Households that regularly use prepared portions
You want to sort meals or bags into categories and quickly find what you’re planning to take out. The drawers and compartments in an upright freezer can suit this way of using your freezer storage.
Who are these formats for?
Households that store food in bulk
You buy in bulk or prepare lots of meals to store. Available capacity matters more to you, as long as you can organise everything so you can reach food at the bottom.
Households with limited space
You’re looking for extra freezer storage for a kitchen or another small space. The format needs to fit where you have room, while offering enough freezer capacity for your needs.
Which features should you prioritise?
Upright freezer
Consider one if: you check your freezer regularly and want to sort portions into categories.
Bear in mind: drawers make access easier, but they don’t replace the capacity you need for a particularly large stock of food.
Chest freezer
Consider one if: storing large quantities matters more than being able to reach every portion straight away.
Bear in mind: even with baskets, you may need to move things around to reach food stored underneath other items.
Table-top or under-counter freezer
Consider one if: you have a small kitchen or need a freezer that fits under a worktop.
Bear in mind: check that the model you choose has enough capacity before planning to store bulk purchases in it.
Fridge freezer
Consider one if: you’re replacing your main fridge and want both functions in a single appliance.
Bear in mind: only the freezer compartment’s capacity is available for frozen meals, not the appliance’s total capacity.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Number and layout of drawers or compartments; usable freezer capacity. | If I often take out a particular meal, I want to find it without moving the rest of my freezer stock. Around 29% of consumers put well-organised access at the top of their list. |
| Storage capacity | Freezer capacity in litres; baskets available in a chest freezer. | If I’m storing bulk purchases or lots of prepared meals, I need enough room first and foremost, even if I have to organise everything myself. This is the priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Space | Dimensions and clearance needed to open the door or lid; climate class to suit the room temperature. | In a narrow kitchen or a room where the temperature varies, I need to first check whether an appliance can be installed there. Space is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Combined appliance | Capacity of the freezer compartment alone; annual energy consumption in kWh/year. | If I’m also replacing my fridge, I’d rather consider one appliance that does both jobs, while keeping total capacity separate from the space available for frozen food. Around 14% of consumers prioritise replacing both appliances at once. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Putting a freezer in the garage without checking its climate class
A very cold or very warm room may not be suitable for the model you’ve chosen. Whirlpool France says the climate class is listed in the technical specifications or on the appliance’s rating plate.
Before ordering, compare the model’s recommended ambient temperature range with the conditions in the space where you plan to put it.
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Comparing appliances by energy rating alone
An energy rating doesn’t replace comparing the capacity and energy consumption of appliances that meet the same needs. ADEME describes the energy label as a tool to help you make this choice.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh between models of a similar type and capacity, then check their freezer capacity and noise level.
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Choosing a chest freezer without thinking about access to food
A large capacity can be less convenient day to day if the portions you want are buried underneath other products. Darty notes that baskets help divide up the contents of a chest freezer.
Check which baskets are included and plan to organise food by category or date.
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Confusing a fridge freezer’s total capacity with its freezer capacity
The total figure includes the fridge compartment, so it doesn’t show how much room is available for frozen food. The European EPREL database product sheets list the capacity of each compartment separately.
Check the freezer compartment capacity separately before comparing it with a dedicated freezer.
Brands to know
There are no brands to feature in this section.
Joybuy products by format
These models show three ways to create extra freezer storage: a fridge freezer if you also need to replace your fridge, an upright freezer for keeping portions separate, and two convertible chest freezers for storing larger quantities. Compare each model’s freezer capacity and the space you have available at home.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1 — multi-door fridge freezer, 495 L, black
Worth a look if you want to combine refrigeration and freezing in a multi-door appliance. The stated 495 L capacity is for the appliance as a whole, so check the freezer capacity separately to see how much room you’ll have for meals.
Energy rating E. Also check the dimensions, climate class and storage time in the event of a power cut if these matter for your installation.
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LG GBBS312CEV NatureFRESH™ — fridge freezer, 333 L, black
Consider this if you’re replacing your fridge and want room for frozen meals too. The stated total capacity is 333 L, so check the freezer compartment capacity before deciding how much you can store.
Energy rating C. If these factors affect your choice, check the dimensions and the stated storage time in the product documentation.
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Heinrich´s — 161 L upright freezer, stainless steel
Worth a look if you’d rather keep portions separate in an upright freezer than stack them in a chest freezer. The product name specifies a 161 L capacity, three freezer drawers and a No Frost function.
Energy rating C. Compare its dimensions and annual energy consumption with other upright models, and check that its climate class suits the room you have in mind.
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AUCMA — 291 L convertible chest freezer, energy rating E
Consider this if you mainly need room for a large stock of food and can organise your storage in a chest freezer. This model is listed with a 291 L capacity, a removable basket and a convertible fridge-freezer mode.
Before installing it in a room with changing temperatures, check the usable capacity in your chosen mode, the floor space it takes up and its climate class.
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AUCMA — 197 L convertible chest freezer, energy rating E
Worth a look if you want a chest freezer for your supplies but are considering a stated capacity of 197 L rather than the 291 L AUCMA model. It converts between fridge and freezer modes and has a removable basket.
Check how much room you need to open the lid, the usable capacity in your chosen mode and the appliance’s climate class. Also confirm the sales and service terms that apply in France.
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare the energy consumption of freezers used all year round?
Compare their annual energy consumption in kWh/year across models with a similar type and usable capacity, rather than looking at their energy rating alone. ADEME presents the energy label as a guide to choosing large household appliances. Depending on the appliance, European EPREL product sheets also give annual energy consumption and the capacity of each compartment.
Should you check how long food stays frozen during a power cut?
Yes, if power cuts are a risk where you live: look for the figure given for the model you’re considering. Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 defines the temperature rise time as the time it takes for the temperature in a relevant compartment to rise from −18 °C to −9 °C after the refrigeration system stops. This definition is not, by itself, guidance on how to store food.
Can you install a freezer in a garage, cellar or conservatory?
It depends on the model’s recommended ambient temperature range, not simply its format. Check the climate class in the technical documentation or on the rating plate, then compare it with the possible temperatures in the room. Whirlpool France recommends doing this for these locations.
Does the legal guarantee of conformity apply to a freezer bought in France?
Yes, if you’re a private individual buying a freezer from a professional seller in France: the DGCCRF says this statutory guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods. If the product doesn’t conform, contact the seller. This legal remedy is separate from any commercial returns policy they may offer if you change your mind.