Households that stock up in bulk
If your fridge freezer no longer has enough room for frozen food and meals you’ve prepared for freezing, compare the net capacity of a separate appliance with the space you have available.
Who is each type best suited to?
People who access their food frequently
If you regularly reach for bags, boxes or portions, an upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to keep everything organised. Check, though, that the compartments can accommodate the bulkiest items in your stock.
Households planning to install a freezer in a garage or utility room
If the room is unheated, the model’s stated ambient temperature range must be suitable for the temperatures the space can reach. Being a chest freezer alone doesn’t guarantee this.
What sets the different types apart?
Upright freezer
Consider it if: floor space is limited and you want to find food quickly in the drawers.
Bear in mind: the drawer dimensions may make it harder to store bulky items. Check the net capacity too, as well as the space needed to open the door.
Chest freezer
Consider it if: you buy in bulk or store bulky food, and have a wide space available.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to allow room for the lid to open and organise the contents so you can reach food at the bottom.
Under-counter freezer
Consider it if: you need extra freezer space in a small area.
Bear in mind: its compact capacity may not be enough to store a large family’s supplies on its own.
Large-capacity fridge freezer
Consider it if: you’re replacing your fridge too and would prefer both functions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: check the freezer compartment’s capacity separately from the total capacity. It needs to be large enough for the amount you plan to store.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and dimensions | Compare the net capacity and measure the space, access routes and clearance needed when the door or lid is open. | If I freeze large grocery shops, I need more space without blocking the way through the room; around 29% of consumers would put capacity and dimensions at the top of their list. |
| Access and organisation | Check the size of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. | When I open the freezer often, I want to find my portions without moving everything else; access and organisation would come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Room temperature | Compare the space’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the ambient temperature range stated for the exact model. | My garage isn’t heated, so I need an appliance that can handle the temperatures it may reach; this compatibility would be a priority for around 24% of consumers. |
| Energy use and power cuts | Check the energy use in kWh/year and the stated storage time in hours, comparing models with capacities suited to your needs. | I want to factor in the energy use of an appliance that runs continuously, as well as how long it can keep food frozen during a power cut; around 18% of consumers would make these criteria their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Choosing a chest freezer for its capacity without measuring the lid clearance
An appliance may fit in the space you have planned, but there might not be enough room to lift the lid or access the contents easily.
Measure the delivery route and the clearance above the freezer too, before comparing net capacities.
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Assuming all chest freezers are suitable for a cold garage
Whether a freezer can be used in an unheated room depends on the model’s operating temperature range, not just its design.
Compare the room temperature with the climate class or ambient temperature limits stated in the manual.
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Comparing only the energy efficiency rating letter
The rating letter doesn’t replace the annual energy consumption figure when comparing appliances suited to the same storage needs.
Check the kWh/year on the label and compare models with a capacity and design that suit you.
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Assuming a freezer’s size tells you how long it will stay cold
How long a freezer can keep food frozen during a power cut varies by model; a larger capacity doesn’t guarantee a particular length of time.
Check the stated storage time for the appliance you choose, especially if you plan to keep a large stock of food in it.
Brands to consider, model by model
These ranges include different types of freezer to compare, but you’ll need to check the capacity, storage time during a power cut and suitability for a cold room for each individual model.
Beko
The range includes chest freezers, upright models and compact options to consider based on your available space and capacity needs.
- Beko states that its HSM14540 chest freezer has a capacity of 205 L, a storage time of 23 h during a power cut and can operate in ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- These figures apply to the HSM14540; they don’t describe other Beko models.
Whirlpool
A range of upright freezers to consider if you want to organise your family’s supplies in drawers.
- Whirlpool describes the WHFF6403W4E as a 404 L upright freezer with six drawers and a No Frost system.
- Its stated power-cut storage time of 11 h applies to this model only; check the figure for the model you’re considering.
Liebherr
Chest freezers to consider if you’re looking for plenty of capacity for a utility room or garage.
- Liebherr states that the CFe 2080 Pure has a capacity of 353 L, and that certain chest freezers with FrostProtect can operate in ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- Cold-temperature compatibility depends on the features of the specific model; it doesn’t apply to every chest freezer in the range.
Chest freezer and fridge freezer on Joybuy
These two appliances are suited to different needs: a chest freezer gives you extra, separate freezer space, while a fridge freezer stores fresh and frozen food together. For a large household, compare the freezer capacity you actually need before choosing between them.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS 4-door fridge freezer, 467 L
Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too. Check that the freezer compartment has enough space for your needs, regardless of the stated total capacity.
- Stated total capacity: 467 L; four doors.
- Total No Frost, energy efficiency class E and Smart Inverter technology are listed in the product title.
- If you plan to keep it in a cold room, check the manual for the ambient temperatures this model can operate in.
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AUCMA 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want a separate freezer, provided you have enough floor space for it and can open the lid fully.
- Stated capacity: 291 L; fridge and freezer modes.
- The product title lists a removable basket, LED lighting, five-level digital controls and a defrost drain.
- Before installing it in a garage, check the model’s ambient temperature range and stated storage time during a power cut.
Frequently asked questions
Is a chest freezer always better for a large household?
No. A chest freezer is particularly useful for storing bulky food in a wide space. If you regularly take out small portions, an upright freezer with drawers may make them easier to reach, as long as its net capacity is enough for your supplies.
Can you install any freezer in an unheated garage?
No. Compare the temperatures your garage may reach with the ambient temperature range stated in the manual for the exact model. For example, Beko states that its HSM14540 can operate in temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all freezers.
How do you compare the energy use of two freezers?
Check the annual energy consumption in kWh/year for each appliance and compare models that meet your capacity and installation needs. The energy efficiency rating letter alone doesn’t tell you this figure.
How long should a freezer keep food frozen during a power cut?
Choose based on each model’s stated storage time and the size of your food stock, rather than its capacity alone. UFC-Que Choisir also assesses this in its tests, measuring how long food stays below −9 °C during a simulated power cut.