Households that prepare meals in advance
If you take out portions several times a week, consider the drawer layout of an upright freezer. Can you keep tubs and bags separate, then easily reach the ones you use most often?
Which type of household is each format suited to?
Households that buy in bulk
For large packs or containers, a chest freezer offers open storage space worth considering, provided you have enough room. You’ll also need to organise it so you can find items stored at the bottom.
Households that also need more fridge space
A fridge-freezer can meet both needs in one appliance, as long as its freezer compartment has enough room for your meals and food shopping. Check the capacities for fresh and frozen food separately.
How do you choose a format and what should you check?
Upright freezer
Consider it if: you organise portions by category and access them regularly.
Bear in mind: check that the drawers and door can open fully in your chosen location.
Chest freezer
Consider it if: you buy large containers and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise your stock to reach items at the bottom. Also measure the space needed to open the lid.
Fridge-freezer
Consider it if: you also want to upgrade or replace your fridge.
Bear in mind: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room for your frozen food. Check the capacity of the freezer compartment.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and access | Compare the litres of freezer space separately from the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. Check the drawers, baskets and space for your containers. UFC-Que Choisir notes that chest freezer capacity can reach 600 L, while upright freezer capacity varies by model. | I want to store my prepared meals without having to move everything around to find a portion. |
| Energy consumption | The energy label displayed by the European Commission shows the energy efficiency class and annual consumption in kWh, among other details. Compare the latter across appliances with a similar capacity and format; ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously. | If I add another appliance, its annual energy consumption matters just as much as the extra space it provides. |
| Location | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the clearance needed for the door or lid. If you’re using a cellar or garage, check the ambient temperature range allowed for the specific model. | A separate room would give me more space, but I need to make sure it’s suitable for the appliance I’m considering. |
| Storage time and noise | Check the stated storage time in hours and how it is defined, then check the noise level in dB(A) if the appliance will be near a living area. In its test procedure, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long food stays below −9 °C in a simulated power cut. | I want to know how the appliance is expected to perform during a power cut and take the noise level into account where it will be running. |
What mistakes should you avoid before buying?
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Going by a fridge-freezer’s total capacity
The total combines the fridge and freezer compartments. For example, Beko lists 356 L of fridge capacity and 158 L of freezer capacity for the BRCNE50140ZXBN. Only the second figure tells you how much room there is for frozen food.
Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with your usual stock, then check the drawer layout.
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Measuring a chest freezer without thinking about how you’ll use it
A large capacity doesn’t make it any easier to reach items at the bottom. According to its specifications, the Liebherr CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer is 167 cm wide and 71 cm deep.
Measure the space, the route to the room and the clearance needed to open the lid. Think about how you’ll organise your food inside the freezer.
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Assuming any appliance will work in any garage
The temperature in a cellar or garage may fall outside the range specified for your chosen model. Liebherr’s FrostProtect feature, listed for the CFd 2505 Plus, doesn’t automatically apply to other appliances.
Before choosing a location, check the permitted ambient temperature range in the specifications or manual for the exact appliance.
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Looking only at the energy efficiency class
The energy efficiency class alone doesn’t tell you how much an appliance that runs continuously will use each year. The energy label also shows annual consumption in kWh and the capacity of each compartment.
Compare these figures for appliances that meet similar storage needs, rather than choosing a larger capacity you won’t use.
Which brand models can you use as a guide?
Bosch
The GSN36AICM upright freezer is a useful example of a separate freezer to consider if you want to organise plenty of portions.
- Bosch Electroménager France lists a 334 L freezer capacity, a noise level of 35 dB(A) and 14 hours of storage time for this model.
- These figures are for the GSN36AICM. Also check its dimensions and internal layout against your room and containers.
Liebherr
The CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer is a useful reference if you have a separate room and want to store bulky items.
- Liebherr France lists a capacity of 359 L and external dimensions of 82 × 167 × 71 cm. The brand states that FrostProtect allows this model to operate down to −15 °C.
- Check the actual room temperature and the CFd 2505 Plus manual. This installation guidance doesn’t apply to all chest freezers.
Beko
Two Beko models illustrate different needs: adding an upright freezer or gaining more space for fresh food as well.
- Beko France lists a freezer capacity of 260 L for the B3RFNE294W upright freezer. For the BRCNE50140ZXBN fridge-freezer, the brand gives separate capacities of 356 L for the fridge and 158 L for the freezer.
- Don’t compare the fridge-freezer’s total capacity with only the upright freezer’s freezer capacity. Choose based on how much room you need in each compartment.
Which Joybuy appliances should you consider?
These options include chest freezers for adding dedicated storage, plus a fridge-freezer to consider if you also want more room for fresh food. Compare their usable capacity and the requirements of your chosen location before deciding.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you need a 291 L chest freezer for your frozen food shopping. The product name mentions a removable basket, LED lighting and a five-level digital control. Check the dimensions and permitted temperature range if you plan to install it in a separate room.
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AUCMA, 197 L convertible chest freezer
This 197 L chest freezer adds extra freezer space without requiring the capacity of the AUCMA 291 L model. The product name mentions a removable basket and a five-level digital control. Measure the space and check the appliance’s installation requirements.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 L three-door fridge-freezer
Consider this if you need space for both fresh and frozen food. The stated 360 L capacity is for the whole fridge-freezer, so check the freezer compartment’s capacity separately to see whether it will hold your food stocks. The product name lists Total No Frost, an E energy efficiency class and Wi-Fi.
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AUCMA, 141 L convertible chest freezer
This 141 L chest freezer is worth considering if you want extra freezer space, but less than the two larger AUCMA chest freezers featured here. The product name lists a removable basket and a seven-level thermostat. Check the clearance needed to open the lid and the permitted ambient temperature for your chosen room.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
This 99 L chest freezer is worth considering if you have a limited amount of frozen food to store. The product name mentions a removable basket and sliding lid. Check that it will be easy to access in your chosen location. To compare it with the other models, check its annual energy consumption and installation requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What should you compare on a freezer or fridge-freezer energy label?
Focus on annual energy consumption in kWh and the capacity of the freezer compartment, then consider the energy efficiency class and noise level for your chosen location. The European Commission says the label shows these details, along with the capacity of the other compartments. So a fridge-freezer’s total capacity alone won’t tell you how much room you’ll have for frozen food.
Can you use a freezer in an unheated garage?
It depends on the ambient temperature range specified for the exact model and the temperature in your garage. Liebherr states that FrostProtect allows the CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer to operate down to −15 °C, but this feature isn’t available on all models. Check the specifications or manual before installation.
What does the stated storage time during a power cut mean?
It helps you compare how long an appliance is expected to stay cold without power, but you should take the test method into account. In its test procedure, UFC-Que Choisir simulates a power cut and measures how long food stays below −9 °C. Check the stated figure and how it is defined for each appliance you’re considering.
What should you do with an old freezer in France?
Old freezers are covered by the collection scheme for electrical and electronic equipment described by the French Ministry for Ecological Transition. The ministry explains that retailers can take back an old appliance on a “one-for-one” basis when you buy a new appliance of the same type. Ask the retailer concerned about its take-back arrangements.