For storing large shops, start by considering how much you need to freeze, how much space you have and how often you need to retrieve food. A chest freezer offers open space for bulky items; an upright freezer makes it easier to organise portions, while a small under-counter model is better suited to extra storage. A fridge freezer will only meet the same need if its freezer compartment is large enough for your supplies.
If you shop in bulk or store seasonal produce, compare the floor space needed for a chest freezer with the storage layout of an upright model. UFC-Que Choisir highlights capacity and organisation as key differences between these two styles.
If you often take out a meal or a portion, being able to see your food and access the drawers matters just as much as the stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir includes access to compartments among its assessment criteria.
Whether it’s going under a worktop, in an alcove or in a utility room, check the dimensions, required clearances and the ambient temperature range the model can operate in. Bosch explains that the climate class corresponds to a range of ambient temperatures.
Consider it: if you have enough floor space for storing a large quantity of food.
Bear in mind: the open space needs organising so you can find food at the bottom, and you’ll need room to open the lid.
Consider it: if you organise food into portions and access it regularly.
Bear in mind: drawer dimensions can limit how easily you can store dishes or bulky packaging.
Consider it: for extra storage when limited height restricts your options.
Bear in mind: check its capacity before relying on it for a large shop.
Consider it: if you also need chilled storage and the freezer compartment can hold your usual supplies.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s total capacity isn’t the same as the space available for frozen food.
For bulk shopping and prepared meals, start with what you need to freeze, then compare each style with the space you have and how you’ll use it day to day.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and dimensions | Usable freezer capacity in litres, overall dimensions and the space needed to open the door or lid. | If I store large shops, I want enough capacity without blocking the way through the room; around 29% of shoppers put capacity and space above all else. |
| Access to food | Drawer or basket dimensions, and access to individual portions as well as large dishes. | If I often need to find prepared meals, I want storage I can browse easily; around 29% of shoppers prioritise access and organisation. |
| Installation and power-cut performance | The ambient temperature range for the climate class and the stated number of hours of safe storage during a power cut. | In a cellar or utility room, I need to know whether the appliance suits the room temperature and how long it can keep food cold during a power cut; around 21% of shoppers put these conditions first. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Consumption in kWh/year for comparable capacities and the type of defrosting. | Since my freezer runs continuously, I want to factor in its energy use and the defrosting it may need; for around 21% of shoppers, this is their main concern. |
Total capacity combines the fridge and freezer spaces, so it doesn’t tell you how much frozen food you can store.
Compare the freezer compartment capacity, shown separately in litres, with the food you plan to store.
A cellar, utility room or hot kitchen may fall outside the ambient temperature range the model is designed for. Bosch links this range to the appliance’s climate class.
Compare the room’s usual temperatures with the range shown in the manual, and follow the specified installation clearances.
In a chest freezer, food at the bottom can be difficult to find; in an upright model, drawer dimensions set the limits.
Measure your usual dishes and packaging, then check the baskets or drawers and whether they can open fully in the room.
Two appliances with different capacities won’t necessarily meet the same storage needs. ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously.
Compare annual consumption in kWh, usable capacity and the features you need across models of a similar size.
Worth considering if you’re comparing an under-counter freezer, an upright model or an integrated appliance to suit the space available.
Its ranges let you compare chest freezers, upright models and fridge freezers to find the right type of storage.
Worth looking at if you need an integrated freezer or fridge freezer to fit into an alcove.
These models show three ways to store frozen food: an upright freezer for organising portions, chest freezers for open storage, and fridge freezers if you also need chilled storage. Always compare the capacity dedicated to freezing with the amount you plan to store.
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Worth considering if you want to organise portions in a dedicated freezer.
The product name lists a capacity of 161 L, three drawers, No Frost technology and an energy rating of C. Before choosing this model for a cellar or utility room, check its dimensions and the ambient temperature range it can operate in.
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Worth considering if you need chilled storage and space for frozen food in one appliance.
The stated 467 L is the total capacity, not the freezer compartment capacity alone. The product name lists Total No Frost technology and an energy rating of E; check the freezer capacity before deciding whether it’s big enough for your shopping.
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Worth looking at for open storage if you have room for the chest and its lid.
The product name lists a capacity of 291 L, a removable basket, fridge and freezer modes, and an energy rating of E. For storing frozen food, check the capacity in freezer mode and the installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an appliance that combines chilled and frozen storage, rather than a dedicated freezer.
The stated 360 L is the total capacity. The product name lists Total No Frost technology and an energy rating of E; compare the freezer compartment capacity with the amount of meals and shopping you want to store.
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Worth considering for extra freezer storage if 140 L is enough for the amount you plan to keep.
The product name lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid and an energy rating of E. Check the floor space needed and room to open the lid before choosing this style.
Yes, provided the room’s ambient temperature stays within the range specified for the model and you follow the installation instructions. Check the climate class on the rating plate or in the manual, then compare it with the temperatures the room actually reaches.
It indicates how long the freezer can keep food cold under defined test conditions. UFC-Que Choisir assesses this by simulating a power cut. To compare models, check their stated storage time in hours and the conditions it applies to, rather than treating it as a guarantee for every situation.
Compare the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, compartment capacity and noise level. The European Commission sets out an A to G scale for the appliances covered; above all, compare models with a similar size and capacity that meet the same needs.
Defrost it in line with the manufacturer’s instructions when ice starts to build up. Electrolux suggests a layer of around 3 to 5 mm as a guide for the relevant appliances, and advises against using sharp objects to remove it.