If you want to store plenty of portions and find them easily, consider an upright freezer. For bulky items and enough floor space, compare chest freezers. A large fridge-freezer makes most sense if you’re replacing your fridge too and its freezer compartment alone is big enough for your needs. Whichever you choose, check the dimensions, room temperature and the model’s kWh/year rating. Que Choisir also points out that ease of use matters when choosing a freezer.
If you want to find pre-prepared meals among other frozen food, look at access, compartments and drawer size rather than just the stated capacity. Que Choisir points out that ease of use matters when choosing a freezer.
For bulk buys or bulky food, compare the freezer capacity, open space and clearance needed to open a chest freezer. Que Choisir’s guide distinguishes between upright and chest models based on storage needs and the space available.
If you also need to replace your fridge, a large fridge-freezer could meet both needs, provided its freezer compartment is big enough for the amount you actually store. Bosch Electroménager France lists the fridge and freezer capacities of its models separately.
If you want to store more food or prepared meals, compare freezer capacity, access to food and the room’s conditions before choosing a type.
Consider it if: you often take out individual portions or want to organise them in drawers.
Check: that the drawers fit your containers and there’s enough clearance to open the door.
Consider it if: you store bulky items and have enough floor space.
Check: how easy it is to reach food at the bottom and whether there’s enough space above the lid.
Consider it if: you’re replacing your fridge as well and need both compartments.
Check: the freezer capacity, which is separate from the appliance’s total capacity, and whether it will fit through to its intended spot.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Capacity of the freezer compartment in litres; size of the containers you want to store at the same time. | If you want to store a large amount or bulky items, compare the freezer capacity with what you plan to keep. Around 25% of consumers prioritise capacity. |
| Access and storage | Number and ease of use of drawers or baskets; how easy it is to reach food at the bottom of a chest freezer. | If you often take out portions, you’ll want to find them without having to move everything else. Around 25% of consumers prioritise access and organisation. |
| Location | External dimensions and clearance needed to open the door; room temperatures to check against the model’s specifications. | If space is limited or the appliance needs to go in a cold room, check that it’s suitable for that specific location. Around 20% of consumers prioritise installation requirements. |
| Energy consumption | The model’s energy label and annual consumption in kWh/year, compared with its freezer capacity. | As the appliance runs continuously, compare the kWh/year figure to understand its energy use. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this criterion. |
| Storage time during a power cut | Stated storage time in hours for the exact model, and the manufacturer’s advice in the event of an incident. | If a power cut could put a large amount of food at risk, check the stated storage time and the relevant advice. Around 15% of consumers prioritise protecting their food stocks. |
The Bosch KGN86AIDP has a stated total capacity of 631 l, including 152 l for the freezer compartment. So the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is available for frozen food.
Compare the freezer capacity with the amount you plan to store at the same time.
The climate class indicates a range of ambient temperatures. Bosch Electroménager France lists a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN, while some models are specifically rated for lower temperatures.
Check the possible temperatures in the room, along with the climate class and specifications for the exact model.
The energy rating alone doesn’t show a model’s annual consumption in kWh. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously.
Compare the kWh/year figure, freezer capacity and installation conditions for each model.
Liebherr describes SmartFrost on the CFd 2085 Plus as a technology that reduces frost build-up. The brand lists NoFrost separately for its FNd 522i Plus upright freezer.
Check the technology and maintenance advice listed for the model you’re considering.
Two models available in France illustrate different types: the 277 l FNd 522i Plus NoFrost upright freezer and the 248 l CFd 2085 Plus chest freezer.
The KGN86AIDP fridge-freezer is an example of a large-capacity combined appliance.
The French range includes chest freezers such as the HSM46740 and HSM35050 models.
The FT282D4AWYLA chest freezer is an example of a 217 l model with a width of 96.3 cm.
The WHM46122FR chest freezer is an example of a large model with a stated capacity of 437 l, four baskets and a width of 140.5 cm.
This selection includes chest freezers for extra storage and fridge-freezers if you’re replacing your fridge too.
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A good option if you want plenty of storage in a combined appliance, with several spaces for organising frozen food.
Stated freezer capacity of 197 L, with four shelves, two drawers and three door balconies.
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Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge and want a dedicated freezer compartment.
Stated freezer capacity of 149 L, with shelves, drawers and door balconies. No Frost and a noise level of 38 dB are listed in the product name.
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Add extra storage with a chest freezer. Select freezer mode to store frozen food.
Stated capacity of 291 L, a removable basket and five-level digital controls.
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Add extra storage without replacing your fridge, using freezer mode for frozen food.
Stated capacity of 197 L, a removable basket and five-level digital controls.
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Pair a large fridge compartment with a separate freezer compartment.
Stated capacities: 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer. No Frost and a Flip Tray function are listed in the product name; the drawer can be joined up to create a larger space.
Check that the compartment in the model you choose is suitable for freezing food, rather than relying on the word “freezer” alone. Whirlpool says a four-star compartment can freeze food at −18 °C. Anses explains that domestic freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but does not eliminate most micro-organisms.
No. Check the possible temperatures in the garage against the climate class and specifications for the exact model. Bosch Electroménager France describes climate class SN as suitable for a range of 10 to 32 °C; some models are rated for lower temperatures too. For example, Liebherr states that the CFd 2085 Plus chest freezer can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this feature doesn’t apply to all freezers.
Compare the kWh/year figures on the models’ energy labels and their respective freezer capacities. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously; actual consumption also depends on how and where you use the appliance.
Check the cooling technology and defrosting instructions in the manual: NoFrost and SmartFrost don’t mean the same thing. Also compare the stated storage time in hours for the exact model. After a power cut, follow food safety advice based on the condition of the food. Anses points out that freezing does not destroy most micro-organisms.
The DGCCRF states that the energy label and product information must be in French. For purchases made by an individual from a professional seller, the Ministry of the Economy explains that the statutory conformity guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods, and gives you two years to make a claim. If you’re replacing an old appliance, ask the seller about take-back arrangements. A DGCCRF page published in 2017 describes the “one-for-one” take-back principle.