Households that prepare meals in advance
If you want separate storage for meals and ingredients portioned out in advance, easy-to-check compartments can help you keep everything organised.
Who needs a spare freezer?
Households that stock up in bulk
If you buy or prepare bulky batches, you’ll need to balance usable capacity against floor space and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom of a chest freezer. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the trade-offs to consider between chest and upright models.
Households with limited space
Check the available dimensions and the appliance’s permitted ambient temperature range, particularly if you’re considering an unheated room.
What should you compare?
Drawer-style upright freezer
Choose this if: you regularly take out portions or want to store them in separate compartments.
Check: the height, depth, door clearance and usable capacity of the model.
Chest freezer
Choose this if: you mainly store large batches and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise food carefully to reach items at the bottom, and allow room above the lid.
Compact upright freezer
Choose this if: you only need a little extra storage and there’s no room for a larger appliance.
Check: the internal capacity and compartment dimensions against the containers you use.
Larger fridge freezer
Consider this if: your fridge is too small as well, or you’d rather replace your main appliance.
Compare: freezer capacity separately from fridge capacity. The total volume doesn’t tell you how much space is available for freezing.
If you need extra freezer space for home cooking or bulk shopping, UFC-Que Choisir recommends comparing factors such as capacity, cooling system and climate class. The criteria below can help you weigh these against the available space and your storage habits.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Number and dimensions of drawers, door opening and defrosting type for the exact model. | If I take out portions often, I want to find them without rummaging through the whole freezer. Around 29% of consumers rank easy access to portions as their top priority. |
| Capacity for large batches | Usable capacity in litres, external dimensions and access to food stored at the bottom. | If I store bulky batches, I need to fit them in without overlooking the space needed around the appliance. Around 23% of consumers prioritise capacity for larger stocks. |
| Cold room | The minimum and maximum permitted room temperatures and the range explicitly stated for the model. | If I’m installing it in a garage or cold cellar, I check the appliance’s operating conditions. Compatibility with a cold room is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Available space | Width, height, depth and the space needed to open the door or lid. | If the space is tight, the dimensions may determine the type of freezer before you even consider your preferred capacity. A small footprint is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Annual consumption in kWh, defrosting type and the model’s installation requirements. | When I add an appliance that will be running all the time, I also want to check its stated energy use and the maintenance it needs. These factors are the top priority for around 12% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing total capacity with freezer capacity
A fridge freezer may have a large total capacity, but some of that space is used for refrigeration. The Beko BRCNE50140ZXBN lists 356 l for the fridge and 158 l for the freezer separately.
Compare the freezer compartment’s net capacity with the extra space you need, rather than relying on the stated total capacity.
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Putting an appliance in a cold garage without checking its operating range
Bosch states that climate class SN-T covers a range of 10 to 43 °C; this doesn’t mean the appliance will work below 10 °C. The specific model must be stated as suitable for a lower ambient temperature.
Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then make sure they fall within the range given in the appliance’s product information or manual.
An appliance used outside its stated temperature range may not work as expected and could put food storage at risk.
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Comparing capacity alone and overlooking access or defrosting
Models don’t all have the same layout or cooling system: the Beko FSE1174N is listed as having static cooling, while Bosch states that the GSN58AWCV has No Frost. Liebherr says that the frost-reduction systems on its CFe 2500 Pure may not remove the need to defrost.
Before choosing, think about how you’ll get containers out day to day and check the exact defrosting method for the model.
Depending on the appliance and how you use it, its layout and maintenance needs could take up more of your time.
Brands to consider by type
Bosch
Bosch upright freezers are worth considering if you’re looking for vertical storage, particularly for keeping portions separate.
- Bosch lists the GSN58AWCV with 366 l of usable capacity, flexible storage and No Frost.
- Its stated dimensions of 191 × 70 × 78 cm need to be checked against your available space. These specifications apply to this model, not all Bosch upright freezers.
Liebherr
The brand’s chest freezers may suit you if you need plenty of storage, provided you have enough floor space and the room meets the appliance’s requirements.
- Liebherr lists the CFe 2500 Pure with a capacity of 497 l and FrostProtect for ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- Its stated width of 167 cm and top-opening lid need to be taken into account. Liebherr says its frost-reduction systems limit frost but don’t guarantee that defrosting will never be needed.
Beko
The models featured here come in different formats: a table-top freezer for a modest amount of extra space, and a fridge freezer to consider if your main fridge is short on capacity too.
- Beko lists the FSE1174N with 95 l net capacity and a width of 54 cm. The BRCNE50140ZXBN is listed with 356 l of fridge space and 158 l of freezer space.
- The compact model may not be suitable for large stocks. The fridge freezer means replacing your main appliance, and its total capacity isn’t all available for freezing.
Whirlpool
The W3RHS37EW1 chest freezer is worth considering if you need plenty of storage, with baskets to help keep everything organised.
- Whirlpool lists this model with 371 l of usable capacity, three baskets and FreezerGuard for ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- Its stated width of 133 cm and top-opening lid mean you’ll need to allow enough space. The stated suitability for cold temperatures doesn’t apply to the whole brand range.
Haier
The H4F226WDH1 upright freezer is worth considering if you’re looking for a mid-sized model with drawer storage.
- Haier’s product information lists 226 l, four drawers, Total No Frost and operation at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C for this model.
- Check its stated dimensions of 600 × 742 × 1535 mm and the conditions specified for the room where it will be installed.
Spare freezers on Joybuy
This selection features standalone freezers: upright models and chest freezers for extra freezing space, plus a compact option for smaller spaces.
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Heinrich´s 161 L upright freezer
A drawer-style upright freezer for keeping portions separate in your extra freezer space.
161 L, No Frost, three freezer drawers, reversible door, alarm and energy rating C.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
A chest freezer to consider for storing batches if you have enough floor space and can organise access to food at the bottom.
140 L, storage basket, counterbalanced lid and energy rating E.
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AUCMA 291 L convertible chest freezer
A high-capacity option for storing batches. Take into account the top access and the space needed around the freezer.
291 L, converts between fridge and freezer, five-level digital control, removable basket, defrost drain, integrated LED light and energy rating E.
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AUCMA 197 L convertible chest freezer
A chest freezer for extra frozen storage, with a removable basket to keep smaller items separate.
197 L, converts between fridge and freezer, five-level digital control, removable basket, defrost drain and energy rating E.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
A compact drawer-style model to consider if space is limited. Compare its capacity with the amount you plan to store.
60 L, three freezer drawers, adjustable temperature, reversible door and energy rating E.
Frequently asked questions
Is a class SN-T freezer suitable for a garage that gets below 10 °C?
Not on the basis of this class alone: Bosch states a range of 10 to 43 °C for SN-T. If the room gets colder, check the range for the specific model. For example, Liebherr states that the CFe 2500 Pure’s FrostProtect feature allows for ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C. These conditions apply to the models mentioned and aren’t a universal rule for all appliances.
How should you store meals that have been cooked and then frozen?
Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is nearly reached. It explains that freezing at home at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying but doesn’t eliminate most micro-organisms. To defrost food, Anses recommends using the fridge, the microwave’s defrost setting or cooking it straight away. Eat defrosted food promptly and don’t refreeze it.
What legal protection applies in France if a product is faulty?
For goods sold by a business to a private individual in France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory and you claim it from the seller. The DGCCRF states that it lasts for two years from the date of purchase; an optional commercial guarantee doesn’t replace it.