If your fridge is still working, choose a separate freezer based on the space available and how you access your food. An upright model makes it easier to organise items in drawers, while a chest freezer generally offers more capacity at the cost of taking up more floor space. An under-counter model is better suited to occasional extra storage; consider a large fridge freezer if you also want to replace your fridge. For each model, check the freezer compartment capacity, the clearance it needs and whether it’s suitable for the temperature of the room.
If you often take out a meal or a few bags of food, an upright freezer’s drawers can help you keep things separate and find what you need without searching through the whole compartment. Just make sure the capacity suits the amount you want to store.
If you buy multipacks or bulky items, consider a chest freezer if you have enough floor space. You’ll also need a way to organise it so the food at the bottom remains easy to reach.
An under-counter model or a slimline upright freezer can provide extra storage without taking up the floor space required by a large chest freezer. Check the capacity, as well as the opening and ventilation requirements for the model you choose.
First decide whether you’re adding an appliance or replacing your fridge too, then weigh up the capacity and ease of access against the space you have available.
| Consideration | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access and organisation | Drawers or compartments that suit portions and packaging; enough room to open the appliance fully once installed. | If I freeze meals in portions, I want to find what I need that day without moving everything else. Around 36% of consumers say easy access is their top priority. |
| Capacity for big shops | Net capacity in litres, space for large packages and access to the bottom of a chest freezer, if applicable. | When I shop in bulk, I mainly want to fit everything in without losing track of food at the bottom. This is the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Available space | Dimensions, door or lid clearance and the ventilation specified in the instructions. | In a small kitchen, I need to find a spot where the appliance can also be opened and ventilated. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this installation requirement. |
| Replacing your fridge freezer | Capacity of the freezer compartment alone, annual energy consumption, noise and the fridge freezer’s dimensions. | If my fridge also needs replacing, I’d rather look at both storage compartments in a single appliance. Around 14% of consumers put this ahead of adding a separate freezer. |
A chest freezer may offer more capacity, but the food at the bottom is harder to reach. An upright model keeps items separate in drawers, with a different balance of capacity and floor space.
Think about the size of your usual packaging and check the drawers, baskets and larger compartments in the model you’re considering.
The room temperature must stay within the range specified for the appliance. A model’s suitability for an unheated room applies to that particular model, not every product from the same brand or every chest freezer.
Before choosing a location, compare the possible room temperatures with the model’s climate class and instructions.
An appliance may fit in the space you’ve chosen, but still not leave enough room to open the door, pull out the drawers or allow air to circulate.
Also measure the route to the location, the clearance needed for the door and the gaps specified in the installation instructions.
The energy efficiency rating alone doesn’t tell you the capacity, annual energy consumption or noise level. Compare these figures for the specific models you’re considering.
Check the freezer capacity, kWh/year and dB(A), taking into account differences in format and capacity.
For example, Whirlpool France’s product information lists 200 kWh/year and 34 dB(A) for the 286 L WHMFF6312W5E, compared with 292 kWh/year and 38 dB(A) for the 404 L WHFF6403W4E. In this case, the extra capacity comes with higher stated annual energy consumption and noise levels.
Bosch’s range includes upright and under-counter models worth considering if easy access to food or kitchen space is a priority.
Beko offers upright and chest freezers, with some models worth a closer look if you need an appliance for an unheated room.
Whirlpool upright freezers let you compare different capacities and features on a model-by-model basis.
Liebherr chest freezers are worth considering if storing bulky items is your priority and you have a suitable space for this format.
These models offer three ways to make more room for frozen food: add a chest freezer, choose the vertical storage of an upright model or replace your fridge too with a fridge freezer. Compare their capacity with your needs, then check that your chosen model suits the location and installation conditions.
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Worth considering for bulk shopping if you have enough space for a chest freezer. The title mentions a removable basket, LED lighting and an E energy rating. Before installing it in an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature range.
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Consider this if you’re replacing your fridge too, rather than looking for a separate freezer. The stated 495 L capacity is for the whole appliance, so check the freezer compartment capacity separately, along with the door layout and installation requirements. The title states an E energy rating.
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Drawer storage may suit you if you regularly need to reach individual portions or bags of food. The title mentions No Frost technology, a reversible door hinge and a C energy rating. Check the dimensions, clearances and climate class for your chosen location.
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This small chest freezer is better suited to occasional extra storage than bulk shopping. The title mentions a removable basket, a seven-setting thermostat and an E energy rating. Before installing it, check whether you’ve selected fridge or freezer mode, as well as the clearances and climate class.
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Compare it with other small chest freezers if you want a modest amount of extra storage and a basket for smaller items. The title mentions a sliding lid, an adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. Check the defrosting instructions and the permitted ambient temperature range for your room.
No. A chest freezer generally offers more capacity, but takes up more floor space and needs to be organised so you can reach food at the bottom. If you often take out small portions, compare the drawer access of an upright model too.
No. The garage temperature must fall within the operating range of the specific model. Check its climate class and instructions. According to Beko France, some Freezer Guard models can operate at ambient temperatures as low as -15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to other appliances.
Follow the clearance requirements in the instructions for your chosen model. Bosch recommends at least 5 cm at the sides and rear in its guide, but this general advice doesn’t replace the instructions for your specific appliance.
Compare their annual energy consumption in kWh with their usable capacity and format, rather than looking only at the energy efficiency rating. ADEME describes the energy label as a comparison tool; you can also find information about relevant models in the European EPREL database.