If you want easy access to portions you take out regularly, consider an upright freezer with drawers. For bulky items, a chest freezer could be a good fit if you have enough floor space and can organise access to food at the bottom. If your food stocks fit in the freezer compartment of a fridge freezer, check its freezer capacity. In every case, compare the model’s dimensions and annual energy consumption: ADEME reminds us that freezers run continuously.
If you regularly take out prepared meals, compare how easy they are to access, the number of drawers and the usable capacity. Que Choisir reminds us that ease of use matters just as much as the stated capacity.
For storing groceries or bulky containers, check the shape of the interior and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. You’ll also need to consider the floor space available and the clearance needed to open the lid.
Before adding another appliance, check whether the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer is big enough for your food stocks. Make sure you distinguish its freezer capacity from the total capacity, which also includes the fridge section.
Upright freezers, chest freezers and fridge-freezer compartments each meet different needs when it comes to access, space and frozen storage capacity.
Consider this : if you store meals in portions and take them out often, compare the drawers and how easy they are to use.
Bear in mind : compartments make it easier to sort food, but can limit the space available for bulky containers.
Consider this : if you store bulk buys or large containers and have enough room for the appliance and to open its lid.
Bear in mind : food at the bottom may be less easy to reach; check the baskets and interior layout.
Consider this : if you want to keep chilled and frozen food in one appliance, and its freezer capacity is enough for your needs.
Bear in mind : the freezer capacity refers to the freezer compartment, not the fridge freezer’s stated total capacity.
When it comes to electricity use, ADEME reminds us that freezers run continuously. Compare the annual energy consumption in kWh of models with the right capacity and format for your needs.
| What matters | What to check before you buy | Who cares most about it |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Number of drawers and how easy they are to use; usable capacity for your usual containers. | When I take out portions often, I want to find meals without rummaging around. Around 29 % of consumers prioritise easy access. |
| Space for bulk buys | Usable capacity and interior shape; whether the chest freezer has baskets to help organise it. | When storing bulk buys or bulky containers, I prioritise a space that suits their shape. Around 23 % of consumers put capacity for bulk buys first. |
| Space needed | The appliance’s width and depth; clearance needed to open it. | If space is limited, I need to be able to install the appliance without blocking it from opening. Around 18 % of consumers prioritise the appliance’s footprint and the space available. |
| Continuous energy use | Annual energy consumption in kWh; usable capacity suited to the food stocks you actually plan to keep. | As the appliance runs continuously, I compare its annual energy consumption with its usable capacity. Around 18 % of consumers make energy use their priority. |
| Buying second-hand | Whether the model number and documentation are available; whether the seller is a business or a private individual. | Before choosing a second-hand appliance, I want to be able to check the model and the terms of sale. Around 12 % of consumers prioritise a second-hand appliance they can verify. |
The fridge capacity is not the same as the freezer capacity. For the KGN56XLEB, Bosch lists 400 L of fridge capacity and 108 L of freezer capacity.
Compare the space dedicated to frozen food with your usual stocks, rather than relying on the appliance’s total capacity.
The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between freezing food and storing products that are already frozen: a three-star compartment is intended for storage, while a four-star compartment can freeze food.
Check the star rating and the compartment instructions before putting food in it to freeze.
ADEME reminds us that freezers run continuously. An energy rating doesn’t replace comparing each model’s stated annual energy consumption.
Compare kWh/year and usable capacity across models suited to the amount you plan to store.
The floor space needed, clearance for the lid and permitted ambient temperature depend on the installation and the model.
Measure the space and check the climate class and installation requirements for the model you’re considering.
The range includes upright freezers with drawers and chest freezers. Compare them based on the space available and the type of food you plan to store.
Chest freezers may be worth considering if an open interior and basket storage suit the way you shop and store food.
The models mentioned offer the option of considering a dedicated upright freezer or a fridge freezer, depending on the freezer capacity you need.
Some chest freezers are advertised with a feature designed for cold rooms.
Some models offer NoFrost or FrostProtect, depending on the model and its features.
This selection brings together upright freezers and fridge freezers so you can compare storage options, capacity for frozen food and the space each appliance needs.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a dedicated appliance with several storage compartments.
Stated capacity of 161 L, three drawers, No Frost, Fast Freeze function and C energy rating.
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Worth considering if you want to combine fridge and freezer storage in one appliance; compare the freezer’s 125 L capacity with your needs.
Stated freezer compartment capacity of 125 L, three drawers, Total No Frost, E rating and stated annual energy consumption of 271 kWh.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge freezer with a separate freezer compartment, distinct from its total capacity.
Stated freezer compartment capacity of 149 L, two freezer sections, Total No Frost, E rating and stated annual energy consumption of 295 kWh.
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Worth considering for a small amount of frozen food when space is limited.
Stated capacity of 35 L, removable interior compartment and reversible door. Energy consumption is stated as approximately 0.4 kWh per day.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge freezer with a separate freezer compartment; check that its width suits the space available.
Stated freezer compartment capacity of 168 L, width of 83 cm, No Frost and E energy rating.
Yes, if its freezing function and capacity allow it. The Ministry of Agriculture says that a four-star compartment can freeze food, while a three-star compartment is for storing food that has already been frozen at −18 °C. Check the star rating and your appliance’s instructions.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting it to −18 °C and gives an ideal range of −18 °C to −24 °C. Also follow your appliance’s instructions and the guidance on food packaging.
It depends on the ambient temperature and the model. Check the climate class and the instructions for the exact model; some features advertised by manufacturers are only available on models specifically equipped with them.
No. On models equipped with it, manufacturers say No Frost prevents the need for manual defrosting caused by ice build-up, but it doesn’t replace cleaning. The Ministry of Agriculture recommends cleaning the appliance thoroughly at least once a year and drying all parts well before switching it back on.
For a new appliance covered by energy labelling requirements, check the label and the model’s product information sheet. Your Europe states that the current energy label doesn’t apply to second-hand products. The Ministry of the Economy explains that the legal guarantee of conformity applies when an individual buys a new, second-hand or refurbished item from a professional seller, but not when buying from another private individual.