If you often take food out of your freezer, start by looking at an upright freezer and its storage layout. If you mainly store large quantities, compare chest freezers too, provided you have enough room to open the lid. A large fridge-freezer may be a better fit if you’re also replacing your fridge. If so, compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with the extra storage space you need.
If bulk buys, prepared portions or large items are taking up too much room in your fridge’s freezer compartment, start with the amount of freezer space you actually need. The format you choose should also leave enough room to store your food.
If you regularly take out portions, vegetables or meals, being able to find what you need matters just as much as the stated capacity. Consider the drawers in an upright freezer or how you could organise a chest freezer.
If you’re planning to install your freezer in a garage or cellar, note the room’s temperatures throughout the year. Then check they fall within the ambient temperature range specified in the manual for the model you’re considering.
First decide whether you want a separate appliance or to replace your fridge as well. Then check that the freezer capacity and location suit the way you’ll use it.
Consider this if: you often access your frozen food and want to organise it in drawers or on shelves.
Keep in mind: the layout of a particular model may limit the space available for some bulky packaging.
Consider this if: you store large quantities and have a suitable space for a top-opening lid.
Keep in mind: finding food at the bottom takes careful organisation.
Consider this if: you also need to replace your fridge and the new model’s freezer compartment has enough room for your supplies.
Keep in mind: the appliance’s total capacity isn’t the same as its freezer capacity.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Net freezer capacity in litres; freezing capacity in kg/24 h if you plan to add a lot of fresh food at once. | If I’m storing bulk buys or prepared portions, I need enough room and mustn’t confuse total capacity with usable freezer space. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this storage capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Layout of drawers or baskets; defrosting method for the specific model. | If I take frozen food out every day, I want to find portions without rummaging at the bottom and keep the freezer easy to maintain. Around 33% of consumers prioritise easy access. |
| Installation and use | Dimensions with the door open and space for ventilation; ambient temperature range, power-cut storage time and energy consumption figures. | If the appliance is going in a cool room or a tight space, I need to be able to install and use it in the conditions it’s designed for. For around 25% of consumers, how well it suits the location and their needs comes before other criteria. |
Whether a freezer can operate in a cold room depends on the model, not just its shape. Liebherr states that the CFe 2500 Pure with FrostProtect is suitable for temperatures down to -15 °C, and Beko says the same for the HSM14540 with Freezer Guard. These specifications don’t apply to all their appliances.
Note the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then check they fall within the range in the manual before choosing a model.
Part of a fridge-freezer’s capacity is for chilled food, so its total capacity doesn’t tell you how much extra room you’ll have for frozen food.
Compare the net capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the food you usually store and the packaging you’ll put inside.
Having the right capacity isn’t enough if it’s difficult to reach your food or the maintenance doesn’t suit your routine. Check the drawers, baskets and defrosting system on the specific model.
Think about how you’ll get to the food you use most, then check the layout and defrosting method before making your choice.
The Ministry of the Economy states that food must never be frozen on or after its use-by date.
Plan to freeze food before this date and label containers to help organise your supplies.
These examples highlight features to check on each appliance; they don’t describe every model in each brand’s range.
The GSN54EWCV is an example of an upright freezer to consider if you prioritise vertical storage and easy access to your food.
The CFe 2500 Pure chest freezer is an example to consider for storing large quantities in a potentially cold location.
The HSM14540 is an example of a chest freezer to consider if the room temperature and stated storage time during a power cut matter to you.
This selection includes a large fridge-freezer if you’re replacing your fridge too, chest freezers for separate storage and an upright freezer for vertical organisation. For each appliance, check the features that matter for your location and how you plan to store your food.
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Consider this if you’re replacing your fridge too. The title lists a total capacity of 467 L, four doors, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the extra storage space you need. If it’s going in an unheated room, check the ambient temperature range specified for this model.
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A chest freezer to consider if you want extra, separate storage. The title lists a capacity of 141 L, a switch between fridge and freezer modes, a seven-level thermostat and a removable basket. Allow enough space to open the lid. If you’re planning to put it in a garage or cellar, check the model’s ambient temperature range.
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Consider this if a separate 99 L storage space meets your needs. The title mentions a four-star rating, adjustable thermostat, removable basket and sliding lid. Manual defrosting is part of the maintenance to allow for; also check how much room you’ll need around the lid.
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An upright freezer to consider if you’d rather organise your supplies than stack them in a chest freezer. The title lists a capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, No Frost and a reversible door hinge. Check its dimensions with the door open, along with the ambient temperature range for the room you have in mind.
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This 140 L chest freezer may suit you if you want separate storage with a basket for keeping some foods apart. The title mentions a counterbalanced lid and temperature control. Check that the lid can open where you plan to put it and that you’ll be able to reach food at the bottom.
No. Choose a model whose manual allows for the ambient temperatures the room actually reaches. Liebherr states that the CFe 2500 Pure with FrostProtect is suitable for temperatures down to -15 °C, while Beko says the same for the HSM14540 with Freezer Guard. Always check the exact model rather than assuming this applies to the whole range.
Compare the stated storage time in hours for the models you’re considering and check what each figure means. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long food stays below -9 °C during a simulated power cut. Bear the testing method in mind before comparing this result with a manufacturer’s figure.
No. The Ministry of the Economy says you must never freeze food on or after its use-by date. Freeze it in advance and label portions to help manage your supplies.
Don’t put it out with household rubbish. Use a suitable collection scheme for electrical and electronic equipment. Ask the retailer about taking back your old appliance or find a suitable collection point.