Households that prepare meals in advance
If you regularly take out tubs or bags of food, drawers can make it easier to separate meals and find what you need. Check the layout as well as the stated capacity.
Who is each type best suited to?
Households stocking up on frozen food
If you buy in bulk or store lots of frozen food, consider the chest freezer’s capacity and how much room you’ll need to position it and open the lid. In a garage or cellar, the room temperature is also a key factor.
Households with an existing kitchen setup
A small freezer can add extra capacity alongside your existing fridge. A fridge-freezer is more suited to replacing both appliances with one. In either case, measure the space and compare only the capacity dedicated to freezing.
Which features should you prioritise?
Start with what matters most to your household: finding portions quickly, storing a large supply, making the most of the space available or putting the appliance in a particular room. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide highlights type, capacity and climate class among the factors to consider when choosing a freezer.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Usable freezer capacity and drawer layout. | When I often take out a prepared meal, I want to find the right portion without moving all the other food. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this organised access. |
| Large food stock | Stated capacity, floor space and clearance needed to open a chest freezer’s lid. | When stocking up on frozen food, I prioritise plenty of storage, even if smaller items need more organising. This is the main requirement for around 31% of consumers. |
| Kitchen space | External dimensions; for a fridge-freezer, check freezer capacity separately from total capacity. | If my kitchen is already full, I’m looking for either a compact extra appliance or one appliance for both fresh and frozen food. Around 23% of consumers put adapting their appliances to their space first. |
| Room where it will be installed | The model’s ambient temperature range; compare energy labels for appliances of a similar type and capacity. | If I’m putting my freezer in a cellar or garage, I need to know whether the room stays within its operating range. I also want to compare energy use. Around 15% of consumers put these checks first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming any freezer will work in a garage
An unheated room may fall outside the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Bosch Électroménager gives SN, from +10 to +32 °C, and SN-T, from +10 to +43 °C, as examples of climate classes. These ranges don’t mean that every model can operate in the same conditions.
Check the minimum and maximum temperatures where you plan to put the appliance, then confirm the range specified for the exact model. Liebherr and Beko only state that operation down to −15 °C applies to particular models or functions.
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Comparing capacities that measure different things
The total capacity of a fridge-freezer includes the fridge compartment, so it doesn’t tell you how much room you’ll have for frozen meals and food.
Make a note of the freezer capacity separately and check whether a dedicated freezer’s capacity is given as usable or total volume. Then compare the external dimensions of the models that meet your needs.
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Choosing a chest freezer without planning how to organise it
A large capacity doesn’t necessarily make small portions easy to find or reach, especially if they’re buried beneath other food.
Check the layout and baskets of the model you’re considering. If you take out meals every day, compare it with the easy access offered by an upright freezer with drawers.
Brands to know, model by model
These range and model examples can help you compare specific features. A feature available on one model won’t necessarily be available across the whole brand.
Bosch
Upright freezers and more compact models to consider, depending on the storage layout you need.
- According to Bosch Électroménager France, the GSN58AWCV has 366 l of usable capacity, No Frost and dimensions of 191 × 70 × 78 cm.
- Check the type and features of each model individually: a small under-counter model won’t meet the same storage needs.
Liebherr
Chest freezers and compact models for different storage needs and locations.
- Liebherr France states that the CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer has a capacity of 359 l and FrostProtect, which allows operation down to −15 °C.
- This suitability for cold rooms applies to the model specified. You’ll still need to check its specifications against the actual temperatures where you plan to install it.
Whirlpool
Fridge-freezers to consider when you also need to replace your fridge.
- For the WHK25404XBR5E, Whirlpool France states a fridge capacity of 249 l and a freezer capacity of 106 l, with Dual No Frost.
- To assess how much frozen food you can store, look at the freezer compartment’s 106 l capacity, not the combined capacity of both compartments.
Beko
A range of chest freezers to consider if capacity and location are key factors.
- Beko France lists Freezer Guard, which allows operation down to −15 °C, on certain models in its range.
- Check that the specific model you’re considering has this feature, and confirm its capacity and climate class.
Models to consider on Joybuy
These models offer three ways to store frozen food at home: a fridge-freezer if you’re also replacing your fridge, a dedicated upright freezer to keep portions separate, or a small freezer for extra capacity. Compare the usable freezer space with your needs and check the ambient temperature range before choosing where to put it.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, four-door fridge-freezer, 467 l
Consider this model if you want one four-door appliance for both chilled and frozen food. Its stated total capacity is 467 l, with Total No Frost and an E energy rating; only part of that capacity is for frozen food. Check how the compartments are divided, the dimensions and the ambient temperature range for your room.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, three-door fridge-freezer, 360 l
This fridge-freezer suits households looking to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Its product name states a total capacity of 360 l, Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. To check how much room it offers for frozen portions, compare the freezer compartment’s capacity and check the appliance dimensions and ambient temperature range.
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AEG NSC6M18FES, built-in fridge-freezer, 249 l
This built-in model is designed for a fitted kitchen that also needs space for frozen food. Its product name states a total capacity of 249 l, TwinTech No Frost and an E energy rating; this figure doesn’t refer to the freezer alone. Check how the capacity is divided before assessing how much room you’ll have for meals, then check the housing dimensions, installation requirements and permitted ambient temperature.
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Heinrich´s, 161 l upright freezer with drawers
Consider this dedicated freezer if you want to keep portions separate rather than sharing the capacity with a fridge. Its product name states a capacity of 161 l, three freezer drawers, a No Frost function and a C energy rating. Check its external dimensions and ambient temperature range before deciding where to put it.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 l upright freezer
This model could provide extra capacity if you don’t have room for a large freezer. Its product name states a capacity of 60 l, three drawers, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Measure the space and check the ambient temperature range and defrosting requirements before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put any freezer in an unheated garage?
No. Compare the garage’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the range permitted for the specific model. Bosch Électroménager gives SN, from +10 to +32 °C, and SN-T, from +10 to +43 °C, as examples. Some Liebherr or Beko chest freezers state that a particular function allows operation down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to every model.
How can I use the energy label to compare two freezers?
Compare the labels on appliances of a similar type and capacity that meet the same needs, and also consider noise and the space required. ADEME says that the energy labels on large household appliances provide information including energy consumption and noise levels. A class letter on its own doesn’t tell you how much storage space you’ll have.
Does a commercial warranty replace the legal guarantee of conformity?
No. In France, the legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory for goods sold by a business to a consumer, as the Ministry of the Economy points out. A commercial warranty is separate. Check what additional cover and terms it offers without giving up your legal rights.
What should I do with my old freezer when replacing it?
Ask about taking back your old appliance when choosing a new one. The Ministry for Ecological Transition explains that household appliances are covered by the in-store ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme when you buy a product of the same type.