If your current freezer compartment is no longer big enough, choose an upright freezer if you want to sort and find the frozen food you use regularly with ease. Consider a chest freezer for a larger stock-up, provided you have room to install it and can reach food at the bottom. A large fridge-freezer is worth comparing mainly if you also need to replace your fridge: check its freezer capacity separately before deciding against a dedicated freezer.
If you often reach for portions, vegetables or bags from your freezer, drawers or compartments can make it easier to organise everything and find what you need. Electrolux, for example, highlights the visibility offered by transparent drawers.
If you have a suitable space and mainly want dedicated freezer storage, compare the capacities of chest and upright freezers. Que Choisir points out the benefits of a separate freezer when a fridge-freezer compartment becomes too small.
If both compartments in your current appliance are too small, a larger fridge-freezer could save you from adding a second appliance. Compare its freezer capacity with that of a separate freezer, not just its total capacity.
Choose one if : you open the appliance often and want to sort food into categories.
Bear in mind : its compartments offer less flexibility for storing large packages; also check how much room you need in front of the door.
Choose one if : storage capacity and room for bulky items matter more than being able to reach each one straight away.
Bear in mind : you’ll need to set aside floor space and organise your food so you can reach items at the bottom.
Consider one if : you also need to replace your fridge and would prefer a single appliance.
Check that : the freezer capacity may still be too small for a large stock-up, even if the fridge-freezer’s total capacity is greater.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access and storage | How drawers or baskets are arranged and removed; access to food stored at the bottom. | When I take out small portions often, I want to find them without moving everything else. Around 42 % of consumers would prioritise this organised access. |
| Capacity and size | Net freezer capacity in litres; appliance dimensions and the clearance needed to open it. | To store more frozen food at once, I can make room for a separate appliance. This capacity would be the main priority for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Features and installation | Capacity of both compartments if you need to replace your fridge; permitted ambient temperature range and kWh/year for the appliance you’re considering. | If I’m replacing my fridge too, I want to know whether a large fridge-freezer will meet my needs without adding a second appliance. Around 25 % of consumers would prioritise this type of appliance first. |
It may fit in the room but leave too little space to open the lid. Que Choisir notes that chest freezers are commonly 110 to 140 cm wide and around 70 cm deep, although these dimensions don’t apply to every model.
Measure the space, the route into the room and the clearance above the model you choose.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. Beko, for example, says its HSM35050 can operate in temperatures as low as −15 °C; this doesn’t apply to all its appliances.
Compare the minimum and maximum temperatures in the manual with those of the room where you plan to install the appliance.
A freezer runs continuously. The energy rating alone doesn’t let you compare two appliances directly if they differ in capacity and format.
Check the kWh/year on the energy label and compare models with similar capacities, as shown by the energy labelling guidance on Your Europe.
Frost takes up space and means you’ll need to move your food temporarily to defrost the appliance. Electrolux recommends doing this when the frost reaches around 3 to 5 mm thick.
If it’s difficult to move your frozen food, compare the cooling system and defrosting requirements for the exact model.
A brand to consider for chest freezers, particularly if you plan to install yours in a cool room.
A brand to look at if you’re after a NoFrost upright freezer and easy access to your food is a priority.
A brand to consider for a built-in freezer, or if you’re comparing drawer models and different cooling systems.
These separate appliances give you extra space for frozen food: upright models offer compartments, while chest freezers have an open interior and, depending on the model, a basket. First choose a capacity and format to suit your stock-up, then check the installation requirements for the model you’ve selected.
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For a freezer where you want to keep food separate: the title lists a capacity of 161 L, drawers, No Frost technology, a reversible door and an alarm.
Measure the space and check the kWh/year and ambient temperature range before choosing where to install it.
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For extra chest freezer storage: the title lists a capacity of 140 L, a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating. The basket won’t necessarily make food at the bottom as easy to reach as food at the top.
Allow enough clearance for the lid and check the kWh/year and permitted ambient temperature, particularly if you’ll be keeping it in a cold room.
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For a smaller additional freezer: the title lists a capacity of 99 L, a removable basket and an E energy rating. The basket helps you separate some items, but food at the bottom is still less easy to reach.
The product details specify manual defrosting when frost exceeds 5 mm. Also check the kWh/year and ambient temperature range for the space you have in mind.
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For a small, organised freezer rather than a large stock-up: the title lists a capacity of 60 L, compartments, a reversible door and an E energy rating.
Compare the capacity with the amount you want to store; check the clearances, kWh/year and ambient temperature range.
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For a chest freezer with a modest capacity: the title lists a capacity of 98 L, a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating. Check that the basket arrangement suits the items you reach for regularly.
Measure the space needed to open the lid and check the kWh/year and ambient temperature range.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the operating range specified for that exact model. Check the manual rather than relying on the freezer’s format: Beko, for example, gives the HSM35050 a minimum ambient temperature of −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all chest freezers.
A chest freezer is worth comparing when capacity and room for bulky items are your priorities, but it needs floor space and careful organisation to keep food at the bottom accessible. Que Choisir says some chest freezers can hold up to 600 L; even so, compare the net capacity and dimensions of models that will fit in your home.
According to Electrolux, No Frost limits frost build-up and reduces the need for regular manual defrosting. For a manual-defrost model, follow the instructions in the manual; Electrolux recommends defrosting when the ice is around 3 to 5 mm thick and warns against using a sharp object to remove it.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh and the energy rating, taking each appliance’s freezer capacity into account. Noise level may also matter depending on where you plan to put it; check the model’s dimensions and ambient temperature range separately to make sure it’s suitable for installation.