If you mostly keep fresh food and only freeze a few portions, start by comparing fridge freezers. If prepared meals and leftovers regularly fill the freezer compartment, a separate appliance is worth considering: an upright freezer makes portions easier to access, while a chest freezer is suited to storing larger quantities. In either case, check the freezer capacity, the space available and the specifications of the exact model.
When several containers are waiting in the freezer, the freezer capacity and how easily you can find each portion matter more than the appliance’s total capacity. Drawers can help you separate different meals. If you’re freezing freshly prepared dishes, also check for a 4-star compartment, in line with the distinction the Ministry of Agriculture makes between a freezer compartment and a freezer.
If family-sized portions or large food shops regularly fill the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer, a separate freezer could offer a more suitable layout. The choice between an upright and a chest freezer then depends on how you want to access your food and how much installation space you have.
If your current fridge freezer is right for fresh food but sometimes runs short on space for portions, compare a small freezer with the capacity you actually need. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously, so their footprint and annual energy consumption are also worth considering.
Start by working out how much space your meals and leftovers take up in the fridge and freezer. A fridge freezer combines both functions. If you have lots of frozen portions, compare the drawer access of an upright freezer with the storage offered by a chest freezer, as well as the installation requirements for each.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment separately from the appliance’s total capacity. If you often add freshly prepared meals, check the freezing capacity too. | When portions start to pile up, I need to store them without making room by getting rid of food that’s already frozen. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this capacity. |
| Access to portions | Check the number and dimensions of the drawers or baskets against the containers you usually use. | I prepare several different meals and want to find the right one for today without moving everything else around. For around 27% of consumers, how portions are organised comes ahead of other factors. |
| Space and installation | Measure the appliance, check how far its door or lid opens and allow for the required clearances. Check the climate class for the room where it will go. | Space is tight at home, or I’m planning to put the appliance in a cold room, so where it can go determines my choice. This is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Compare the annual consumption in kWh/year of appliances with a similar size and capacity, then check how they need to be defrosted. | If I’m adding an appliance that will run continuously, I want to weigh up its energy use and the maintenance it requires. Around 20% of consumers put these factors at the top of their list. |
A freezer compartment isn’t necessarily suitable for freezing freshly prepared meals. The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between its role and that of a freezer capable of freezing food.
If you want to freeze your own meals, check that the appliance has a 4-star compartment and look up the model’s freezing capacity.
Some of that capacity is taken up by the fridge compartment, so it won’t be available for portions you want to freeze.
Compare the capacity of each compartment separately and make sure your dishes and containers will fit in the freezer compartment.
Whether a freezer can be installed in a cold room depends on the model. Electrolux recommends keeping the appliance within its specified ambient temperature range and leaving space for air to circulate around it.
Check the climate class, permitted ambient temperature range and ventilation clearances in the documentation for the model you’re considering.
A large freezer isn’t necessarily right if you only have a few portions to store. ADEME highlights how appliance size and over-specification can affect the energy use of refrigeration appliances, which run continuously.
Work out how many portions you’ll have during a particularly busy week, then compare the annual energy consumption of appliances with enough capacity for that amount.
These ranges offer a starting point for comparing appliance types and interiors. Check the specifications mentioned against those of each individual model.
The range includes chest freezers designed for storing larger quantities.
The brand offers chest and upright freezers to consider depending on the storage layout and installation location you’re looking for.
A range to consider if you’d like to combine refrigeration and freezing in a No Frost fridge freezer.
The range of upright freezers may appeal to households that want to keep portions separate in drawers.
These Joybuy models cover three needs: combining refrigeration and freezing in one appliance, setting aside a chest freezer for frozen food, or adding a small upright freezer. Compare their size with the space you have and the number of portions you usually freeze.
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Worth considering if you want to keep fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance. The model name lists a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost technology and an E energy rating. Check how much of that capacity is for freezing, and how much space you’ll need to open the doors.
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Another option for keeping fresh food and frozen portions in the same appliance. The model name lists a capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Compare the freezer capacity with your needs rather than relying on the total capacity shown for the appliance.
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Consider this if you can set aside space for larger quantities and want the option to switch between fridge and freezer modes. The model name mentions a removable basket and an E energy rating. Before planning to install it in a garage, check how easy it is to reach smaller portions, how far the lid opens and the permitted ambient temperature.
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This chest freezer could be an option if you want extra, separate storage without stepping up to a large-capacity model. The model name lists fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket and an E energy rating. Make sure top-down storage works for your portions and that there’s enough room to open the lid.
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Worth considering if you need a small extra appliance with drawer storage for a few more portions. The model name lists a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the annual energy consumption on the label and the installation requirements for the room where you plan to put it.
Not necessarily. The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between a freezer compartment, used to store already-frozen food temporarily, and a freezer capable of freezing food. For freshly prepared meals, check that the appliance has a 4-star compartment and look up its freezing capacity.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting your fridge to +4 °C and your freezer to −18 °C. Also follow the storage instructions on food packaging, and eat homemade meals stored in the fridge promptly. The same storage time won’t be suitable for every dish.
Yes, provided the model’s documentation confirms it can operate at the room’s ambient temperatures and you can meet the installation requirements. Check its climate class and ventilation clearances. Electrolux advises that appliances should operate within their specified ambient temperature range.
Take it to a collection scheme for waste electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it out with your household rubbish. Information published by the ministries responsible for the ecological transition explains that you may be able to hand it in at a shop when buying a similar appliance, or take it to a collection point or recycling centre.