If you mainly want to increase your frozen food storage, choose a chest freezer if you have floor space and want to store larger quantities, or an upright freezer if you regularly need to access a range of portions. An under-counter model is better suited to occasional extra storage; consider a large fridge freezer if you also want more space for fresh food. In every case, check that the appliance is suitable for the room temperature, the space available and the amount of frozen food you want to store.
If you buy frozen food in larger quantities, a chest freezer can make good use of the space in a separate room. However, check that the temperature in that room stays within the range specified for the model. A garage isn’t automatically suitable for every freezer.
If you need to find different portions quickly, the drawers in an upright freezer may be more convenient than reaching down into a chest freezer. Also check the drawer sizes, usable capacity and the space needed to open the door.
An under-counter freezer can provide extra storage in a suitable space without taking up room for a larger appliance. Measure the space and check that its capacity is enough for the food you plan to store.
Start by considering how much frozen food you need to store and how often you’ll need to get it out. Then check that the type you’ve chosen is suitable for the conditions where it will be installed.
| Factor | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and access | Compare freezer capacity, access from the top of a chest freezer and the drawer layout of an upright model. Que Choisir distinguishes chest freezers by their storage capacity and upright freezers by their format. | I store larger quantities and can organise a chest freezer using baskets, or I’d rather have drawers to find smaller portions quickly. |
| Available space | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance needed to open the door. For an under-counter model, also check the space, ventilation and door fixing requirements in the manual. For a fridge freezer, check the freezer compartment capacity separately. | I want the appliance to fit in its space, the door to open without obstruction and the freezer to have enough room for the food I need to store. |
| Room temperature | Compare the room’s seasonal temperatures with the climate class or temperature range specified for the exact model. Electrolux recommends checking that the ambient temperature is suitable for the appliance’s climate class. | My garage, cellar or pantry could get cold in winter or hot in summer, so I need to choose based on these extremes, not just the type of appliance. |
| Power cuts and monitoring | Compare the stated power-cut storage time in hours on a like-for-like basis and, if needed, look for a door or temperature alarm. How long food stays frozen depends on the model, not just its type. | If the appliance is in a room I don’t visit often, I want to know if the door has been left open and how long the food is stated to stay frozen. |
| Energy consumption | Check the kWh/year on the energy label and compare appliances with similar capacities and formats. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously. | I need extra storage, but I don’t want to choose a larger capacity or more features than necessary without comparing annual energy consumption. |
An unheated room may fall outside the temperature range the appliance is designed for. For example, Beko gives the CF200EWN an SN-T climate class, for temperatures between 10 and 43 °C. That won’t cover a garage that drops below 10 °C.
Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then consult the range specified in the manual for the exact model.
In a chest freezer, food at the bottom can be harder to organise and reach. In an upright freezer, the size and layout of the drawers determine what you can store easily.
Use baskets or labelled sections to organise a chest freezer. For an upright model, check that the drawers can accommodate the packaging you usually buy.
The stated length of time food will stay frozen varies by appliance. An alarm can also be useful if a door might be left ajar in a room you don’t check often.
Compare the stated storage times in the product details for the models you’re considering, and check for any alarms that suit your needs.
The rating letter doesn’t replace the annual consumption figure in kWh. ADEME points out that cooling appliances run continuously, so it’s worth considering the energy consumption of a freezer that’s larger than you need.
Compare kWh/year for appliances with similar capacities, then check their dimensions and the route to the installation space.
The CF200EWN chest freezer is one option to consider for extra storage in a room that’s suitable for its climate class.
The brand offers large-capacity upright and chest freezers, but installation requirements should be checked for each model.
Bosch’s range includes well-organised upright freezers and large fridge freezers for households that also need more space for fresh food.
The SUFd 3603 Pure is an example of an under-counter integrated freezer for extra storage.
This selection includes a fridge freezer for increasing fresh food storage as well as freezer space, upright freezers for organising frozen food and two small chest freezers for extra capacity. Compare each model’s capacity with your needs, then check that the one you choose is suitable for its installation space.
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Worth considering if you want more space for both fresh and frozen food, rather than adding a separate freezer. The model name lists Total No Frost, an E rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the capacity of the freezer compartment and the ambient temperature range suitable for your room.
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A freestanding appliance to consider if you want to keep your frozen food separate and prefer compartmentalised storage. The model name lists No Frost protection, an LED display, an alarm and an adjustable temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C. Before deciding where to put it, check its dimensions, ambient temperature range, power-cut storage time and kWh/year.
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This capacity is better suited to extra storage than to stocking up for a large family. The model name lists a reversible door, adjustable temperature and an E rating. Check the space needed for installation, the ambient temperature range and the defrosting requirements.
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A small chest freezer to consider for extra storage if you have clear access from above. The model name lists a removable basket, adjustable thermostat and an E rating. Organising your food will make it easier to find items at the bottom. The model description states that it requires manual defrosting. Also check the ambient temperature range and stated power-cut storage time.
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Worth considering for extra storage with easy access from above. The model name lists a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid, adjustable temperature and an E rating. Measure the clearance needed to open the lid, and check the ambient temperature range, power-cut storage time and kWh/year.
No. Compare the garage’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the range specified in the model’s manual. Electrolux recommends checking that the appliance is suitable for its climate class. For example, Beko gives the CF200EWN an SN-T climate class for temperatures between 10 and 43 °C, so it’s not suitable for a room that drops below 10 °C.
A chest freezer is a good option if you have floor space and want to store larger quantities, but you’ll need to organise the food you access from above. An upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to find different portions. However, check the size of the compartments and the usable capacity.
Check the stated storage time in hours in the product details or manual for each model, and compare figures measured on the same basis. Don’t assume how long food will stay frozen based on whether it’s a chest or upright model. If the appliance is in a room you don’t check often, also look for an alarm.
Check both, then use the kWh/year figure to compare appliances with similar capacities and formats. ADEME points out that cooling appliances run continuously, so annual energy consumption is an important factor when choosing the right capacity.
Measure the height, width and depth of the space, then check the manual for ventilation and door-fixing requirements. Also compare the capacity with the amount of food you plan to store. For example, Liebherr gives the SUFd 3603 Pure a capacity of 87 L and specifies a niche size of 82 to 88 × 60 × 56 cm.