To store more frozen food, start by considering how much you need to freeze, how much space you have and how often you reach for your food. A chest freezer has room for larger items, while an upright makes it easier to organise food in drawers. An under-counter model is better suited to providing extra capacity; if you also want to replace your fridge, consider a larger fridge freezer. Whichever type you choose, compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone and check that the appliance can be installed in your chosen room.
If you need to store bulky items, compare a chest freezer with a dedicated upright rather than looking at the total capacity of a fridge freezer. A chest freezer needs floor space, and you’ll need a way to organise its contents so you can find food at the bottom. An upright gives you easy access with drawers.
If you often take out portions or frozen food, check how the drawers and baskets divide up the space. Also make sure you’ll be able to open and remove them once the appliance is in place.
An under-counter freezer can provide extra storage. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare fridge freezers by looking at the capacity of their freezer compartments, not their total capacity.
Consider it: for large quantities or bulky food, if you have enough suitable floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need room to lift the lid and organise the contents to reach food at the bottom.
Consider it: if you often take out frozen food and want to organise it in drawers.
Bear in mind: drawers limit the space available for bulkier items.
Consider it: for extra freezer space when there isn’t room for a chest freezer or a full-height upright.
Bear in mind: check its capacity carefully if you’re stocking up in bulk.
Consider it: if you’re also replacing your fridge and would rather keep everything in one appliance.
Bear in mind: its total capacity includes the fridge section. Only the freezer compartment capacity tells you how much frozen food you can store.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage | Compare the capacity in litres of the freezer compartments with the amount of food you store. Check the layout of the drawers or baskets, and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom of a chest freezer. | I sometimes store bulky items, so I need enough room to organise them without making everyday items difficult to find. |
| Location | Measure the appliance, the delivery route and the clearance needed for the door or lid. Check the room temperature against the ambient temperature range specified for the model: Bosch notes that the climate class relates to this temperature. | If the appliance is going in a garage or an unheated utility room, I want to check that it’s designed to work at the temperatures in that room all year round. |
| Energy use and power cuts | The label shown by the European Commission includes information such as the energy class, energy consumption, capacity and noise level. Compare kWh/year between appliances of a similar type and capacity. Separately check how long food stays frozen during a power cut, which UFC-Que Choisir assesses using a simulation. | Energy use matters to me because the appliance will be plugged in all the time, but I also want to know how it performs during a power cut and how noisy it will be in its intended location. |
| Frost and maintenance | Check the defrosting method for the exact model. A feature that reduces frost build-up doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never need to defrost it manually. For a chest freezer, also check how easy it is to access the interior and the water drain. | I want to know what maintenance is needed and be able to defrost the appliance without blocking access to its location. |
A chest freezer can take up a lot of floor space, and food at the bottom may be harder to reach. For an upright, you’ll need enough room in front of the door to pull out the drawers.
Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance needed. Then choose between chest storage and drawers based on how you’ll use the appliance.
If the temperature in your garage or conservatory falls outside the range specified for the model, you can’t assume it will work properly in that room.
Check the usual lowest and highest temperatures in the room, then compare them with the climate class and limits specified for the exact appliance.
The energy class letter alone won’t tell you how much food the appliance can hold, how noisy it is or how long it will keep food frozen during a power cut. The European Commission lists energy consumption, capacity and noise as separate details on the label.
Compare appliances of a similar type and capacity, then check the kWh/year, litres, noise level and stated time food stays frozen during a power cut separately.
Features that reduce frost build-up don’t automatically remove the need for manual defrosting. The maintenance required depends on the technology specified for the model.
Check the manual and, if necessary, make sure you can access the water drain and interior.
Bosch offers freezers and fridge freezers, among other appliances. Its information about climate class is useful if you’re planning to install an appliance outside the kitchen.
Electrolux offers several types of freezer, including chest and compact models, to suit different storage needs.
Liebherr offers chest freezers, including some designed for locations exposed to cold temperatures.
These models let you choose between a dedicated chest freezer for extra storage and a fridge freezer if you’d like both functions in one appliance.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’d prefer a fridge freezer to a separate freezer. The 360 L is the total capacity, so check the capacity of the freezer compartment against your storage needs.
The model name indicates Total No Frost, an E energy class, Wi-Fi and My Zone. If you’re installing it in an unheated room, check its ambient temperature range.
Image unavailable
This fridge freezer may suit you if your frozen food will fit in an integrated freezer compartment. The 262 L is the total capacity, so check the freezer space separately.
The model is listed as 54 cm wide and 176 cm high, with Low Frost technology. This doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it manually; also check the permitted ambient temperature for your chosen location.
Image unavailable
This 291 L chest freezer is designed for households looking for a dedicated appliance for extra storage, provided there’s enough floor space and clearance above the lid.
This model is described as convertible between a fridge and a freezer, with a removable basket and a drain for defrosting. Check its ambient temperature range and stated power-cut performance if these matter for your chosen location.
Image unavailable
This integrated fridge freezer may suit you if you’re replacing a built-in kitchen appliance rather than adding a separate freezer. The 249 L is the total capacity, so check the capacity of the freezer compartment before relying on it for extra storage.
The model name indicates TwinTech No Frost and an E energy class. Check the dimensions and compatibility with your cabinet and door system before installation.
Image unavailable
This 140 L chest freezer is an option if you want a separate space for frozen food without immediately opting for a very large model. Measure the floor space and the clearance needed for the lid.
The model is listed with a storage basket, counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an E energy class. Check the ambient temperature range and defrosting method for your intended use.
Compare the energy class, energy consumption, freezer compartment capacity and noise level. The European Commission lists these details on the label for refrigeration appliances. To work out how much room you’ll have for frozen food, don’t confuse the freezer capacity with the total capacity of a fridge freezer.
Yes, as long as the ambient temperature range specified for the model covers the temperatures in that room. Bosch notes that the climate class defines the ambient temperature the appliance is designed for; Liebherr says some of its FrostProtect chest freezers are designed to operate at −15 °C. Check the specifications for the exact model rather than assuming this applies to all freezers.
Look for the stated time for each model and, if possible, a test carried out under specified conditions. UFC-Que Choisir simulates a power cut to measure how long food stays frozen. Capacity and energy class aren’t a substitute for this information.
Electrolux recommends defrosting when the layer of ice reaches around 3 to 5 mm. Follow the model’s instructions to switch it off and defrost it, and don’t use a sharp object to remove the ice.