Start by comparing the freezer compartment’s capacity with the size of your containers and the frozen food you want to store. Don’t rely on the appliance’s total capacity alone. If the compartment is big enough, a fridge freezer or multi-door fridge can save you from adding another appliance. If not, an upright freezer makes individual portions easier to reach, while a chest freezer can suit larger stocks if you have enough floor space. Also check access and installation dimensions, the climate class, energy consumption and the stated storage time for the specific model.
You want to keep more frozen food for one or two weeks. Check the space actually available for freezing, separately from the capacity for fresh food. Product specifications from Bosch France, Samsung France and Liebherr France list fresh and frozen capacities separately for their models.
You prepare portions in advance and take them out regularly, so the size of your containers and how easy they are to reach can matter just as much as the stated capacity. Anses advises on how to store and defrost food safely; storage layouts vary from one appliance to another.
Make sure the appliance will fit along the planned route, that its doors or lid can open fully, and that the room temperature is suitable for its climate class. ADEME and Liebherr France recommend taking the appliance’s stated ambient temperature range into account.
First consider how much freezer space you need, then how you store your portions and how much room you have for the appliance.
Choose this if: you also need to replace your fridge and its freezer compartment can hold your portions and planned purchases.
Bear in mind: a larger fridge compartment won’t give you more freezer space. Check the size of the drawers and your containers.
Choose this if: you need more space for both fresh and frozen food and have enough room for a wider appliance.
Bear in mind: total capacity isn’t the same as freezer capacity. Measure the delivery route too.
Choose this if: you want a dedicated appliance and regularly reach for portions stored separately.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for an extra appliance, and should check that the internal dimensions suit your containers.
Choose this if: you store large quantities or bulky containers and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom can be harder to find. Check how much room you’ll need to open the lid.
| What matters | What to check | Who this is for |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity, then check how the drawers or baskets are arranged to make sure they suit your containers and packets. | If I shop less often, I want room for frozen food without taking space away from prepared meals; around 33% of consumers prioritise storage capacity. |
| Access to portions | Check the internal dimensions and the storage layout, including drawers, baskets or compartments. | If I take portions out regularly, I want to find them without reorganising the whole freezer; around 25% of consumers put easy access to portions first. |
| Installation and temperature | Measure the appliance, access routes and clearance needed; check the climate class and the room’s actual temperature. | If the appliance needs to fit in a kitchen or a cool room, I check access, door opening and the expected temperature; around 25% of consumers prioritise suitability for the room. |
| Energy and maintenance | Compare the kWh/year figures on the energy labels; check the defrosting instructions and the stated storage time for the exact model. | If I’m adding an appliance or preparing portions in advance, I want to plan for energy use, maintenance and power cuts; around 17% of consumers prioritise running costs and maintenance. |
For the Samsung RF50C530ES9/EF, Samsung France lists a total capacity of 495 l, including 165 l of freezer space. Total capacity alone, then, doesn’t tell you how much room there is for frozen food.
Compare fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check the dimensions of the storage spaces against your containers.
Doors, corridors and lifts can make it difficult to move an appliance in its packaging. The Liebherr CFe 2500 chest freezer mentioned here is 167 cm wide when unpacked.
Measure the delivery route, the space available and the clearance needed to open the appliance, following the instructions for your chosen model.
Liebherr describes SmartFrost as reducing frost, not eliminating the need to defrost. For its UW8F2DWHBIN2 model, Whirlpool says No Frost removes the need for manual defrosting.
Check the technology and maintenance instructions for the exact model number before comparing appliances.
A dedicated freezer runs alongside your existing fridge, and energy consumption varies between models.
Compare the kWh/year figures on the energy labels for the appliances you’re considering, using the same basis. Don’t estimate a bill using an unverified tariff.
Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge and want a freezer compartment at the bottom.
Worth a look if you want more space for fresh and frozen food in one multi-door fridge.
Worth considering for a dedicated upright freezer with a front-opening door and separate storage compartments.
Worth a look if you need a chest freezer for larger stocks and have enough floor space.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a dedicated upright freezer and want to check its capacity against the space available.
This selection includes fridge freezers for storing fresh and frozen food in one appliance, as well as a dedicated upright freezer for comparing storage options.
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Worth considering if you want fridge and freezer space in one appliance.
The title lists a total capacity of 544 l, No Frost technology and a water dispenser.
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Worth considering if you want to add dedicated freezer space with drawer storage.
The title lists a capacity of 161 l, No Frost technology, three drawers and a C energy rating.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
The title lists a total capacity of 360 l, Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone.
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Worth considering if you want fresh and frozen food storage in one multi-door fridge.
The title lists a total capacity of 485 l, Total No Frost, an E energy rating and a noise level of 38 dB.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance and have enough width to accommodate it.
The title lists 276 l for the fridge and 168 l for the freezer, giving 444 l in total. It also mentions a width of 83 cm, No Frost and an E energy rating.
Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is approaching. It says that home freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria multiplying but does not eliminate most micro-organisms. Defrost food in the fridge, in the microwave using the defrost setting, or quickly by cooking or reheating it.
No. Check the climate class and manual for the specific appliance, then check the room’s actual temperature. Liebherr says that SN corresponds to a range of +10 to +32 °C, and separately specifies that its CFe 2500 has FrostProtect, rated for temperatures down to −15 °C. This feature cannot be assumed from the SN–T label alone and does not automatically apply to other models.
It’s a model-specific specification, so check the product information and manual. It doesn’t, by itself, prove that food will still be safe to eat after a power cut. Also follow Anses guidance on storing and defrosting food safely.
The DGCCRF identifies the energy labelling regulation that applies to domestic fridges, freezers and fridge freezers. For a purchase from a trader by an individual, the Ministry of the Economy explains that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods. The DGCCRF also says that, subject to the applicable conditions, collection of your old appliance is free when you buy an equivalent new one. Check the delivery, installation and collection arrangements before you order.