If your current freezer compartment is no longer big enough, choose a chest freezer for storing bulky items if you have floor space, or an upright freezer if easy access to your food and keeping it organised are more important. A large fridge freezer is mainly worth considering if you’re already replacing your fridge and its freezer compartment can hold your stock. Whichever you choose, check the space needed to open it, the room temperature, the stated annual energy consumption and the claimed power-cut storage time.
If you batch-cook, shop in bulk or store bulky food items, start by working out how much you need to store and how much space you have. If you’re putting a chest freezer in a utility room or garage, allow room to open the lid and check that the model is suitable for the room temperature.
If you open your freezer often and want to keep food separate, look at the layout of the drawers or baskets as well as the stated capacity. An upright freezer gives you front access, but check that there’s enough room to open its door and drawers.
A large fridge freezer lets you keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with your maximum stock: the fridge freezer’s total capacity won’t tell you whether it’s big enough.
Consider it: for large stocks or bulky packaging, if the room has enough floor space and clearance above the lid.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom takes more organising and is less easy to reach.
Consider it: if you often reach for frozen food and prefer to organise it in drawers, and have less floor space available.
Bear in mind: the drawer layout may limit the space available for your bulkiest items.
Consider it: if you’re already replacing your fridge and want to avoid installing a second appliance.
Bear in mind: only part of its capacity is for frozen food, so it needs to be big enough for your stock.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and bulky food | Compare the freezer capacity with your maximum stock, then measure the space and the route through to the room. | To store batch-cooked meals or large packs, I need enough room without blocking access to the chest freezer. Around 29% of consumers would put this storage need first. |
| Access and organisation | Look at the layout of the drawers or baskets and the space needed to open the door or lid. | If I often take food out of the freezer, I want to find items without rummaging through a deep compartment; easy access would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| One appliance instead of two | For a fridge freezer, check the freezer compartment capacity separately from the total capacity. | My fridge already needs replacing and I’d rather not add a second appliance, provided my stock fits in the new freezer compartment. This would be a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Room and continuous use | Check the room temperature against the range specified for the model; also compare kWh/year and, if power cuts are a concern, the stated storage time. | In an unheated room or one with changing temperatures, I need to choose an appliance suited to the location and keep an eye on its energy consumption. Around 21% of consumers would put these conditions first. |
A chest freezer needs floor space and room above its lid; an upright freezer needs enough height and clearance to open its door. You’ll also need to get the appliance through the route to its final position.
Measure the room, doors, corridors and any stairs. Then check the clearance required by the model you’re considering, with the door or lid open.
The recommended ambient temperature range depends on the model, not just on whether it’s a chest or upright freezer. Beko notes that temperatures outside this range can affect how the appliance works.
Check the minimum and maximum temperatures in the room you have in mind, then compare them with the climate class and the model-specific guidance.
Two appliances with different capacities won’t offer the same performance, even if their energy ratings look similar. The ADEME notes that a freezer runs continuously.
First work out the capacity you need, then compare the stated kWh/year for appliances that can hold your stock.
A fridge freezer’s total capacity includes the fridge compartment too. As model-specific examples, Bosch lists 129 L of freezer capacity for the KGN492IAF, while Whirlpool lists 404 L for its WHFF6403W4E upright freezer.
Make a list of your maximum stock and compare it with the stated capacity of the freezer compartment alone before ruling out a dedicated freezer.
Beko offers chest and upright freezers. Its guides highlight the difference between storing food in a separate room and accessing it in drawers.
The range includes upright freezers and fridge freezers, some of which focus on storage or installation in cold environments.
Whirlpool offers chest and upright formats, giving you the chance to weigh up the trade-off between generous storage and organising food in drawers.
Large Bosch fridge freezers are worth considering if you want to replace your fridge without adding a separate freezer.
These chest and upright models let you compare different options for extra storage. For each one, compare the stated capacity with your stock and check any installation requirements that matter for your room.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a chest freezer for bulky food stocks and have room for its top-opening lid. The product title lists a capacity of 291 L, an energy rating of E, a five-level digital control and a removable basket. Check that freezer mode is selected for storing frozen food, and that the appliance is suitable for the temperature of the room.
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Worth a look if you prefer vertical storage and want a No Frost feature. The title lists a capacity of 161 L, an energy rating of C, a reversible door and a temperature setting range of −14 °C to −22 °C. Check the internal layout, dimensions and ambient temperature range suitable for your intended location.
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This chest freezer could suit you if you want some extra storage but don’t need as much as a large model offers. The title lists a capacity of 95 L, an energy rating of E, a seven-level thermostat and a removable basket. It opens from the top, so check the clearance needed for the lid, the room temperature and the selected mode before storing frozen food in it.
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Worth comparing if you only need a little extra freezer space and are looking for an upright model. The title lists a capacity of 60 L, an energy rating of E and a reversible door. Check the exact layout of the compartments and the space needed to open the door before choosing where to put it.
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This chest freezer is worth comparing if you need more capacity than a small model offers, but don’t need a large one. The title lists a capacity of 140 L, an energy rating of E, a basket and a counterbalanced lid. Allow enough room for the lid to open and compare the stated annual energy consumption with other models suited to your stock.
Yes, as long as the temperature in the room stays within the range specified for the model you choose. Check the minimum and maximum temperatures before buying. For example, Beko specifies a range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T, while Liebherr says its FNe 4204 with FrostProtect will operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C. This feature isn’t available on other models.
Compare the stated kWh/year and energy rating, but only after checking that both appliances have enough capacity for your stock. The ADEME notes that a freezer runs continuously. If the appliance will be near a living area, also check the noise level stated for each model.
It’s worth considering if you want to reduce the need for manual defrosting. Liebherr lists this feature on its FNe 4204, but you’ll need to check that it’s included on the model you choose. On its own, it doesn’t tell you about capacity, energy consumption or whether the appliance can be installed in a cold room.