If the freezer compartment in your fridge-freezer no longer has enough room for meals and frozen food, it may be worth considering a separate freezer. An upright model makes it easier to organise and access portions, while a chest freezer needs more floor space and a plan for reaching food at the bottom, as UFC-Que Choisir explains. An under-counter model is better suited to a smaller top-up. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of a large fridge-freezer with that of a separate appliance. Before choosing, check the dimensions, the energy label details and the permitted ambient temperature range for the intended location.
If you regularly freeze portions, the drawers or compartments in an upright freezer can help you separate meals and find them again. UFC-Que Choisir contrasts this type of storage with the baskets often found in chest freezers. Also check that the capacity suits the containers you use.
An additional room can provide space for extra supplies, particularly for a chest freezer if there is enough floor space. If the room is unheated, compare the temperatures it actually reaches with the operating range stated for the specific model.
If floor space is limited, compare an under-counter model with an upright freezer. If you also need to replace your fridge, consider a larger fridge-freezer. Measure the space and check how much freezer capacity you really need before choosing a format.
Start by considering how much you need to store and how often you’ll access your food. Then check that the format you choose suits the room and the way you’ll use it.
| Factor | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the stated freezer capacity of each model with the space needed for your portions, meals and frozen food. Also check the dimensions of the compartments to make sure they’ll fit larger containers. | I want to store several meals without relying solely on the small freezer compartment in my fridge. |
| Access to food | According to UFC-Que Choisir, upright freezers have drawers or enclosed compartments, while chest freezers often have baskets. Check how easy it is to reach food stored at the bottom. | If I often take out just one portion, I’d prefer to separate different types of food and quickly find the meal I want. |
| Location | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance needed to open the door or lid. UFC-Que Choisir notes that chest freezers generally take up more floor space than upright models. | My kitchen is narrow, or I’m planning to put the freezer in another room without obstructing the way through. |
| Room temperature | Check the possible temperatures in the room, then confirm the climate class and permitted ambient temperature limits for the exact model. A claim that certain appliances can operate at −15 °C does not apply to all models. | If I’m using an unheated cellar or garage, I need to know whether the appliance can operate at the temperatures in that location. |
| Energy and noise | The European Commission says the energy label includes details such as the A to G rating, annual energy consumption, capacity and noise level. Compare these figures across appliances that offer similar storage capacity. | The appliance will stay plugged in all the time, so I want to compare its energy consumption rather than relying on the rating letter alone. |
| Separate appliance or fridge-freezer | If you’re also replacing your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of a fridge-freezer with that of a separate appliance. For an under-counter addition, check that it offers enough space for the meals you plan to store. | I’d like to avoid adding another appliance if a new fridge-freezer can hold my supplies. Otherwise, I’ll need separate storage. |
UFC-Que Choisir notes that a chest freezer generally takes up more floor space than an upright model. Its capacity won’t be much use if it blocks a walkway or the lid can’t open properly.
Measure the space, the clearance needed to open the lid and the delivery route before comparing capacities.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the appliance. Beko and Liebherr state that certain models or ranges with dedicated protection can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C; this does not apply to all their freezers.
Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the limits listed for the exact model.
A rating letter on its own tells you neither the capacity nor the annual energy consumption. According to the European Commission, freezer energy labels also show capacity, energy consumption and noise level.
Compare energy consumption in kWh/year across appliances with similar capacities and intended uses.
The baskets in a chest freezer and the drawers in an upright model offer different ways to access food. Without designated areas, it can be harder to find items stored at the bottom.
Work out how much space you need for portions, bags and larger dishes, then organise items by category and label them with the date.
In France, Beko offers upright and chest freezers, including some No Frost models and models designed for unheated rooms.
Liebherr offers NoFrost upright freezers and chest freezers. The brand says its FrostProtect chest freezers can be used in certain unheated rooms.
Whirlpool’s French website includes large-capacity upright freezers.
This selection includes four chest freezers for extra storage and one upright model with drawers to help you organise your food. First, choose the format that suits your space and how you like to access your food, then check the specifications of the model you’re considering.
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With a stated capacity of 291 L and a removable basket, this chest freezer offers space for meals and frozen food. It has fridge and freezer modes; the product description lists an E energy rating and annual energy consumption of 226 kWh. Plan how you’ll reach food stored beneath the basket, and check the ambient temperature range if you’re putting it in an unheated room.
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This model offers a stated capacity of 197 L for extra meals and frozen food, with a removable basket to keep frequently used items within easy reach. It has fridge and freezer modes; the product description lists an E energy rating and energy consumption of 197 kWh/year. Plan how to organise food stored at the bottom, and check the ambient temperature range before installing it in a cellar or garage.
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To add to your existing freezer capacity, this chest freezer offers a stated capacity of 141 L, a removable basket, and fridge and freezer modes. The product description lists an E energy rating, annual energy consumption of 179 kWh and a seven-setting thermostat. Check that you have enough space for it and confirm its ambient temperature range, especially if it’s going in an unheated room.
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This 140 L chest freezer has a basket for keeping some of your supplies separate. Its stated dimensions are 637 × 556 × 846 mm and it has an E energy rating. Check the clearance needed to open the lid, along with the annual energy consumption on the energy label and the permitted ambient temperature range, before choosing where to put it.
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With a stated capacity of 161 L and drawer storage, this upright freezer helps you separate portions and different types of frozen food. The product description lists No Frost and a C energy rating. Before choosing this upright format, check its external dimensions, annual energy consumption and the permitted ambient temperature range for the room you have in mind.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the permitted ambient range for the specific model. Check its climate class and stated limits. Beko and Liebherr say that certain models or ranges can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this does not apply to all freezers.
As well as the energy rating, compare annual energy consumption in kWh, capacity and noise level. The European Commission says freezer labels display these details on a scale from A to G. Ideally, compare appliances designed for similar storage needs.
An upright freezer can make it easier to separate and access portions, thanks to its drawers or compartments. According to UFC-Que Choisir, chest freezers often use baskets and take up more floor space. If you choose a chest freezer, plan how you’ll find meals stored at the bottom, too.
No. Anses reminds us that low temperatures slow the growth of micro-organisms, but the cold chain still needs to be maintained. For prepared meals, follow the storage instructions that apply to the ingredients used.