If you store lots of portions or groceries and aren’t replacing your fridge, a separate freezer gives you dedicated extra storage. An upright model makes it easier to reach items regularly, while a chest freezer is well suited to bulky food if you have room to open the lid. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare fridge-freezers by looking at the capacity of the freezer compartment alone, not the total capacity.
How much you need to store isn’t the only deciding factor: how often you need to reach your food and how much space you have matter too.
If you often open the freezer to take out a meal or put away new portions, an upright model with drawers makes it easier to separate and find food. Just make sure you’ll be able to open every drawer once the appliance is in place.
A chest freezer is worth considering for bulky packs and food you don’t need to access as often. You’ll need to set aside enough floor space, allow the lid to open and be able to reach items at the bottom.
A table-top or under-counter appliance can provide a little extra storage. If you’re also replacing your fridge, compare fridge-freezers by checking the capacity of the freezer compartment itself and the space needed to open the doors.
Worth considering if: you access your food often and prefer to organise it across several drawers.
Bear in mind: the door needs room to open and the drawers need to slide out, which can limit storage options in a narrow space.
Worth considering if: you want open storage for large portions or bulky packaging.
Bear in mind: a chest freezer takes up floor space, and items at the bottom are less easy to reach.
Worth considering if: you need extra capacity in a kitchen where there’s no room for a large separate appliance.
Bear in mind: check that its capacity is enough for the amount you expect to store regularly.
Worth considering if: you’re also replacing your fridge and want both functions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: its total capacity includes the fridge section, so it doesn’t tell you how much room you’ll have for frozen food.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and type | Compare freezer capacity, not the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. Check the overall dimensions and the route to its intended position too. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between upright, chest and compact models based on their capacity and the space they take up. | I want to know whether a few extra frozen items will be enough or whether I need a separate freezer for my shopping and portions. |
| Access to food | Check how many drawers an upright freezer has, how you can organise food in a chest freezer, and how much room you need to open the door or lid. | If I often take out a portion, I need to find it without moving most of the contents. |
| Location | Check the temperature range of the room against the climate class and the model’s instructions, and make sure there’s enough ventilation clearance. Whirlpool says the climate class is shown on the rating plate and in the technical specifications. | If I’m putting the appliance in a cellar or garage, I need to check it’s suitable for the temperatures the space reaches throughout the year. |
| Freezing and energy use | If you plan to freeze food, check for a 4-star rating; the Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting the temperature to −18 °C. Also compare the kWh/year figure on the energy label, ideally between appliances of a similar type and capacity, as well as the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | I want to freeze prepared meals and know how much energy the appliance will use when left running continuously. |
A compartment designed to store food that’s already frozen may not be suitable for freezing prepared meals.
If you plan to freeze food, check that the compartment has a 4-star rating and look at its freezing capacity. The Ministry of Agriculture explains that a 4-star freezer is suitable for this purpose.
An appliance may fit in its intended spot but still leave too little room to open the door, pull out the drawers or lift the lid.
Measure the appliance, the delivery route and the space needed to open it, then check the instructions for ventilation clearances.
The permitted ambient temperatures vary by appliance; a specification for one model doesn’t apply to an entire range.
Compare the minimum and maximum temperatures in the room with the climate class and the instructions for the model you’re considering.
Appliances of different sizes or types won’t offer the same storage capacity. ADEME points out that freezers run continuously.
Check the annual energy consumption in kWh on the energy label, then consider it alongside the usable capacity and how you plan to use the appliance.
These examples of product ranges can help you identify which features to compare. Check the installation requirements and specifications for each individual model.
Beko’s upright freezers are worth considering if you want drawer storage for easy access.
Haier’s French range includes both upright and chest freezers, giving you a choice of formats for extra storage.
Whirlpool explains where to find the climate class and offers a technical documentation search by model number.
This selection includes chest freezers for adding separate storage, and fridge-freezers to consider if you’re also replacing your fridge. For a fridge-freezer, compare the freezer compartment capacity separately before deciding.
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Consider this chest freezer if you’d like to add separate storage for your shopping. The product title lists a capacity of 291 L, a removable basket, LED lighting and the option to switch between fridge and freezer modes. Check the instructions for the permitted ambient temperatures before planning to install it in a garage or cellar.
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Consider this if you’re replacing your fridge while rethinking your freezer space. The stated 360 L is the total capacity, not the capacity of the freezer alone. The product title mentions Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the freezer compartment capacity and the model’s installation instructions.
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This four-door fridge-freezer suits the option of replacing your fridge. Its stated total capacity of 467 L shouldn’t be confused with its freezer capacity. The product title lists Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the dimensions, door clearance and freezer capacity before choosing.
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Consider this if width is an important factor when replacing your fridge: the product title lists a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm, with a 70/30 split. The stated 262 L is the total capacity, so check the freezer’s exact capacity. Model information gives an ambient temperature range of 16 °C to 38 °C, so don’t plan to put it in a room that could fall below 16 °C.
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This 99 L chest freezer is worth considering if you need a moderate amount of extra storage. The product title lists a 4-star rating, a removable basket and a sliding lid. Allow for access from above and check the climate class in the instructions before installing it in a garage or cellar.
Check its rating before freezing food in it: the Ministry of Agriculture says a 4-star compartment is suitable for freezing. A space designed only for storing food that’s already frozen won’t meet the same need.
Yes, as long as the temperatures in the room are within the range specified for your chosen model and you can follow its installation instructions. Whirlpool says the climate class is shown on the rating plate and in the technical specifications. Check the instructions too for the required ventilation clearances.
Compare their annual energy consumption in kWh on the energy label, along with their capacity and type, rather than looking only at the energy rating letter. ADEME points out that these appliances run continuously, so it’s best to compare models with similar storage capacity.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting your freezer to −18 °C for home freezing. Check the appliance’s temperature as directed in its instructions.