To store more home-cooked meals, choose an upright freezer if you want to organise portions and find them easily, or a chest freezer if you prefer storing larger containers and have enough floor space. A larger fridge freezer may be all you need if you also have to replace your fridge and its freezer compartment has enough capacity. In every case, check the usable freezer capacity, installation requirements and stated power-cut storage time.
If you often take out a specific meal, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easy to separate portions and find them without rummaging through everything. Just check that your containers will fit in the compartments.
If you buy in bulk or store large containers, it’s worth comparing the open space in a chest freezer. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the larger capacities available with this type; you’ll also need enough floor space and a way to reach items at the bottom.
In a small kitchen or near a living area, measure the space and check the stated noise level. For a utility room or another space where temperatures vary, compare the room’s ambient temperatures with the model’s climate class too.
Consider it : if easy access to portions sorted into drawers matters more to you than storing large containers.
Bear in mind : the shape of the compartments limits the containers you can use; UFC-Que Choisir also notes that chest freezers can offer greater capacity.
Consider it : if you mainly store bulky food and have a suitable space for a top-opening appliance.
Bear in mind : smaller portions need more careful organising, and it can be less convenient to reach items at the bottom.
Consider it : if you’re also replacing your fridge and only need a moderate amount of extra freezer space.
Bear in mind : only part of the total capacity is for frozen food, so make sure it’s enough for what you plan to store.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and large containers | Compare the usable capacity in litres with the size of your containers, then measure the appliance and access routes. | If I’m storing bulk buys or large dishes, I want enough space without having to split up my stock; around 30% of shoppers would prioritise this capacity. |
| Access to portions | Check the drawer dimensions or how easy it is to reach the bottom of a chest freezer, depending on how you’ll store your meals. | If I regularly take out a prepared meal, I want to find it without moving everything else; access to portions would be a priority for around 30% of shoppers. |
| Installation location | Check how the appliance opens, the clearances specified in the manual and whether its climate class is suitable for the room’s temperatures. | In a narrow kitchen or a utility room where temperatures vary, I need to be able to install and use the appliance as intended; around 20% of shoppers would put this suitability first. |
| Power cuts, noise and energy use | Check the stated storage time during a power cut, the noise level in dB(A) and annual energy consumption in kWh separately. | If the appliance is rarely checked or is near living areas, I’m most concerned about how it keeps food during a power cut and how it runs day to day; these factors would be a priority for around 20% of shoppers. |
An ice box is designed to store already-frozen food for a short time. The French Ministry of Agriculture advises against using one to freeze food.
If you prepare meals to freeze, make sure you’re choosing a proper freezer, and check its star rating and freezing capacity.
A chest freezer can hold large containers, but its top-opening lid and floor space requirements must suit the room.
Before ordering, measure the space, access routes and lid clearance, and check the clearances specified in the manual.
The climate class indicates the ambient temperatures the model is designed for. A brand’s claim that a particular model can operate in cold conditions won’t necessarily apply to all its appliances.
Compare the room temperature with the range specified for the exact model, and read the manufacturer’s conditions.
Energy use, noise and how long food stays frozen during a power cut answer different questions. UFC-Que Choisir assesses the impact of a power cut in a separate test, for example.
Check the kWh/year, dB(A) and stated storage time separately, taking into account the capacity you need.
A useful benchmark when comparing drawer-style upright freezers, but don’t assume one model’s features apply to the whole brand.
A useful benchmark if the temperature of an unheated room is a factor in your choice of upright freezer.
A useful benchmark for distinguishing a large upright freezer from a fridge freezer.
These appliances illustrate the three options covered here: chest freezers for food supplies, upright freezers for portions, and a fridge freezer if you also need a fridge. Compare each model’s features with your available space and the freezer capacity you’re looking for.
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Worth considering if you want a chest freezer for food supplies and large containers, rather than sorting every portion into a drawer.
The product description lists a convertible fridge freezer, energy efficiency class E, a removable basket, LED lighting and five temperature settings. Allow space for the top-opening lid; if it will be in a cold room, check the model’s climate class.
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Worth considering for extra freezer space and keeping portions separate, if 60 L is enough for what you plan to store.
The product description lists three drawers, a reversible door and energy efficiency class E. Check that the drawers will fit your containers and that the door can open where you plan to install it.
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Compare it with a separate freezer if you also need to buy or replace a fridge.
The 467 L in the product description is the total capacity, not the freezer capacity alone. This model is listed with Total No Frost and energy efficiency class E; check the freezer capacity before planning to store meals in it.
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Worth considering if you prefer a chest freezer but only need 99 L of capacity; compare it with your containers before making a choice.
The product description lists a four-star rating, a removable basket, a sliding lid and energy efficiency class E. You’ll also need to consider access to smaller portions and the space needed above the appliance.
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Worth considering for organising portions in an upright appliance, after checking that its capacity and compartments will suit your dishes.
The product description lists drawers, an alarm, reversible door hinges and energy efficiency class C. If you plan to freeze fresh food regularly, check the model’s star rating and freezing capacity.
The French Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting it to −18 °C. For freezing prepared meals, it says a four-star compartment can quickly bring the centre of the food to −18 °C. Let hot dishes cool until they’re no longer steaming, and don’t refreeze food that has thawed.
No. The French Ministry of Agriculture advises against freezing food in an ice box, which is designed for keeping already-frozen food for a short time. If you prepare meals in advance, choose a freezer and check its star rating and freezing capacity.
Yes, follow the clearances specified in the manual for your chosen model. Make sure there’s also enough room to open the door, drawers or lid fully, then check that the climate class is suitable for the room’s temperatures.
For the appliances covered, the European Commission says the label shows details including annual energy consumption, storage capacity and noise emissions, using an energy scale from A to G. Compare these figures for models with a capacity suited to your needs; they don’t replace checking how long food stays frozen during a power cut.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies when a professional sells a new product to an individual in France, as the French Ministry for the Economy and Finance explains. It covers issues such as an appliance not matching its description; any commercial warranty is in addition to the legal guarantees and doesn’t replace them.