If you regularly reach for prepared portions, choose an upright freezer with drawers that suit your containers. A chest freezer is better for storing bulky shopping if you have enough floor space, while a tabletop or under-counter model is more suited to providing extra storage. In every case, compare the usable capacity and dimensions with what you actually need to store, then check that the room temperature is suitable for your chosen model.
If you regularly take out portions, bags and frozen food, the drawers in an upright freezer can make everything easier to organise and access. Check that your containers fit in the compartments and that the door has enough room to open fully.
A chest freezer is worth considering if you have enough floor space for the appliance and room to open the lid. Its interior can accommodate food in all sorts of shapes, but finding items at the bottom takes some organisation, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
A tabletop or under-counter freezer can provide a little extra storage without taking up space for a large upright model. Measure the space and check the usable capacity: according to UFC-Que Choisir, these formats generally offer less capacity than larger freestanding appliances.
Start with the food you want to store and how often you use it, then rule out models that won’t fit the space available. The needs below highlight the main priority for each group of consumers.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Drawer size and layout; whether the door can open fully in the room. | When I take out a prepared meal or a bag of food almost every day, I want to find it without moving the rest of the food. Around 31% of consumers prioritise easy access above all else. |
| Storage capacity | Usable capacity, external dimensions and space needed to open the lid; any baskets included. | If I buy large bags or lots of portions, I first want to make sure there’s enough room to store them. Capacity is the main priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Available space | Width, height, depth, required ventilation and niche dimensions for built-in models. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to install the appliance without blocking the way or making it difficult to open. Space is the top concern for around 23% of consumers. |
| Installation and operating conditions | Permitted ambient temperature range; power-cut storage time, kWh/year and noise in dB, depending on your needs. | If I’m putting the freezer in a cellar, garage or room where noise matters, I mainly want to know whether it will suit the location and how I plan to use it. Around 15% of consumers put these conditions first. |
A large interior makes it easier to store bulky shopping, but food at the bottom can be harder to find than in drawers. A chest freezer also needs floor space and enough clearance above the lid.
Measure the space and think about how you’ll get to your usual portions. If easy everyday access matters most, compare upright models too. If you choose a chest freezer, check the baskets and plan a simple way to keep track of what’s inside.
The climate class sets the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Beko France points out that a room that is too cold or too warm for the model can affect how it works.
Check the room’s usual temperatures, including the extremes, and compare them with the range specified for the exact model before you choose.
Energy use alone won’t tell you whether the compartments will be practical, whether the noise will bother you or how long the freezer can keep food frozen during a power cut. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these features separately in its freezer testing process.
For appliances with similar formats and capacities, compare kWh/year, noise in dB and the stated storage time during a power cut, as well as the interior layout.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large upright freezer with easy-to-organise storage.
Worth considering for chest freezers designed to store larger quantities, if you have enough floor space.
A brand to consider if you need to install your freezer in a cold room.
Worth considering when fitting the freezer into a niche is essential.
These models include chest freezers for extra storage and upright freezers for organising food. They offer different capacities and layouts, so check the installation requirements for each model too.
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Worth considering if you want to add a small amount of separate storage. The model name indicates a removable basket, a seven-level thermostat, a defrost drain and an E energy rating. Check its ambient temperature range if you plan to install it in a cold room.
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Worth comparing if you prefer easy-access compartments for your portions. The model name lists No Frost, a reversible door, an alarm and a C energy rating. Measure the space and check the installation dimensions and ambient temperature range for this model.
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Worth considering for bulkier shopping if you can set aside enough floor space and clearance above the lid. The model name indicates a removable basket, five-level digital control, a defrost drain and an E energy rating. Check the ambient temperature range it is designed for before installation.
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Worth comparing if you need a compact chest freezer for extra storage. The model name indicates a removable basket, an adjustable thermostat, a four-star rating and an E energy rating. If ease of maintenance matters to you, check the defrosting instructions for this model.
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Worth considering for organising a small amount of frozen food, rather than storing bulky shopping. The model name indicates a reversible door, adjustable temperature and an E energy rating. Check that the interior layout, dimensions and ambient temperature range suit your needs.
An upright freezer with drawers is generally more practical if easy access and organisation matter more to you than maximum capacity. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering how easy the compartments are to use, so check their size and how they open with your usual containers.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range permitted for the exact model. Beko France says that some appliances in its Freezer Guard range are designed to operate at temperatures down to -15 °C, but this feature doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
Compare the stated kWh/year and storage time in hours for models with similar formats and capacities. Noise in dB may also matter, depending on the room. UFC-Que Choisir measures these features separately in its testing process, while manufacturers’ figures apply to each specific model.
The No Frost function is designed to prevent ice from building up in models that have it. Electrolux lists it for the EUN7NE18S, for example. Check that the model you’re considering includes this function rather than assuming it comes with a particular format.
No. In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual, including when an appliance doesn’t match its description. A commercial extended warranty is separate, so check what it covers before taking it out.