For storing bulk buys or large dishes, consider a chest freezer if you have enough floor space and can organise its contents. An upright freezer makes it easier to access portions stored in drawers; a large fridge freezer may be enough if you’re replacing your fridge too and its freezer capacity covers your needs. In every case, check the dimensions, net freezer capacity and the recommended ambient temperature range for the location you have in mind.
If you freeze portions that you’ll need to find often, the drawers in an upright freezer can make them easier to organise and access. Make sure you compare the internal dimensions with those of your containers.
A chest freezer is worth considering if you store large packs or bulky dishes. Allow enough floor space and plan how you’ll find items stored at the bottom.
If you only need to store a limited amount of frozen food, a large fridge freezer could save you from adding a separate appliance. Base your decision on the net capacity of its freezer compartment, not its total capacity.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, chest freezers prioritise generous capacity, while upright models make better use of height. Your choice then depends on what you store, how often you need to access it and how much room you have.
Consider it: for bulk buys or bulky containers, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise the contents to reach food stored at the bottom.
Consider it: for organising portions and accessing them regularly, while making use of the available height.
Bear in mind: check the usable capacity and make sure the drawers can open fully in your chosen location.
Consider it: if you’re replacing your fridge too and the freezer compartment has enough room for your needs.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s total capacity isn’t the same as the space available for frozen food.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the net litres of the freezer compartment, especially in a fridge freezer. If you regularly freeze lots of fresh food, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h: this is not the same as storage capacity. | I want enough room for my portions and bulk buys, without relying on the total capacity shown for a fridge freezer. |
| Access to food | Look at the layout of the drawers, baskets or compartments, and check there’s room for your containers. Make sure you can open the appliance and remove food where you plan to put it. | To find portions quickly, I’d prefer to organise them by category; for larger batches, I can keep an inventory of what’s in the chest freezer. |
| Location | Measure the appliance and allow enough space for the door or lid to open and for air to circulate. Compare the room’s actual temperatures with the ambient temperature range specified in the model’s manual. | I might put my appliance in a garage, cellar or warm kitchen, so I want to make sure it’s suitable for the room. |
| Energy and maintenance | The European Commission says that the energy label for relevant household appliances includes the A to G rating, annual energy consumption in kWh, capacity and noise level. Compare appliances of a similar type and capacity, then check their defrosting system. | I want to compare how they’ll work for me day to day and find out whether manual defrosting will be part of the upkeep. |
Some of that capacity is taken up by the fridge. For example, the Bosch KGV58VLEAS product details list 377 l of fridge space and 126 l of freezer space.
Work out how much room you need for your portions and bulk buys, then compare the net freezer capacities.
The climate class describes the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Depending on the model, an unheated cellar or garage may fall outside this range.
Check the room’s usual temperatures and read the manual for the exact model. A claim that an appliance can operate down to -15 °C doesn’t apply to every model in a range.
Its open storage space can fit bulky food, but items at the bottom are harder to find.
Use baskets or labelled containers. If you often take out one portion at a time, compare how easy it is to access food in an upright freezer with drawers too.
A brand to consider for chest freezers designed for storing larger quantities.
Its product details make it easy to compare a separate upright freezer with a large fridge freezer.
A brand worth comparing for an upright freezer with frost management and installation in a potentially cold room.
This Joybuy selection includes fridge freezers for replacing your fridge too, upright freezers for organising portions and a chest freezer for larger food stocks. Compare freezer capacity and the intended location before choosing a type.
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Worth comparing if you’re replacing your fridge too: check that the freezer compartment has enough room for your needs. The title lists Total No Frost and an E energy rating; also check the ambient temperature range for the room where you plan to put it.
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If you’re replacing your fridge too and don’t want to add a separate appliance, first compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with the amount you plan to store. The title mentions Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone; check the ambient temperature range in the manual.
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An upright freezer to consider if you want to organise portions in a separate appliance. The title lists No Frost, drawers and a C energy rating. Before choosing a spot for it, check its external dimensions and ambient temperature range; the stated freezing temperature doesn’t describe the room temperature.
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Worth comparing for bulky batches if you have room to open the lid and organise the contents. The title lists fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket and an E energy rating. If you plan to install it in a garage or cellar, check the ambient temperature range in the manual.
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Worth considering for extra portions if you only buy modest amounts in bulk: check whether 60 l is enough for what you want to store. The title lists a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the internal layout and ambient temperature range before buying.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, an upright freezer makes better use of height, while a chest freezer generally needs more floor space. Compare the dimensions of the models you’re considering and allow enough room to open the drawers or lid fully.
No. The room temperature must fall within the range specified for the model you choose. For example, Bosch lists a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN and 10 to 43 °C for SN-T. Some appliances are rated to operate down to -15 °C, but check this in the product details or manual.
For the household freezers and fridges covered, the European Commission says the label includes the A to G rating, annual energy consumption in kWh, capacity and noise level. Compare these details across appliances of a similar type and capacity, and don’t judge energy use by the letter rating alone.