Households that shop less often
If you do a big shop, work out how much space you need for fresh food and how much for frozen food. This will help you choose between one appliance and an additional freezer.
Who is this choice for?
Households that prepare meals in advance
If you regularly freeze meals or portions, being able to organise and find them matters just as much as the stated capacity. The drawers in an upright freezer and the baskets in a chest freezer offer different ways to access your food.
Households considering a cellar, pantry or garage
If the appliance will be used in a room where the temperature fluctuates, first check the permitted ambient temperature range for the model you’ve chosen. ADEME recommends taking the climate class of the room where it will be installed into account.
Which criteria should you compare?
Fridge-freezer
Consider one if: you want to keep fresh and frozen food in a single appliance and only need a modest amount of extra freezer space.
Bear in mind: some of the capacity is set aside for fresh food. Compare the capacity in litres of each compartment rather than looking at the total alone.
Upright freezer
Consider one if: you often take out frozen portions and want to organise them in drawers or compartments.
Bear in mind: you’ll need enough height and room to open the door.
Chest freezer
Consider one if: you mainly want extra frozen food storage after a big shop.
Bear in mind: you access it from the top, and food at the bottom needs to be organised so you can find it.
Multi-door fridge
Consider one if: you need more space for both fresh and frozen food without adding a second appliance.
Bear in mind: check that its width and door clearance suit your kitchen.
| Criterion | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable capacity | Compare the capacity in litres available for fresh food and freezing separately. Also check annual energy consumption in kWh. | If my shopping needs to last several weeks, I want enough space for each type of food without choosing an unnecessarily large appliance. Around 37% of shoppers prioritise this balance. |
| Access to food | Look at the drawers or baskets and consider how easy it is to reach food stored at the bottom. | If I regularly take out pre-prepared portions, I need to be able to find them without moving all my stored food. Around 36% of shoppers put ease of access first. |
| Installation | Measure the space and access routes, then check the required clearances and the permitted ambient temperature range for the model. | In a narrow or unheated room, my main concern is being able to install and use the appliance in the conditions it’s designed for. This is the main concern for around 27% of shoppers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Looking only at the total capacity
A large appliance may have most of its capacity reserved for fresh food, even if you’re mainly short of space for frozen food. For example, Bosch states that the KFN96VPEA has 405 L of fridge capacity and 200 L of freezer capacity.
Work out how much food you store in each category, then compare the capacity of each compartment separately.
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Assuming any model will work in a cellar or garage
The room temperature must stay within the appliance’s specified operating conditions. Whirlpool states that its WHM2112 chest freezer can be used at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this feature doesn’t apply to other models.
Check the room temperature and the permitted range in the instructions for the model you’re considering.
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Choosing a chest freezer for frequent access without organising your food
Food stored deep inside may be harder to find. By contrast, Beko describes its upright freezers as having drawers and sub-compartments.
If you choose a chest freezer, check which baskets are included and plan how to organise your portions and reserves.
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Measuring only the space where the appliance will sit
The appliance also needs to fit through the entrances to your home and be easy to open once installed. Dimensions vary between models, even within the same format.
Check the delivery route, overall dimensions, how far the door or lid opens and the clearances specified in the instructions.
Brands to consider for the format you need
Bosch
Its multi-door fridges are worth considering if you want more space for fresh and frozen food in a single appliance.
- Bosch states that the KFN96VPEA offers 405 L of fridge capacity and 200 L of freezer capacity.
- This model is 905 mm wide, so check the space available and access routes. Its capacity figures aren’t representative of the entire range.
Whirlpool
Its chest and upright freezers let you compare two ways to add extra frozen food storage.
- Whirlpool presents its chest freezers as a way to store extra supplies. The WHM2112 is specified for ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- This temperature range applies specifically to the WHM2112. Also check the dimensions: according to Whirlpool, the UW8 F1C WB F 1 upright freezer measures 59,5 × 187,5 × 63 cm.
Beko
Compare its upright and chest freezer ranges based on how often you’ll access your portions and how much room you need for extra supplies.
- Beko describes its upright freezers as vertical appliances with drawers and sub-compartments, and its chest freezers as suited to bulk shopping.
- These descriptions don’t replace checking the capacity, layout and permitted ambient temperature for each model.
Appliances to explore on Joybuy
These appliances represent the four formats to compare: fridge-freezer, multi-door fridge, upright freezer and chest freezer. Compare their compartments and overall dimensions based on the space you’re actually short of.
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Heinrich´s 161 L stainless steel upright freezer
Worth considering if you mainly need to store frozen food in an upright appliance with organised storage.
Stated capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, No Frost system, adjustable temperature from −14 °C to −22 °C and energy rating C.
If you plan to install it in a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature separately. The freezer’s adjustable temperature doesn’t answer this question. Also check the dimensions and annual energy consumption.
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AUCMA 291 L convertible chest freezer
Consider it for storing a large supply of food if you have enough floor space and can access the contents from above.
Stated capacity of 291 L, switchable fridge and freezer modes, removable basket and energy rating E.
Check the dimensions, the clearance needed to open the lid and the permitted ambient temperature before choosing where to place it.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1 black multi-door fridge, 495 L
Worth comparing if you want more space for fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Stated total capacity of 495 L and energy rating E. Check how the capacity is divided between compartments before deciding whether there’s enough room for frozen food.
Check the dimensions, access routes and clearance needed to open the doors.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR 140 L chest freezer
Worth considering if you want extra frozen food storage in a chest freezer rather than a tall appliance.
Stated capacity of 140 L, storage basket, counterbalanced lid and energy rating E.
Plan how to organise food stored beneath the basket, and check the opening space, annual energy consumption and permitted ambient temperature.
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CHiQ JR227LSE silver fridge-freezer, 227 L
Worth comparing if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance that’s 54 cm wide, and only need a modest amount of freezer space.
Stated capacity of 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer; reversible door, Low Frost system and energy rating E.
If you store a lot of frozen food, pay particular attention to the 74 L freezer capacity. Also check the height, depth and annual energy consumption.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install any freezer in a cellar or garage?
No. The room must stay within the ambient temperature range specified for the model you’ve chosen. Check the instructions and climate class before buying. Whirlpool’s stated cold-temperature compatibility for the WHM2112 doesn’t apply to every freezer.
Upright or chest freezer for frequently accessed ready meals?
An upright freezer with drawers is a good choice if you want to separate portions and access them often. A chest freezer can suit your storage needs, provided you’re happy to access it from above and organise the food inside. Check which baskets come with the model you choose.
Which figures should I compare when choosing a refrigeration appliance?
Compare the capacity of each compartment and annual energy consumption in kWh, as well as the energy rating. The label and product information also show the model’s features, including its noise level where stated.
Is the energy rating enough to compare two appliances?
No. Check it alongside the annual energy consumption in kWh and the available capacity. If two models have different formats or significantly different capacities, the rating letter alone won’t tell you how much energy they use or how much space they offer for your food.