To significantly increase your freezer capacity, start by comparing a chest freezer with an upright model. A chest freezer offers open storage space, while an upright makes it easier to access food stored in separate compartments. A table-top model is better suited as an extra freezer when space is limited; consider a fridge-freezer if its freezer compartment can meet your needs. Whatever you choose, measure the space and check the model’s permitted ambient temperature, as recommended by ADEME.
You buy or store large quantities and want more freezer capacity, with enough room to consider a chest freezer or a large upright model. The UFC-Que Choisir guide lists capacity and format among the factors to consider.
You often look for different items and want to find and take them out without having to reorganise everything. The UFC-Que Choisir guide distinguishes between storage formats according to how easily you need to access your food.
You have to work with a small space or a cold room, so the dimensions and permitted ambient temperature could determine your choice. ADEME recommends checking the appliance’s climate class for the room where you plan to use it.
Consider it if — you store large quantities and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind — items at the bottom are less easy to reach. Plan how you’ll organise the contents and check that there’s enough room to open the lid.
Consider it if — you often check your stocks and prefer to divide food between compartments.
Bear in mind — check the height and depth, how the door opens, and the space needed to access the drawers.
Consider it if — you need extra freezer space but don’t have room for a large appliance.
Bear in mind — a compact format doesn’t guarantee that a model will fit under a worktop or have enough capacity for large stocks. Check the installation requirements for the exact model.
Consider it if — you’re also planning to replace your fridge and the fridge-freezer’s capacity meets your storage needs.
Bear in mind — compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone, not the appliance’s total capacity.
If you want to store more than a standard fridge-freezer can hold, the criteria below will help you compare formats and installation requirements.
| Feature | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres with the appliance’s external dimensions. A larger capacity may need more floor space. | If I want to store large quantities, I first check the capacity actually set aside for freezing. Around 33% of consumers put this capacity first. |
| Access and organisation | Check the drawers in an upright freezer or the baskets in a chest freezer, and consider how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. | If I often look for different items, I want to find and take them out easily. Around 27% of consumers prioritise access and organisation. |
| Space and temperature | Measure the available space and check the ambient temperature range specified for the exact model. ADEME recommends checking the climate class. | If the room is small or cold, I check that it suits the appliance’s dimensions and installation requirements. Around 20% of consumers prioritise whether the appliance is suitable for their space. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Compare the kWh/year figures for the models you’re considering and check whether they have No Frost or require manual defrosting. The cost in euros also depends on the price of electricity. | When choosing an appliance that runs continuously, I compare its stated energy use and maintenance requirements. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these aspects of day-to-day use. |
Total capacity includes both the fridge and freezer compartments. Bosch Électroménager France states that the Bosch KGN39VLCT has a 260 l fridge and a 103 l freezer.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the amount you want to store.
The climate class must suit the room temperature. Liebherr’s stated suitability down to −15 °C applies to the CFd 2505 Plus, not to chest freezers in general.
Check the permitted ambient temperature range for the exact model before deciding where to put it.
Brandt describes the BFT525EW as a freestanding model with a non-removable top, so its size alone doesn’t mean it’s suitable for under-counter installation.
Check the installation requirements and specified dimensions for the exact model.
Bosch offers upright freezers and fridge-freezers, making it easy to compare a separate appliance with a combination model.
The CFd 2505 Plus is an example of a large-capacity chest freezer that can be placed in a cold room, subject to the conditions for this specific model.
The WHM4612 is an example of a chest freezer with baskets to help organise larger stocks.
The BFT525EW is an example of a freestanding table-top freezer for extra storage.
This selection includes chest freezers, an upright freezer and fridge-freezers, so you can compare separate freezer storage with the freezer capacity of combination models. Convertible models switch between fridge and freezer modes.
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Worth considering if you want a fridge-freezer with a separately stated freezer capacity.
The Joybuy listing states a freezer capacity of 197 l and a total capacity of 544 l. Stated dimensions: 911 × 1786 × 615 mm; climate class SN/N/ST/T.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a separate freezer with compartments to organise your food.
The Joybuy listing states a capacity of 161 l, three drawers, two shelves and a No Frost system. The product name gives the energy rating as C.
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Worth considering if you need plenty of storage space and a basket to help organise some of the contents.
The Joybuy listing states a capacity of 291 l, a removable basket, LED lighting and annual energy consumption of 226 kWh. Stated dimensions: 1100 × 597 × 872 mm. Fridge and freezer modes are alternatives.
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Worth considering if you want a separate chest freezer with a stated capacity of 197 l and a removable basket.
The Joybuy listing states annual energy consumption of 197 kWh and dimensions of 816 × 554 × 848 mm. Fridge and freezer modes are alternatives.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer and want to compare its freezer capacity separately from its fridge capacity.
The Joybuy listing states a freezer capacity of 192 l and a fridge capacity of 333 l, giving a stated total capacity of 525 l.
Compare the room’s usual temperatures with the ambient temperature range specified for the model, and check its dimensions and installation requirements. ADEME recommends checking the climate class. Liebherr states that FrostProtect works down to −15 °C for its CFd 2505 Plus model only.
No. A compact format alone doesn’t confirm that an appliance can be installed under a worktop. Check the installation requirements and instructions for the exact model: Brandt describes the BFT525EW as freestanding, with a non-removable top.
Compare the kWh/year figures and freezer capacities of the models you’re considering, then check their defrosting systems. The kWh/year figure alone won’t tell you the cost in euros, which also depends on the price of electricity. Bosch states that the GSN58AWEV has No Frost, while Brandt lists the BFT525EW as requiring manual defrosting.
The statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a professional to a private individual. The French Ministry of the Economy states that it can be used for two years; it is separate from any commercial warranty.
If you’re replacing an appliance, check the take-back options offered when you buy. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition distinguishes, among other things, the “one-for-one” take-back scheme, linked to buying a product of the same type. If you’re adding a freezer rather than replacing one, find out where your local collection points are.