Who is this guide for?

Households with a very cold garage or cellar

If the room drops below 10 °C, or even below 0 °C, your first priority should be the minimum ambient temperature at which the model you choose is stated to work.

Households that need to store bulky food

A chest freezer could suit your needs if you have enough floor space. Measure the route into the room too, along with the space needed to open the lid.

Households that need frequent access to food

An upright freezer lets you sort food into drawers and takes up less floor space than a large chest freezer. However, its operating range must still be suitable for the room.

What should you prioritise?

First, note the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures. This will help you rule out unsuitable models before comparing their design and operating requirements.

Criteria What to check What consumers are looking for
Room temperature Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the range stated in the manual for the exact model. A mention of “garage” is no substitute for checking this. If my garage could freeze, I want to know whether the appliance is designed to work there. Around 50% of consumers would make this compatibility their top priority.
Capacity and access Check the appliance dimensions and the access route, as well as the space needed to open the door or lid. I need room for bulky supplies without making them difficult to reach; around 30% of consumers would prioritise capacity and access.
Power cuts and maintenance Compare the stated storage time in the event of a power cut and the available alerts; check the model’s defrosting instructions. When the freezer is away from the main living areas, I want to spot any problems and keep it maintained. Around 20% of consumers would put these points first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming an extended climate class is enough if the room could freeze

    According to Beko France, the SN-T range starts at 10 °C. On its own, this rating therefore does not cover a garage that drops below this temperature.

    Compare the room’s temperatures with the operating range stated for the exact model and variant you are considering, even if its listing mentions a garage or cellar.

  • Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone

    Its open interior can hold bulky food, but you need to be able to reach items stored at the bottom and open the lid fully.

    Measure the route into the room, the available floor space and the clearance above the appliance. Plan your storage so that food remains easy to reach.

  • Forgetting about power cuts

    UFC-Que Choisir includes storage time during a power cut among its criteria for choosing a freezer. In a room you don’t visit often, a power cut or alert could also go unnoticed.

    Compare the stated storage time and the alerts actually available on the model, then plan how you will check the appliance after an incident.

  • Overlooking the ventilation clearance required during installation

    The clearance needed depends on the model’s installation instructions. Blocking this space could affect how the appliance works.

    Check the manual before deciding on the final position, and leave the ventilation gaps it specifies.

Brands to consider for a cold room

Beko

The Freezer Guard range is worth considering if the room could reach below-zero temperatures.

  • Beko France states that this range works in temperatures as low as -15 °C.
  • Check that the exact model sold in France includes this feature and that its manual covers the temperatures in your room.

Liebherr

Freezers with FrostProtect are worth considering for an outbuilding where the temperature drops below 0 °C.

  • Liebherr states that the components in its FrostProtect freezers are designed to work at ambient temperatures as low as -15 °C.
  • This applies to models equipped with FrostProtect, not to all Liebherr freezers.

Whirlpool

Some Whirlpool chest freezers are stated to work at low temperatures. Check each model individually.

  • Whirlpool France states that the WHM2112 and W3RHS19DW chest freezers can withstand ambient temperatures as low as -15 °C.
  • Don’t assume this feature applies to another model or variant without checking its product details and manual.

Joybuy products

Products related to this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is SN-T class enough for a garage that could freeze?

No. According to Beko France, the SN-T range starts at 10 °C and does not cover lower temperatures. If your garage could get colder, look for an operating range explicitly stated for the model you choose.

Is a chest or upright freezer better for a cellar?

A chest freezer is a good choice if you want open storage for bulky food and have enough space. An upright model makes food easier to organise and access in drawers. In either case, check separately that the model’s ambient temperature range covers the temperatures in your cellar.

What should I check if a power cut is possible?

Compare the stated storage times for each model and the alerts they offer. UFC-Que Choisir assesses storage time by simulating a power cut. An alert can help you spot a problem, but you should still check the appliance and food after a power cut.

Can I modify the electrical circuit to install the freezer?

Before making any changes, ask a qualified person to check the existing installation and the appliance’s requirements. Choosing a freezer and deciding where to put it aren’t enough to determine what electrical work is right for your home.