Households planning to store plenty of food in a separate room
A basement or utility room gives you space to store more food. Before comparing capacities, check that the model you’re considering is suitable for the temperatures in that room.
Who is this guide for?
People who often reach for frozen food
If you want to find food quickly and sort it into categories, how easy it is to see and access the compartments matters just as much as the stated capacity.
Households short on space
A recess or space beneath a worktop may point you towards a compact appliance, provided its dimensions, installation type and capacity suit your needs.
What should you look for in a freezer?
Start with the room temperature: saving space or gaining capacity is no substitute for checking the temperature range specified for the exact model. Then compare formats based on how much you need to store and how often you’ll need to access your food.
Chest freezer
Worth considering: if you need extra storage capacity and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need room to open the lid, and food at the bottom is less easy to reach.
Upright freezer
Worth considering: if you open the appliance frequently and want to organise food in drawers or compartments.
Bear in mind: this layout alone doesn’t guarantee the capacity you need; check the capacity of each model.
Under-counter freezer
Worth considering: for extra storage in a recess or beneath a suitable worktop.
Bear in mind: capacity is limited if you need to store a lot; built-in and freestanding models are not interchangeable.
Large fridge freezer
Worth considering: if you also need to replace or upgrade your fridge, rather than simply add extra freezer storage in the basement.
Bear in mind: its total capacity includes the fridge section, so check the freezer capacity separately.
| Consideration | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the climate class and any stated suitability for low temperatures for the exact model. | If my basement isn’t heated, I’d first want to know that the appliance is suitable for the ambient temperature; around 33% of shoppers would put this compatibility at the top of their list. |
| Storage capacity | Check the freezer capacity and external dimensions, allowing enough space to open the appliance. | If I want to store more food, I’d focus on the space actually available for frozen items; around 27% of shoppers would make capacity their main consideration. |
| Access and organisation | Look at how the drawers or baskets are arranged and check the defrosting method specified for the model. | If I often take food out of the freezer, I want to find it without having to move everything else; around 27% of shoppers would prioritise access and organisation. |
| Limited space or replacing a fridge freezer | For an under-counter model, check the recess and installation type; for a fridge freezer, distinguish the freezer capacity from the total capacity. | If I only have a small space or also need to replace my fridge, I’d look for a setup that suits those needs; around 13% of shoppers would prioritise this trade-off. |
Once you’ve chosen a format, compare appliances that meet your storage needs. ADEME recommends using the energy label to assess energy consumption. Also check each model’s dimensions and stated defrosting features.
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Assuming any basement is suitable for any freezer
The climate class specifies the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Simply putting a freezer in a basement or utility room doesn’t guarantee that the room stays within this range.
Check the lowest and highest temperatures in the space, then look up the climate range or expressly stated lower temperature limit for the model you’re considering.
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Choosing capacity without thinking about access
A chest freezer can be a good choice if you need plenty of storage, but you’ll need enough room to open the lid, and food at the bottom is harder to reach. An upright freezer is designed to organise food in compartments.
Measure the space and allow for the clearance needed to open the appliance. Then choose between top-loading and front-access models based on how you’ll use it.
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Confusing a fridge freezer’s total capacity with its freezer capacity
The stated capacity of a fridge freezer combines spaces with different uses. On its own, it doesn’t tell you how much freezer storage you’ll have.
Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity separately, and choose a fridge freezer if you also need to replace or upgrade your fridge.
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Assuming every model from a brand has the same features
Freezer Guard, FrostProtect and NoFrost apply to specific ranges or models. They don’t tell you the temperature range or defrosting method of a different appliance.
Make a note of the full model number and check its individual specifications before deciding where to install it.
Brands to consider, model by model
These brands offer formats that may suit your needs, but you’ll need to check each model individually for its suitability for a cold room and the features mentioned.
Beko
Beko offers chest and upright freezers, including some models labelled Freezer Guard.
- According to Beko France, the HSM27050 chest freezer can operate at an ambient temperature as low as −15 °C.
- This information doesn’t apply to every Beko freezer, so check the specifications for the model you’re considering.
Liebherr
Liebherr offers chest and under-counter models, two formats designed for different spaces.
- Liebherr states that its CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer features FrostProtect and is suitable for temperatures as low as −15 °C. The brand also offers compact under-counter models.
- Check each model for FrostProtect, as well as its recess requirements and capacity.
Bosch
Bosch offers freezers in a range of formats, including models with NoFrost.
- Bosch describes NoFrost as a feature that eliminates the need for manual defrosting on appliances equipped with it.
- NoFrost doesn’t tell you the capacity or climate range, so check the specifications for the model you choose.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool offers upright freezers and fridge freezers. Compare them based on whether you need extra storage or are replacing both appliances.
- Whirlpool highlights the visibility and organisation of food in its upright freezers.
- For a fridge freezer, compare the freezer compartment’s capacity separately and check its climate class before installing it outside the kitchen.
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Frequently asked questions
What climate class do I need for a freezer in a basement?
Choose a model whose ambient temperature range covers the minimum and maximum temperatures in your basement. As a guide, Beko France specifies 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN, 16 to 32 °C for N and 18 to 38 °C for ST. Some models are rated for lower temperatures. Always check the specifications for the exact model rather than relying on the name of the room.
Chest or upright: which is best for family food storage?
Choose a chest freezer if storage capacity is your priority and you have enough room for its footprint and to open the lid. An upright model is a better fit if you access food frequently and want to organise it into compartments. UFC-Que Choisir lists format, capacity and climate class among the key factors to consider.
Can an under-counter freezer replace a large upright model?
An under-counter freezer is better suited to extra storage than to storing large quantities. The Liebherr under-counter models considered here have capacities of 80 to 87 L. Before choosing a different format, compare the capacity you need with the recess dimensions and installation type.
What should I look for on a freezer’s energy label?
Compare the energy rating and consumption information for appliances whose capacity and format genuinely meet your needs. ADEME recommends using the energy label to help choose a household appliance. Noise level and defrosting features may also help you choose between models that suit your space.