Keep a fridge-freezer if its freezer compartment can hold your usual supplies and you’d rather have just one appliance. If you shop less often or prepare food in advance and need more space, consider a separate freezer: an upright model makes portions easier to reach, while a chest freezer takes up more floor space and needs organising so you can get to food at the bottom. Compare the usable freezer capacity, dimensions and kWh/year of the models you’re considering. If you’re putting it in a cellar or garage, also check its specified ambient temperature range.
If you buy in bulk or cook ahead, start by working out how much space your frozen food takes up after a shop. Usable capacity matters, but you also need to be able to find what you’re looking for. Que Choisir highlights frozen food consumption and the amount of space you need as important factors when choosing an appliance.
A fridge-freezer means you don’t need to add another appliance. An upright freezer or a small vertical model could work if you have a separate space for it. Remember to measure the clearance needed to open the door and access the compartments.
A space outside the kitchen could be ideal for storing supplies, but its temperature must fall within the range specified for the model you choose. Also make sure you can open the appliance and reach the food easily.
If you shop less often, first work out how much freezer space you need, then choose a format that gives you easy access in the space available.
Consider it if: the freezer compartment is big enough for your supplies and you want just one appliance.
Bear in mind: the stated total capacity includes the fridge compartment too.
Consider it if: you often take out different portions and want to find them in drawers.
Bear in mind: compartments make it easier to organise food, but you still need to check the usable capacity.
Consider it if: storing larger items is a priority and you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom can be harder to reach, so you’ll need to organise it carefully.
Consider it if: you mainly need some extra capacity in a low-level space.
Bear in mind: this compact format may not meet your needs if you want to store a large amount.
| Factor | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the usable freezer capacity in litres with the amount you need to store after your biggest shop. Don’t use the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. | If I shop less often or batch-cook, I need enough room to store those supplies. Around 36% of consumers in this group would prioritise capacity. |
| Access and space | Measure the space and the clearance needed for the door or lid to open; check the drawers or baskets. | If I often take out different portions, I want to find them easily without blocking the way through the room. Around 29% of consumers in this group would prioritise access and space. |
| Room temperature | Check the model’s specified ambient temperature range against the temperatures in the space where you plan to put it. | If I want to store supplies in a cellar or garage, I need an appliance suited to the temperatures in that room. Around 21% of consumers in this group would consider this the most important factor. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Compare kWh/year for models with a similar capacity and intended use, then check how each model needs to be defrosted. | If the appliance runs all the time in my home, I want to know its annual energy use and what maintenance it needs. Around 14% of consumers in this group would put these factors first. |
Que Choisir describes chest freezers with very large capacities, but the floor space they take up and access to food at the bottom can make a difference to everyday use.
Measure the space available, including the clearance needed to open the lid, and plan how you’ll organise food using suitable baskets or containers.
A chest freezer isn’t necessarily suitable for the temperature of the room. Some models designed for unheated spaces have specific features, but these don’t apply to every model.
Check the ambient temperature range in the manual for the model you’ve chosen and compare it with the temperatures the space actually reaches.
Two appliances with different capacities won’t meet the same storage needs. The French Ministry of the Economy says the energy label also shows annual consumption in kWh.
Compare kWh/year alongside usable capacity, and focus on models suited to similar needs.
A large total capacity may leave too little room for frozen food if much of it is taken up by the fridge. Que Choisir advises taking into account how much frozen food you eat.
Check the capacity in litres of the freezer compartment alone and compare it with the amount you need to store after a shop.
Bosch’s range of upright freezers is worth considering if you want compartmented storage and regular access to your frozen food.
The brand offers chest and upright freezers, two formats to compare based on the capacity you need and how easily you can access your food.
Some chest freezers in the range may suit households looking to store supplies outside a heated kitchen.
Its range of chest and integrated freezers offers different installation options to suit different homes.
These models give you the option of a fridge-freezer if you want just one appliance, a chest freezer for extra storage or a small upright freezer for a little extra capacity. Before choosing, compare the freezer capacity and where each model could go.
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Consider this if you want one appliance built into your kitchen, provided its freezer compartment can hold your supplies.
Stated total capacity: 249 L; TwinTech No Frost technology and energy class E are listed in the product title. Check the freezer capacity separately, as well as the dimensions and requirements for the installation space.
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This chest freezer is worth considering as separate storage if you have room to open the lid and reach food at the bottom.
Stated capacity: 291 L; the appliance can switch between fridge and freezer modes, and the product title mentions a removable basket and LED lighting. The two modes don’t provide two separate storage spaces at the same time. If you’re putting it in a cellar or garage, check the model’s ambient temperature range.
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Compare it with a separate freezer if you’d prefer a fridge-freezer and need to work out whether its freezer compartment can hold the amount you buy on your biggest shop.
Stated total capacity: 282 L; energy class E is listed in the product title. Check the freezer capacity separately and make sure the dimensions suit the space available.
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This format can provide some extra capacity when space is limited, rather than serving as a large freezer for less frequent shops.
Stated capacity: 60 L; the product title lists a reversible door and energy class E. Before installing it under a worktop, check the available height and the ventilation clearances required in the manual.
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Consider this compact chest freezer if its capacity is enough for the amount you want to store.
Stated capacity: 99 L; the product title lists a removable basket, adjustable thermostat and energy class E. Allow room to open the lid and check the ambient temperature range before installing it in a cellar or garage.
Not if you eat a lot of frozen food: Que Choisir distinguishes this need from the kind a small freezer compartment can meet. Compare the usable freezer capacity of a fridge-freezer with the amount you want to store before considering a separate appliance.
No. Check that the model’s ambient temperature range covers the temperatures the room reaches. Beko and Liebherr highlight some chest freezers for unheated spaces, but this feature doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
Compare the annual kWh consumption of models with similar usable capacities that meet the same needs. The energy label shows kWh/year, as stated by the French Ministry of the Economy. The rating letter alone isn’t enough to compare models with different capacities.
No Frost is worth considering if you want to reduce the need for manual defrosting, but it doesn’t replace checking the capacity and installation space. Also compare the kWh/year and storage options of models that meet your needs.