fit.
| Consideration | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Access to food | Look at the number and layout of the drawers, compartments or baskets. Check how easy it is to reach food at the bottom of a chest freezer. | I want to separate portions and find a bag without moving all my frozen food. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the net capacity of the freezer compartment, then measure the width, depth and height, as well as the space needed to open the door. | My food needs to fit in the appliance, and the appliance itself needs to fit in my home and be easy to use. |
| Maintenance and noise | Check the defrosting method for the exact model. If the appliance will be near a living area, compare its noise level in dB(A) too. | Manual defrosting would be a hassle for me, or the appliance will be installed near rooms that are in regular use. |
| Power cut | Check the stated storage time in the event of a power cut and the conditions that apply to this figure for each model. | I store a lot of food and want to know how long it will stay frozen before the temperature starts to rise. |
| Energy and location | The DGCCRF states that household refrigeration appliances must carry an energy label. Compare the energy rating and kWh/year for models with similar capacities and uses. Separately check the climate class or permitted ambient temperature range. | I want to compare energy consumption and, if the appliance will go in a garage or an unheated room, make sure it’s suitable for that temperature. |
The total capacity of a fridge-freezer includes its fridge compartment. A large chest freezer can also be difficult to organise or fit into the space you have in mind.
Compare the net freezer capacity, dimensions and how easy it is to access the compartments before deciding on a style.
A claim about a particular model doesn’t apply to other freezers. For example, Beko states that the HSM14540 chest freezer can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C.
Check the permitted ambient temperature range and installation instructions in the product information and manual for the appliance you’re considering.
An upright freezer doesn’t necessarily have a No Frost system. The maintenance required depends on the model, not just its shape.
Check the cooling technology and defrosting instructions for the exact model.
These examples highlight features to compare on specific models. They shouldn’t be taken to apply to every product in each brand’s range.
The HSM14540 chest freezer is worth a look if you’re planning to put it in an unheated room.
The GSN33VWEP upright freezer is an example of a drawer model to consider if access and maintenance matter to you.
The ENP7MD19S built-in fridge-freezer shows why it’s important to distinguish total capacity from freezer capacity.
This selection includes a fridge-freezer, two upright freezers and two chest freezers. Compare their freezer capacity and storage layout with the space you have available. If your current appliance is already large enough, try reorganising it before buying a new one.
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Worth considering if you want to combine refrigeration and freezing in one appliance. Compare the freezer compartment capacity with the amount of food you store, rather than relying on the 360 L total capacity.
The product name lists Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the dimensions and the space needed to open the doors.
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The upright design and drawers are worth considering if you want to organise your frozen food by category.
The product name lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, a C energy rating and a reversible door. Check the dimensions and the permitted ambient temperature for your chosen location.
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Worth considering for a small supply of frozen food organised in drawers, rather than for storing large quantities.
The product name lists a capacity of 60 L, a reversible door, adjustable temperature settings and an E energy rating. Compare the dimensions, climate class and annual energy consumption before choosing where to put it.
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This chest freezer has a storage compartment and a basket to keep some smaller items separate. Plan how you’ll organise the rest of the contents.
The product name lists a capacity of 140 L, a counterbalanced lid, an adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. Check the dimensions and permitted ambient temperature range.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 99 L chest freezer with a removable basket, but bear in mind that the basket won’t divide up the whole compartment.
The product name lists an adjustable thermostat, a sliding lid and an E energy rating. Check the defrosting instructions, climate class and annual energy consumption for this model.
Compare the energy rating and annual consumption in kWh for appliances with similar capacities and uses, and check the exact model number. The DGCCRF states that household refrigeration appliances, including freezers and fridge-freezers, must carry an energy label. You can find information for individual models in the European EPREL database.
No. Check the ambient temperature range and installation instructions for the exact model. Beko states that its HSM14540 chest freezer can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t automatically apply to another appliance.
No. Defrosting depends on the model’s features, not whether it’s an upright freezer. For example, Bosch states that the GSN33VWEP has a No Frost function that eliminates the need for manual defrosting. Check the product information for the model you’re considering.
Read the model’s documentation and find out about spare parts, repair options and the warranties available. The list of product categories covered by the repairability index, published by ADEME, doesn’t include freezers. So don’t base your comparison on the expectation that this category will have a rating.