Households that batch-cook
If you regularly freeze portions, drawers or clearly organised compartments will help you find each meal. UFC-Que Choisir considers ease of opening, storage and cleaning when testing freezers.
Who are these formats suited to?
Households stocking up in bulk
For large bags or containers, look at the usable capacity, the shape of the interior and the floor space available. UFC-Que Choisir says some chest freezers hold up to 600 L, while upright models generally hold around 200 L, with the largest reaching 400 L.
Households planning to use a cellar or garage
If the room isn’t heated, check the actual ambient temperatures before choosing an appliance. As Beko explains, the climate class specifies the intended operating temperature range, which must suit both the location and the model you choose.
What sets the different formats apart?
The format mainly affects how you store and access your meals. Then check each model’s usable capacity, installation requirements and energy consumption.
Chest freezer
Consider it: if you store lots of containers, especially bulky ones, and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: items at the bottom of the freezer can be harder to find, so baskets and an organised layout come in handy.
Upright freezer
Consider it: if you take out portions regularly and want to organise them across several drawers.
Bear in mind: drawers are less flexible than an open chest when it comes to storing very bulky containers.
Under-counter or table-top freezer
Consider it: for extra freezer storage when space is limited.
Bear in mind: its freezer capacity may be too limited for a large family stock-up.
Fridge-freezer
Consider it: if you’re also replacing your fridge and want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Bear in mind: only part of the total capacity is for freezing, so check that it’s enough for your meals.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the litres available for frozen food, not the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. Also check there’s room for your containers. | If I prepare or buy lots of meals in advance, I want to store them all without relying on the fridge section of a fridge-freezer. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this storage capacity. |
| Access to meals | Look at the layout of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. | If I take out portions often, I want to find them without moving the rest of my stock. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise easy access. |
| Installation location | Compare the model’s ambient temperature range with the room temperature and the clearance required for installation. | Before installing the appliance in my cellar, garage or utility room, I need to know whether it can operate in the conditions there. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise whether the location is suitable. |
| Energy consumption and storage time during a power cut | Check the kWh/year alongside the freezer capacity, then see how long the appliance can keep food frozen during a power cut. | Since a freezer stays plugged in all the time, I want to keep an eye on its electricity use and know what will happen to my stock if there’s a power cut. Around 19% of consumers would put these considerations ahead of the other criteria. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a garage before checking the climate class
A climate class doesn’t automatically mean a freezer is suitable for an unheated room. Beko gives a range of 10 °C to 43 °C for climate class SN-T and warns that an unsuitable ambient temperature can affect how the appliance works.
Check the room temperature during cold and warm periods, then compare it with the range given in the manual for the model you’re considering.
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Going by the energy rating alone
Appliances with different capacities won’t meet the same storage needs. ADEME points out that cooling appliances run continuously, so it’s worth looking at annual energy consumption alongside usable capacity.
Compare the kWh/year and freezer capacity of models that can genuinely hold your stock.
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Choosing a large chest without planning how to organise it
In a chest freezer, meals at the bottom can be harder to spot and take out, even when there’s plenty of room.
Plan baskets and separate areas for different categories. Also check that you’ll be able to open the lid fully and reach the bottom.
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Forgetting about storage time during a power cut
A large capacity alone won’t tell you how long a model will maintain its temperature after a power cut. UFC-Que Choisir includes this in its freezer tests.
Check the stated storage time for each model and the manufacturer’s guidance, especially if you plan to store a large stock of food.
Brands to consider
Beko
Worth considering for high-capacity upright freezers or certain models that Beko says are suitable for unheated rooms.
- Beko lists a capacity of 286 L, five drawers and energy consumption of 200 kWh/year for the B5RFNE315G.
- The stated Freezer Guard capability down to −15 °C applies to specific models. Check the ambient temperature range and storage time during a power cut for the model you’re considering.
Bosch
Worth considering if interior organisation and defrosting are important when choosing an upright freezer.
- Bosch features No Frost and the BigBox drawer among the features available in some of its ranges.
- These features vary by model, so check the interior layout and capacity of the one you choose.
Electrolux
Worth considering when comparing compact or integrated models and different drawer layouts.
- Depending on the model, Electrolux offers transparent drawers and LowFrost or No Frost systems.
- For an integrated appliance, check the housing dimensions and installation requirements for the exact model.
Products to suit your needs
These Joybuy models include chest freezers for a small or larger stock-up, an upright freezer with drawers, and fridge-freezers to consider if you’re replacing your fridge too. For each fridge-freezer, check the capacity reserved for frozen food separately.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want to stock up on meals in a chest freezer rather than spread them across several drawers.
The product name indicates fridge or freezer modes, an energy rating of E, LED lighting and a removable basket. Make sure you have room to open the lid, and check the ambient temperature range if you plan to keep it in a garage or cellar.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 L fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too, rather than adding a separate freezer.
The product name indicates three doors, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. The 360 L refers to the combined appliance, so check the freezer compartment capacity against the amount of food you want to store.
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AUCMA, 95 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering for extra frozen food storage rather than a large stock of meals.
The product name indicates fridge or freezer modes, an energy rating of E and a removable basket. Check that 95 L meets your needs and that the ambient temperature range is suitable for the room you have in mind.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge and want to store frozen meals in the same appliance.
The product name indicates four doors, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. The 467 L refers to the whole fridge-freezer, so compare the freezer compartment capacity before choosing it for a large stock-up.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer
Worth considering if you’d rather organise portions in the drawers of an upright freezer.
The product name indicates three freezer drawers, No Frost, a reversible-hinge door and an energy rating of C. Check the dimensions, kWh/year and ambient temperature range before choosing where to put it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a freezer work in an unheated garage?
Yes, provided the ambient temperature range specified for the model covers the temperatures the garage actually reaches. Beko gives a range of 10 °C to 43 °C for climate class SN-T and says some Freezer Guard models can operate down to −15 °C. This feature isn’t available across all its freezers.
What should I look for on a freezer’s energy label?
Look at annual energy consumption in kWh alongside the capacity of the freezer compartments, rather than relying on the energy rating alone. European Regulation 2019/2016 sets out the energy labelling requirements for refrigeration appliances. Compare models that can hold the amount of food you need to store.
Chest or upright freezer: which should I choose for prepared meals?
An upright freezer is a good choice if you want to identify and take out portions stored in drawers regularly. A chest freezer is worth considering if your containers are bulky and you have enough space. In that case, baskets and organised storage areas make it easier to reach meals at the bottom.
Does a new freezer bought from a professional retailer come with a legal guarantee in France?
Yes. In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a professional to a private individual, as the Ministry of the Economy points out. It covers faults relating to conformity; it’s separate from an optional commercial guarantee and from a return request simply because you’ve changed your mind.