For storing large harvests or bulky containers, choose a chest freezer if you have room to install it and open the lid. If you often need to find prepared portions, an upright freezer with drawers makes organisation easier. If there’s no room for a second large appliance, compare the freezer capacity of an under-counter model or a fridge-freezer instead. In every case, check that the model’s stated ambient temperature range is suitable for the room where it will be installed.
If you freeze home-grown produce, bulk buys or large containers, start by considering usable capacity. If you’re installing the freezer in a utility room, cellar or garage, the room’s temperature matters just as much as the space available.
If you regularly prepare portions in advance, being able to organise and find them may matter more than raw capacity. Check the layout of the drawers or removable compartments, and the defrosting system on the model you’re considering.
If you don’t have a dedicated storage room, compare the freezer capacity you need with the space available. Also measure the delivery route and allow enough room to open the door or lid.
If you regularly store home-grown produce and prepared meals, first choose a type of freezer based on how much you need to store and how often you’ll access the food. Then check that it can be installed in the room you have in mind.
Consider it: for large quantities and bulky containers, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: finding food at the bottom calls for good organisation, and you’ll need enough clearance to open the lid fully.
Consider it: for organising portions and accessing them often, thanks to the drawers or separate compartments.
Bear in mind: the drawer dimensions may make it harder to store very large dishes or bags.
Consider it: for extra storage near your food preparation area when space is limited.
Bear in mind: make sure its capacity suits the amount you plan to freeze regularly.
Consider it: if you can only fit one appliance for both refrigeration and freezing.
Bear in mind: the advertised total capacity isn’t all available for frozen food.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare usable freezer capacity and space for large containers, and don’t forget the floor area it will take up. | If I freeze a harvest or bulk buys, I need enough room for large quantities. Around 36% of consumers put this storage need first. |
| Access to portions | Check the dimensions of the drawers and any removable compartments. | If I often reach for a prepared meal, I want to find it without moving everything else. Around 29% of consumers prioritise everyday organisation. |
| Available space | Measure the installation space and delivery route, then allow for the door or lid to open and for ventilation. | If I don’t have a dedicated storage room, I need extra freezer space without making the kitchen difficult to use. Space is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Room temperature | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the range stated for the exact model. | If I’m installing the appliance in a garage, cellar or outbuilding, I need to know whether it can handle the temperatures it will actually be exposed to. Nearly 14% of consumers prioritise this installation requirement. |
A large capacity isn’t much use if the freezer blocks a walkway or its lid can’t open properly. UFC-Que Choisir points out that this type of freezer takes up more floor space than an upright model.
Measure the installation space, delivery route and clearance above the lid before choosing a capacity.
The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. If the room falls outside this range, the appliance may not work properly. Some models are rated for use in cold conditions, but this doesn’t apply to every model in the range.
Check the room’s lowest and highest temperatures and compare them with the manual or rating plate for the exact model.
A chest freezer can take large containers, while the drawers in an upright model make it easier to separate portions. The most practical option also depends on the size of the food you’re storing and how often you need to get it out.
Check the internal dimensions of the drawers or compartment, and plan how you’ll organise the food you use most often.
These ranges offer a basis for comparing chest and upright freezers. The features mentioned apply to the specific models named, not every appliance made by each brand.
Upright models to consider if you want to organise food in a vertical appliance.
Chest freezers to compare for extra storage in a room that’s suitable for the model.
Chest and upright models to compare, depending on your available space and preferred layout.
Large-capacity models to consider, whether you prefer a chest or upright freezer.
A range to consider if you’re looking for a built-in upright freezer.
Yes, provided the model’s stated ambient temperature range covers the temperatures the room will actually reach. Check the minimum and maximum temperatures against the manual. Cold-weather ratings stated for some Whirlpool, Liebherr or Haier models don’t automatically apply to other models from those brands.
Follow the model’s instructions before plugging it in and installing it. In particular, check the ventilation space, whether it’s near any heat sources, and whether the room temperature is compatible with the appliance’s climate class, as Electrolux recommends.
Compare the energy labels and stated annual consumption for the exact models, taking their usable capacities into account. The government departments responsible for the ecological transition explain that the current energy label scale runs from A to G. The letter alone doesn’t replace a comparison of the appliances’ other features.
Check what collection options are available when you order your new appliance. If delivery and collection are included, confirm the practical arrangements with the seller before clearing the space.