If the freezer compartment in your fridge-freezer is no longer big enough, an upright freezer makes it easier to organise and access portions frequently. A chest freezer is a good choice for storing larger quantities, provided you have enough floor space. If you’re replacing your fridge too, it’s worth comparing larger fridge-freezers: check the space reserved for frozen food, not just the total capacity.
If you often open the appliance to take out a meal or a small bag of food, an upright freezer’s compartments can make it easier to organise and access everything. Check that its drawers will still be easy to open once the appliance is in place.
A chest freezer is worth considering for bulk shopping or larger dishes, provided you have enough floor space for it. Plan how you’ll organise the contents so you can reach food at the bottom.
If you’re short on space for both fresh and frozen food and want to keep just one appliance, compare larger fridge-freezers. Make sure the freezer compartment alone offers enough capacity for your needs.
Worth considering: if you want to organise portions and find them easily when opening the freezer frequently.
Bear in mind: according to UFC-Que Choisir, upright freezers generally offer less maximum capacity than chest freezers. Also check the height and opening clearance of the drawers.
Worth considering: for bulk shopping or large containers, if you have enough suitable floor space.
Bear in mind: the lid needs room to open, and you may need to organise food carefully to keep items at the bottom within easy reach.
Worth considering: if you’re already replacing your fridge and need space for both fresh and frozen food.
Check: the freezer capacity separately from the total capacity before deciding against a separate freezer.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare usable freezer capacities in litres, rather than the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. UFC-Que Choisir says chest freezers can offer up to 600 l and larger upright freezers up to 400 l; always check the specifications of the individual models. | My shopping and prepared meals need to fit without choosing an appliance based only on its external dimensions. |
| Access to food | Look at the drawers in an upright freezer or the basket and open space in a chest freezer. Check how easy it is to reach food once the appliance is in position. | For portions I take out often, I want to find a meal without moving the whole contents. For large containers, I’d prefer a layout that suits how I store them. |
| Installation | Measure the appliance, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the door or lid. Follow the ventilation requirements in the manual and check that the climate class suits the room temperature, as Electrolux France advises. | I need to be able to open the appliance where I plan to put it, especially in a utility room, cellar or garage. |
| Energy use and power cuts | Compare the energy rating and annual energy consumption on the energy label for models of similar size and capacity. Also check the stated storage time during a power cut, in hours, for each model. | The appliance will be running all the time. If I put it outside the kitchen, a temperature alarm may also be an important feature. |
A large capacity doesn’t guarantee you’ll have enough floor space or easy access to food at the bottom. UFC-Que Choisir describes chest freezers that are generally 110 to 140 cm wide and around 70 cm deep.
Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the lid. If you choose this style, organise food by category.
The suitable ambient temperature range depends on the model. A marketing claim that an appliance is suitable for a garage doesn’t replace checking its climate class.
Compare the room’s actual temperatures with the range specified for the appliance and follow the ventilation instructions in its manual.
Two appliances with different capacities won’t necessarily meet the same storage needs, even if they have the same energy rating.
Check the annual energy consumption and usable freezer capacity too, ideally by comparing models of similar types and capacities.
The stated storage time during a power cut varies by model; you can’t tell it from whether the appliance is an upright or chest freezer.
Check the technical specifications for the time in hours for each appliance. If it’s not somewhere you’ll see it every day, also check whether it has a temperature alarm.
The GSN58AWCV is an example of a high-capacity upright freezer; its specifications don’t apply to the entire Bosch range.
Beko’s chest freezer range offers options for bulk shopping, including models to consider if the chosen location isn’t heated.
Electrolux France’s guide covers upright and chest freezers, as well as integrated models, to help you compare different installation options.
These options include a fridge-freezer if you’re replacing your fridge too, upright freezers for extra compartmentalised storage, and chest freezers for open storage. Compare each appliance with the space you have available and the freezer capacity you need.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too, rather than adding a separate freezer. The listing gives a total capacity of 360 L for the fridge-freezer, with Total No Frost, Wi-Fi, My Zone and an E energy rating. Check the freezer capacity separately and review the ventilation requirements before choosing where to put it.
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If you want a separate space for storing portions, this model features drawers, a No Frost system and a C energy rating. Check its dimensions, climate class and storage time during a power cut to make sure it’s suitable for your chosen location.
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This 291 L chest freezer can store frozen food when set to freezer mode, and can also be used as a fridge. It has a removable basket and an E energy rating. Measure the space needed to open the lid and check the climate class before installing it in a garage.
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This 140 L chest freezer has a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and an adjustable thermostat. It has an E energy rating. Check that the lid can open where you plan to put it and that food at the bottom will be easy to reach for your needs.
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This 60 L model is worth considering if you want extra freezer space without needing to store large quantities. The listing mentions a reversible door and an E energy rating. It refers to three drawers, while the description details two covered shelves and a bottom drawer, so check the internal layout before buying.
Add a separate appliance if your main priority is to significantly increase the space available for frozen food. If you’re replacing your fridge too and are short on space for fresh food, compare fridge-freezers and check the usable capacity of their freezer compartments.
An upright freezer is a good choice if you want to organise portions and access them frequently using its compartments. A chest freezer is worth comparing if you mainly store large quantities or containers, but plan how you’ll reach food at the bottom.
Yes, as long as the model’s recommended ambient temperature range matches the room and you can follow its installation instructions. Check the climate class and ventilation clearances in the manual. A feature advertised for certain models, such as Beko’s Freezer Guard, isn’t available on every appliance.
Check the stated time in hours for each model rather than judging it by the type of freezer. For example, Bosch gives a figure of 13 h for the GSN58AWCV; this applies to that model only.