If your fridge still meets your needs for fresh food, adding a freezer gives you a separate stock of frozen food. If it needs replacing too, compare the fridge and freezer capacities of a new fridge-freezer. For a stock you access often, an upright freezer makes it easier to keep things organised; for bulky items, consider a chest freezer, provided you have enough room and don’t mind less direct access to food at the bottom.
If your fridge needs to hold several days’ worth of fresh food, it’s also worth checking how much room it has for frozen food. Que Choisir recommends taking shopping frequency into account and points out that a small freezer compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Regularly freezing portions calls for enough space and an arrangement that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. When comparing appliances, check the internal layout and freezing capacity of the models you’re considering, not just their total volume.
If you store bulky items or keep a long-term stock of food, a dedicated freezer is worth considering. Que Choisir notes that chest freezers can offer more space, while upright freezers have a more compact design. Accessibility and available space will help you decide between the two.
First decide whether your fridge needs replacing, then assess your freezer needs separately: the total capacity of a fridge-freezer alone won’t tell you how much frozen food you can store.
Choose this option if: your current fridge no longer meets your needs for fresh food either.
Bear in mind: a single appliance will only provide enough freezer space if its freezer compartment suits the amount of food you usually store.
Choose this option if: your fridge still meets your needs, but you’re short of space for frozen food or prepared meals.
Bear in mind: a second appliance needs a suitable spot and will run alongside your existing fridge.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare freezer capacity in litres; for a fridge-freezer, check the fridge capacity too. The European Commission says these capacities are shown separately on the energy label. | When I shop less frequently, I want to store my frozen food without running out of space for fresh food. Around 33% of consumers rank this capacity as their top priority. |
| Storage and access | Look at the drawers in an upright freezer or the baskets in a chest freezer, then check whether you can reach food at the bottom. | If I freeze portion-sized meals, I want to find each one without moving my whole stock. Easy access and organisation come first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Freezing capacity and power cuts | Check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h and the stated storage time during a power cut; also check the climate class for the room where you plan to put it. | With a large stock of food, I want to know how the appliance handles a new delivery and how long it keeps food cold without power. Around 20% of consumers prioritise keeping food cold in these circumstances. |
| Energy use and installation | Compare the kWh/year figures for models that meet similar needs, then measure the space and clearances required in the instruction manual. | Before adding or replacing an appliance, I need to be sure I can install it and take its annual energy use into account. These considerations are a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
A large total capacity may leave you with less freezer space than expected. The European Commission lists the capacities of the fridge and freezer compartments separately on the energy label.
Take stock of what you usually store, then compare the freezer capacity before checking that there’s enough room for fresh food.
A chest freezer can hold bulky items, but food stacked at the bottom is harder to find, and you’ll need enough room to open the lid.
Measure the space and clearance needed to open the lid; check the available baskets if you plan to keep different types of food separate.
Whether an appliance is an upright or a chest freezer isn’t enough to tell you which will use less energy. The energy label, as explained by the European Commission, gives the model’s annual energy consumption in kWh/year.
Compare the kWh/year figures for models with similar capacities and intended uses, rather than choosing based on the appliance’s shape alone.
The room you choose must be within the model’s recommended ambient temperature range and allow for the clearances specified in its manual. If you’re replacing an appliance, you’ll also need to arrange for the old one to be taken away.
Check the climate class, measure the access route and installation space, then check the take-back options offered when you place your order.
Worth considering if you’re looking for an upright freezer with compartments to help organise your food.
Worth a look if you’re comparing large-capacity upright freezers and chest freezers.
Worth considering if you’re also deciding between freestanding and integrated models, or looking at a chest freezer.
These models show two ways to solve a lack of space: replace a fridge-freezer or add dedicated storage in the form of an upright or chest freezer. Compare their freezer capacity with the amount of food you usually store before choosing a design.
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Worth considering if you want extra freezer space with drawer storage.
The title states a 161 L capacity, No Frost, energy rating C, a reversible door hinge and an adjustable temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C.
If you’re installing it in an unheated room or regularly storing large deliveries, check the climate class and freezing capacity in kg/24 h. Also compare storage time during a power cut and kWh/year.
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Worth considering if you need to replace your fridge but still want a freezer compartment.
The title states a total capacity of 282 L and energy rating E. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately with your needs: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much frozen food you can store.
Also check the climate class, storage time during a power cut and freezing capacity if you regularly store large deliveries.
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Worth considering for storing bulky items if you have enough floor space and room to open the lid.
The title states a 291 L capacity, convertible operation between fridge and freezer modes, energy rating E, a removable basket and a drain for defrosting.
The basket won’t necessarily make food at the bottom easy to reach. Check the model’s climate class before installing it in a cellar or garage.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing a fridge-freezer and need to check both the available space and the capacity for frozen food.
The CHiQ JR227LSE product information lists 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space. The title states a width of 54 cm, a reversible door, Low Frost technology and energy rating E.
Check whether the 74 L freezer capacity is enough for your usual stock; also measure the clearance needed to open the door and compare the kWh/year figures.
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Worth considering as extra freezer space if 99 L is enough for the amount of frozen food you want to keep.
The title states four-star freezing, energy rating E, a removable basket and a sliding lid.
Plan how you’ll reach food beneath the basket and check the defrosting instructions, climate class, storage time during a power cut and kWh/year figures.
Compare their freezer capacities, rather than comparing the fridge-freezer’s total capacity with the freezer’s. For a fridge-freezer, also check that the fridge compartment can hold your fresh food. The European Commission says the capacities of each compartment are shown separately on the energy label.
An upright freezer with drawers or compartments makes it easier to organise food and access it regularly. A chest freezer may be better for bulky items, but check how you’ll reach food at the bottom and whether the lid can open fully in the space available.
First check that the model’s permitted ambient temperature range is suitable for the room. Check its climate class in the technical specifications and follow the ventilation clearances in the instruction manual. Don’t assume it’s suitable just because the product title mentions a ‘garage’.
Compare the stated storage time during a power cut for the models you’re considering, as well as any alarms they offer. In its freezer testing protocol, Que Choisir measures how long an appliance keeps food cold without power. A model’s stated storage time doesn’t remove the need to check the food after an actual power cut.
No: freezing shouldn’t be used to get around the use-by date on the packaging. Anses recommends following date labels. Build freezing into your meal planning rather than waiting until a product is close to its use-by date.