For storing meals and frozen food, choose a chest freezer if you have floor space and rarely need to reach items at the bottom. An upright freezer is a better choice if you regularly take out portions and want to organise them in drawers. An under-counter model is more suited to occasional extra storage in a low or compact space. Whichever style you choose, check the net capacity, the dimensions including the required clearances, and the permitted ambient temperature range for the room where you plan to install it.
If you buy frozen food in bulk or prepare meals to freeze, start by comparing the net capacity with the amount you usually store. A chest freezer has room for larger containers, while an upright makes it easier to organise food by category.
If you need to find tubs and bags every day, the drawers in an upright freezer can save you rummaging through a deep compartment. Check how the drawers are arranged, though, and make sure there’s enough room to open them.
The temperature in the room must stay within the ambient range permitted for your chosen model. For example, Beko says its Freezer Guard function allows equipped chest freezers to operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C. This feature is not available on all freezers.
Best for: storing meals and frozen food when you have enough floor space and can easily open the lid.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom takes more organising and is less easy to reach.
Best for: taking out portions regularly and keeping them organised in accessible drawers.
Bear in mind: its tall design means you’ll need to check the available height and allow enough room in front to open the door.
Best for: extra storage when the available height or space limits your options.
Bear in mind: its capacity may be too small for storing a large supply of prepared meals.
Once you’ve chosen a style, compare the stated capacity with the space you actually have, then weigh up the features of the models you’re considering.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and space | Compare the net capacity in litres, then measure the width, depth and height. Allow for the clearances specified in the manual, the route to the room, and the space needed to open the door or lid. | I want to store meals and frozen food without choosing an appliance that’s too small or a style I can’t fit. |
| Access to food | Check the layout of the drawers, shelves or baskets, and the space needed to use them. With a chest freezer, consider how you’ll find items at the bottom. | I often take out portions, so I’d like to find them without moving all my other food. |
| Power cuts and freezing | Compare the stated storage time in hours on each model’s product details. If you’ll be freezing meals, also check the freezing capacity and the four-star marking: the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs associates this with freezing food through to the centre at −18 °C. | I’m concerned about power cuts, or I plan to freeze food regularly rather than just store food that’s already frozen. |
| Installation room | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the ambient range stated for the model. If the room is near a living area, also check the noise level in dB(A). | I may put my freezer in a cellar or garage where the temperature changes throughout the year. |
| Energy use | According to the European Commission, the label shows information including the energy class, kWh/year and capacity. Compare these figures for appliances with similar capacities and designs, rather than relying on the letter alone. | I want to know the annual energy use while still having enough room for my food. |
A large capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit through to its intended spot or whether you’ll be able to open the lid fully. Smaller portions can also be hard to find at the bottom.
Measure the delivery route, the floor space and the clearance above the freezer. Use baskets and organise the contents into sections.
The climate class indicates the stated ambient temperature range. If the room is too cold or too warm for the model, it may not operate as intended.
Check the room’s lowest and highest temperatures, then confirm the freezer’s exact operating range before installing it there.
The European Commission says the label also shows annual energy use, capacity and noise. The letter alone doesn’t tell you whether two appliances with different capacities are equally suited to your needs.
Compare kWh/year with usable capacity, then look at models with similar designs.
This figure shows how long frozen food is stated to stay frozen during a power cut, and varies by model. Bosch states 13 h for the GSN58AWCV, while Whirlpool states 41 h for the W3RHS19DW. These figures don’t apply to every model from either brand.
If power cuts are a concern, compare the stated storage times for the specific models you’re considering. Check whether they have a door or temperature alarm if you need one.
These features apply to the specific models listed, not to every freezer made by each brand.
The GSN58AWCV is an example of a large upright freezer. Bosch lists its capacity as 366 L and its dimensions as 1 910 × 700 × 780 mm.
The W3RHS19DW is a 198 L chest freezer, according to its Whirlpool France product details.
Some Beko chest freezers are designed to be installed in an unheated room.
In its selection dated 17 June 2026, Guide Topten France lists the FNa 6635-20 as a 260 L freestanding upright freezer.
These models cover three different needs: chest freezers for separate storage, an upright for easy access to portions, and a small vertical freezer for extra capacity. Compare their capacity and design with the space you have before choosing.
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This chest freezer offers 140 L of capacity, a storage basket and a counterbalanced lid, making it a handy way to store food with easy access from above. Its stated energy class is E. Check the space needed to open the lid, as well as the storage time during a power cut and the ambient temperature range for your installation.
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This upright design is a good choice if you want to keep portions separate in drawers. The model name indicates a 161 L capacity, No Frost, a reversible door and a C energy class. Measure the space and door clearance, then check the storage time during a power cut and the ambient temperature range.
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With a stated capacity of 60 L, this model is better suited to occasional extra storage than a large stock of food. Its name indicates a reversible door and an E energy class. Check the exact internal layout, the dimensions with the door open and the installation requirements before planning to fit it under a worktop.
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This 99 L chest freezer can provide extra storage if you’re happy with top access. Its name mentions a removable basket, an adjustable thermostat, a four-star marking and an E energy class. Also allow for the manual defrosting mentioned in its description, and check that there’s enough room to open it.
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This chest freezer has a stated capacity of 98 L, making it suitable for modest storage rather than a large supply of meals. It comes with a basket and counterbalanced lid, and has an E energy class. Measure the space and check the stated storage time during a power cut, annual energy use and ambient temperature range before choosing a room.
The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs recommends setting it to −18 °C. If you plan to freeze food, check that the compartment has a four-star marking. Don’t confuse it with a basic ice box, which is intended for temporarily storing food that’s already frozen.
Yes, as long as the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures are within the ambient range stated for the model. Some appliances are designed for rooms where the temperature falls as low as −15 °C, including some Beko chest freezers with Freezer Guard. Check that this applies to the specific model you choose.
No. According to the European Commission, it helps you compare the energy class, annual energy use, capacity and noise, but it doesn’t tell you how easy the food is to reach or how much space you’ll need for installation. Compare kWh/year with the capacity you’re looking for, and look at models with similar designs.
Yes. No Frost reduces the need for manual defrosting, but it doesn’t replace cleaning. The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs recommends thoroughly cleaning your freezer at least once a year. Follow your model’s manual for maintenance instructions.