To significantly increase your family’s freezer storage, consider a chest freezer if you have room to open the lid and reach the bottom; choose an upright model if you want to organise food and access it frequently. An under-counter model is better suited as extra storage, while a large fridge freezer may be worth considering if you need to replace your fridge as well. In every case, check the freezer capacity, dimensions, room temperature and the model’s ventilation requirements.
If your fridge freezer no longer has enough room for bulk purchases or larger items, a chest freezer is worth considering if you have a suitable place for it. UFC-Que Choisir and Gifam describe chest freezers as a format that can offer generous capacity; however, make sure you measure the space you’ll need to reach your food.
If you regularly reach for portions, vegetables or prepared meals, an upright freezer with drawers makes it easy to assign a place to each category. Check the layout and whether the drawers open fully rather than choosing based on the advertised capacity alone.
An under-counter appliance needs to fit the recess and suit the installation method. If you plan to put it in a cellar, pantry or garage, also compare the room’s actual temperatures with the ambient temperature range permitted for your chosen model.
Start by working out how much capacity and what type of storage you need. Then check that the appliance can be installed and used in your chosen location.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and size | Compare the freezer capacity in litres, the external dimensions and the access route to its final position. Allow room to open the lid or drawers. | I want to store my bulk purchases without blocking walkways or access to food. If I only need extra storage, a small appliance may be enough. |
| Access to food | Check the drawers in an upright freezer or the baskets and interior of a chest freezer. Think about where you’ll put smaller portions and bulky packaging. | I often take out different foods, so being able to separate them matters just as much to me as the overall capacity. |
| Room and installation | Compare the room temperature with the model’s climate class; any suitability for lower temperatures should be stated for the specific model. Follow the required clearances and, for an under-counter appliance, the specified recess dimensions. | I may put my appliance in a garage or under a worktop, so I need to confirm that it can operate and be ventilated in that location. |
| Everyday use and maintenance | The European Commission says the energy label provides information including energy consumption, capacity and noise. Compare the annual kWh usage of appliances that suit your needs, then check the model’s defrosting instructions. | As the freezer will be running all the time, I want to compare its energy use and noise levels without overlooking the maintenance it requires. |
| Replacing your fridge | With a fridge freezer, distinguish the freezer compartment capacity from the total capacity. For example, Whirlpool lists 106 l of freezer capacity out of a total 355 l for the WHK25404XBR5E. | If I also need to replace my fridge, I could consider a fridge freezer. If I mainly need more room for frozen food, I should first compare its freezer compartment with that of a standalone appliance. |
A chest freezer may have room for everything you need to store, but not enough space to open the lid or reach the bottom. Conversely, an under-counter appliance may fit in your kitchen but only provide a little extra storage.
Measure the space and access route, check how far the lid opens, then compare the capacity with your usual portions and bulky packaging.
A climate class specifies a range of ambient temperatures. A stated operating temperature of down to −15 °C on some Liebherr models, or in Beko’s Freezer Guard information, does not apply to every model.
Check the room temperature throughout the year, then look up the climate class and any stated suitability for low temperatures on the product information for the model you’re considering.
An appliance needs to be able to release heat as specified for its installation. The clearances Whirlpool gives for its freestanding fridges are not universal dimensions for freezers, particularly built-in models.
Follow the instructions for the exact model, including clearances, any required recess dimensions and the distance from heat sources.
Frost management won’t solve a lack of capacity or make an appliance compatible with the temperature of your room.
Check the capacity, installation requirements and access to food first. Then compare the defrosting method, annual energy consumption and noise levels of suitable models.
Beko offers domestic chest freezers, as well as a feature designed for cold rooms on selected appliances.
The Bosch models featured here illustrate two different needs: a freestanding upright freezer and an under-counter appliance.
The Liebherr models featured here include a large-capacity chest freezer, a freestanding upright freezer and an under-counter appliance.
The Whirlpool fridge freezer featured here is worth considering if replacing your fridge is also part of the plan.
These models include upright freezers with compartments and chest freezers with capacities from 98 to 140 l. Compare their capacity and how easily you can reach your food with the space you have available. If you’re using an unheated room, check the ambient temperature permitted for each model.
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This freestanding model offers extra storage with food kept separate in three drawers, according to its product title. It has a reversible door and adjustable temperature control, and is listed with an E energy rating. Check where it will go and its permitted ambient temperature range before installing it in an unheated room.
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This upright model suits anyone who prefers to organise food in drawers; its title lists three. It also features No-Frost, an alarm and a C energy rating. Check its dimensions before choosing a spot, and check its permitted ambient temperature range if the room is unheated.
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This 99 l chest freezer has a removable basket to keep some smaller items separate inside. Its title lists an adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. Allow room to reach the bottom and open the lid, and check the defrosting instructions and permitted ambient temperature.
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This 140 l chest freezer has a storage basket inside, and its lid is described as counterbalanced. The title lists adjustable temperature control and an E energy rating. Measure the space needed to open the lid, and check the installation requirements if you plan to keep it in a garage or cellar.
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This 98 l model provides extra storage in a chest freezer and includes a storage basket. Its title mentions a counterbalanced lid, adjustable temperature control and an E energy rating. Check its dimensions, the space needed to open the lid and the model’s permitted ambient temperature range before deciding where to put it.
Yes, as long as the model’s permitted ambient temperature range covers the temperatures in that room. Check its climate class on the product information or rating plate. If the room gets very cold, look for an explicit statement that the specific model is suitable for low temperatures; don’t assume this from the climate class alone.
Measure the space, the access route to it, and the room needed to open the lid and reach the bottom of the freezer. Then compare the stated capacity with the food you want to store, especially bulky packaging.
No. If frost maintenance matters to you, check the features and defrosting instructions for each model, but also compare freezer capacity, dimensions, energy consumption and suitability for the room.
Yes: leave the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions for your chosen model. Freestanding and built-in appliances may have different requirements; also check how close the appliance can be to heat sources.