If your deliveries regularly exceed the space available in your fridge’s freezer compartment, compare dedicated freezers. A chest freezer suits large quantities if you have enough floor space, while an upright model makes it easier to access a range of provisions. A small model may be enough for a modest top-up; a large fridge-freezer is another option if its freezer compartment — rather than its total capacity — can accommodate your stock. In every case, check the dimensions, opening clearance and ambient temperature range specified for the model and the room.
You need to store large, occasional deliveries, so usable capacity and available space matter more than a compact design alone. UFC-Que Choisir lists home-grown fruit and vegetables among the uses that may call for a large freezer.
You store a variety of provisions and want to find what you need without moving several layers of food. Organisation and access matter just as much as the stated capacity; UFC-Que Choisir includes the format and cooling system among the factors to consider.
You’re looking for a small extra freezer or a single appliance for both fresh and frozen food. Compare the dimensions of the space available and the capacity of the freezer compartment alone, rather than the total capacity of a fridge-freezer.
Choose this if: you store large quantities and have enough floor space, as well as clearance above the lid.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom is less accessible than in drawers; suitability for a cold room depends on the model.
Choose this if: you often take out a variety of foods and prefer organised storage in drawers.
Bear in mind: allow space in front of the door and check that the drawers can hold your bulkiest items.
Choose this if: you only have a modest surplus and don’t have room for a large dedicated appliance.
Bear in mind: compare its capacity with your largest items and, if relevant, check the installation requirements for fitting it under a worktop.
Choose this if: you also need to replace your fridge and the freezer compartment can hold your peak stock.
Bear in mind: total capacity includes refrigerated space; a single appliance doesn’t provide a separate reserve.
| Priority | What to check | Who cares most about it |
|---|---|---|
| Making room for large deliveries | Compare usable capacity with the amount you expect to store at once; measure your items and the floor space required. | If I need to store a harvest or a bulk buy during a peak period, I check the available space and usable capacity first. Around 40% of consumers prioritise these large deliveries. |
| Finding food easily | Check how easy it is to access the drawers and compare their dimensions with the packaging you usually buy. | When I often take out a variety of products, I want to organise them and find them easily. Around 30% of consumers prioritise regular access to their provisions. |
| Fitting the appliance | Measure the space and clearances; check the model’s ambient temperature range. | If my kitchen, utility room or cellar is short on space, the dimensions and recommended room conditions become crucial. Around 20% of consumers put installation in a restricted space first. |
| Avoiding a second appliance | Check the usable refrigerated and frozen capacities separately; compare the annual energy consumption shown on the labels of the models you’re considering. | If I’m also replacing my fridge, I check that its freezer compartment is big enough for my supplies without taking space away from fresh food. Around 10% of consumers want to install just one appliance. |
A fridge-freezer splits its capacity between chilled and frozen food, so a large overall figure doesn’t tell you how much space you’ll have for frozen supplies.
Compare the usable capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the amount you want to store during peak periods.
A chest freezer needs floor space and enough clearance to open the lid. Food at the bottom is less accessible than it is in drawers.
Measure the appliance, the clearance it needs and the items you want to store, then check that you’ll be able to reach your food.
The permitted ambient temperature range varies by model. The chest or upright format alone won’t tell you whether an appliance is suitable for an unheated room.
Find out how cold the room can get and compare this with the range specified for the exact model.
Worth considering for a chest freezer in a potentially cold room or a small extra freezer.
The GSN36VWEP upright freezer is an example of dedicated vertical storage for when easy access to supplies matters.
The WHM31112 2 chest freezer is an example of a horizontal format worth considering for larger reserves.
Its fridge-freezers with freezer drawers and multi-door models may be worth considering if you also need to replace your fridge.
This selection includes dedicated upright and chest freezers, as well as fridge-freezers, so you can compare a separate freezer with a single appliance. For fridge-freezers, consider the capacity of the freezer compartment separately from the total capacity.
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Its upright design and drawers may suit you if you want to organise a range of provisions in a dedicated appliance.
Stated capacity: 161 L; three freezer drawers and two shelves. No Frost, LED display, alarm and reversible door hinge are also listed.
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Worth considering if you want to replace your fridge and freezer with a single appliance; check that the freezer compartment meets your storage needs.
Stated capacity: 168 L for frozen food and 276 L for chilled food, totalling 444 L. Stated width: 83 cm. No Frost and energy rating E are listed in the product name.
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This side-by-side format may suit you if you want a single appliance with separate chilled and frozen sections, provided the freezer capacity is enough for your stock.
Stated capacity: 192 L for frozen food and 333 L for chilled food, totalling 525 L. No Frost, Multi-Airflow and energy rating E are listed in the product name.
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Its chest design may suit larger reserves if you have enough floor space and can access food from above.
Stated capacity: 291 L; listed dimensions: 1 100 × 597 × 872 mm. Convertible appliance: select freezer mode to use it as a freezer. Removable basket and interior light are also listed.
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This model could provide extra frozen storage if you have room for a chest freezer and its top-opening lid.
Stated capacity: 197 L; listed dimensions: 816 × 554 × 848 mm. Convertible appliance with a removable basket and five-level digital control are also listed. Select freezer mode to use it as a freezer.
It depends on the ambient temperature range specified for the model and the temperatures in the room. ADEME recommends checking the climate class; Liebherr states that its CFd 2505 can operate in ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this feature doesn’t apply to other appliances.
No. Bosch says that No Frost on the GSN36VWEP removes the need for manual defrosting, while Liebherr says the CFd 2505’s system reduces frost build-up. Check the features and care instructions for the specific model.
Compare the annual energy consumption shown on the energy labels of the models you’re considering, and take into account how many appliances you’ll use. Since 1 March 2021, the EU energy label for fridges and freezers has used a scale from A to G; the rating alone doesn’t replace a comparison of the stated energy consumption.
The statutory guarantee of conformity is provided by the professional seller under the conditions set out by law. The DGCCRF states that claims must be made within two years of delivery of the goods. Any commercial guarantee is separate and optional.
Ask the retailer about its take-back arrangements. The DGCCRF explains that the “one-for-one” take-back scheme applies to an equivalent used product when you buy a new one, and must be free of charge; check the practical arrangements offered for your purchase.