Households doing a weekly shop
If fresh food makes up most of your shopping, compare the available fridge and freezer space separately. A fridge-freezer may be enough if you only keep a modest amount of frozen food in reserve.
Who is this choice for?
People who batch-cook
If you regularly freeze portions or bulk buys, look at the net freezer capacity, freezing capacity and how easy it is to find your containers. Que Choisir Ensemble’s testing protocol distinguishes between routine additions and more intensive freezing after a big shop.
Households with limited space for an appliance
An upright freezer, chest freezer and under-counter model all take up space differently. Measure the available spot, as well as the clearance needed to open the door or lid and reach your food.
Which criteria should you prioritise?
To choose between a fridge-freezer and a separate freezer, start by working out how much space you really need for fresh and frozen food. The format then determines how you can organise your food and how much room you’ll need at home.
Fridge-freezer
Worth considering if: you also need a fridge and only freeze a moderate amount of food.
The trade-off: a large overall capacity doesn’t necessarily mean the freezer compartment will be big enough for regular batch-cooking.
Upright freezer
Worth considering if: you want to organise portions in drawers and access them frequently.
The trade-off: check that each drawer is big enough for your containers, especially if they’re bulky.
Chest freezer
Worth considering if: you want to store a large amount of food and have enough floor space.
The trade-off: reaching food at the bottom means bending down and organising the storage compartment.
Under-counter freezer
Worth considering if: you need a small amount of dedicated freezer space but don’t have room for a larger appliance.
The trade-off: make sure its capacity suits the amount of food you plan to freeze.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen food balance | Compare the net capacity of the fridge and freezer compartments separately, rather than looking only at the total capacity. | If most of my weekly shop is fresh food, I want to keep some frozen food in reserve without adding an unnecessary appliance. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this balance. |
| Freezer capacity | Check the net freezer capacity and freezing capacity in kg/24 h if you’ll be adding a lot of food at once. | When I batch-cook several meals to freeze or come home with a large shop, I don’t want to run out of room. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise extra capacity. |
| Access to portions | Check the size and removability of the drawers, or whether a chest freezer comes with baskets. | I often take out different portions and want to find them without emptying the freezer. Around 21% of consumers would put access and organisation first. |
| Available space | Measure the appliance and allow for the clearance needed to install it and open it. | With limited space at home, I want extra freezer capacity without stopping the door or lid from opening properly. Around 14% of consumers would make the appliance’s footprint their priority. |
The energy label can help you compare models that meet your storage needs. Check the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, usable capacity and noise level. If you’re installing the appliance in an unheated room, also confirm the permitted ambient temperature range for the model you’ve chosen.
Mistakes to avoid
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Focusing only on a fridge-freezer’s total capacity
The fridge and freezer have separate capacities, so even a spacious appliance may not have enough room for your frozen meals and ingredients.
Compare the net capacity in litres of each compartment with what you actually store after your shop.
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Putting a chest freezer in a garage without checking its operating temperature range
The temperature in an unheated room may fall outside the range the model is designed for.
Check the product information and instruction manual, and only install it there if the permitted ambient temperature range allows it.
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Comparing energy ratings alone
The energy rating doesn’t tell you the annual consumption in kWh. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously.
Compare kWh/year, usable capacity and noise levels across appliances that meet the same storage needs.
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Underestimating how hard it is to reach the bottom of a chest freezer
A deep storage compartment can hold plenty, but finding different portions takes more effort than reaching into drawers from the front.
Check which baskets are included and how far the lid opens. If you take out portions every day, consider upright freezers too.
Brands to consider for different formats
Bosch
Two models from the brand cater to different needs: a high-capacity upright freezer and an under-counter freezer.
- Bosch lists a 328-litre capacity and No Frost for the GSN54EWCV upright freezer.
- The GTV15NWEB under-counter model is listed at 83 litres and measures 85 × 56 × 58 cm, without No Frost. The upright model’s features don’t apply to this one.
Liebherr
The CFe 2500 Pure gives you an idea of what to expect from a high-capacity chest freezer.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 497 litres and says this model’s FrostProtect feature allows it to operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- Its listed dimensions of 82 × 167 × 71 cm mean you’ll need to check the floor space available and make sure the lid can open fully.
Beko
The HSM14540 chest freezer is one option to consider if you want separate storage and may need to install it in a cool room.
- Beko lists a capacity of 205 litres and says this model can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- Check the specific model’s suitability for an unheated room, capacity and frost-management features before you buy.
Whirlpool
Some of the brand’s models include chest freezers with baskets and No Frost upright freezers.
- Whirlpool lists two baskets for its W3RHS19DW chest freezer, which gives you an idea of the storage options on this model.
- Capacity, dimensions and defrosting method vary between Whirlpool models.
Models to consider on Joybuy
These models include upright and chest freezers, as well as appliances that combine a fridge and freezer. Match the format to the amount you plan to store and the space available. A chest freezer and a fridge-freezer take up space in different ways, so the capacity figure alone won’t tell you which is right for your home.
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Heinrich´s 161 L stainless steel upright freezer
Worth considering if you want separate freezer space with drawers to keep your food organised.
Listed capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, No Frost and energy rating C. Check the dimensions and freezing capacity if you plan to add a large amount of food after your shop.
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AUCMA 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want chest freezer storage and can access your food from above.
The model name lists a capacity of 291 L, convertible operation between fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket and energy rating E. If you plan to put it in an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature range in the instruction manual.
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AEG NSC6M18FES 249 L integrated fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you need both fridge and freezer space in a fitted kitchen.
This model is listed with a total capacity of 249 L, TwinTech No Frost and energy rating E. Check the freezer capacity separately, then confirm the cabinet dimensions and door compatibility before choosing this integrated appliance.
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CHiQ JR99DWE 99 L chest freezer
Worth considering if you need a modest amount of separate freezer space and a top-opening lid suits your chosen spot.
The model name lists a capacity of 99 L, a removable basket and energy rating E. Allow enough room to open the lid and check the permitted ambient temperature range if you plan to install it in an unheated room.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1 495 L multi-door fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you want one appliance for both fresh and frozen food and have room for a multi-door model.
The listed total capacity is 495 L, with energy rating E. Check how the capacity is divided between the fridge and freezer compartments, as well as the installation dimensions and clearance, before comparing it with a more compact fridge-freezer.
Frequently asked questions
What should I compare on a fridge or freezer energy label?
Start by comparing annual consumption in kWh and the capacity of the compartments that meet your needs, then look at the energy rating and noise level. The European Commission says that, since 1 March 2021, the energy label for these appliances in the European Union has used a scale from A to G. It also shows frozen and non-frozen storage volumes separately.
Can a chest freezer run in an unheated garage?
Only if the model’s permitted ambient temperature range covers the conditions in the room. Liebherr lists operation down to −15 °C for the CFe 2500 Pure, as does Beko for the HSM14540. However, always check the instruction manual for the model you’re considering rather than assuming this applies to all chest freezers.
What warranty applies to a freezer bought from a trader in France?
According to the French Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies when a trader sells a new, second-hand or refurbished product to an individual. It is separate from any commercial warranty offered by the retailer or manufacturer.
What should I do with my old appliance when replacing my fridge-freezer?
Ask whether your old fridge-freezer can be taken back when you buy a new one. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition distinguishes between taking back an old product when you buy a similar one and taking it back without a purchase, which is subject to its own conditions.