A separate freezer becomes worthwhile when your fridge freezer compartment no longer has enough room for less frequent shops, frozen food or meals prepared in advance. Choose an upright model if easy access and compartmentalised storage are most important; a chest freezer is better suited to larger stockpiles if you have a suitable space.
If you buy frozen food, special offers or supplies for one to two weeks and your fridge freezer compartment is full, start by comparing usable capacity, everyday access and holdover time in the event of a power cut.
For storing boxes, dishes and portions where everything is easy to see, an upright freezer with drawers or adjustable shelves can make sorting simpler. A chest freezer is more suitable when capacity comes first and you are happy to organise items in baskets.
Before installing the appliance outside the kitchen, check the available floor area, air circulation and, above all, the temperature range compatible with the model’s climate class.
Start by assessing how much extra capacity you need, then check that the format and installation conditions are genuinely suitable for your home.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the freezer compartment capacity in litres. A chest freezer can hold up to 600 L, while an upright model generally offers around 200 L and can reach 400 L in the largest models, according to UFC-Que Choisir. | I want to store more frozen food, shopping and prepared meals without filling my fridge freezer compartment to capacity. |
| Access and storage | Check the drawers, shelves, baskets and removable components. For a chest freezer, plan to use baskets or containers to separate products and find items at the bottom more easily. | I need to be able to find portions, boxes and bulky food quickly without having to move everything around. |
| Installation | Check the climate class, ventilation requirements and room temperatures. Compatibility with a cellar or garage depends on the specific model. | My appliance must be suitable for installation in a kitchen, utility room, cellar or garage that meets its operating requirements. |
| Continuous use and power cuts | Compare annual energy consumption in kWh, capacity, noise level and stated holdover time for models with a similar capacity and format. The EU energy label brings this information together for the appliances concerned. | I want to protect my supplies and avoid choosing solely on the purchase price of an appliance that runs continuously. |
Chest freezers are wide and deep: UFC-Que Choisir commonly quotes widths of 110 to 140 cm and a depth of 70 cm. Without baskets, containers or defined storage areas, the interior can also be less practical for everyday use.
Measure the width, depth, clearance needed to open the lid and the delivery route. Decide how you will organise your food before choosing this format.
The room temperature, humidity, ventilation and proximity to a heat source must comply with the manufacturer’s instructions. A stated operating temperature of down to -15 °C only applies to models that specifically support it.
Record the minimum and maximum possible temperatures in the room, then check the climate class and the instructions for the exact model.
A freezer runs continuously. The energy label also shows annual consumption, capacity and noise, while usable capacity and holdover time may matter more to a household storing substantial supplies.
Compare usable capacity, kWh per year, noise level, holdover time, freezing capacity and installation requirements together across appliances with a similar format and capacity.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory for goods sold by a professional to a private individual, according to the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. A commercial warranty is separate.
Keep your receipt, the product description and the terms of sale. Before paying for an extension, check exactly what it adds to the statutory guarantee.
An extended warranty may incur an additional charge, and its exclusions depend on the seller or manufacturer.
Beko offers upright and chest freezers, including models focused on organised storage, No Frost or MinFrost, as well as some models the brand has designed for unheated rooms.
The Bosch range includes freestanding and integrated upright freezers, worth considering if vertical organisation, adjustable drawers and convenience features are your priorities.
Liebherr offers chest freezers for shoppers looking for generous capacity, along with convenience features and reduced frost formation.
This selection features Joybuy chest and upright freezer options for adding extra capacity for frozen food, shopping or prepared meals.
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A 291 L chest freezer for building up substantial supplies when top access suits you.
Energy class E, LED lighting, removable basket, five-level digital control and dimensions of 1100 × 597 × 872 mm. Check the available floor space, delivery route, lid clearance, climate class and holdover time before installing it outside the kitchen.
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A mid-sized upright solution for keeping portions and boxes organised across several compartments.
Three drawers, two shelves, LED display, alarm, reversible door, Fast Freeze function and a stated temperature range of -14 °C to -22 °C. Its 161 L capacity is less suitable for very bulky loads; check the dimensions, climate class, energy consumption and holdover time in the technical specifications.
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A compact chest freezer designed to add frozen storage where space is limited.
4-star freezing, removable metal basket, adjustable thermostat, sliding lid, castors and dimensions of 54.5 × 47.6 × 83.5 cm. The 99 L capacity is suitable for additional storage; manual defrosting is required when frost exceeds 5 mm, according to the description.
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A compact upright storage solution for a moderate shortage of space in your existing freezer.
Three storage zones, reversible door, adjustable feet, mechanical thermostat, stated freezing capacity of 6 kg/24 h and dimensions of 44.5 × 47.5 × 84.5 cm. At 60 L, it cannot replace a large reserve compartment; check the installation and usage specifications before buying.
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A medium-sized chest freezer for creating extra space for frozen food and shopping.
Storage basket, lid that stays open between 40 and 75°, castors, front drainage outlet, mechanical thermostat and dimensions of 637 × 556 × 846 mm. Access to the bottom is less direct than with drawers; baskets or defined storage areas can help.
It is often the better choice when maximum capacity is the priority: UFC-Que Choisir states that chest freezers can hold up to 600 L, compared with around 200 L for a standard upright model and up to 400 L for the largest upright freezers. An upright model is still more convenient if you need to retrieve food every day, thanks to its drawers and compartments.
No. Check the climate class and instructions for the specific model, as these indicate the ambient temperature range in which it is designed to operate. Electrolux France also recommends allowing air to circulate around the appliance and avoiding areas that are too humid, too cold or close to a heat source.
Compare the A to G class, annual consumption in kWh, storage capacity and airborne noise emissions shown on the EU energy label for the appliances concerned. Compare freezers with similar capacities and formats: the energy class alone does not tell you whether the capacity meets your needs.
Yes, particularly if you keep substantial supplies. UFC-Que Choisir considers this criterion essential and measures how long food remains below -9 °C during a simulated power cut; compare stated figures on a like-for-like basis.
The statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory for goods sold by a professional to a private individual in France, according to the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. It may apply, among other circumstances, if the appliance does not match its description, its usual purpose or the qualities advertised, subject to the conditions set out by law.