Households that prepare meals in portions
If you freeze meals and ingredients separately, consider how the drawers or baskets help you sort and find them. Easy access to the contents may matter more to you than capacity alone.
Who are these formats for?
Households that stock up
If you buy in bulk, freeze home-grown produce or store large packs, compare the freezer capacity with the floor space available. Also check the operating conditions for the room where you plan to put it.
People with small kitchens
If the freezer needs to fit into an alcove or under a worktop, the appliance’s dimensions, door opening and ventilation requirements are more important than finding a large-capacity model.
What sets the different formats apart?
According to UFC-Que Choisir’s guide, format, capacity and climate class are among the factors to consider when choosing a freezer. If you need extra storage, start with the use that matters most to you, then check that the appliance can be installed in the room you have in mind.
Upright freezer
Consider one if: you often open the freezer to find portions or small items stored on different levels.
Bear in mind: you’ll need enough height and space for the door to open; the internal layout varies by model.
Chest freezer
Consider one if: you have a dedicated space and want to store bulk buys or bulky items.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise your food, as items at the bottom are less easy to reach.
Under-counter freezer
Consider one if: you want a small amount of extra freezer space in your kitchen rather than in another room.
Bear in mind: check that the capacity suits your needs, and consult the manual for alcove, door and ventilation requirements.
Large fridge-freezer
Consider one if: you need to replace your current appliance and want to rethink both your chilled and frozen storage.
Bear in mind: the total capacity includes the fridge, so check the freezer compartment’s capacity separately.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to meals | Layout and size of drawers, shelves or baskets; access to food at the bottom. | If I take out portions regularly, I want to find them without having to move all my other food. Around 36% of consumers make easy access a priority. |
| Storage capacity | Net freezer capacity and floor space required; for a chest freezer, clearance for the lid. | My bulk buys and large dishes take up more space than my current compartment can offer. Capacity comes before other factors for around 29% of consumers. |
| Installation | Dimensions, delivery access and door opening; minimum room temperature if the space is not well heated. | In a narrow kitchen or a cold room, I first need to know whether the appliance can be installed and used there. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Energy and power cuts | Annual consumption in kWh for comparable formats; stated storage time in hours during a power cut, if this matters to you. | As my freezer runs continuously, I keep an eye on its energy use and want to know how long it can keep food cold during a power cut. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this information. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on litres alone
A large chest is ideal if you need extra storage, but the portions you use often may be harder to find at the bottom.
Before you buy, think about where you’ll put boxes, bags and large dishes, then check the baskets, drawers and internal dimensions.
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Assuming a chest freezer will work in any garage
A chest freezer isn’t necessarily suitable for a cold room. Liebherr and Beko state that some of their products, but not all their freezers, can operate at low temperatures.
Compare the lowest possible temperature in the room with the ambient temperature range permitted in the documentation for the exact model.
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Confusing an alarm with storage time during a power cut
An alarm warns you about a problem; it doesn’t tell you how long the freezer will stay cold if the power supply is interrupted.
If this affects your choice, look for the stated storage time in hours in the technical specifications.
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Overlooking delivery and installation
A large or built-in appliance needs to fit through the access points and be installed according to its manual. Room-of-choice delivery, installation and removal of your old appliance are separate services to check before you order.
Measure the access points and check the terms for any services you need.
Brands to consider, model by model
Bosch
Upright and built-in models to consider if you value having food stored on different levels.
- Bosch lists a 366 L capacity, No Frost and 12 h of storage time during a power cut for the GSN58EWDV.
- These specifications don’t apply across the whole range: Bosch lists the built-in GIV21AFE0 at 96 L, with 13 h of storage time during a power cut.
Liebherr
A brand to consider if you’re looking at a chest freezer for a room that isn’t well heated.
- For the CFe 1870 Pure, Liebherr lists a 281 L capacity and describes FrostProtect as suitable for ambient temperatures down to −15 °C.
- Check the permitted temperature range and installation instructions for your chosen model rather than assuming this applies to all chest freezers.
Beko
Chest freezers to compare based on their layout and the temperature of the room they’ll be installed in.
- Beko lists its Freezer Guard function, which works down to −15 °C, on some models in its range.
- Baskets, alerts and frost-reduction features vary by model number, so check the product details for the model you’re interested in.
Electrolux
Compact built-in freezers to consider when fitting an appliance into your kitchen matters more than having lots of extra storage.
- Electrolux offers compact under-counter models; its product details for the LUB3AE88S list a capacity of 98 L and 12.7 h of storage time during a power cut.
- Check the required niche dimensions, ventilation and technical specifications for each model number.
Haier
Chest and upright freezers to consider if you’re comparing different storage capacities.
- Haier’s ranges include chest freezers with capacities of 196 L and 696 L, as well as upright freezers of 226 L and 301 L.
- Compare the internal layout, energy consumption and installation requirements model by model.
Freezers to compare on Joybuy
These models include chest freezers for extra storage and upright freezers for organising food on different levels or adding a compact amount of extra space. Compare their capacity with your storage habits, then check the installation requirements for the model you choose.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want a chest freezer for extra storage, with a removable basket to keep some food separate.
Fridge and freezer modes; energy rating E, LED lighting and five-level digital control listed in the product title. If you plan to use it in a cold room, check the permitted ambient temperature.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer
Worth considering if you want to organise meals and groceries in drawers rather than a chest.
The product title lists three drawers, No Frost, a reversible door and energy rating C. Check the dimensions before deciding where to put it.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
Worth considering for extra storage if you don’t need a large freezer.
The product title lists three drawers, a reversible door and energy rating E. Measure the space and compare the stated 60 L capacity with the amount of food and number of portions you need to store.
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AUCMA, 95 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you need a small chest freezer for extra storage rather than space for large bulk buys.
The product title lists fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket, a seven-level thermostat and energy rating E. Check the permitted ambient temperature before installing it in a cold room.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
Worth comparing if you want a chest freezer with a basket to keep some food within easy reach.
The product title lists a counterbalanced lid, adjustable feet and energy rating E. Check the clearance needed to open the lid and the operating conditions for the room where you plan to put it.
Frequently asked questions
Can you keep a chest freezer in an unheated garage?
Yes, as long as the specific model can handle the garage’s ambient temperatures and you install it in accordance with the manual. A chest design alone doesn’t guarantee this: Liebherr and Beko state that only certain models or features are suitable for low temperatures.
Where can I find out how long a freezer stays cold during a power cut?
Look for a time in hours in the model’s technical documentation, under “storage time during a power cut” or “temperature rise time”. For example, Bosch lists 12 h for the GSN58EWDV and 13 h for the GIV21AFE0; don’t assume these times apply to another appliance.
Should I look at anything besides the energy rating?
Yes. Also compare annual consumption in kWh between appliances of similar formats and capacities. The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you their freezer capacity or the annual energy consumption listed for each model.
Do freezers sold in France have an energy label?
According to the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, household freezers and combined appliances are covered by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016, which has applied since 1 March 2021. To compare a model, check its label and the information linked to its QR code in the European Commission’s EPREL database.