Who are these types of freezer for?

Households that like to stock up

If you buy frozen food in bulk or batch-cook, you’ll mainly need extra capacity. You may also want to consider how long the food will stay frozen if there’s a power cut.

People who access their food frequently

If you open your freezer often, drawers can make it easier to organise food by type or meal, and find what you’re looking for.

Households with limited space or an unheated room

A small kitchen may call for a compact model. If you’re considering a utility room, cellar or garage, the room temperature must also fall within the range specified for the particular model.

What should you look for?

Chest freezer

Consider it: if you need plenty of storage and have enough floor space.

Bear in mind: food at the bottom is less readily accessible than in an upright freezer with drawers.

Upright freezer

Consider it: if you often take food out and want to organise it in separate drawers.

Bear in mind: drawers can limit the space available for bulky items.

Table-top or under-counter freezer

Consider it: for extra capacity when there’s no room for a chest freezer or a full-height appliance.

Bear in mind: it has less storage capacity.

Large fridge freezer

Consider it: if you also need to replace your fridge and would prefer a single appliance.

Bear in mind: a large total capacity doesn’t necessarily mean a large freezer compartment.

Consideration What to check What matters to shoppers
Capacity and floor space Compare the net freezer capacity and dimensions, allowing for the space needed to open the door and for ventilation. When bulk shopping takes up too much room in the fridge freezer, I mainly want to increase my storage without getting in the way. Around 27% of consumers would make capacity their top priority.
Access and organisation Check the layout, depth and ease of access to the drawers or baskets. If I often take out a portion, I want to find food without rummaging through everything in storage. Easy access would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers.
Installation room and power cuts Check that the model’s ambient temperature range suits the room. Also check how many hours of power-cut storage it claims to offer. If I’m installing an appliance in a room where the temperature varies, I particularly want to choose a model designed for those conditions and check how it performs during a power cut. Around 26% of consumers would put these considerations first.
Compact extra capacity or one appliance Decide whether you also need to replace your fridge, then check the net freezer capacity and overall dimensions. When space in the kitchen is tight, I’d choose a compact freezer or combine my refrigeration in one appliance if my fridge needs replacing. Around 20% of consumers would make this their top priority.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Putting a freezer in the garage without checking the temperature

    A cellar or garage may fall outside the ambient temperature range specified for the appliance. If some models are suitable for these conditions, that doesn’t mean the whole range is.

    Check the room temperature during the coldest and warmest periods, then compare it with the instructions for the exact model. Make sure you also follow its ventilation requirements.

  • Choosing based on capacity alone

    A large storage space is less convenient if food you use regularly is hard to find at the bottom of a chest freezer.

    Check the baskets or drawers and plan an organisation system that suits how often you access your food.

  • Comparing only the energy efficiency rating

    The rating alone doesn’t tell you the freezer capacity or the model’s stated annual energy consumption.

    Compare the product information sheet, annual energy consumption and usable capacity of appliances that meet the same needs. The DGCCRF notes that refrigeration appliances are covered by energy labelling requirements.

  • Confusing total capacity with the space actually available for frozen food

    In a fridge freezer, only part of the total capacity is available for frozen food. For example, Whirlpool lists 106 L of freezer capacity out of 355 L total for its WHK 25404 XBR5E.

    Check the net capacity of the freezer compartment. If you’re considering a small appliance with an integrated freezer compartment for long-term storage at −18 °C, also check that it has a four-star rating.

Brands to know for these types of freezer

Beko

Beko offers chest and table-top freezers, two types worth considering depending on the space you have and the capacity you need.

  • Beko says its Freezer Guard function works down to −15 °C on certain chest freezer models.
  • Check the operating temperature range for the specific model before installing it in an unheated room.

Liebherr

The CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer is worth considering if you need plenty of storage and a model specified for use in a cold room.

  • Liebherr lists a total capacity of 359 L and FrostProtect down to −15 °C for this model.
  • These specifications apply to the CFd 2505 Plus; check its instructions for installation requirements.

Whirlpool

The range includes upright freezers, chest freezers and fridge freezers, giving you options to compare if you’re deciding between a dedicated appliance and a combination model.

  • Whirlpool lists six drawers for the WHFF 6403 W4E upright freezer and 26 hours of power-cut storage for the WHCF 204 4 chest freezer.
  • The interior layout, power-cut storage time and frost management features vary by model.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you install any freezer in a garage or cellar?

No. The ambient temperature range specified for the model must suit the room. Electrolux recommends keeping the appliance within its specified ambient temperature range. Check the instructions and ventilation requirements before installing it in an unheated room.

Will an upright or chest freezer keep food frozen for longer during a power cut?

You can’t tell from the type alone: compare the power-cut storage time stated for each model. Whirlpool lists 26 hours for its WHCF 204 4 chest freezer, but this figure shouldn’t be assumed to apply to all chest freezers or considered without taking real-world conditions into account.

How can you compare the energy consumption of two freezers?

Compare their stated annual energy consumption with their usable capacity, and look at appliances suited to the same use rather than relying on the energy efficiency rating alone. The DGCCRF notes that the energy label and product information sheet are among the details to check when choosing refrigeration appliances.

Does freezing mean you can ignore the dates on food?

No. Anses explains that even at −18 °C, most microorganisms survive freezing. Follow the date information and storage instructions on food packaging.