If you’ll be opening your freezer often, an upright model with drawers is usually the better choice. For large batches or bulky food, consider a chest freezer if you have enough floor space. If space is limited, a compact chest freezer or an under-counter model could suit a smaller stash. Before buying, check the lid or door clearance, ventilation requirements and room temperature.
For home-grown produce, large packs or lots of pre-prepared portions, a chest freezer gives you room for bulkier items. Bear in mind how much floor space it will take up, and think about how you’ll find things stored at the bottom.
If you regularly take food out of your freezer, the drawers in an upright model make it easier to separate different types of food. Check that the door can open wide enough for you to pull out each drawer where you plan to put the appliance.
A compact or under-counter model can hold a smaller stash without taking up the space needed for a full-height appliance. Measure the room needed to open it, too, and follow the ventilation instructions for your chosen model.
Start by thinking about how much you need to store and how often you’ll access it. Then check the dimensions and installation requirements against the space you have available.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and access | Compare the freezer’s capacity and internal storage. For an upright model, check that the drawers can be pulled out; for a chest freezer, consider how easy it is to reach food stored beneath the baskets. | I want to find portions I use often quickly, so separate drawers appeal to me. For large batches that I handle less often, I could consider a chest freezer if I’m happy with how easy it is to access the contents. |
| Available space | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the route for delivery. Check how far the door or lid opens. An under-counter model must also have the clearances and ventilation specified in its manual. | Need to fit an extra freezer into a small kitchen? I’ll look at compact or under-counter models, but won’t assume that any short appliance can go beneath any worktop. |
| Room where it will be installed | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the range specified for the model. Follow the manual’s instructions on airflow and keeping the appliance away from heat sources. | If I’m planning to use a garage, I need to check its temperature before choosing a freezer. In an online survey by Que Choisir published in 2014, nearly 1,500 respondents were asked about their freezers. Of those, 27% said they kept theirs in a garage and 77% said they didn’t know about climate classes. These answers don’t tell us whether their appliances were suitable for their garages. |
| Energy use and noise | The European Commission says the energy label for household freezers shows information including the A to G energy class, annual energy consumption, capacity and airborne noise emissions. Compare kWh/year and dB across appliances that meet similar storage needs. | If the freezer is near a living area, I’ll also check its stated noise level, not just its energy rating. In Que Choisir’s 2014 online survey of nearly 1,500 respondents, 41% said the energy class had played a decisive role in their choice. This figure doesn’t measure their actual energy consumption. |
| Defrosting | Check whether the model has No Frost technology or needs manual defrosting. If it needs defrosting, follow the manual. Electrolux recommends defrosting when the ice is around 3 to 5 mm thick. | I’d rather keep maintenance to a minimum, so I’ll check the technology on the specific model. If it needs manual defrosting, I’ll need to plan for it and make sure I can access the inside easily. |
A chest freezer can hold bulky food, but items at the bottom are less easy to reach. In an upright model, a blocked door could stop you from pulling out the drawers.
Measure the appliance and the space it will occupy with the door or lid open. Then check the delivery route and access to the storage compartments.
Whether an appliance can be used in a cold room depends on the ambient temperature range it’s designed for. A mention of garage use doesn’t replace the conditions set out in its documentation.
Check the room temperature at different times of year and compare it with the climate class and any model-specific features.
The A to G rating on its own doesn’t tell you the annual energy consumption or how much food the appliance can hold.
Also check the kWh/year, capacity and noise emissions on the energy label described by the European Commission. Compare appliances that are suited to the same use.
If a model needs defrosting, you’ll have to empty it while you do the job. Don’t assume that No Frost features advertised on some models are available on every freezer from the same brand.
Check how the model you’re considering defrosts and follow its manual. Electrolux recommends defrosting when the ice reaches around 3 to 5 mm thick, and advises against using sharp objects to remove it.
These examples from manufacturers’ product information highlight different formats and features to check. They don’t represent every model from each brand.
An example of a freestanding upright model with detailed installation and maintenance information.
Manufacturer information lets you compare an upright freezer with a table-top model.
An example of a chest freezer whose product information lists its capacity, baskets and dimensions.
This selection includes chest freezers in different capacities and an upright model with drawers to help organise your frozen food. Compare each model’s size with your available space, and check the installation requirements for the one you choose.
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A spacious chest freezer with top access. The product title lists a removable basket, LED light, defrost drain and a convertible fridge/freezer function. Before installing it in a cold room, check the ambient temperature range in the documentation, as well as the space needed around the appliance and above the lid.
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A chest freezer for a smaller stash, with a removable basket and defrost drain listed in the product title. It’s described as having a convertible fridge/freezer function. Before choosing where to put it, check the setting you need, the space required to open the lid and the ambient temperature range.
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A compact chest freezer with top access. The product title mentions a removable metal basket, adjustable thermostat and sliding lid. Think about how you’ll reach items stored beneath the basket and the manual defrosting mentioned in the product description. Also check the clearances required for your chosen location.
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For organising your frozen food in an upright appliance. The product title lists drawers, a reversible door hinge and a temperature range of -14 °C to -22 °C. No Frost is also advertised for this model. Measure the space and check that the door can open far enough to pull out the drawers. Then consult the documentation for noise levels, energy consumption and installation requirements.
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A 140 L chest freezer for extra storage, with a storage basket and counterbalanced lid listed in the product title. Check the space needed to lift the lid and follow the ventilation instructions. To compare it with another model, also check its annual energy consumption and noise level.
As well as the A to G energy class, compare annual energy consumption, capacity and noise emissions. The European Commission says these details are shown for household freezers covered by the EU energy label. Where possible, compare appliances that can hold the amount of food you need to store.
Yes, as long as the garage temperature stays within the operating range specified for your chosen model and you can follow the installation instructions. Electrolux recommends allowing air to circulate around the appliance and avoiding places that are too cold, too damp or close to a heat source. Always check the manual for the freezer you choose.
Electrolux recommends defrosting when the ice is around 3 to 5 mm thick. Follow the appliance manual, and don’t use a knife or any other sharp object to remove the ice.
No. Having more space doesn’t mean you can ignore food storage guidance. Anses says that freezing at -18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying in a domestic freezer, but most micro-organisms survive. It recommends defrosting food in the fridge, eating defrosted food promptly and not refreezing it.