A standalone freezer is worth considering if your fridge’s freezer compartment no longer has enough room and you can install an extra appliance in a suitable spot. If you often take out individual portions, an upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to keep things organised. For a larger stock of food, a chest freezer may be a good fit if you have enough floor space and don’t mind having less direct access to items at the bottom. A small model may be all you need for extra capacity, while a larger fridge-freezer is mainly worth considering if you also need to replace your fridge.
If you regularly take out meals, easy access to the compartments and the ability to organise food may matter more than maximum capacity. UFC-Que Choisir points out that ease of use is one of the factors to consider when choosing.
If you store lots of frozen food or bulky packs, compare the usable capacity with the floor space available. A chest freezer can accommodate large items, but you’ll need to think about how to find food stored at the bottom.
If you only need a modest amount of extra storage, measure the space and check which installation options are permitted. A table-top appliance is not necessarily designed to be built in under a worktop.
Worth considering: if you often take out individual portions and want to organise them in drawers.
Check: the height, door clearance and space needed to remove the drawers.
Worth considering: if you’re stocking up on larger quantities and have enough floor space.
Plan for: a way to organise the contents, as food at the bottom is less easy to reach.
Worth considering: if you need a limited amount of extra capacity and a more compact appliance.
Check: the usable capacity and whether the model is freestanding or genuinely built-in.
Worth considering: if you also need to replace your main fridge and its freezer compartment meets your needs.
Compare: the capacity allocated to frozen food, not just the fridge-freezer’s total capacity.
If your current freezer compartment no longer has enough room, the main trade-offs are access to individual portions, usable capacity and installation requirements. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights ease of use as a factor when choosing between a chest and an upright freezer.
| What matters | What to check | Who prioritises it |
|---|---|---|
| Access and organisation | Number of drawers or baskets and how easy they are to use; access to food stored at the bottom. | If I often take out individual portions, I want to find them without moving the rest of the food; around 31% of consumers prioritise access and meal organisation. |
| Freezer capacity | Litres allocated to frozen food and usable space once the drawers or baskets are in place. For a fridge-freezer, distinguish the freezer capacity from the total capacity. | If I prepare a large stock of food or store bulky packs, I first look at the capacity actually available for frozen food; around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Space and opening clearance | Height, width, depth, delivery route and the space needed to open the door or lid. | Where space is limited, I want to check that the appliance fits in the room and can be opened; around 19% of consumers put a compact footprint first. |
| Room temperature | Possible temperatures throughout the year, the climate class and the exact model’s stated suitability for cold conditions; also follow its installation instructions. | If the appliance is going in an unheated cellar or garage, I check that it is suitable for the room temperature; around 13% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Energy use and power-cut storage time | Compare kWh/year for models with suitable capacities and their stated power-cut storage time in hours; estimate the annual cost using your electricity tariff. | When I add an appliance that will run continuously, I compare its stated energy use and power-cut storage time; around 12% of consumers focus on these two factors first. |
For a fridge-freezer, the total capacity includes the fridge section too. So it doesn’t tell you on its own how much frozen food you’ll be able to store.
Compare the capacity allocated to frozen food, and consider the shape of your containers, drawers and baskets.
The appliance’s dimensions alone don’t tell you how much clearance is needed around a particular model. A table-top design isn’t automatically suitable for building in.
Measure the space and opening, then check the installation instructions for the specific model before choosing it.
Specifications vary from one model to another. Bosch states a power-cut storage time of 9 h for the GSN36VWEP, while Whirlpool states 26 h for the WHCF 204 4. These figures apply to those specific models and are not a like-for-like comparison under identical conditions.
Compare the kWh/year and power-cut storage time of the models you’re considering, taking their capacity and the conditions stated on their product information into account.
Freestanding upright models are worth considering if you’re looking for storage with bins and drawers; specifications vary by model.
The range shown includes large-capacity chest freezers and table-top models, which you can compare according to the space available and capacity you need.
The models mentioned include a mid-sized chest freezer and a fridge-freezer, designed for different needs.
The French catalogue features upright and chest freezers in a range of layouts and capacities.
Some chest freezers in the French catalogue feature Freezer Guard, designed for installation in a cold room.
This selection includes upright and chest freezers for adding extra storage for meals and frozen food. Choose a format that suits how often you need access and the space available.
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The upright design and drawers may suit you if you want to organise individual portions and access them regularly.
Listed capacity: 161 L; 3 freezer drawers and 2 shelves; No Frost; LED display; reversible door hinge; energy rating C.
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This chest freezer may be a good way to add extra frozen food storage if you have room for the appliance and space to open the lid.
Listed capacity: 140 L; storage basket; counterbalanced lid; adjustable temperature; energy rating E. Food at the bottom is less easy to reach than in a freezer with drawers.
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A capacity of 98 L may be just right for extra frozen food storage if there’s enough room to open the lid.
Listed capacity: 98 L; storage basket; counterbalanced lid; adjustable temperature; adjustable feet; energy rating E. Food at the bottom is less easy to reach than in a freezer with drawers.
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With a listed capacity of 291 L, this model may suit a household looking to stock up on larger quantities, with enough floor space for a chest freezer.
Removable basket; LED light; 5-level digital control; energy rating E. The fridge and freezer modes are alternatives, not simultaneous. In a chest freezer, food at the bottom is less easy to reach than in one with drawers.
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This 95 L chest freezer may suit you if you need compact extra storage, prefer a basket and have enough space to open the lid.
Removable basket; 7-level thermostat; defrost drain; energy rating E. The fridge and freezer modes are alternatives, not simultaneous. Food at the bottom is less easy to reach than in a freezer with drawers.
Check the temperatures the room may reach in winter and summer, then compare them with the climate class and any stated suitability for cold conditions for the exact model. Bosch, for example, describes climate class SN as suitable for a range of 10 to 32 °C; the Liebherr CFe 2500 is stated to work at ambient temperatures down to −15 °C, but this does not apply to all freezers. Also follow the ventilation clearance instructions in the manual.
Litres indicate the freezer capacity to compare, rather than the total capacity of a fridge-freezer if you’re only interested in its freezer section. kWh/year is the annual energy use stated under standardised conditions; power-cut storage time is the number of hours the model is stated to keep food frozen during a power cut. These figures alone don’t reflect your personal usage.
No. Extra capacity doesn’t replace good food-storage practices. According to Anses, it’s best to freeze food as soon as you buy or prepare it. At −18 °C, home freezing stops bacteria from multiplying, but most microorganisms survive.
Yes. Follow the manual and clean the inside, even if the model reduces or avoids the need for regular manual defrosting. Also check that the door closes properly and follow the instructions for your appliance. No Frost doesn’t mean it needs no maintenance.
When a private individual buys from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity is mandatory and applies through the seller, whether the product is new, second-hand or refurbished. The Ministry of the Economy and Finance explains that this is separate from any additional commercial guarantee that may be offered. Check the delivery and installation services included in the contract separately.