If you only need more freezer space, a compact upright freezer is worth considering when floor space and easy access to food matter most. A chest freezer is a better fit for larger quantities, provided there’s enough room to open the lid fully. If both the fridge and freezer compartments are too small, also compare the option of replacing your fridge-freezer. In every case, check the net freezer capacity and the installation requirements for the model you choose.
If you need extra storage without taking up much floor space, a compact upright freezer with drawers makes it easy to organise food by category. However, check how much room you’ll need in front of the door and the clearance specified in the manual.
If you store multipacks or large packages, consider the capacity and layout of a chest freezer. The lid opens upwards, so you’ll need enough headroom, and food at the bottom is less easy to reach.
If you’re also running short of fridge space, compare replacing your fridge-freezer with adding a separate freezer. Check the net capacity of the freezer compartment: the fridge-freezer’s total capacity alone won’t tell you how much freezer space you’ll get.
First decide whether you only need more freezer storage or whether you also need to replace the fridge compartment. For any appliance you’re considering, check that its dimensions, door or lid opening and permitted ambient temperatures suit the space, as set out in the manual.
Consider it: when floor space is limited and you often take food from separate drawers.
Bear in mind: drawers can restrict how you store large packages, and you’ll also need room to open the door.
Consider it: for larger quantities or bulky items, if there’s enough room to open the lid upwards.
Bear in mind: finding something at the bottom takes more organisation than with drawers.
Consider it: if both the fridge and freezer compartments are too small.
Bear in mind: replacing your main appliance means checking that it will fit in its intended space. Its total capacity won’t tell you how much freezer space it has.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and access | Appliance dimensions, whether it opens fully and the clearance specified in the manual. | In a small home, I want to reach my frozen food regularly without blocking the way. Around 42% of consumers prioritise a compact size and organised access. |
| Larger quantities and bulky items | Net freezer capacity and the size of storage spaces suited to your packages. | When storing multipacks or large bags, I need to be able to put them away without losing track of what’s at the bottom. Storage capacity for larger quantities is the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Adding or replacing an appliance | Net capacity of each fridge-freezer compartment; for a second appliance, check noise, energy label and ambient temperature range. | When I need more fridge space as well as more freezer space, I’d rather consider replacing the appliance before adding another one. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this whole-appliance solution. |
A fridge-freezer’s total capacity includes the fridge compartment. The Electrolux ENS5LE18S specification, for example, lists 73 L for the freezer out of 271 L in total.
Compare net freezer capacity, then check that the shape of the drawers or baskets suits the food you plan to store.
Low-temperature suitability advertised for some models doesn’t apply to every freezer. Beko, for example, highlights this feature for certain Freezer Guard appliances.
Compare the room temperature with the ambient temperature range allowed in the manual for the exact model, and check its ventilation requirements too.
A chest freezer needs space above it for the lid to open; an upright freezer needs room for the door to open and the drawers to slide out.
Check that it can open fully in the intended position, then check the installation clearances specified for the model.
Maintenance requirements vary between models. Liebherr’s NoFrost feature is available on some models, but it isn’t a standard feature of all small freezers.
Check the exact defrosting method in the product details and manual, so you can choose a model with maintenance requirements you’re happy with.
Its under-counter freezers let you compare SmartFrost and NoFrost configurations across compact models.
The range includes upright freezers with drawers, as well as models designed for certain cold environments.
Its descriptions of different formats help you compare a chest freezer for larger quantities with a vertical upright model.
Its product information lets you compare formats and defrosting methods, as well as how capacity is divided in a fridge-freezer.
Its chest freezers are worth considering when storing larger quantities matters more to you than organising food in drawers.
These models offer two ways to add more frozen food storage: upright models for easy front access and chest freezers with top-opening lids. Compare their size with the space you have before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want extra storage that’s easy to reach from the front, even in a small space. The title lists a reversible door and an energy rating of E. Check the installation clearances, defrosting method and noise level if these are important to your choice.
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A chest freezer for storing larger quantities instead of using drawers. The title lists a removable basket and sliding lid. Make sure you have enough room to open it, and allow for the manual defrosting specified for this model.
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Consider this if you’d like to switch between fridge and freezer modes to suit your needs. The title mentions a seven-level thermostat, a removable basket and a defrost drain. Check the manual for installation conditions and maintenance requirements.
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Worth comparing if you need more storage capacity and have room to open the lid in the intended position. The title lists a storage basket and a counterbalanced lid. Check the manual for clearance requirements and the defrosting method.
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For a small amount of extra storage rather than larger quantities. The title lists a reversible door, an energy rating of E and an annual consumption of 147 kWh. Check the dimensions, interior layout and installation requirements for this model.
No. The ADEME recommends using it to help guide your choice of household appliance, but you should also check the net freezer capacity, dimensions, noise level, interior layout and installation instructions for the model.
Only if the ambient temperature range and installation conditions specified for the model are suitable for that space. Beko states that certain Freezer Guard appliances can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all freezers. Check the manual for the exact model.
No, but it may suit you if you want to reduce the need for manual defrosting. Compare the defrosting method listed for each model with the maintenance you’re prepared to do. You can’t tell whether a freezer has NoFrost just by looking at its format.
Consider replacing it if both the fridge and freezer compartments are short on space, or if there isn’t room to install a second appliance with the required clearance. Compare the new fridge-freezer’s net freezer capacity, not just its total capacity.