If you want to regularly pick from a variety of portions, choose an upright freezer with drawers; for large batches, consider a chest freezer if you have enough floor space and can keep its contents organised. A large fridge freezer could be a good option if you’re replacing your fridge too, provided its freezer compartment alone has enough capacity. In all cases, check the installation requirements and the specifications of the exact model.
How often you take out portions and how much space you have are just as important as the stated capacity.
If you often take out meals or ingredients in small quantities, the drawers in an upright freezer let you separate them and reach them without rummaging through a large open space. Check that the drawers can open fully where you plan to place the appliance.
A chest freezer can hold large batches in an open space, provided you can spare enough floor area. If the room is unheated, check the permitted ambient temperature range for the exact model before choosing where to put it.
A large fridge freezer is worth considering if its freezer compartment can hold your usual supplies. Compare this capacity separately from the appliance’s total capacity: the two figures don’t represent the same amount of usable space.
Consider this if: you often take out different portions and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: check that the capacity and drawer layout suit your containers and larger batches.
Consider this if: you store large batches and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: baskets or an internal organising system can make it easier to reach smaller portions in the open space.
Consider this if: you’re replacing your fridge too and the freezer compartment has enough space for your stock.
Bear in mind: the fridge freezer’s total capacity includes the fridge compartment, so it doesn’t tell you how much frozen food you can store.
| Criteria | What to check | Based on my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the capacity available for frozen food, not the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Also check that the drawers or open space can accommodate your containers. | My containers, portions and bulk buys need to fit in the space available. |
| Access to portions | Check the number of drawers in an upright freezer and how far they open, or look at the baskets in a chest freezer. Make sure you can reach the contents once the appliance is installed. | If I take out a meal every day, I want to find it without having to move a large part of my stock. |
| Installation | Measure the appliance, access routes and the space needed to open it. Check the room temperature against the range permitted for the model, and follow the clearances set out in its manual. | In a garage or pantry, the appliance needs to work at the room’s temperatures and remain easy to open. |
| Running costs and power cuts | Compare annual energy consumption in kWh, noise in dB and storage time during a power cut on a like-for-like basis. The European Commission says the energy label includes information such as energy consumption, capacity and noise. | If the appliance is near a living area, I shouldn’t overlook noise; for a large stock of food, I’ll also check the stated storage time during a power cut. |
This figure includes the fridge compartment. For example, the European EPREL database lists the LG GBV5240APY as having a total capacity of 387 L, including 110 L for the freezer.
Check the freezer compartment’s capacity and compare it with the size of your portions before choosing this type of appliance instead of a dedicated freezer.
The permitted ambient temperature range varies by model. Beko says that some chest freezers with Freezer Guard can be used in temperatures down to -15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all its appliances.
Compare the room’s seasonal temperatures with the range specified for the model you’ve chosen, then check its installation manual.
A freezer may fit in the available space but still be difficult to load or open. You’ll also need to follow the model-specific ventilation instructions.
Measure delivery access routes, the space needed to open the door or lid, and the clearances specified in the manual.
The rating alone doesn’t tell you the annual energy consumption, noise level or storage time during a power cut. How important these factors are depends on where the appliance will go and how much food you plan to store.
Compare the kWh/year, freezer capacity and dB figures for the models you’re considering, then check their stated storage time during a power cut if that matters to you.
These models show some of the types and features you can compare; the specifications of one model don’t apply to the whole brand.
Worth considering for a chest freezer designed to store a large stock, particularly if it will be kept in an unheated room.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding upright freezer where drawers make it easier to reach portions regularly.
Worth considering if you’re planning to install a built-in upright freezer rather than a freestanding appliance.
Worth considering if you’re replacing a complete fridge freezer and want to assess its frozen food capacity separately.
These models illustrate the three options covered here: upright freezers for organising portions, chest freezers with open storage space, and a fridge freezer to consider if you’re replacing your fridge too. Compare their freezer capacity with the amount you usually store.
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This upright freezer could be a good choice if you want to organise portions across its three drawers and two shelves. Its specifications list a capacity of 161 L, No Frost and an alarm. Check that the capacity suits your containers, and confirm its dimensions, permitted ambient temperature range and installation clearances.
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This fridge freezer is worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too: its specifications list a freezer capacity of 125 L, split across three drawers, and a total capacity of 360 L. It uses 271 kWh/year and has a stated storage time of 11 h during a power cut. Check that 125 L is enough for your stock and consult the manual for installation clearances.
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This upright freezer is designed as extra storage for portions that fit within its 60 L capacity. The description mentions two covered shelves, a bottom drawer and a reversible door; the stated dimensions are 44,5 × 47,5 × 84,5 cm. Check the space needed to open the door and the permitted ambient temperature range before deciding where to put it.
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This chest freezer offers open storage space for larger batches; its specifications list a capacity of 140 L and a basket for smaller items. Its stated dimensions are 637 × 556 × 846 mm. Plan how you’ll organise the contents if you often take out individual portions, and allow enough space to open the lid.
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This chest freezer could provide extra storage if its stated capacity of 99 L is enough for your stock. Its specifications mention a removable basket, sliding lid and a noise level of 39 dB. Check how much room you’ll need to reach the contents and confirm the permitted ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range permitted for your chosen model. Check this range in the manual or specifications: for example, a Bosch manual gives a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN and 16 to 43 °C for class T. Beko says that some chest freezers with Freezer Guard can be used in temperatures down to -15 °C; this doesn’t apply to all freezers.
Follow the ventilation clearances and installation dimensions given in the manual for the exact model. Also allow enough space to open the door or lid and remove food; there’s no single clearance that works for every installation.
Compare the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise level, rather than looking at the rating alone. The European Commission says the label for domestic refrigeration appliances includes these details. For a fridge freezer, check the freezer compartment capacity separately from the total capacity.
It helps you compare how long an appliance can keep food cold when the power is off, especially if you store a large amount. Check the stated time for each model and how it was measured: UFC-Que Choisir’s test simulates a power cut and measures how long it takes for the temperature to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without power.
In France, the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme lets you hand in an old appliance when buying another of the same type, according to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition’s guide. Check the practical arrangements with the retailer before placing your order.