If you regularly store large quantities of food, a chest freezer is worth considering if you have enough floor space. An upright model makes it easier to organise food and access it frequently. An under-counter model can provide extra capacity, while a large fridge-freezer makes most sense if you also need to replace your main fridge. In every case, compare the net capacity and dimensions with your needs, then check the annual energy consumption and the permitted temperature range for the room where you plan to install it.
If bulk shopping and home cooking regularly take up more space than your fridge can offer, estimate how much extra capacity you need. A chest freezer has room for bulky items, while an upright model may be more convenient if you often need to find specific foods.
A cellar, pantry or garage can free up space in the kitchen. Before choosing an appliance, compare the room’s temperatures in both winter and summer with the temperature range specified for the model. Choosing a chest freezer alone doesn’t guarantee it will work in those conditions.
A small freezer can hold a limited amount of extra food. If you’re thinking of replacing your main fridge instead, compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with your needs: the total capacity of a fridge-freezer includes the fridge section too.
Start by working out how much frozen food you need to store, then check that your chosen format will be easy to install and use every day.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Net capacity | Compare the litres available for freezing, not the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. Que Choisir puts upright freezers at around 200 L on average, rising to about 400 L for the largest models, and says chest freezers can reach 600 L. | Do my shopping and meal prep regularly fill the current compartment, or do I only need a little extra space? |
| Access to food | Check the number of drawers in an upright freezer and how they open. For a chest freezer, look at the baskets and consider how you’ll organise food at the bottom. | I want to find different types of food quickly without having to move a large part of the stock. |
| Available space | Measure the space, delivery access and the clearance needed to open the lid or pull out drawers. For an under-counter model, also check the installation requirements. | Can I fit a large floor-standing appliance at home, or should I choose a compact extra freezer or replace my fridge? |
| Room temperature | Check the lowest and highest temperatures in the room, then compare them with the model’s climate class and specifications. Beko France explains that the climate class defines the intended ambient temperature range for the appliance. | If I install the freezer in an unheated cellar or garage, I need to check the conditions in both winter and summer. |
| Energy consumption and maintenance | Check the model’s annual energy consumption in kWh, taking its capacity into account. Separately, check how it defrosts and, if necessary, its noise level and stated power-cut storage time. | I want to compare the energy use of appliances that genuinely meet the same storage needs, rather than choosing based on the energy rating alone. |
Its compartment can hold bulky items, but food at the bottom takes more organising, and you’ll need enough room to open the lid.
Measure the space and delivery access, then plan how you’ll divide the contents between baskets and food categories.
According to Beko France, the climate class specifies an ambient temperature range. An unheated room may fall outside the range intended for the freezer you’re considering.
Compare the actual temperatures in the room with the specifications for the exact model. Don’t assume a chest freezer is protected against low temperatures just because of its format.
An energy rating by itself won’t tell you how many litres of frozen food you can store or the annual energy consumption stated for each appliance.
Compare the annual kWh consumption and net capacity of models that meet your needs, then check their installation requirements.
Compact models have less capacity. They can solve an occasional space shortage, but they may not hold the regular surplus of a larger household.
First, work out how much extra capacity you need. If it’s substantial, also compare an upright or chest freezer, or the freezer compartment of a fridge-freezer if you need to replace your fridge.
These examples highlight formats and features to check on each model. They don’t necessarily reflect the products listed below.
Bosch offers freestanding and integrated upright freezers, as well as high-capacity models.
Beko France provides guidance on climate classes, which is useful if your freezer will be in a room where temperatures vary.
The Liebherr CFe 1870 Pure chest freezer is an example of a model for which the brand specifies its capacity and stated operating temperatures.
This selection includes chest and upright models for extra storage, as well as a fridge-freezer to consider if you also need to replace your main fridge. The smaller capacities are better suited to occasional extra storage than to a large, regular surplus.
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A 291 L chest freezer to compare with your usual surplus and the floor space available. The model name indicates that it can switch between fridge and freezer modes, and lists an E energy rating, LED lighting and a removable basket. Check that there’s enough clearance to open the lid and confirm the permitted ambient temperature range before planning to install it in a cellar or garage.
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Worth considering if you’re also planning to replace your main fridge. The stated 467 L capacity is for the whole appliance, so check the freezer’s net capacity separately. The model name lists Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Also check its dimensions and the temperature requirements for the room where you plan to install it.
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Consider this upright format if you’d rather organise food in drawers than in a chest. The model name lists a capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, No Frost and a C energy rating. Compare the capacity with your usual stock, and check the dimensions, annual energy consumption and climate class for your chosen location.
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With a stated capacity of 140 L, this chest freezer may suit a moderate surplus rather than a substantial storage need. The model name mentions a basket, a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an E energy rating. Measure the space needed to open the lid, and check the annual energy consumption and permitted ambient temperature range.
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This 60 L model is better suited to occasional extra storage if your larger household has only a small surplus. The model name lists three drawers, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Before choosing this compact format, compare its capacity with your regular stock and check its annual energy consumption and the permitted temperature range for the room.
Start with how much food you want to store between using up your supplies, rather than working to a set number of litres per person. To give you an idea of the different sizes, Que Choisir describes upright freezers as generally around 200 L, rising to about 400 L for the largest models, while some chest freezers reach 600 L. Check the chosen model’s net capacity, especially if it’s a fridge-freezer.
No. What matters is the ambient temperature range specified for the model, not its shape. Check the room’s temperatures in winter and summer, then look at the appliance’s climate class. Any special protection against cold temperatures must be specified for the exact appliance. For example, Liebherr states that FrostProtect works down to −15 °C on its CFe 1870 Pure, but this feature doesn’t apply to other chest freezers.
No. Also consider usable capacity, the internal layout, annual energy consumption and where you’ll install it. No Frost may suit you if you’d prefer to avoid frost-related maintenance, but check the specifications for the exact model rather than assuming the feature is available across an entire range.
Arrange for it to be handled through the collection and recycling scheme for waste electrical and electronic equipment, which includes freezers. Before your new appliance is delivered, check what take-back options the retailer offers or what collection services are available near you.