Weekly meal preppers
You prepare several meals at once and want to find the right container quickly. Easy access, drawers and being able to rotate your portions matter just as much as capacity.
Who is this choice for?
Households building up a stock
You store several portions or large containers at once. Work out how much you need to store at peak capacity, then weigh up storage space against how easy it is to organise.
Households short on space
You want to avoid adding a large appliance. First, check the freezer compartment in your fridge-freezer, then consider an additional appliance only if you genuinely need more freezer space.
Which format suits your priorities?
Upright freezer
Consider one if: you regularly take out different portions and have room for a tall appliance.
Check: that the drawers fit your containers, the door has enough clearance to open and the model’s defrosting technology suits you.
Chest freezer
Consider one if: you store a lot at once and have enough floor space and clearance above the lid.
Check: how the inside is organised and how easy it is to reach portions at the bottom, as well as the model’s defrosting requirements.
Fridge-freezer
Consider one if: you’re already replacing your fridge, or its freezer compartment genuinely has room for all your portions.
Check: the capacity of the freezer section alone and whether it can freeze prepared meals; the total capacity also includes the fridge section.
Small additional freezer
Consider one if: you only need a little extra freezer space and your home can’t accommodate a large appliance.
Check: that it can hold your containers and that its dimensions, door clearance and kWh/an figures suit the space.
The percentages below show the share of consumers who name each as their main priority when looking for a way to freeze prepared meals.
| Concern | What to check | Who cares most about it? |
|---|---|---|
| Finding the portions | Drawer dimensions and number; which way the door opens. | When I take out different containers, I want to find them and rotate them without moving everything around. Consumers who prioritise easy access account for around 29 %. |
| Storing a large stock | Usable capacity in litres; dimensions and clearance for the lid. | If I store lots of portions or large containers, I want the appliance to hold everything I need at peak capacity. Consumers who prioritise a large storage capacity account for around 22 %. |
| Avoiding an extra appliance | Capacity in litres of the freezer section; suitability for freezing prepared food. | If my fridge-freezer compartment has enough room for my portions, I’d rather not add another appliance. Consumers who prioritise using their fridge-freezer account for around 21 %. |
| Keeping the footprint small | Width, depth and height; space needed to open the appliance. | When space is limited, I look for an appliance that fits without obstructing the door or lid. Consumers who prioritise a small footprint account for around 14 %. |
| Keeping energy use in check | kWh/an on the label; usable capacity that meets your needs. | I want to keep electricity use down without choosing a freezer that’s too small. ADEME points out that freezers run continuously. Consumers who prioritise energy use account for around 14 %. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing a fridge-freezer based on its total capacity
Total capacity includes the fridge section too. The Joybuy listing for the Beko B5RCNE416HXB states 415 L in total, including 118 L for the freezer.
Compare the capacity of the freezer section alone with how much you store at once, and check that the compartment is suitable for freezing prepared meals.
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Choosing a chest freezer based only on its advertised capacity
With a chest freezer, portions at the bottom can be harder to reach, especially if you often rotate different containers.
Check the interior layout, clearance above the lid and floor space. If you regularly take out portions, compare the storage options in an upright freezer too.
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Assuming a small appliance won’t affect energy use
ADEME points out that freezers run continuously, so an additional appliance will add to your ongoing electricity use.
First, check how much usable space you have in your current appliance, then compare the kWh/an figures for models that can hold the amount you plan to store.
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Not cross-checking the details on a product listing
For the CHiQ CSD206NEID, the Joybuy listing gives different capacity and energy class details in the title and description.
Before settling on a capacity or energy class, check the full model reference and the details on the corresponding energy label.
Brands and models to compare
Haier
Haier’s upright and chest freezer models are worth comparing if you’re weighing up different storage layouts.
- Haier France lists 301 L, four drawers and Total No Frost for the H4F306WDH1 upright freezer; the HCE100E/ chest freezer is listed at 97 L.
- The HCE100E/ requires manual defrosting, so check the specifications and maintenance requirements for the model you’re considering.
Liebherr
The FNd 522i and CFd 2505 Plus models let you compare an upright and a chest freezer based on your available space and preferred storage layout.
