If you need to store plenty of meals and frozen food, a chest freezer is a good choice if you have enough floor space and the room temperature suits the model. An upright freezer makes it easier to access portions stored in drawers. A compact model can provide extra storage, while a fridge-freezer may be enough if you’re replacing your fridge too and its freezer compartment can genuinely hold all your supplies.
If you often take out one portion at a time, an upright freezer’s drawers can make it easier to organise and find what you need. Also compare the stated power-cut storage time: the storage layout doesn’t tell you how long food will stay frozen.
A chest freezer can give you plenty of storage if you have enough floor space. UFC-Que Choisir reports that some chest freezers have a capacity of up to 600 L. Check the dimensions, lid clearance and the temperature range allowed for the model you choose.
A compact or under-counter freezer can supplement your existing freezer compartment without taking up as much room as a large upright model. Check its usable capacity before relying on it for a big shop or a batch of meals.
Start by working out how much freezer space you need, then make sure the appliance will fit, open and work properly in the room you have in mind.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage | Compare the net freezer capacity in litres, then look at the drawers, baskets or compartments. For a fridge-freezer, check the freezer capacity separately from the total capacity: Electrolux lists 62 L of freezer space in its KNT6ME18S4, which has a total capacity of 248 L. | I want to find my portions without moving everything else, or have enough room for larger packs. |
| Space and temperature | Measure the appliance, access route and clearance needed to open it. Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures against the range allowed for the exact model. For example, Bosch gives a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN. | My freezer will go in a kitchen, utility room or another room. It needs to be easy to access and suitable for the temperatures there. |
| Power cuts and freezing | Check the stated storage time in hours and, if you often add fresh food to freeze, the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. These figures answer different questions. | I store prepared meals and want to know how long they’ll stay cold without power, as well as how much new food the freezer can freeze. |
| Everyday use | Compare energy ratings and kWh/year between appliances of a similar size and capacity. Check the noise level in dB(A) and the defrosting method separately. The energy label and product specifications can help you compare these features. | If the appliance is near a living area, noise matters to me. I also want to understand its energy use and the maintenance it requires. |
A large chest freezer also takes up a lot of width and depth, while drawers and lids need room to open.
Measure the space, doorway and clearance needed before comparing capacities.
Bosch says that if the ambient temperature is outside the specified range, an appliance may not work properly. Features designed for cold rooms only apply to models that are specifically described as having them.
Check the room temperature in winter and summer, then look up the permitted range for the exact freezer you’re considering.
An energy rating doesn’t tell you how much usable storage there is, how long food will stay frozen during a power cut or how noisy the appliance is. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these separately in its freezer testing process.
Compare kWh/year figures for models of a similar size and type, then consider storage time, layout, noise and defrosting in terms of how you’ll use the freezer.
Total capacity combines compartments with different uses. For example, Electrolux lists a total capacity of 248 L for its KNT6ME18S4, including 62 L for the freezer.
Work out whether it will hold your meals and frozen food by looking at the net capacity of the freezer compartment alone.
These specifications apply to the models mentioned, not to every appliance from each brand.
The CFe 2500 Pure chest freezer is an example of a high-capacity model for a utility room or other separate space.
The WHFF 6403 W4E upright freezer is an example of a drawer-based layout for storing meals.
The GTV15NWEB is a useful example of a compact under-counter freezer for extra storage.
The FSE1174N compact freezer is another example of a model for extra storage.
This selection from Joybuy includes chest freezers for larger reserves, a compact under-counter model and an upright freezer for organising portions. Compare each model’s features with the space you have and the amount of food you want to freeze.
Image unavailable
A handy way to add a small amount of frozen food storage in a compact space. The title lists a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the exact interior layout, which is described differently in the title and description, as well as the storage time and permitted ambient temperature range before installation.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for bulk shopping if you have enough room to open the lid. The title lists a removable basket, LED lighting and an E energy rating. Use freezer mode to store frozen food, and check that the appliance’s ambient temperature range suits the room you’ve chosen.
Image unavailable
A compact chest freezer to consider if you’d rather have a chest than an upright model. The title mentions a removable basket and an E energy rating; the description specifies manual defrosting. Allow room to open the lid and check the permitted ambient temperature if you’re planning to put it in a separate room.
Image unavailable
This capacity could suit you if you need more extra storage than a small upright model provides. The title lists a removable basket and an E energy rating. Check that freezer mode suits your needs, that there’s room to open the lid and that the ambient temperature range is suitable.
Image unavailable
An upright layout can make it easier to access meals stored in drawers. The title lists No Frost, an alarm and a C energy rating, but gives two different drawer counts. Check the interior layout, dimensions and permitted ambient temperature range before choosing.
Yes, as long as the room temperature is within the range specified for the model you choose. For example, Bosch gives a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN, while Liebherr separately lists FrostProtect down to −15 °C for its CFe 2500 Pure chest freezer. Check the room temperature in winter and summer, then consult the specifications for the exact appliance.
It tells you how long the appliance can keep food frozen without a power supply. In its testing process, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long it takes for food to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C. Compare the figures in hours and how they were measured, rather than assuming storage time based on the appliance’s capacity alone.
No. It mainly affects defrosting, rather than capacity or storage time. If you want to avoid manual defrosting, check that the feature is included on the exact model, then compare the other features that matter for your storage needs separately.
It helps you assess the energy efficiency of appliances covered by European energy labelling rules. Compare the energy rating and annual consumption in kWh, particularly between models with a similar capacity and format. The European Commission also provides the EPREL database, where you can look up declared specifications for models sold in the European Union.
Yes, if you’re replacing your fridge too and the freezer compartment has enough net capacity for your supplies. For example, Electrolux lists a total capacity of 248 L for its KNT6ME18S4, including 62 L of freezer space. Compare that second figure with the amount of meals and frozen food you want to store.