For a large household, choose an upright freezer if you access food frequently and want to organise it in drawers. A chest freezer may be a better fit if you mainly need to store large quantities and can organise them using baskets or dividers. A compact model or a large fridge-freezer is more suitable when you only need a little extra storage. Before you choose, check that the usable capacity fits the space available, then look at the permitted ambient temperature range, annual energy consumption, defrosting method and stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
If you often look for a particular bag of food to prepare a meal, an upright freezer with drawers or transparent compartments can make it easier to sort items by category. Check the layout of the model you choose: Bosch and Whirlpool describe these features on some of their upright freezers.
If you need to store family-sized packs or bulky items, a chest freezer is worth considering if you have enough floor space. As you access it from the top, choosing baskets and planning how to organise the contents are especially important.
If you’re placing it in a garage, cellar or unheated utility room, check that the model’s stated ambient temperature range covers the temperatures in the room. You can’t tell whether an appliance is suitable for cold conditions just from its design.
Consider this if: you open the freezer often and want to find food by drawer or shelf.
Bear in mind: you’ll need enough height, and should check there’s space for bulky packs.
Consider this if: you need plenty of storage and have a suitable space on the floor.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom is harder to reach without baskets or dividers, and you’ll need enough room to open the lid.
Consider this if: you only need a little extra storage and available space matters more than capacity.
Bear in mind: it may not have enough room for large family-sized shops.
Consider this if: you’re also replacing your fridge and only need a moderate increase in freezer space.
Bear in mind: check the freezer capacity separately: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is available for frozen food.
If you want more freezer space for a large household, the style of the appliance isn’t the only consideration. Think about how you organise your food and where the freezer will actually go.
| What to consider | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Usable capacity in litres and the space needed to deliver, install and open the appliance. | If I store family-sized shops and prepared meals, I want enough space for everything I buy. Around 33 % of consumers say capacity is their top priority. |
| Access to food | Drawers, baskets and dividers actually included with the model. | If I often take out a particular item, I want to find it without moving everything else. Easy access is the top priority for around 27 % of consumers. |
| Where you’ll install it | The permitted ambient temperature range in the manual, compared with the temperatures in the room. | If my freezer is going in a cellar or garage, I need to be able to use it in the conditions expected in that space. Around 20 % of consumers put suitability for the location first. |
| Everyday use | Energy consumption in kWh/year, defrosting method and stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | I want to know how much energy the appliance uses and what maintenance it needs, as well as the manufacturer’s guidance in the event of a power cut. Around 20 % of consumers put these factors first. |
A large capacity is no use if the appliance won’t fit through the access route or its door or lid can’t open properly.
Measure the delivery route, the space where it will go and the clearance needed, then compare these with the model’s dimensions without packaging.
UFC-Que Choisir includes climate class among the factors to consider. Beko states that its HSM27050 can be used at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this does not apply to every model.
Check the minimum and maximum temperatures in your garage, cellar or utility room, then make sure they fall within the range permitted in the manual for the model you’re considering.
Two appliances with different capacities won’t necessarily meet the same needs. To compare their energy consumption, consider the annual kWh figure alongside their capacity and style.
Compare the energy labels of appliances with a suitable usable capacity and design for your needs. ADEME recommends using the energy label to help you choose household appliances.
If food is piled up without dividers, it can be harder to find items at the bottom.
Check which baskets or dividers are included and plan simple areas for different types of food.
Worth considering if you’re planning to install your freezer in a cold room, but always check the exact model.
Worth considering if you’re looking for an upright freezer with compartments to help keep food organised.
Worth considering if you need a chest freezer for storing larger quantities.
Worth considering when comparing family-sized upright freezers with drawers and different defrosting methods.
Choose a model whose permitted ambient temperature range covers the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures. Don’t assume a freezer is suitable just because it’s a chest or upright model. For example, Beko states that its HSM27050 can be used at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this applies to that model only.
No. The benefits of each style depend on how often you access it and how it’s organised. Drawers can make it easier to find a particular item in an upright freezer. For a chest freezer, check which baskets are available and plan how to organise food at the bottom.
Check the annual energy consumption in kWh and the efficiency rating on the energy label, comparing appliances with capacities and designs suited to the same needs. As ADEME points out, a freezer runs continuously, so the figure given for each model is more useful when choosing than the rating letter alone.
Make sure the installation location has an earthed socket: UFC-Que Choisir considers this essential when installing a freezer. Also check the model’s manual for its installation requirements.