Tenants with a measured under-counter space
If your freezer needs to fit under a worktop or in a corner, front access can be useful. Also check the clearances specified in the manual and allow enough room to open the door and pull out the drawers.
Who is this guide for?
Studio flat dwellers who are sensitive to noise
If you sleep or work near the appliance, don’t rely on the decibel figure alone. Que Choisir points out that how we perceive noise also depends on its type, so look for feedback on the exact model.
People who prepare meals and have a separate space
If you regularly freeze portions and have a suitable room, a chest freezer could give you the extra storage you need. However, you’ll need to make room for its footprint and be comfortable accessing food from above.
Which criteria should you consider first?
First check that the appliance will fit, has room for ventilation and can be opened where you plan to put it. Capacity, internal layout and noise are useful factors to compare next.
| Criterion | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Compare the appliance dimensions with the space available, then check the manual for ventilation requirements and the room needed to open the door or lid. | In a narrow kitchen, I need to be able to open the freezer without blocking the way or stopping the drawers from being pulled out; around 36% of consumers would put this ease of installation first. |
| Capacity and storage | Compare the stated capacity, the shape of the compartments and how often you freeze food. | If I prepare portions in advance, I want to find food easily without choosing a freezer that takes up more kitchen space than necessary. This layout would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Noise | Use the stated decibel level as a first guide and look for a test or detailed feedback on the exact model. | When the appliance runs near where I sleep, its cycles and vibrations matter just as much to me as the number on the label; around 21% of consumers would prioritise quiet operation. |
| Additional storage and maintenance | For a chest freezer, check the permitted ambient temperature and whether the lid can open fully; also look at the model’s defrosting instructions. | With a separate room, I can consider a freezer that opens from the top, but I want to know whether its storage layout and maintenance will suit me. This would be the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Measuring only the space the appliance takes up
A freezer may fit in its space, but the door could hit a wall or the drawers might not pull out. You also need to allow for the airflow specified in the manual.
Mark out the space, including skirting boards and sockets, then allow for the door or lid to open and the clearances specified for the exact model.
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Choosing based only on the stated noise level
Que Choisir points out that a decibel figure doesn’t fully describe how disruptive a sound is: the type of sound matters too, particularly in a living space.
If noise is a deciding factor, look for an acoustic test or detailed feedback on the exact model, and follow the levelling instructions when you install it.
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Choosing a chest freezer just for its capacity
According to Whirlpool France, the Whirlpool WHM2110 is 80,6 cm wide and 64,2 cm deep. These measurements don’t include the space needed to access food from above.
Choose this format only if you have somewhere the lid can open freely; if you often reach for portions, also compare how easy it is to access food in upright models with drawers.
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Forgetting about your old freezer
The ministry responsible for ecological transition states that electrical and electronic equipment must be disposed of through dedicated collection routes.
Before your new appliance arrives, arrange to take your old one to a collection point or recycling centre, return it to a retailer, or give it to a social and solidarity economy organisation.
Brands and models to consider
These models illustrate different formats and installation requirements; their specifications don’t apply to every appliance from each brand.
Bosch
The GTV15NWEB is an under-counter model worth considering if an appliance measuring 850 × 560 × 580 mm will fit in your kitchen, according to Bosch Electroménager France.
- Bosch states that this model has a usable capacity of 83 l and a noise level of 39 dB(A) re 1 pW.
- Check the manual for installation clearances, door-opening requirements and defrosting instructions.
Liebherr
Liebherr offers two table-top freezers that are 85 cm high: the Fd 1404 Pure and the FNsddi 1624 Plus NoFrost.
- The brand states that they have capacities of 107 l at 55 cm wide and 92 l at 60 cm wide respectively, with a stated noise level of 37 dB for each.
- Their SmartFrost and NoFrost features differ. Check the maintenance requirements for the model you choose, along with its depth and installation instructions.
Beko
The FSE1174N is worth a look if width and the direction the door opens in affect your kitchen layout.
- Beko France states that it is 54 cm wide, has a net capacity of 95 l, a reversible door and transparent drawers.
- Before deciding where to put this static-cooling model, check its depth, clearances and maintenance requirements.
Whirlpool
The WHM2110 and WHM2112 chest freezers are better suited to a separate space with enough room on the floor and above the lid.
- Whirlpool France gives the WHM2110 dimensions as 80,6 × 86,5 × 64,2 cm and lists the WHM2112 as a 204 l model.
- For the WHM2112, the brand states that it can be used at an ambient temperature down to −15 °C. Check the installation requirements for the model you choose before putting it in a cold room.
Freezers available on Joybuy
This selection includes a small upright freezer with front access and chest freezers that open from the top. Compare them based on the space available and how often you want to access your food; none of the chest freezers offers the same convenient access as an upright model’s drawers.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 l upright freezer
Worth considering if you need a small amount of storage with front access in a compact kitchen.
The product title lists three drawers, a reversible door, adjustable temperature and an energy rating of E. Check the manual for clearances and door-opening requirements; if the appliance is near where you sleep, also check its noise level.
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AUCMA, 95 l convertible chest freezer
Consider this model if top access suits your space and the way you store food.
The product title lists fridge and freezer modes, a seven-setting thermostat, a removable basket and an energy rating of E. Check how much room is needed to open the lid, as well as the ventilation and ambient temperature requirements for the room.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 l chest freezer
Another chest freezer option for storing frozen food if the top opening will be accessible.
The product title lists a removable basket, adjustable thermostat, sliding lid and an energy rating of E. Measure the space needed to access the lid and check the manual for ventilation and defrosting instructions.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 l chest freezer
Compare this model if you need more storage and have a space where you can access the freezer from above.
The product title lists a storage basket, counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an energy rating of E. Make sure this capacity suits your needs and check the manual for opening requirements and clearances.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plug in a small freezer as soon as it’s delivered?
First, follow the instructions for the appliance you’ve bought. For its appliances, Electrolux recommends waiting at least four hours before plugging them in, allowing air to circulate and keeping to the ambient temperature specified for the climate class. These guidelines don’t replace the instructions for your particular model.
Will a freezer rated at 37 dB be quiet in a studio flat?
Not necessarily. The stated level is a useful guide, but it doesn’t tell you on its own how disruptive the noise will be. Que Choisir points out that how we perceive noise depends on its type; if the appliance will be near your bed, look for an acoustic assessment of the exact model.
Can I put a chest freezer in a cellar or garage?
Yes, as long as the room’s temperature and installation conditions are suitable for that particular model. Whirlpool says the WHM2112 can be used at an ambient temperature down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all chest freezers. Check the manual and climate class of the model you’re considering.
What should I do with my old freezer in France?
Arrange for the appliance to be collected through an appropriate recycling scheme. The ministry responsible for ecological transition advises taking it to a collection point or recycling centre, returning it to a retailer, or giving it to a social and solidarity economy organisation.