A separate freezer is a good solution if you need more room for frozen food or prepared portions, but don’t need to replace your current fridge-freezer. Choose an upright model to sort food and find it easily, or a chest freezer for a larger stock-up if you have enough floor space. A compact model may be all you need if your requirements are modest. If you already need to replace your fridge-freezer, first compare the frozen storage capacity offered by a larger model.
If you often open the freezer to take out a prepared meal or a bag of vegetables, organisation matters just as much as extra capacity. The drawers in an upright freezer let you separate food into categories, but check they’ll fit the containers you use. Que Choisir explains the difference in how upright and chest freezers are organised.
If you buy in bulk or freeze larger items, compare the open space in a chest freezer with the compartments in an upright model. Plan how you’ll organise everything so you can reach items at the bottom, and make sure you have enough room for the appliance and to open its lid.
A compact or under-counter model can add a modest amount of capacity in a small kitchen. If you’re planning to put it in an unheated cellar or garage, the format alone isn’t enough to go on: check the room’s temperatures against the operating range specified for the particular model.
Consider it if: you want to organise a range of portions and regularly access each category.
Bear in mind: the drawer dimensions may limit the size of the items you can store.
Consider it if: you stock up in bulk or store larger items and have plenty of floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise things carefully to keep food at the bottom within easy reach.
Consider it if: you need a little extra capacity but have limited space in your kitchen.
Bear in mind: the extra capacity may not be enough for a large stock-up.
Consider it if: you already need to replace your main appliance and one larger fridge-freezer could provide the frozen capacity you’re looking for.
Bear in mind: check the fridge and freezer capacities separately. The freezer space may not be enough if you need a dedicated freezer for stock-ups.
| Factor | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Access and organisation | Try opening the drawers or lid and check how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. See what baskets are available. | When I need to find different portions quickly every day, I want to keep them separate without having to move everything else. Around 30% of consumers would put easy access and organisation first. |
| Storage capacity | Compare the freezer capacity in litres with the amount of extra space you actually need, then measure the floor space available. | When my bulk buys no longer fit in the current compartment, my main priority is a freezer large enough to store them. Capacity would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Available space | Measure the appliance, delivery access routes and the clearance needed for the door or lid. For an under-counter model, check the required niche dimensions. | If my kitchen is short on space, I need an appliance I can install and open without getting in the way. Around 20% of consumers would put how well it fits in the space first. |
| Location and continuous use | Compare the kWh/year figure and noise level on the energy label. If the appliance will be in an outbuilding, check the room’s temperatures against the model’s permitted range. | If an appliance will be plugged in all the time, especially in an unheated room, I want to check its operating conditions and energy use first. This would be the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
The European Commission says that the energy label for fridges and freezers includes information such as energy consumption and storage capacity. Compare these figures across appliances that meet the same capacity requirements, rather than relying on the energy rating letter alone.
A large capacity is no use if the freezer won’t fit through the access points or its lid can’t open in the space you’ve chosen. Que Choisir notes that this format takes up more floor space.
Measure the space available, as well as doorways, turns along the delivery route and the clearance above the freezer.
The permitted ambient temperature varies by model. For example, Beko says the HSM35050 can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C. This does not apply to other freezers.
Compare the minimum and maximum temperatures in the room with those specified in the manual for the model you’re considering.
Appliances with different capacities may not meet the same needs, even if their energy rating letters look easy to compare. The current label uses a scale from A to G, not the old A+, A++ or A+++ ratings.
Compare the kWh/year figure, freezer capacity and noise level together, looking at models with a similar format and capacity.
Having an old freezer taken away and getting it ready for collection may require some extra planning when you’re arranging home delivery.
Ask the retailer how collection is arranged and what you need to do before the delivery driver arrives, including emptying and unplugging the appliance.
These examples highlight features to compare on individual product pages. They don’t mean that every model from a brand has the same features.
The range includes chest freezers worth considering if you need plenty of storage or plan to put the appliance in an unheated room.
Some chest freezers in the range let you compare storage capacity and operating ambient temperature for your chosen location.
Upright models in the range are worth considering if organising food into separate compartments is a priority.
This selection includes upright and chest freezers, from compact models to larger options for stock-ups. Compare their capacity with your storage habits, then check the dimensions and installation requirements of the model you’re interested in.
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Worth considering if you want to keep portions separate and access your food regularly. The title lists three drawers, No Frost technology and a C energy rating. The −14 °C to −22 °C range refers to the temperature specified for the appliance, not the permitted ambient temperature in the room. Check its dimensions, energy use in kWh/year and installation requirements before choosing a location.
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Compare it if you want a compact freezer that’s accessed from above rather than an upright model with drawers. The title lists fridge or freezer modes, a removable basket, a seven-level thermostat and an E energy rating. Allow room to open the lid. If you plan to put it in an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature range.
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Consider it if you want more storage while still having a basket for smaller items. The title lists a counterbalanced lid, adjustable temperature control and an E energy rating. Check you’ll be able to reach food at the bottom of the freezer, and look at the kWh/year figure and operating range for your chosen location.
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Worth comparing if you need extra capacity and want a basket to keep some food separate. The title lists an adjustable thermostat, a removable basket and an E energy rating. Allow for access from above and the maintenance involved in manual defrosting. Also check the kWh/year figure and the permitted ambient temperatures for your chosen location.
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Consider it if you only need a modest amount of extra capacity and prefer an upright appliance. The title lists a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the interior layout before buying: the title mentions three drawers, while the description lists two covered shelves and a bottom drawer. Also compare the dimensions, kWh/year figure and permitted ambient temperature range with your chosen location.
As well as the A to G energy rating, compare the annual energy use in kWh, the capacity of the freezer compartments and the noise level. The European Commission says these details appear on the energy label for fridges and freezers. Compare appliances with a similar capacity and format to see which one best suits your household.
Yes, provided the ambient temperature range specified for the model covers the temperatures your garage may reach. Beko says the HSM35050 can operate down to −15 °C, and Liebherr states the same limit for the CFe 2500 Pure, but this does not automatically apply to other appliances. Check the manual before planning where to install it.
Plan how you’ll organise the food and check before buying that the baskets make it easy to reach the items you use most. Date portions once the appliance is installed and follow the storage temperatures shown on the packaging, as the French Ministry of the Economy advises in its guidance on the cold chain.
Ask the retailer how collection will be arranged with delivery and what you need to do to prepare the old appliance. Check where and when it will be collected, and ask what you need to do to empty and unplug it so you can plan the replacement.