If your prepared portions fit in the freezer compartment you already have, you don’t need another appliance. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of different fridge freezers. When meals and shopping regularly fill that space, a dedicated freezer may be the answer. An upright freezer makes it easier to organise and access portions, while a chest freezer offers open space for bulky containers but needs more floor space and careful organisation. Then check the usable capacity, where you plan to put it and the chosen model’s annual energy consumption.
If prepared meals are already filling the freezer compartment in your fridge freezer, compare a dedicated freezer with the amount you usually store. According to guides from Electrolux France and UFC-Que Choisir, a chest freezer suits those looking for a large, open space, while an upright freezer makes it easier to keep things organised.
If bulk shopping adds to your prepared meals, consider the usable capacity and the space needed to install and open the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir notes in particular that chest freezers take up more floor space.
An integrated compartment or compact appliance means you can avoid choosing a large freezer in the first place. Electrolux France describes compact models as having a smaller capacity, though, so check there’s enough room for your portions before relying on one for everyday use.
First, estimate how much you need to store. Then compare each type of freezer with how you like to find your portions and the space you have available.
| Feature | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the litres available for freezing, not just the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Check whether your usual containers will fit in a compartment, an upright freezer or the open space of a chest freezer. | I want to store portions and shopping without constantly filling the freezer space. A small compartment may be enough for occasional extra storage; if I store food regularly, I need to compare the actual capacities. |
| Access to portions | Check the drawers or compartments in an upright freezer and whether they can be opened once the appliance is installed. With a chest freezer, plan how you’ll organise food stored underneath other items. | Being able to find a particular portion easily matters more to me than having a large open space. If I mainly store bulky containers, I may prefer the open space, as long as I organise everything properly. |
| Installation | Measure the width and depth, and allow enough clearance for the door or lid. If the appliance will be in an unheated space, check the model’s permitted ambient temperature range in the manual. | My appliance needs to fit in the intended spot and remain easy to access. I can’t assume it’s suitable for a garage just because it’s a chest or upright freezer. |
| Energy consumption | Check the model’s annual energy consumption in kWh on the label and compare it with its usable capacity. Also check whether manual defrosting or a No Frost function best suits your maintenance preferences. | I want to factor in an appliance that will be running all the time. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously, so the figures for a specific model are more useful when making my choice than the type of freezer alone. |
A chest freezer offers open space, but portions stored at the bottom can be harder to find. An upright freezer keeps food more separate, but may not offer the same capacity.
Compare the usable capacity with the size of your containers and how often you’ll take portions out.
Whether a freezer can be used in an unheated space depends on the model, not simply on whether it’s a chest freezer. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking the climate class into account.
Before choosing this location, check the permitted ambient temperature range in the technical specifications and manual.
ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously, so energy consumption is an important part of your choice, alongside capacity.
Compare the annual kWh figures for the models you’re considering, taking into account the usable capacity you actually need.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes appliances with a small freezer compartment from those with a separate freezer section. A small compartment may not have enough room for regular batches of prepared meals.
Check its usable capacity and compare it with the number of portions and bags you want to store.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding upright freezer to organise a large amount of food vertically.
The chest freezer range is worth exploring if you want to store larger quantities of shopping and prepared food, especially outside the kitchen.
Its guide covers chest, upright and compact freezers, helping you compare different storage options.
This Joybuy selection includes fridge freezers for keeping chilled and frozen food in one appliance, as well as a dedicated upright and chest freezer for portions and shopping.
Image unavailable
This fridge freezer combines a fridge and freezer in one appliance, making it a useful option for a household that wants both functions together. Its name indicates a total capacity of 467 l, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Compare the capacity reserved for freezing separately, and check the dimensions needed for installation.
Image unavailable
This dedicated upright freezer is worth considering if you want to store portions separately. Its name indicates a capacity of 161 l, No Frost, drawers and a C energy rating. Check its dimensions and annual energy consumption in kWh to assess installation and running costs.
Image unavailable
This fridge freezer is worth considering if you need both functions and want to set aside space for prepared portions. Its name indicates a total capacity of 360 l, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the freezer capacity rather than assuming all 360 l are available for frozen food.
Image unavailable
This fridge freezer is worth considering if width is as important as having space for portions. Its name indicates a total capacity of 262 l, a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm and Low Frost. Check the freezer capacity; the specifications also state a minimum ambient temperature of 16 °C for its intended location.
Image unavailable
This dedicated chest freezer is worth comparing if you’re storing portions or shopping that will fit within its 99 l capacity. Its name mentions a removable wire basket and an E energy rating. The specifications state that it needs to be defrosted manually; also check access to the lid and the permitted ambient temperature before deciding where to put it.
Yes, if its freezer compartment can hold your portions and usual shopping. If that compartment regularly fills up, compare its usable capacity with that of an upright or chest freezer rather than relying on the fridge freezer’s total capacity.
An upright freezer makes it easier to organise and regularly access separate portions, as noted in Electrolux France’s guide. A chest freezer offers more open space for bulky containers, but you’ll need to plan how to find food stored at the bottom.
Only if the model’s permitted ambient temperature range covers the conditions in your garage. Beko states that Freezer Guard works down to −15 °C on some chest freezers, but this feature isn’t available on every model. Check the technical specifications and manual for the one you’re considering.
Compare the annual energy consumption in kWh shown on each label with the usable capacity and the function you need. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously. The figures for the models you’re considering let you compare their energy use without assuming one type of appliance always uses less than another.