- Liebherr lists 277 L and NoFrost for the FNd 522i, and 359 L for the CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer.
- The manufacturer describes SmartFrost on the CFd 2505 Plus as a technology that reduces the need to defrost, but doesn’t eliminate it.
Siemens
The GS58NAWDV iQ500 is an upright freezer worth considering if you have a sufficiently wide space for it.
- Siemens France lists 366 L, a width of 700 mm and noFrost for this model.
- Check the available width and the appliance’s full dimensions before deciding where to put it.
Beko
The B5RCNE416HXB shows why it’s important to distinguish between the fridge and freezer capacity of a fridge-freezer.
- The Joybuy listing states 415 L in total, including 118 L for the freezer.
- Consider whether 118 L of freezer space is enough for the amount you store at once; the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room there is for portions.
Bosch
The GSN54EWCV is an upright freezer to consider based on the capacity you need and the space you have available.
- Bosch Electroménager France lists 328 L, a width of 700 mm and No Frost for the GSN54EWCV.
- Check the dimensions of the space and the energy specifications for the exact model.
Freezers and fridge-freezers for prepared meals
These Joybuy models include fridge-freezers with a freezer compartment, an upright freezer and a small additional freezer. Check that your chosen model suits your space and is suitable for freezing prepared meals.
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Hisense RS3P558NEID American-style fridge-freezer, 544 L
Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer and want to know how much capacity is dedicated to frozen portions.
The description lists 197 L for the freezer and a freezing capacity of 12 kg/24 h.
Listed dimensions: 911 × 1786 × 615 mm. Before using it to freeze prepared meals, check that the compartment is suitable for this purpose.
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Heinrich’s upright freezer, 161 L
Worth considering if you want to store portions in an upright freezer with several storage spaces.
The title lists a capacity of 161 L and three freezer drawers; the description mentions two compartments and a Fast Freeze function down to −22 °C.
Check the model’s documentation to see whether it’s suitable for freezing fresh food, including whether it has a compartment designed for this purpose.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG three-door fridge-freezer, 360 L
Worth considering if you want to store portions in a fridge-freezer and split them between several drawers.
The description lists a 125 L, 4-star freezer, three freezer drawers and a freezing capacity of 10 kg/24 h.
The fridge capacity is listed as 235 L; the energy class given in the title is E.
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Hisense RF632N4BCE French-door fridge-freezer, 485 L
Worth considering if you want a fridge-freezer and need to know how much capacity is actually dedicated to the freezer.
The description lists 149 L for the freezer and a freezing capacity of 11 kg/24 h.
Check the documentation to see whether the compartment is suitable for freezing prepared meals.
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Upstreman UF35, 4-star mini freezer, 35 L
Worth considering for freezing portions in a small space, keeping in mind its limited capacity.
The title lists a 35 L, 4-star freezer. Listed dimensions: 47,5 × 44,2 × 48,8 cm; the door is reversible.
Frequently asked questions
Can my fridge-freezer compartment freeze meals I’ve just prepared?
Don’t assume it can just because it’s called a “freezer”. According to the French Ministry of Agriculture, a 4-star compartment can freeze food by quickly bringing its centre down to −18 °C; not all compartments designed to store food that’s already frozen can do this. Check the star rating and the model’s instructions.
How should I cool prepared meals before storing them?
Anses recommends putting meals in the fridge as soon as they’re no longer hot, and not leaving them for more than two hours before refrigeration. Dividing a large batch into smaller portions helps it cool more quickly. Then follow the guidance for the food and appliance.
What costs and consumer protections should I check after buying in France?
Compare the kWh/an figures for the capacity you need, then check the delivery, installation and old-appliance collection options available. The French Ministry of the Economy points out that when a consumer buys goods from a professional seller, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory and separate from any optional commercial warranty.
Is an energy label required for a new domestic freezer sold in France?
Yes. The European Commission states that energy-labelling requirements apply to fridges and freezers; France’s DGCCRF explains the rules for domestic refrigeration appliances. Check the label for the exact model rather than relying on the energy class of a different one.