Households storing fresh and frozen food
You keep fresh food for several days, as well as ready meals or frozen food. The split between fridge and freezer capacity matters more to you than the total capacity.
Who is this choice for?
Households stocking up on frozen food
You cook in advance or buy in bulk. A dedicated freezer could be a good fit if it can accommodate your food and you have room for it at home.
Households with limited space
In a narrow kitchen or an extra room, the appliance’s dimensions, door opening and access to food can determine which type will fit. Noise is also worth considering if it’s near a living area.
What should you consider?
If you shop less often, choose an appliance based on how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. A second appliance is better suited to a regular lack of space than an occasional need to store extra food.
Fridge-freezer
Consider this if: you regularly store fresh and frozen food in one main appliance.
Bear in mind: the freezer section needs to hold enough for your needs; the fridge-freezer’s total capacity won’t tell you that.
Chest freezer
Consider this if: frozen food or bulky items are your priority and you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise things carefully to reach food at the bottom.
Upright freezer
Consider this if: you want to organise frozen food in drawers and access it frequently.
Bear in mind: check that the drawers are large enough for your bulkier packs, as advised by UFC-Que Choisir.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh and frozen food | Compare the litres for the fridge and freezer compartments separately on the energy label. | I want to keep fresh food for several days without giving up frozen meals, all in one appliance. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Frozen food storage | Check the freezer capacity against the size of your food; for an upright freezer, also look at the drawer dimensions. | When I prepare meals in advance or buy in bulk, I need enough room to freeze food for long-term storage. Around 29% of consumers put this need first. |
| Positioning and access | Measure the appliance, the route it needs to pass through and the space required to open it; for an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature. | My appliance needs to fit in the space available while remaining easy to open and use. Around 24% of consumers prioritise these positioning and access requirements. |
| Everyday use | Check the kWh/year and noise levels on the label, and confirm the defrosting method for the model you’re considering. | If the appliance is near a living area, I want to keep noise to a minimum and take its continuous energy use and maintenance into account. Around 18% of consumers prioritise these factors. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Judging a fridge-freezer by its total capacity alone
The total won’t tell you how much room there is for frozen food. The European Commission says the energy label shows the capacity of each compartment separately.
Estimate how much fresh and frozen food you store separately, then compare the corresponding capacities.
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Assuming a freezer will work in a cold garage
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. Liebherr states that the CFe 2500 Pure is suitable for temperatures down to −15 °C; this does not automatically apply to other chest freezers.
Before choosing a location, check the climate class and temperature range in the manual for the model you’re considering.
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Adding an appliance for an occasional need
An extra appliance takes up space permanently and runs continuously, as ADEME points out for refrigeration appliances.
Consider whether a fridge-freezer with a suitably sized freezer compartment would already meet your usual needs.
If you add a freezer, its electricity use will be on top of that of your main appliance.
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Confusing LowFrost with No Frost
These terms don’t describe the same feature: Bosch lists the KGV36VLEAS as LowFrost, while Beko lists the B5RFNE315G as No Frost.
Check the defrosting method for each model before deciding which type of maintenance suits you.
Brands to consider by appliance type
Liebherr
The CFe 2500 Pure is a useful example of what to consider when installing a large chest freezer.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 497 L and FrostProtect suitability down to −15 °C for this model.
- It measures 167 cm wide and 71 cm deep, so check the available space and delivery route.
Beko
The B5RFNE315G is an example of an upright freezer to consider if you want to organise your food in drawers.
- Beko lists a capacity of 286 L, a noise level of 34 dB(A) and energy use of 200 kWh/year for this model.
- Check that the drawers can accommodate your food packaging; these specifications don’t apply to other Beko upright freezers.
Bosch
The freestanding KGV36VLEAS fridge-freezer shows why it’s useful to compare fridge and freezer capacities separately.
- Bosch lists 214 L for the fridge, 94 L for the freezer and a noise level of 39 dB(A) for this model.
- This model is listed as LowFrost, not No Frost, so check what type of defrosting you can expect.
Joybuy products for different storage needs
This selection includes fridge-freezers for storing fresh and frozen food in one appliance, as well as chest freezers to consider when frozen food storage becomes the priority. Compare their stated capacities with the usable space you need, the room available and the information on their energy labels.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L four-door fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a four-door appliance.
Stated capacity of 467 L; Total No Frost and energy rating E are included in the product name.
Check the usable capacity of each compartment and allow enough room for the doors to open.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 L three-door fridge-freezer
Consider this if you need space for both fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Stated capacity of 360 L; Total No Frost, energy rating E, Wi-Fi and My Zone are included in the product name.
Compare the usable capacity of both sections and check the clearance needed for installation.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
Consider this for separate frozen food storage if the stated capacity meets your needs.
The product name lists a capacity of 99 L, four-star freezing, a removable basket, a sliding lid and energy rating E.
Defrosting is manual. If you plan to keep it in a cold room, check the permitted ambient temperature; also check the kWh/year on the label.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible fridge-freezer chest
Worth considering if your storage needs vary between refrigeration and freezing: choose the mode that suits the food you want to store.
The product name lists a capacity of 291 L, a removable basket, LED lighting and energy rating E.
Check the usable capacity, lid clearance and permitted ambient temperature range before choosing where to place it.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
Consider this if you’re looking for extra freezer space rather than a compartment for fresh food.
The product name lists a capacity of 140 L, a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and energy rating E.
Before choosing where to place it, check its dimensions, kWh/year, noise level and permitted ambient temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the energy use of a fridge-freezer and a freezer?
Check the kWh/year for each model, then compare this with the capacity and function of the appliance: a fridge-freezer also stores fresh food. The European Commission says the energy label shows annual energy use and capacity; the energy rating alone doesn’t provide all this information.
Can I put a chest freezer in an unheated garage?
Yes, if the permitted ambient temperature range for the model covers the conditions in your garage. Check its climate class and manual: Liebherr states that the CFe 2500 Pure is suitable for temperatures down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all chest freezers.
What should I check on the energy label before choosing a capacity?
Look at the capacity of the fridge and freezer compartments separately: this shows how much space is available for each type of food. According to the European Commission, the label also shows the energy rating, kWh/year and noise level, which can help you choose between appliances with capacities that meet your needs.
What should I do if the delivered appliance doesn’t match its description?
Tell the seller about the discrepancy, keeping a copy of the product description and your sales documents. In France, the Ministry of the Economy notes that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. Distinguish a lack of conformity from installation in conditions not specified for the model.