Choose a separate freezer based on the space you actually have and how you like to organise frozen food. A chest freezer is well suited to bulky items, while the drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to find food you use regularly. A table-top or under-counter model is a better fit when height is limited or you only need a small amount of extra storage. For each model you’re considering, compare the usable capacity, dimensions, annual energy consumption and stated storage time in the event of a power cut. Also check that its permitted ambient temperature range suits the room.
If you freeze large batches, prepared meals or bulky items, and have enough floor space, consider a chest freezer. Its interior can be more flexible to organise, but food at the bottom takes more sorting through, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If you open your freezer often and organise food by category, compare upright models with drawers. Check that each drawer is still easy to open and handle once the appliance is in place.
If you need a little extra storage, a table-top or under-counter model could be a good fit, as long as its dimensions and usable capacity suit the space and the food you want to store. ‘Under-counter’ does not necessarily mean ‘built-in’.
If you’re adding a separate freezer, first compare chest, upright and compact models based on the capacity you need, how easy the food is to access and the space you’ve measured. If you’re also thinking of replacing your fridge, compare the freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer with your actual needs. Its total capacity alone won’t tell you how much frozen food it can hold.
| Priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Plenty of storage | Usable capacity and the floor space needed with the lid open. | I want to store bulk purchases or bulky items without running out of room to organise them. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this extra capacity. |
| Everyday access | Drawer layout and the clearance needed to open the door. | When I reach for frozen food often, I want to find each category without moving other items. Easy access and organisation come first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Compact design | The appliance’s height, width, depth and usable capacity. | I’m looking for extra storage, but the available space limits the size of the appliance. Space constraints are the main priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Room temperature and power cuts | The permitted ambient temperature range and the stated storage time in hours for the exact model. | If my appliance needs to run in an unheated room, or I’m concerned about power cuts, I need to choose based on the model’s specific features. Around 15% of consumers prioritise these conditions. |
ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously. Once you’ve chosen a type, look at the annual energy consumption in kWh, usable capacity and noise level for each model together, rather than relying on the energy rating alone.
A large chest freezer may fit in the room but leave too little space to move around or open the lid fully. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the amount of floor space this type of freezer takes up.
Measure the space, check access for delivery and make sure there’s enough clearance above the lid before choosing a capacity.
The permitted ambient temperature range depends on the specific model, not just the type of freezer. Some manufacturers offer models designed for cold rooms, but that feature doesn’t necessarily apply to their entire range.
Compare the room temperature with the climate class or temperature range listed in the documentation for the exact model.
Whirlpool’s product specifications state that the 198 L W3RHS19DW chest freezer keeps food frozen for 41 hours, compared with 11 hours for the 404 L WHFF6403W4E upright model. A larger capacity doesn’t necessarily mean longer storage time during a power cut.
Compare the stated storage time in hours for each model and, if an independent test is available, check how it was measured.
Two freezers with different capacities may not meet the same storage needs. As a freezer runs continuously, annual energy consumption is also an important factor.
Check the kWh/year, usable capacity and noise level on the energy label or product page, then compare models with capacities suited to your needs.
The range includes chest and upright freezers, with product specifications that let you compare capacity, dimensions and storage time during a power cut.
The models reviewed let you compare a compact under-counter freezer with a large freestanding upright model.
The chest freezer range includes models with baskets, as well as some designed for certain unheated rooms.
The freestanding range covers various capacities and includes models featuring NoFrost or FrostProtect.
These models include chest freezers for extra storage and a small freestanding upright freezer to consider when headroom is limited. Compare their capacity with your needs, then check the installation dimensions, annual energy consumption, storage time during a power cut and permitted ambient temperature range for the model you’re interested in.
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Worth considering for extra chest freezer storage if the usable capacity suits the food you want to store.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for 197 L of chest freezer storage and have enough room to open the lid.
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Worth considering for a more compact chest freezer, once you’ve measured the space needed to open the lid.
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Worth considering for a small amount of upright freezer storage if there’s enough room to open the door fully.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for 140 L of chest freezer storage, taking into account the floor space and access beneath the lid.
Compare the energy rating, annual energy consumption in kWh, freezer capacity and noise level of models that meet your storage needs. For appliances covered by EU energy labelling, the product information sheet and EPREL register provide further details. An energy rating letter is no substitute for comparing kWh/year when capacities differ.
No. The room temperature must stay within the permitted ambient range stated for the model you choose. Whirlpool France says this information is in the technical documentation or on the rating plate. A feature stated for one model doesn’t automatically apply to others.
No. Compare the stated storage time for each model rather than assuming it based on capacity. Whirlpool France lists 41 hours for the 198 L W3RHS19DW chest freezer and 11 hours for the 404 L WHFF6403W4E upright model. If you look at an independent test, also consider how the results were measured.
No. Even if this feature matters to you, check the usable capacity, dimensions, energy consumption, noise level, storage time during a power cut and permitted ambient temperature range of each model separately.
Yes. According to ADEME, a freezer runs continuously, even when it’s only being used for extra storage. To compare the models you’re considering, check their stated annual energy consumption in kWh and make sure their capacity meets your needs.