Upright, chest or fridge freezer for meal prep?

Who are these types of freezer for?

Households that prepare meals in advance

If you regularly take out labelled boxes or bags, being able to see what’s inside and reach the compartments matters just as much as the overall capacity.

Households that buy in bulk

For larger packs, check the capacity and the space available in the room where you plan to keep the appliance. If it’s going in a cellar, pantry or garage, its operating temperature range needs to cover the temperatures in that room.

Households short on kitchen space

Before installing an extra appliance, compare your usual stock with the freezer capacity of a fridge freezer.

What matters when storing food?

The main trade-off is between easy access to portions, space for larger items and the option of keeping just one appliance. Que Choisir outlines the differences between upright and chest freezers. For each model, consider how it suits your needs and the space you have at home.

Upright freezer

Worth considering: if you organise portions in boxes or bags and take them out frequently.

The trade-off: drawers help keep things organised, but can limit the space available for bulky containers. Also check that they can open fully once the appliance is in place.

Chest freezer

Worth considering: if bulk buys and larger items make up most of your stock, and you have a clear space to put it.

The trade-off: a chest freezer takes up more floor space, and food at the bottom is harder to reach.

Large-capacity fridge freezer

Worth considering: if you only need to store a moderate amount and it fits in the freezer compartment, with enough room for your usual shopping.

The trade-off: it’s the capacity of the freezer compartment, not the whole appliance, that determines how much room you have for portions.

Consideration	What to check	Who this matters to
Access to portions	Whether the drawers can open in the space you’ve chosen, and whether the compartments suit your containers.	If I take out prepared meals often, I want to find each portion without moving all my other food; around 45% of consumers would prioritise easy access.
Space for larger items	Freezer capacity in litres, floor dimensions and the clearance needed to open a chest freezer lid.	For bulk buys or family meals, I need room to store larger containers; around 33% of consumers would prioritise this.
Space for a second appliance	Freezer compartment capacity compared with your usual stock, and the annual energy consumption shown on the energy label.	If my kitchen is already full, I’d rather check whether a fridge freezer will do before adding an appliance that runs all the time; around 22% of consumers would prioritise getting the capacity right.

Mistakes to avoid

Choosing capacity based on an exceptional shop

An appliance bought to store more than you usually need will take up space for the long term and run continuously. For a more modest stock, the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer may be enough.

Take stock over a typical shopping and meal-prep cycle, then compare the freezer capacity in litres and the annual energy consumption of the appliances you’re considering.
Ignoring the temperature of the room where it will go

The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range an appliance is designed for. A cellar, garage or very warm kitchen may fall outside that range.

Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then compare them with the range stated for the exact model.
Choosing a chest freezer without a system for smaller portions

The open space is handy for larger containers, but meals stored at the bottom are harder to reach if you use them frequently.

If you choose a chest freezer, check which baskets are available and plan how you’ll organise food by category. Compare it with an upright freezer if you often take out individual portions.
Looking only at the stated capacity

Two appliances that can both hold your stock may differ in annual energy consumption, noise levels and how easy it is to reach the food.

Once you’ve found models with the capacity you need, check the European energy label for annual energy consumption and noise levels. Also check each model’s stated storage time in the event of a power cut.

Brands to consider, model by model

Bosch

The range includes freestanding and built-in upright freezers, worth considering if you like to organise food in drawers.

Some Bosch models feature technologies such as No Frost and VarioZone, as well as BigBox drawers.
Check whether these features are included and the dimensions of the compartments on the specific model, as they’re not available across the entire range.

Liebherr

The range includes upright and chest freezers, with features to compare based on defrosting and where you plan to install the appliance.

Liebherr features include NoFrost, StopFrost and FrostProtect on selected models.
Check which feature is included on the model you choose and its ambient temperature range before installing it in an unheated room.

Beko

Its chest and upright freezers offer different ways to store bulk buys.

Beko states that the HSM14540 chest freezer has a minimum operating ambient temperature of -15 °C.
This applies to this model only. Check the stated range for any other model and the actual temperatures in your room.

Whirlpool

The range includes chest and upright freezers to compare by capacity and the type of internal organisation you’re looking for.

Whirlpool lists a capacity of 308 litres for the W3RHS31DW2 chest freezer and 404 litres, with six drawers, for the WHFF 6403 W4E upright freezer.
These specifications apply to the models listed. Also check their dimensions and operating temperature ranges against your installation space.

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Frequently asked questions

Can a freezer be used in a garage or cellar?

Yes, as long as the model’s operating temperature range covers the temperatures the room actually reaches. Que Choisir gives a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN, for example. If a particular model is stated to be suitable for cold conditions, check its own technical specifications.

How can I tell if a fridge freezer has enough freezer space?

Compare your usual maximum stock of portions and frozen food with the capacity of the freezer compartment alone. If it can hold everything with the extra room you need, and the layout works for you, a fridge freezer could save you from adding a second appliance.

What should I look for on a freezer’s energy label?

As well as the energy rating, check the capacity of the freezer compartments, annual energy consumption and noise level. The European Commission says this information appears on the label. Compare models with a capacity that meets your needs.

What warranty applies to a freezer bought from a trader in France?

According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity gives you the right to seek a remedy for two years for new or second-hand goods. Any commercial guarantee is optional and does not replace your legal guarantees, as the DGCCRF points out.