If you regularly need to find different portions, an upright freezer with drawers is probably your best bet. If you have floor space and store large quantities, consider a chest freezer, but plan how you’ll reach food at the bottom. A table-top model is suitable for a small amount of extra storage, while a larger fridge freezer will only save you buying a separate freezer if you’re replacing your fridge too and its freezer compartment has enough room for your food.
If you often open the freezer to choose between different meals, an upright model’s drawers make it easy to sort portions by contents or date. Que Choisir includes food storage and accessibility among the criteria it assesses.
A chest freezer can suit a large stock of food if you have enough floor space. Plan to use baskets or dividers to reach items at the bottom, and check the room temperature if you’re putting the appliance in a pantry or cellar.
A table-top or under-counter model gives you extra freezer space without taking up room for a large appliance. Compare its capacity with the portions you plan to store, and measure the space, including the ventilation clearances.
Choose this if: you sort lots of portions and want to access them regularly.
Bear in mind: check the available height and make sure the drawers can open fully, especially on a tall model.
Choose this if: storage capacity is your priority and you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise food carefully to keep items at the bottom within easy reach.
Choose this if: you need space for a few extra portions and have limited room.
Bear in mind: its capacity won’t meet the same needs as a large standalone appliance.
Choose this if: you also need to replace your fridge and the freezer compartment has enough room for your food.
Bear in mind: the stated total capacity includes the fridge compartment too.
| Criteria | What to check | For my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Access and organisation | Check the drawers or adjustable compartments in an upright model; for a chest freezer, look at the baskets and how easy it is to reach the bottom. Que Choisir assesses storage separately from capacity. | I want to find the right portion quickly without having to move a large part of my food stock. |
| Freezer capacity | Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment, not the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Count the portions, bags and bulky items you’ll need to store at the same time. | If I prepare lots of meals in advance, the space needs to accommodate the amount I plan to store; for a few extra portions, a small additional freezer may be enough. |
| Location | Measure the appliance and the clearances required for installation. Check that its stated ambient temperature range suits the room’s possible temperatures, in both summer and winter. | If I’m putting it in an unheated cellar or garage, I’ll check that the specific model can operate at the room’s lowest temperatures. |
| Power cuts and maintenance | Compare the stated power-cut storage time, kWh/year and defrosting method separately. Que Choisir’s testing also assesses temperature stability and ease of use. | If I’m storing a substantial amount of food, power-cut storage time matters; if I want to avoid manual defrosting, I’ll also check the frost-management system. |
Some of the stated capacity is taken up by the fridge compartment. For example, Joybuy’s listing for the Samsung RB34C600CSA gives a total capacity of 344 L, including 114 L of freezer space.
Estimate how much food you’ll store and compare it with the freezer compartment capacity alone.
Bosch explains that a climate class specifies the ambient temperature range an appliance is designed for. Suitability for very cold rooms, such as the feature Beko lists for the HSM46740, isn’t available on every model.
Check the possible temperatures at your chosen location, then make sure the model you’re considering is rated for that range and follow its ventilation instructions.
Items stacked at the bottom can be harder to find, even if the capacity is right for the amount you want to store.
Check whether it comes with baskets or dividers, and label portions with their contents and date. If you’ll be accessing it very often, compare upright models with drawers too.
Frost-free cooling and storage time during a power cut answer two different questions. Que Choisir assesses them separately in its freezer testing.
Check the model’s stated storage time, then look separately at its defrosting method, annual energy consumption and any other features that matter for your needs.
These examples show different configurations; their features don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
The GSN58AWEV shows how a large upright freezer can help you sort portions and store bulky items.
The HSM46740 chest freezer is an example of an option for storing a large amount of food, provided you have a suitable location.
The Fd 1404 Pure is an example of a table-top freezer for extra storage.
The RB34C600CSA is worth considering if you need to replace your fridge as well.
These models include an upright freezer for sorting portions, chest freezers and a small freezer for extra storage, as well as a fridge freezer if you’re replacing your fridge too. Before choosing, compare their freezer capacity and make sure they’re suitable for your intended location.
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An upright freezer to consider if you want to sort portions and find them easily. The description lists three drawers, No Frost and an energy rating of C. Check the dimensions, climate class and storage time during a power cut to make sure it suits your installation.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too: of the stated total capacity of 467 L, 156 L is freezer space. The description lists two drawers, Total No Frost, a freezing capacity of 10 kg/24 h and a storage time of 10 h during a power cut. Check the ambient temperature range for your chosen room.
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A useful extra freezer for a small number of portions, with three compartments to keep them organised. Its stated dimensions are 44,5 × 47,5 × 84,5 cm; also measure the required clearances and check the ambient temperature range and storage time during a power cut.
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This small chest freezer is worth considering for extra storage rather than large quantities. Its removable basket lets you separate some of your food; also think about how you’ll reach items at the bottom, and check the full dimensions, climate class and storage time during a power cut.
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Its stated capacity of 140 L and included basket offer another option for extra storage in a chest freezer. The listed dimensions are 637 × 556 × 846 mm; check the climate class, storage time during a power cut and defrosting method to make sure they suit your location and needs.
Yes, as long as the model’s stated ambient temperature range covers the room’s temperatures, including seasonal changes. For example, Bosch lists a range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T, while Beko says the HSM46740 is suitable for temperatures down to -15 °C. Check the specifications for the exact appliance and follow its ventilation instructions.
Anses states that freezing food at home at -18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but doesn’t destroy most microorganisms. It recommends not refreezing food once it has defrosted. For defrosting, follow its advice, including defrosting in the fridge or by cooking or reheating promptly.
Only if you also need to replace your fridge and the freezer compartment has enough room for your food. Joybuy’s listing for the Samsung RB34C600CSA gives a freezer capacity of 114 L out of a total of 344 L. Compare the 114 L—not the total capacity—with the space you need for meals and frozen food.