Households that buy or prepare food in bulk
If you want to keep more frozen food, home-cooked dishes or fresh food for freezing, start by working out how much storage space you need, then consider how you’ll organise everything.
Which format is right for you?
Households with a pantry, cellar or garage
A chest freezer can make use of the available floor space to provide plenty of storage. However, compare the actual temperatures in the room with the ambient temperature range permitted for your chosen model, particularly in winter.
Households with a small kitchen
If easy access to food and saving floor space matter more than having lots of storage, consider an upright or compact freezer, or a fridge freezer. Also measure the height and clearance needed to open the door.
What should you check before choosing?
First, work out how much food you need to store and how much space you have. Then compare models that are suitable for the room with the way you shop, store and freeze food.
| Criterion | What to check | How it suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone and the usable space for larger packages. UFC-Que Choisir says some chest freezers hold up to 600 l, while upright models are generally around 200 l and can hold up to 400 l. | I want to store several types of food after a big shop: there needs to be enough room to organise everything without piling it all up. |
| Space and access | Measure the width, depth and height, the delivery route, and the clearance needed to open the door or lid. Check the drawer dimensions of an upright freezer or how you could organise food in a chest freezer. | In a narrow kitchen, I’d prioritise a small footprint. If I choose a chest freezer, I need to be able to reach the food at the bottom. |
| Installation room | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the ambient temperature range specified for the exact model. Don’t assume it is suitable for a garage just because of its format. | I’m planning to put my freezer in a cellar or garage, so I’ll check that the room’s conditions are suitable for the appliance. |
| Power cuts | Check the stated storage time for each model and the conditions under which it was measured. UFC-Que Choisir’s test procedure measures how long food stays below −9 °C during a simulated power cut. | If I’m building up a large food reserve, I want to compare how long different appliances can maintain the cold before choosing. |
| Freezing fresh food | If you often freeze shopping or home-cooked dishes, check the stated freezing capacity in kg/24 h. This is different from storage capacity. | I regularly freeze food that isn’t already frozen, so the amount I usually freeze matters just as much as the space I’ll need to store it afterwards. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the kWh/year for appliances of a similar type and capacity. If the freezer is near a living area, also check its stated noise level in dB(A). | If it’s near the kitchen or living room, I’ll consider noise as well as the energy use of an appliance that runs continuously. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the stated capacity
The open space in a chest freezer can hold bulky items, but food at the bottom may be harder to reach. Drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to sort food, as long as the packaging fits.
Group food according to how often you use it. For a chest freezer, check which baskets are available and plan a layout that keeps frequently used items easy to reach. For an upright model, measure the compartments.
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Assuming any freezer is suitable for a garage
A cellar or garage can reach different temperatures from a kitchen. Check the operating temperature range for the specific model rather than assuming it’s suitable based on its brand or design.
Check the room temperature in winter and summer, then compare it with the information in the product specifications or instruction manual.
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Comparing only the energy label rating
The rating alone doesn’t tell you the storage capacity or annual energy consumption of two different appliances.
Compare the stated kWh/year for freezers with a similar format and capacity, then check the noise level and storage time during a power cut separately if they matter for your installation.
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Choosing a built-in appliance without measuring the housing
A built-in fridge freezer must fit the space provided, and that involves more than just checking the appliance’s external dimensions. For example, Whirlpool specifies a 56 cm-wide housing for the WHC18D071A1 FR; this measurement applies to that model.
Before ordering, check the housing dimensions, installation type, required clearances and delivery route to the intended position.
A few brands and models to consider
These specifications apply to the models mentioned, not to every appliance from each brand.
Beko
The CF200EWN is an example of a domestic chest freezer to consider if you’re looking for a separate, mid-capacity food store.
- Beko France states that the CF200EWN has a net capacity of 198 l and a storage time of 36 h during a power cut.
- It has a stated SN-T climate class. Check that the corresponding temperature range suits the room where you plan to install it.
Liebherr
The FNe 5006 is an example of an upright freezer with compartment-by-compartment storage.
- Liebherr France states that this NoFrost model has a total capacity of 238 l and external dimensions of 165.5 × 59.7 × 67.5 cm.
- Check the available height and the clearance needed to open the door before choosing this upright freezer.
Whirlpool
The WHM2110 is a chest freezer, while the WHC18D071A1 FR is a built-in fridge freezer. They have different installation requirements.
- Whirlpool France gives the dimensions of the WHM2110 chest freezer as 80.6 × 86.5 × 64.2 cm.
- According to Whirlpool France, the WHC18D071A1 FR fridge freezer requires a housing 56 cm wide. Measure the space available rather than relying solely on the appliance’s dimensions.
Joybuy options for different storage needs
This selection includes a fridge freezer for combining both uses, chest freezers in different capacities and a small upright freezer. Before choosing between extra storage and an appliance for larger shops, compare the freezer capacity you actually need.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3-door fridge freezer, 360 l
Consider this if you’d like more fridge and freezer space without installing a separate freezer. The 360 l refers to the stated capacity of the whole appliance, not the freezer compartment alone. The title lists Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the freezer compartment’s individual capacity and make sure the dimensions suit your room.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 l chest freezer
At 99 l, this chest freezer is better suited to extra storage than to holding very large shops. Its title lists a removable metal basket, an adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. If you’re planning to install it in a cellar or garage, check the ambient temperature range permitted for this model.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 l upright freezer
This 60 l upright model is suited to a small, separate food store rather than stocking up on a large scale. The title lists a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the internal layout before buying: the information about the drawers and other compartments is inconsistent.
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AUCMA, 291 l convertible fridge freezer chest
The stated capacity of 291 l could suit a larger food reserve, provided you have enough floor space and plan an accessible layout. The title describes fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket, LED lighting and an E energy rating. Check the permitted ambient temperature range if you plan to place the appliance outside the kitchen.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 l chest freezer
This 140 l chest freezer offers another option for separate food storage. Compare its capacity with the amount of food you want to keep. The title lists a storage basket, temperature control and an E energy rating. Measure the space needed to open the lid, and check the stated storage time during a power cut if this could affect your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Does an upright freezer take up less space than a chest freezer?
An upright freezer may free up floor space by making better use of height, but it depends on the dimensions of the two models you’re comparing. Also measure the clearance needed to open the door or lid, and check that larger packages will fit in the upright freezer’s compartments.
Can you install a freezer in a garage or cellar?
Yes, provided the room temperature stays within the ambient range permitted for the model. Check the range in the product specifications or instruction manual, then compare it with the room temperature in both winter and summer.
What does the stated storage time during a power cut mean?
It lets you compare how long different freezers are stated to keep food cold without electricity, according to the conditions used for the measurement. In its test procedure, UFC-Que Choisir records how long food stays below −9 °C during a simulated power cut. Check the stated figure and conditions for each model you’re considering.
Is a fridge freezer enough for stocking up?
It may be enough if you only need a modest amount of extra freezer space and would also like more fridge space. Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with your usual shopping: the total capacity of the appliance doesn’t represent the space available for frozen food.