Households building up a stock of food
If you buy in bulk or regularly freeze portions, start by working out how much extra freezer space you actually need. You’ll also need to make sure it fits in the space available.
Who is this choice for?
People who access their food often
If you regularly add and remove food, being able to open the drawers easily or reach the bottom of a chest freezer may matter more than its maximum capacity.
Households with limited space
Whether it’s going in a compact kitchen, utility room or garage, check the appliance’s dimensions, door or lid clearance and noise levels against the room. Also check the permitted ambient temperature range for the model you’re considering.
What should you look for?
Before deciding whether you need a second appliance, compare the extra freezer space you need with the capacity of your current fridge-freezer. Then choose a style that suits the way you store food and the room it will go in.
Upright freezer
Worth considering: if you access food often and want to organise it in drawers.
Bear in mind: it takes up more height and may offer less storage than the largest chest freezers.
Chest freezer
Worth considering: if maximum storage is your priority and you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom can be harder to reach, and you’ll need space to open the lid.
Table-top or under-counter freezer
Worth considering: if you have limited height and only need a modest amount of extra storage.
Bear in mind: its capacity may not meet the same big-shop needs as a large upright or chest freezer.
Large fridge-freezer
Worth comparing: if you only need a little more freezer space and would prefer a single appliance.
Check: the space allocated to the freezer, not the fridge-freezer’s total capacity.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the usable litres dedicated to freezing with the appliance’s external dimensions, rather than the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. | When big shops exceed your fridge-freezer’s capacity, the key question is how much extra food you can actually store and organise. Around 33% of consumers would put capacity at the top of their list. |
| Access to food | Check how the drawers open on an upright freezer, or how easy it is to reach the bottom and use the baskets in a chest freezer. | If I regularly take food out of storage, I want to find what I need without moving everything else. Easy access is said to be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Suitability for the room | Check the delivery route, opening clearance, specified ventilation and the exact model’s ambient temperature range. | If I’m installing the appliance in a tight space or a room where the temperature varies, I need to be able to open it and meet its operating requirements. Suitability for the room would come first for around 20% of consumers. |
| Continuous running | Check the annual kWh consumption and stated noise levels; separately check the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | If it’s near a living area, or I’m concerned about power cuts, I look beyond capacity to choose an appliance I can leave running continuously. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise these conditions of use. |
According to the European Commission, the energy label for household appliances includes information such as annual energy consumption, capacity and noise emissions. Compare these figures across models that genuinely meet your storage needs: an energy rating alone won’t tell you how much capacity you’ll get.
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone
A large capacity is less practical if it’s difficult to get food out from the bottom. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking how easy it is to reach food in the different compartments.
Think about how you’ll organise your food, and check that you can reach the bottom and open the lid where you plan to position the freezer.
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Assuming any freezer will work in any garage
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. For example, Liebherr specifies a range of +10 °C to +43 °C for the FNd 522i: its climate class doesn’t apply to every freezer.
Compare the temperatures your room may reach with the range specified by the manufacturer for the exact model.
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Looking only at the energy rating
The rating doesn’t replace the annual consumption in kWh or the freezer capacity. The energy label also shows noise emissions, as the European Commission explains.
Compare these figures across appliances that can hold your food stock, then check their stated storage time in the event of a power cut separately.
Brands to consider
These examples illustrate different styles and installation requirements; their specifications don’t apply to every model from each brand.
Liebherr
The FNd 522i is an example of a 277 l upright freezer with drawers and NoFrost technology, according to Liebherr.
- Liebherr lists noise levels of 36 dB and dimensions of 185,5 × 59,7 × 67,5 cm for this model.
- Its height and depth mean you’ll need a suitable space; the stated ambient temperature range for this model is +10 °C to +43 °C.
Haier
The H4F306WDH1 is an example of a large-capacity upright freezer: Haier lists a capacity of 301 l for this model.
- Its stated dimensions of 600 × 742 × 1900 mm make it easy to compare its capacity with the space available.
- Before choosing this model, pay particular attention to its depth, height and installation requirements.
Bosch
The GTV15NWEB is an example of an under-counter freezer for modest storage needs where height is limited.
- Bosch lists a usable capacity of 83 l, dimensions of 85 × 56 × 58 cm and a storage time of 16 h for this model.
- Its 83 l capacity won’t meet the same storage needs as a large upright or chest freezer.
Chest freezers available on Joybuy
These chest freezers offer different capacities for storing food separately. Choose one based on how much you need to store, then check the space required for the freezer and to open its lid.
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AUCMA, 291 l convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want to build up a larger food stock and have enough space for a chest freezer.
The product name lists switchable fridge or freezer modes, LED lighting, a removable basket and an E energy rating. Check the permitted ambient temperature range and storage time in the event of a power cut for your needs.
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AUCMA, 141 l convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you need extra storage, but less than a large chest freezer can offer.
The product name lists switchable fridge or freezer modes, a 7-level thermostat, a removable basket and an E energy rating. Check the permitted ambient temperature and stated storage time for this model.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 l chest freezer
Worth considering if you want an extra 140 l of storage without opting for a very large chest freezer.
The product name lists a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid, an adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. Also compare annual energy consumption, noise levels and installation requirements before choosing.
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AUCMA, 95 l convertible chest freezer
Worth considering as an additional appliance if you only need a modest amount of extra storage; its 95 l capacity won’t replace that of a large chest freezer.
The product name lists switchable fridge or freezer modes, a 7-level thermostat, a removable basket and an E energy rating. Check that the lid can open fully in your chosen spot and that the ambient temperature range is suitable.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 l chest freezer
Worth considering for a little extra storage rather than very large shops.
The product name lists a removable metal basket, sliding lid, adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. The description recommends manual defrosting when the frost is thicker than 5 mm; factor in this maintenance and check the installation requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Which freezer can be installed in a garage or cellar?
Choose a model whose stated ambient temperature range covers the temperatures in the room. As an example for this specific model, Liebherr lists +10 °C to +43 °C for the FNd 522i; don’t assume this range applies to another appliance.
How do you compare the energy consumption and noise levels of two freezers?
Compare their annual energy consumption in kWh and stated noise emissions, provided both appliances offer the freezer capacity you need. According to the European Commission, these details appear on the energy labels for household fridges and freezers, alongside the energy rating and capacities.
Should you check how long a freezer can keep food frozen in a power cut?
Yes. If how long it can keep food frozen during a power cut will affect your choice, compare the stated storage time for each model. For example, Bosch lists 16 h for the GTV15NWEB; this figure doesn’t apply to other freezers. UFC-Que Choisir also assesses this in its testing procedure.