If you regularly take out prepared portions, an upright freezer makes them easier to organise and access. For larger stocks that you use less often, consider a chest freezer, but plan how you’ll organise its contents. A large fridge-freezer is worth considering if you’re replacing your main appliance too, provided its freezer compartment has enough room for your stock.
If you organise meals and portions to take out regularly, consider how easy the compartments are to access as well as the capacity. UFC-Que Choisir includes ease of use among its criteria for assessing freezers.
For bulk shopping or large containers, compare freezing capacity with the floor space available and how you’ll retrieve your food. A chest freezer with baskets can help you separate smaller portions from your larger supplies.
The room temperature matters when choosing an appliance. Bosch and Whirlpool explain that the climate class indicates the ambient temperatures an appliance is designed for. Check it against the temperature of your chosen location and follow the instructions for ventilation.
Worth considering: if you often need to find and take out portions stored in drawers.
Bear in mind: a vertical design doesn’t guarantee the capacity you need or any particular length of time that food will stay frozen in a power cut.
Worth considering: for larger supplies, if you have enough floor space and room to open the lid.
Bear in mind: portions stored underneath other food are harder to find, so check which baskets are included.
Worth considering: if you also need to replace your main appliance and want to keep chilled and frozen food together.
Bear in mind: its total capacity includes the fridge section, so check the freezer capacity separately.
| Criteria | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Storage and access | Look at the model’s drawers, shelves or baskets, and check how easy it is to reach food at the back. Make sure your usual containers will fit. | I want to find the portions I take out several times a week quickly, without having to move all my supplies. |
| Capacity and dimensions | Compare the freezer capacity in litres, then measure the appliance and allow enough space to open its door or lid. | My large containers and shopping need to fit inside, but I also need to be able to install and open the appliance easily. |
| Energy and maintenance | Check the model’s energy label for its rating and annual consumption in kWh. Check its noise level separately, along with whether it has No Frost. | If the appliance is near a living area, noise matters to me. I also want to know what maintenance my chosen model needs. |
| Installation and power cuts | Check how long the appliance is specified to keep food frozen during a power cut. Make sure its climate class or operating temperature range suits the room, and follow the clearance requirements in the instructions. | For a cellar or garage, I need to check that the appliance is suitable for the room’s actual temperature, rather than assuming this from whether it’s a chest or upright model. |
The overall figure includes the fridge section, so it doesn’t tell you how much room there is for your frozen meals.
Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with the amount you plan to store, and make sure its drawers can accommodate your containers.
The suitable ambient temperature depends on the model. For example, Liebherr states that its CFe 2500 Pure is suitable for temperatures down to −15 °C; this doesn’t apply to other chest freezers.
Check the room’s temperatures and look up the climate class or stated operating range in the instructions for the model you’re considering.
A door or lid that’s difficult to open can make it harder to reach your food, even if the freezer fits in the space available.
Allow room to open it and follow the manufacturer’s ventilation guidance for the exact model.
No Frost relates to frost build-up and maintenance; it doesn’t tell you on its own how long food will stay frozen in a power cut, how noisy a model is or how much energy it uses.
Check these features separately and consult independent test results where they cover the specific model you’re considering.
These brands offer examples of different formats and features to compare. Features on one model don’t necessarily apply across the whole range.
Worth a look if you’re thinking of replacing your main appliance with a fridge-freezer.
Its chest and upright models offer different ways to organise food.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for an upright freezer with fan-assisted cooling.
A chest freezer to consider when capacity and the temperature of the installation location are key factors.
This selection includes upright freezers for organising portions, chest freezers for extra storage and fridge-freezers to consider if you’re also replacing your main appliance. Compare the capacity available for frozen food and the installation requirements for each model.
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An upright design is a good fit if you want to organise portions that you take out regularly. The model name specifies a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, a C energy rating, an LED display and a reversible door. Check its dimensions, climate class and how long it will keep food frozen in a power cut to make sure it suits your installation.
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This chest freezer is designed for storing larger quantities of shopping or prepared food. Its name specifies a capacity of 291 L, a removable basket, LED lighting, an E energy rating and the option to switch between freezer and fridge modes. Check that the basket suits the way you want to organise your food, then check the clearance requirements and the permitted temperature range for the room.
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This fridge-freezer is an option if you also need to replace your main appliance. The 467 L stated in its name is the total capacity, not the capacity of the freezer alone, so check the freezer compartment’s volume against the portions you plan to store. The model is listed with Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the instructions for the installation clearances.
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This fridge-freezer is worth considering if you’re replacing your main appliance and still want space for frozen food. The 360 L in its name refers to the total capacity, so check the freezer capacity separately before relying on it for your prepared meals. The name specifies Total No Frost, an E energy rating and Wi-Fi. Check the instructions for the installation clearances.
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This chest freezer adds separate freezer space, with a stated capacity of 140 L and a storage basket. Its name also specifies a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an E energy rating. Check that top access works for the portions you want to store, and check the model’s climate class and power-cut performance for your intended use.
Not necessarily. If you’re already replacing your fridge-freezer, a large model may be enough if its freezer compartment can hold the amount you plan to store. If your main aim is to add extra space for frozen food, compare separate upright and chest freezers, depending on how often you need to access your portions.
An upright freezer with drawers is better suited to portions that you organise and take out often. A chest freezer may suit larger storage needs, but check its baskets and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom.
No. It’s worth considering if you want to reduce frost build-up and the need to defrost the appliance. Check whether the specific model has it, then compare capacity, annual energy consumption, noise and power-cut performance separately.
Yes, if the model’s specified ambient temperature range covers the temperature of the room. Bosch and Whirlpool recommend checking the climate class. Measure the temperature where you plan to put it, and consult the appliance’s specifications and instructions before installation.
Follow the ventilation clearances in the instructions for your chosen model and allow enough room to open the door or lid fully. Don’t automatically use the clearances specified for a different fridge or freezer.