If you want to find and take out different foods regularly, choose an upright freezer with drawers. If you need to store bulky packs and prioritise capacity, consider a chest freezer instead – provided you have enough floor space and can reach the bottom of the compartment. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these two storage options. A fridge freezer only replaces a separate freezer if its freezer compartment is large enough for your food stock: the Whirlpool WHK 25364 XBR4E, for example, is listed with a 106 L freezer compartment.
If you sort food into categories and take it out regularly, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to find what you need. Check that its capacity is large enough for you and that you’ll have room to open and remove the drawers where you plan to put it.
A chest freezer lets you organise your food stock in one compartment rather than in drawers. However, you’ll need to allow enough floor space and work out how you’ll reach food at the bottom.
If you’re placing your freezer in a garage, cellar or outbuilding, check the ambient temperature range approved for the exact model. Some Liebherr and Beko models are specified to operate at ambient temperatures down to −15 °C; this feature is not available on all freezers.
Choose this if: you sort your food and want to access different categories in drawers regularly.
Bear in mind: check that you have enough room to open the drawers and that the capacity suits the amount you store.
Choose this if: you have enough floor space and store a lot of food or bulky packs.
Bear in mind: organise the compartment so you can still reach food stored at the bottom.
Consider this if: you also need more fridge space and the freezer compartment is large enough for your food stock.
Check carefully: compare the freezer capacity separately from the total capacity. Whirlpool lists 106 L of freezer space out of 316 L total for the WHK 25364 XBR4E.
Once you’ve chosen a type, compare each model with the amount you store, where you’ll put it and how you’ll use it every day.
| Feature | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and dimensions | Compare the litres of freezer space, not just the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Check the width, depth and height, as well as the access route to where you plan to put it. | I want to fit all my frozen food in without choosing an appliance that won’t fit in my home. |
| Access and storage | Check the number of drawers or baskets, the space for bulky packs and how easy it is to reach the bottom of a chest freezer. | Being able to find a bag or box without moving a large part of my food stock matters as much to me as capacity. |
| Energy and maintenance | Compare the energy rating and stated consumption in kWh/year across models with similar types and capacities. Check whether the model has a NoFrost system or needs manual defrosting. | I want to compare appliances that suit the amount I store, rather than choosing based on the energy rating letter alone. |
| Where you’ll install it | Check that the approved ambient temperature range matches the temperatures in the room. Follow the clearance requirements in the manual and keep the appliance away from heat sources. | If I install it in a garage or utility room, it needs to be suitable for that space and have enough ventilation. |
A large compartment can make it harder to reach food stored underneath. Drawers make it easier to organise your food, but may not fit some bulky packs.
Make a list of the foods you store most often, then check that their shapes and quantities will fit in the model’s drawers, baskets or compartment.
If the ambient temperature is outside the model’s approved range or there isn’t enough ventilation, the location may not be suitable.
Before ordering, check the room temperature, the approved operating range and the clearances specified in the manual.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that placing an appliance near a heat source makes it work harder to maintain a low temperature.
Two appliances with different capacities or designs won’t necessarily meet the same storage needs.
Also compare their stated annual consumption in kWh/year, focusing on models with similar capacities and designs, then check the internal layout.
Whirlpool lists a total capacity of 316 L for the WHK 25364 XBR4E, but only 106 L for its freezer compartment. So the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room there is for your frozen food.
First work out how much freezer space you need. Consider a fridge freezer if its freezer capacity is enough and you also need more fridge space.
The FNe 5006 Pure NoFrost is an example of a freestanding upright freezer worth considering if you’re looking for vertical storage.
Haier France’s chest freezers let you compare several capacities for storing food in one compartment.
Two Whirlpool models show the difference between the capacity of a separate upright freezer and the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer.
Some Beko chest freezers are worth considering for installation in an unheated room.
The discontinued GSN58AW30 offers features you can use to compare upright freezers currently on sale.
These two models represent upright and chest freezer designs, with stated capacities of 161 L and 140 L. Before choosing, compare their capacity with the amount your household wants to store.
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This upright freezer suits a household that wants to keep its food stock organised. Check that its 161 L capacity is enough for the amount you plan to store.
The product name lists three freezer drawers, No Frost, a C energy rating, a reversible door hinge and an alarm. If you plan to put it in an unheated room, check the approved ambient temperature range, along with the dimensions and clearances specified in the manual. Also compare its stated annual energy consumption.
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This chest freezer provides a separate freezer compartment with top access. Compare its 140 L capacity with the amount you need to store.
The product name lists a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid, an adjustable thermostat, adjustable feet and an E energy rating. A basket alone doesn’t guarantee easy access to the bottom, so plan how you’ll organise the compartment. Check the approved ambient temperature range, installation clearances and stated annual energy consumption too.
Yes. The DGCCRF states that Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 on energy labelling for household refrigerating appliances has applied since 1 March 2021. When choosing a freezer, check the energy rating and stated consumption, but also look at its freezer capacity and design.
No. Check the approved ambient temperature range and installation instructions for the exact model. Liebherr and Beko state that some models are suitable for temperatures down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all their freezers.
Follow the clearance requirements in the model’s manual and keep the appliance away from heat sources. UFC-Que Choisir recommends leaving at least 10 cm above and behind the appliance to allow air to circulate. Check the specific requirements for the model you’re installing.