A separate freezer makes sense if your food stocks regularly outgrow the space in your fridge’s freezer compartment. Choose an upright freezer if you often need to access a variety of foods, or a chest freezer if you store large quantities and have a suitable space for it. If you mainly need to replace your kitchen appliance rather than add a second one, start by comparing the freezer capacity of a large fridge freezer.
If you freeze ready meals, vegetables and other foods for everyday use, take a look at the layout of an upright freezer with drawers. According to Beko France, its smaller compartments make it easier to organise food; however, check that each drawer has enough room for your containers.
If you buy in bulk or store bulky foods, a chest freezer is worth considering if you have dedicated floor space. UFC-Que Choisir recommends this type of freezer in particular for homes with a cellar or storeroom; make sure the room’s actual temperature is suitable for the model you choose.
If your current compartment is too small but a second appliance would take up too much room, compare the freezer capacity of larger fridge freezers. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the space you need depends in particular on how many frozen foods you eat.
Start by working out whether you mainly need more freezer capacity, easier access to your food or a better fit for your available space. Then compare the features of models that meet your needs.
Consider it : if you want to organise food in drawers and have more height than floor space available.
Bear in mind : drawers can limit the space available for particularly bulky items.
Consider it : if you store large quantities or bulky items and have a storeroom or cellar that’s suitable for installation.
Bear in mind : you’ll need to organise food in the bottom of the freezer so it’s easy to find.
Consider it : if you’re replacing your kitchen appliance and its freezer compartment will be big enough for the food you plan to store.
Bear in mind : an integrated freezer compartment may still be too small if you regularly freeze large quantities.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the usable freezer compartment capacity in litres and the space needed for bulky foods. | If bulk shopping or large items no longer fit in your current compartment, capacity becomes the top priority: around 33 % of consumers would put it first. |
| Access and organisation | Check the size of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach items at the bottom. | If you want to find portions and different foods every day without rummaging through your stocks, around 27 % of consumers would prioritise organisation. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space and access routes, then check the room temperature against the model’s climate class. | If your kitchen is narrow or the appliance has to pass through a restricted access route before being installed in another room, space would be the priority for around 20 % of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Compare the exact models’ kWh/year and noise levels, as well as their stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | If long-term energy use or keeping food frozen during a power cut is the main factor in your decision, around 20 % of consumers would put these criteria first. |
An appliance may fit in its final position but still be too large to get through a door, along a corridor or up the stairs. You’ll also need enough room to open the door or lid fully.
Measure the delivery route and the installation space, and allow for the ventilation clearances specified in the model’s instructions.
The name of the room doesn’t guarantee that its temperature will stay within the freezer’s operating range, particularly if the room isn’t heated.
Check the room’s usual and extreme temperatures, then check the model’s climate class and installation instructions.
According to the European Commission, the label on the household appliances covered also shows annual energy consumption, capacity and noise levels. The letter alone doesn’t tell you everything about the differences between two capacities.
Compare the kWh/year and capacity of the exact models; check their storage time in the event of a power cut separately.
The appliance continues to use electricity throughout its life.
An open chest can accommodate large items, but smaller foods can be hard to find beneath everything else.
Make a list of the sizes and types of food you usually freeze. If you choose a chest freezer, plan to use baskets, sections or labels to keep everything organised.
Worth considering for an upright freezer if interior organisation is an important factor.
Worth considering if you’re comparing chest freezers for storing larger quantities.
Worth considering when comparing upright freezers with different capacities.
This fridge freezer is an option if you’re replacing a single kitchen appliance, rather than adding a separate freezer. To decide whether it will meet your storage needs, check the capacity of its freezer compartment alone.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if you want to replace a single appliance rather than install a separate freezer. The stated 444 l refers to the total capacity, so check the capacity of the freezer compartment itself and the external dimensions before deciding whether it suits your food stocks and available space. The product name indicates an E energy class and 40 dB.
Yes, provided the room temperature stays within the range specified for the model and you follow its installation instructions. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the room temperature against the appliance’s climate class, so check the minimum and maximum temperatures before you buy.
As well as the efficiency class, compare the annual consumption in kWh, storage capacity and noise emissions. The European Commission explains that these details appear on the labels of the household fridges and freezers covered; you can scan the QR code to view the model’s entry in EPREL.
It’s a figure to check for the specific model, separate from its capacity and freezing performance. In its test procedure, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long food stays below −9 °C after a power cut; compare times measured under equivalent conditions.
Make sure there’s an earthed socket and allow for the clearances specified in the appliance instructions. If you’re freezing prepared foods, also check its freezing capacity, divide food into portions that suit the way you store it, and date the packaging.