If your fridge freezer’s compartment is no longer big enough for your prepared meals and frozen food, a standalone freezer lets you choose a capacity and layout that suit your stock. A chest freezer is a good choice if you have floor space for a large reserve; an upright makes it easier to organise and access food regularly, while an under-counter model is better for a smaller top-up. You could also consider a fridge freezer with a larger freezer compartment if you’d prefer to combine both functions in one appliance.
If you prepare several portions in advance, work out how much freezer space you need and how much room your containers will take up. How often you take meals out can then help you decide between the open storage of a chest freezer and the compartments of an upright.
A room outside the kitchen can accommodate a standalone appliance, provided its temperature stays within the range specified for the model you choose. Check its climate class before choosing a format based on capacity alone.
An under-counter freezer can provide extra space for a few regular portions. Compare its capacity with your usual stock and measure the space available, including any ventilation clearances required by the manual.
Start by working out how much freezer space you need, then check that the appliance will fit and be easy to use in the room you have in mind.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage | Compare the net freezer capacity, not the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Check there’s enough room for containers, bags and bulky items, then consider how easy they are to reach in baskets or drawers. According to Que Choisir, chest freezers can hold up to 600 L; upright models are generally around 200 L, with some offering up to 400 L. | I want to store my portions without having to move everything around to find a meal. If I open the appliance often, separate compartments matter as much as capacity. |
| Installation | Measure the width, depth and height, the doorway and the space needed to open the appliance. For a cellar or garage, compare the room temperature with the climate class of the exact model, and follow the manual’s guidance on ventilation clearances. | An appliance outside the kitchen would free up space, but I need to be able to get it into the room, open its door or lid and install it somewhere suitable. |
| Electricity use | Look at annual energy consumption in kWh, net capacity and the energy rating from A to G together. For a useful comparison, look at appliances with similar capacities and intended uses. The model’s EU product information sheet can be found in EPREL, according to the European Commission. | As the freezer stays plugged in all the time, I want to compare its stated energy consumption rather than relying on the label letter alone. |
| Power cuts and freezing capacity | Compare the stated storage time during a power cut, in hours, for each model. If you often add food to freeze, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h and whether the appliance has a temperature alarm. | I sometimes stock up after doing the food shop, so the amount I can add and how long food stays frozen during a power cut both affect my choice. |
A chest freezer can take up more floor space, and food at the bottom can be harder to find without a good system.
Measure the space and delivery route, then make sure you can fully open the lid and reach the baskets before choosing a capacity.
The ambient temperature range a freezer is designed for depends on the model. A garage or cellar may fall outside that range at certain times of the year.
Compare the room temperature with the climate class shown on the rating plate and in the documentation for the model you’re considering.
The rating letter on its own doesn’t tell you the annual energy consumption of appliances with different capacities.
Compare the kWh/year and net capacity of models that meet the same storage needs, and check their energy information sheets in EPREL too.
How long food stays frozen during a power cut varies from model to model. Whirlpool France and Bosch Electroménager France state 26 h for the WHCF 204 4 chest freezer and 9 h for the GSN36CWEP upright, respectively. These examples don’t set a standard for all chest or upright freezers.
Check the stated storage time for each model you’re considering, as well as its freezing capacity if you regularly fill the appliance.
Whirlpool France offers chest freezers and fridge freezers. Its WHCF 204 4 chest freezer gives you an example of the specifications to compare, but it doesn’t represent the entire range.
Bosch Electroménager France offers freestanding freezers, including models in different sizes that you can compare for a main freezer or extra storage.
Haier’s French catalogue includes upright and chest freezers in a range of capacities.
These Joybuy options show four ways to create more room for frozen food: a fridge freezer with a freezer compartment, two chest freezers in different capacities, an upright and a compact vertical freezer. Compare each appliance with the space you have available and the number of meals you want to store.
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Consider this if you’d like to combine refrigeration and freezing in one appliance rather than adding a standalone freezer. It has a stated total capacity of 467 L, including 156 L of freezer space, with two drawers. The product information lists energy consumption of 290 kWh/year, climate class SN/N/ST/T, 10 h of storage time during a power cut and a freezing capacity of 10 kg/24 h. Check the manual for the clearances required for installation.
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This standalone chest freezer can provide extra storage if you have enough room to open the lid. It has a removable basket and a stated freezing capacity of 4,5 kg/24 h. The product description specifies manual defrosting and 10 cm of clearance on all sides. Before installing it outside the kitchen, check its climate class, annual energy consumption and storage time during a power cut.
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Vertical storage is a good fit for households that want to keep meals and bags separate and easy to reach. The product description lists three drawers and two shelves, along with a No Frost function; the title states an energy rating of C. Check the dimensions, annual energy consumption, climate class and storage time during a power cut for this model before choosing where to put it.
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This chest freezer provides 140 L of standalone storage for meals and frozen food. It includes a basket and a counterbalanced lid; the title states an energy rating of E. Measure the space needed to open the lid and check the manual for ventilation requirements. Then check the annual energy consumption, climate class and storage time during a power cut.
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With stated dimensions of 44,5 × 47,5 × 84,5 cm, this model could work as an extra freezer if there’s also room for the required clearances. Its stated freezing capacity is 6 kg/24 h. The title lists three drawers, while the description details two covered shelves and one drawer, so confirm the internal layout before choosing this storage option. Also check the climate class, annual energy consumption and storage time during a power cut.
Yes, as long as the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures stay within the range specified for the model you’ve chosen. Check the room temperatures against its climate class on the rating plate or in the documentation. Being a chest freezer doesn’t automatically mean it’s suitable for a garage.
Compare the A to G energy rating, annual energy consumption in kWh, net freezer capacity and noise level, rather than looking at the letter alone. The European Commission provides energy information sheets for relevant models in EPREL; where possible, compare models with capacities suited to the same needs.
Follow the ventilation clearance guidance in the manual for the exact model. Also allow room to move the appliance into place and open its door or lid: its external dimensions alone don’t tell you how much space you’ll need to use it.
Yes, particularly if you plan to store a large amount of food or are concerned about power cuts. Compare the stated time for each model rather than assuming it’s determined by the freezer’s format. Que Choisir also assesses how well freezers keep food during a power cut as part of its testing process.