If your fridge is still working but its freezer compartment is too small, adding a separate freezer gives you more space without having to replace the whole appliance. An upright freezer is handy for food you want to find often; a chest freezer is worth considering if you store large items, provided you’re happy with top access. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare the new fridge freezer’s usable freezer capacity with that of a separate appliance.
If you often take out different portions, drawers or compartments can help you separate food and see what’s inside. Electrolux, for example, highlights the visibility offered by the transparent drawers on some models.
For bulk buys, batch cooking or large items, check the freezer capacity and the space actually available inside the cabinet. Boulanger presents extra-large chest freezers as an option for bulky items, although baskets don’t replace organising the cabinet itself.
If the appliance will be used somewhere without heating, check the ambient temperatures at its intended location. ADEME advises comparing these with the climate class of the specific model, rather than assuming that a particular style or brand will suit the room.
Consider it if: you often access a variety of foods and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: its capacity and the space needed to open the door must suit your chosen location.
Consider it if: you need to store large quantities or bulky items.
Bear in mind: it opens from the top, and food stored at the bottom of the cabinet can be less accessible.
Consider it if: you also need to replace your fridge and would prefer a single appliance.
Bear in mind: replacing the whole appliance doesn’t automatically guarantee a freezer compartment that’s large enough for your needs.
Once you’ve chosen a style to consider, compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone, the intended location and the specific model’s features. UFC-Que Choisir lists style, capacity and climate class among the criteria to consider when choosing a freezer.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Access and organisation | Look at how the drawers, compartments or baskets are arranged and how they open. | If I often take out different portions, I want to find them without rummaging through the cabinet. Around 33 % of consumers prioritise access and organisation. |
| Capacity and dimensions | Compare the freezer capacity in litres with the appliance’s dimensions, remembering to allow space for the door or lid to open. | For my bulk buys or batch cooking, I need enough room without blocking the way around my home. Usable capacity comes first for around 27 % of consumers. |
| Room where it will be installed | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the model’s climate class and instructions. | If the appliance is going in a garage or cellar, I need to be able to use it at the temperatures in that room. This compatibility is the top priority for around 20 % of consumers. |
| Power cuts and maintenance | Check the stated storage time during a power cut, the defrosting method and annual energy consumption in kWh/year. | If I store food for a long time, I’m interested in how long it stays frozen during a power cut, as well as routine maintenance. Around 20 % of consumers put these considerations first. |
A chest freezer takes up floor space and needs room for its lid to lift; an upright freezer needs enough height and space in front of the door. The capacity in litres won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit and open properly in your home.
Measure the space, delivery route and clearance needed to open it. For an upright freezer, also check which way the door opens.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the appliance: a feature listed for one model doesn’t apply to every model in the same range.
As ADEME recommends, check the climate class for the room and read the installation instructions for the specific model.
Two freezers with similar capacities may differ in their stated storage time during a power cut and their defrosting method. These features affect how you manage your food and maintain the appliance.
Compare the stated storage time, defrosting method and annual energy consumption for each model. Check that any frost-reduction feature is included on the model you choose.
An optional commercial warranty is separate from the statutory rights that apply to a new freezer bought in France.
The French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to claim under the statutory legal guarantee of conformity. Compare the written terms of any extended warranty with the additional protection it actually provides.
The range includes upright freezers with different configurations, including models advertised with No Frost or a reversible door.
A brand to consider if you prefer a chest freezer and want to compare frost-management features.
Upright and integrated models to consider if interior organisation is important to you.
These appliances add separate storage alongside your fridge: an upright freezer is particularly useful for compartmentalised storage, while the chest freezers featured here offer top access. Convertible models should be assessed for their use in freezer mode.
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Add separate storage and organise your food in an upright freezer rather than a chest. The product title lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost protection, a reversible door and an energy rating of C. Check the dimensions, climate class and stated storage time during a power cut to make sure it suits your location and needs.
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Worth considering if you’re happy with top access and would like to switch between fridge and freezer modes. The title lists a capacity of 291 L, a removable basket and an energy rating of E. Check the usable capacity in freezer mode, the permitted ambient temperature range and the stated storage time during a power cut.
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Add a 140 L chest freezer with a basket to keep some of your food separate. The title lists a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an energy rating of E. Measure the space needed to open the lid and check the defrosting method, climate class and stated storage time during a power cut.
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Add 95 L of extra storage, if that capacity meets your needs and top access suits you. The title mentions switching between fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket and an energy rating of E. Check the capacity in freezer mode, as well as the installation requirements and stated storage time during a power cut.
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Worth considering if a chest freezer with a stated capacity of 99 L is enough to supplement your fridge’s freezer compartment. The title mentions a removable basket, adjustable thermostat and an energy rating of E. Check the space needed to open it, defrosting requirements, climate class and stated storage time during a power cut.
An upright freezer makes it easier to organise different foods in compartments; a chest freezer is worth considering when you need to store large items or quantities. You’ll still need to assess access to food at the bottom, freezer capacity and opening space for each appliance.
Yes, as long as the room’s temperature stays within the range permitted for the model you choose and you follow its installation instructions. ADEME recommends checking the climate class; don’t assume it’s suitable just because «garage» appears in a product title.
Compare the specific model’s annual consumption in kWh/year and its energy rating, while checking which freezer capacity these figures relate to. The European EPREL database lets you view the declared information for appliances covered by energy labelling; noise level may also matter depending on where you place it.
No, an extended warranty doesn’t replace the statutory legal guarantee of conformity. For a new product bought in France, the French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to claim under this guarantee; check the terms and any extra protection offered by the extended warranty separately.