Households that buy and store in bulk
If you buy or prepare large quantities and have a spare room, consider capacity, floor space and the stated storage time during a power cut together.
Which format is right for you?
Households that want to find frozen food quickly
If you often take out different portions, easy-to-reach drawers may matter more than a large compartment where you have to search for food at the bottom.
Smaller kitchens in need of extra capacity
If you only need a limited amount of extra storage, a small freezer can save you from having to make room for a full-height upright or a chest freezer. UFC-Que Choisir generally puts top or under-counter models in the 30 to 100-litre range.
Which criteria should you prioritise?
First decide whether you need an additional appliance or whether your fridge also needs replacing. Then choose a format that suits the amount of food you want to store, how you access it and the space available.
Chest freezer
Consider if: you need plenty of storage or want to freeze bulky items, and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: items at the bottom are harder to reach, and the compartment needs careful organisation.
Upright freezer
Consider if: you want to organise a range of portions and regularly access them in drawers.
Bear in mind: drawers divide up the storage space and need to open fully where the appliance will be installed.
Top or under-counter freezer
Consider if: you need a small amount of extra storage and have limited space.
Bear in mind: its limited capacity won’t meet the needs of a larger freezer.
Larger fridge freezer
Consider if: you’re short of space for both fresh and frozen food, or want to replace your current appliance.
Bear in mind: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee a freezer compartment that’s big enough for your needs.
| Criteria | What to check before you buy | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the stated capacity in litres with the size of your usual batches and the space needed for bulky items. | If I buy or prepare large quantities, I want to store them without running out of room for large packs. Around 33% of consumers prioritise having this extra storage. |
| Access to food | Look at the internal layout and the space needed to open the door and pull out the drawers. | When I regularly take out different portions, I’d rather find them by category than search at the bottom of a chest freezer. Easy access is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Location | Measure the appliance and the clearance around it; check that the room temperature is within the range specified for the model. | If I have a narrow kitchen or an unheated spare room, I mainly need an appliance that fits and can operate there. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Replacing or adding an appliance | For a fridge freezer, compare the freezer compartment capacity separately; also check the energy label for stated consumption. | If my fridge is also too small, I want to know whether replacing it will meet both needs without adding a second appliance. Around 20% of consumers put this choice first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone
A large compartment can hold bulky food, but it takes up floor space and makes items at the bottom harder to reach. UFC-Que Choisir says chest freezers are, on average, 110 to 140 cm wide and 70 cm deep.
Measure the delivery route and the space needed to open the lid, too, then think about how you’ll organise the food.
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Assuming any model will work in a cellar or garage
The ambient temperatures an appliance can handle vary by model: an unheated room may fall outside the operating range for a particular freezer.
Compare the usual and lowest temperatures in the room with the limits specified for the exact model.
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Comparing energy ratings by letter alone
According to ADEME, the current scale for the appliances concerned runs from A to G. The old A+, A++ and A+++ ratings don’t correspond to ratings on this scale.
When comparing freezers, check the current energy label and the stated consumption, taking each model’s capacity into account, too.
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Expecting an under-counter freezer to hold as much as a large appliance
UFC-Que Choisir generally puts the capacity of top or under-counter freezers in the 30 to 100-litre range. This format is therefore best suited to extra storage when space is limited.
If you want to store large shops or lots of home-cooked meals, work out how much capacity you need before choosing this format.
Brands to consider by format
Haier
Haier France’s range includes upright and chest freezers in a variety of capacities.
- You can compare vertical storage and chest freezer options from the same brand.
- The stated capacity alone won’t tell you how easy it is to access the food or whether the model will suit your room.
Liebherr
Liebherr offers NoFrost upright freezers and chest freezers with FrostProtect, depending on the model.
- According to Liebherr, some FrostProtect chest freezers can operate in rooms where the temperature drops to −15 °C.
- This doesn’t apply to all its freezers, so check the operating range for your chosen model.
Beko
Beko France groups its freezers into upright, chest and table-top models to suit different spaces and storage habits.
- Smaller models are worth considering for a little extra storage.
- Capacity, defrosting and dimensions vary by model, so measure the space before choosing.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s UK range includes fridge freezers in a variety of sizes and capacities.
- These fridge freezers are worth considering if you’re also planning to replace your fridge.
- Check the capacity of the freezer compartment itself: the fridge freezer’s total capacity isn’t enough to judge how much frozen food it can hold.
Products for different needs
These models show a few ways to make more room for frozen food: add an upright, a small freezer or a chest freezer, or replace a fridge freezer. Before choosing between adding and replacing an appliance, compare each model’s capacity with what you actually need.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L No Frost upright freezer, stainless steel
Consider this if you want to add vertical storage and organise frozen food in compartments.
Stated capacity of 161 L; the product name specifies a reversible door and No Frost system.
Check the dimensions, the ambient temperature range and how long food will stay frozen during a power cut in your chosen location.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
This small appliance is better suited to a little extra storage than to storing large quantities.
Stated capacity of 60 L; the product name mentions drawers and a reversible door.
Measure the space available and check the defrosting type and permitted ambient temperatures.
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AEG NSC6M18FES, 249 L integrated fridge freezer
Consider this if you’d rather replace an integrated fridge freezer than add a separate freezer.
The stated 249 L is the total capacity of the appliance; the product name mentions TwinTech No Frost.
Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with your needs, and check the niche dimensions and door installation requirements.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
This chest freezer could provide extra storage if 99 L is enough for your shopping.
The product name mentions a removable basket and sliding lid.
Plan how you’ll reach food at the bottom, and check the dimensions, ambient temperature range and defrosting instructions for the model.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L fridge freezer
Compare this with your current fridge freezer if you want to replace just one appliance in a kitchen where width is an important consideration.
The product name lists 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer; it also specifies a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and Low Frost.
Check that 74 L of freezer capacity is enough, and confirm the other dimensions and permitted ambient temperatures.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put any freezer in an unheated cellar or garage?
No. It depends on the ambient temperatures the specific model can handle. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking its climate class; above all, compare the appliance’s stated limits with the temperatures your room may reach.
How do I compare the energy consumption of two freezers?
Check the consumption shown on each model’s energy label, then compare it with the appliance’s capacity. According to ADEME, the current scale for the appliances concerned runs from A to G, so an old A+, A++ or A+++ rating shouldn’t be compared directly with a letter on this scale.
Is a chest freezer always a more practical way to store food?
No. A chest freezer can offer plenty of capacity, but how useful it is also depends on the floor space available and how easily you can reach food at the bottom. If you often take out different small portions, consider an upright with drawers, too. If you store bulky items, check how they fit in each format.
Does a commercial warranty replace my rights after buying in France?
No. The DGCCRF explains that a commercial warranty is optional and comes in addition to your statutory rights, including those relating to faulty goods. If the seller or manufacturer offers one, check its duration, exclusions and terms without confusing it with your legal rights.