If you often freeze portions and want to find them easily, an upright freezer with drawers is worth considering. For bulk shopping or bulky containers, a chest freezer is a better fit if you have enough room. An under-counter model is more suited to occasional extra storage, while a large fridge freezer is mainly worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too. Whichever type you choose, check the clearance needed to open it and the room temperature before comparing capacities.
If you regularly prepare meals or keep leftovers, being able to separate portions and find the right container matters just as much as the total capacity. An upright freezer with drawers can make things easier to access; check that your containers will fit.
For bulk shopping, seasonal produce or large containers, look at the usable capacity and how easy it is to reach food stored at the bottom. A chest freezer also needs enough floor space and room for the lid to open.
Whether it’s going in a kitchen, pantry, cellar or garage, checking the dimensions alone isn’t enough. Allow space for the door or lid to open, and compare the room temperature with the range permitted for the model. If it’s near a living area, the stated noise level is also worth checking.
Consider it: if you often take out portions and want to organise them in drawers, and you have enough vertical space.
Bear in mind: the drawers limit the size of the boxes and bulky items you can store.
Consider it: if bulk shopping and large containers matter more than having easy daily access to every item.
Bear in mind: you’ll need floor space and a way to organise food so you can reach what’s at the bottom.
Consider it: if you only need a modest amount of extra storage and want an additional freezer for a small space.
Bear in mind: its usable capacity may not be enough for regular family storage.
Consider it: if you’re replacing your fridge too and would rather have both functions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s total capacity isn’t the same as the freezer compartment’s capacity alone. Compare the latter with the amount you usually store.
To choose between these types, start with your main priority, then rule out any appliances that won’t work in the space you have in mind.
| What to consider | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Drawer or compartment dimensions and layout; room for your usual containers. | When I take out a prepared meal, I want to find it without moving the rest of my food. Around 36% of shoppers prioritise access and organisation in this way. |
| Storage capacity | Usable capacity in litres; available floor space and access to items at the bottom of a chest freezer. | If my bulk shopping includes large bags or containers, I first look for enough space to store them. Capacity is the top priority for around 29% of shoppers. |
| Location | Dimensions and opening clearance; the permitted ambient temperature range for the specific model. | In a garage, pantry or narrow kitchen, I first need to know whether the appliance will fit and work in that space. Around 21% of shoppers put this compatibility first. |
| Day-to-day running | Stated power-cut storage time, stated noise level and annual energy consumption shown on the energy label. | If it’s near a living area, or I store food all year round, noise, power cuts and energy use all factor into my choice. Around 14% of shoppers put these practical considerations first. |
Two appliances with similar capacities may not suit your habits equally well: drawers need to fit your containers, while food stored at the bottom of a chest freezer needs to be easy to reach.
Measure the space and delivery access, then check the compartments, baskets and the clearance needed for the door or lid to open.
A cellar, utility room or garage can reach temperatures outside the range permitted for some appliances. A feature designed for cold conditions on one model doesn’t mean other models are suitable too.
Note the likely minimum and maximum temperatures in the room and compare them with the ambient temperature range stated for the model you’re considering.
How long an appliance keeps food cold during a power cut varies from model to model. Being a chest or upright freezer isn’t enough to determine this.
Compare the stated storage times in hours and the conditions under which they were measured. If this is a deciding factor, UFC-Que Choisir’s tests also explain how they simulate a power cut.
An old freezer can be difficult to unplug, move or get out of your home on delivery day.
Before placing your order, ask the retailer how to arrange collection and confirm the access, disconnection and collection requirements.
A range worth exploring across both upright and chest freezers, depending on whether you prefer compartments or plenty of space for bulk storage.
The brand offers upright models with specifications that let you compare capacity and noise levels model by model.
The brand’s upright and chest freezers let you compare compartment-based storage with a top-access design.
These Joybuy options include two chest freezers with different capacities, an upright model for separating food, and a fridge freezer to consider if you’re replacing your fridge too. Compare their layouts with your containers, and check the installation requirements for the model you choose.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too and want both functions in one appliance.
The model name lists a total capacity of 467 l, Total No Frost technology and an energy rating of E. Compare the space available for frozen food with your needs separately.
Before installing it in a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range and the clearance needed to open the doors.
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This chest freezer suits larger storage needs if you have the necessary floor space and room to access it from above.
The product name mentions a convertible fridge-freezer mode, a removable basket, LED lighting and an energy rating of E.
Check the ambient temperature range, storage time during a power cut and the clearance needed to open the lid fully.
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Worth considering if you want to store portions separately and access food from the front.
The product name mentions drawers, an alarm, No Frost technology and an energy rating of C.
Check the dimensions and ambient temperature range for your chosen location. Compare the storage time during a power cut and noise level too, if these matter to you.
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This chest freezer could be a useful extra if 140 l is enough for the additional storage you need.
The product name mentions a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an energy rating of E.
Check how much room you’ll need to open the lid, then check the permitted ambient temperature, particularly if you plan to put it in a garage.
No. Check that the temperatures your garage may reach are within the permitted ambient range for the specific model. For example, Liebherr says its CFe 2500 chest freezer has FrostProtect, which works down to −15 °C. This feature does not automatically apply to other appliances.
Compare the energy rating and annual consumption shown for models that already meet your capacity and location requirements. ADEME describes the energy label as a guide to choosing household appliances. If the appliance will be near a living area, check the model’s noise information too.
No. You can’t tell from the type alone: compare the stated storage time and the conditions under which it was measured for the models you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir assesses this in its tests by measuring how much the temperature rises when the power is off.
No. It may be useful if you want to reduce the need for defrosting, but it won’t make up for insufficient capacity or compartments that don’t fit your food. Check the model’s dimensions, noise level and installation requirements too.
Ask the retailer about their collection arrangements before ordering your new appliance. Check how disconnection, access to your home, moving the appliance and the collection time will be handled.