Households that freeze portions
If you regularly take out prepared meals and bags of food, an upright freezer’s drawers can make it easier to organise and access them. Check their size, though, and whether they can be removed.
Which option is right for you?
Households that store bulky provisions
A chest freezer is worth considering if you have enough floor space and want to store bulky food. Think about how you’ll reach items at the bottom, too. If you’re putting it in an unheated room, check the ambient temperature range allowed for the model.
Households short on space for fresh and frozen food
If your main fridge is also too small, replacing it with a large fridge freezer could meet both needs. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately before deciding.
How do the different formats compare?
UFC-Que Choisir highlights the storage capacity of chest freezers and the more compact format of upright models. To choose, start with the food you want to store and the space available, then compare how easy each model will be to use every day.
Upright freezer
Consider it if: you organise portions in drawers and take them out often.
Bear in mind: drawer capacity and ease of access vary by model.
Chest freezer
Consider it if: you store bulk or bulky food and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: items at the bottom need more organisation to keep them easy to reach.
Large fridge freezer
Consider it if: you want more fresh and frozen storage by replacing your main appliance.
Bear in mind: some of the total capacity is for fresh food, and the appliance may take up more space in your kitchen.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and location | Compare freezer capacity and external dimensions, including the clearance needed to open the door. In an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature range. | I want to store more provisions, but the appliance needs to fit in the space available and be able to open. Around 37% of consumers would prioritise capacity that suits their available space. |
| Access and storage | Check the size of an upright freezer’s drawers and whether they can be removed, or look at a chest freezer’s baskets and usable depth. | If I regularly take out portions, I want to find a meal without moving all my provisions around. Easy access would be the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Replacing your fridge | With a large fridge freezer, check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then measure the available space in your kitchen. | If I’m short on space for both fresh food and frozen food, replacing my main appliance could be the better option. Around 18% of consumers would prioritise this combined need. |
| Everyday running | Compare each model’s kWh/year, noise level in dB(A) and stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | If the appliance will be near a living area, I pay particular attention to noise, as well as energy use and storage time during a power cut. These considerations would come first for around 18% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on capacity alone
A large chest freezer can take up a lot of floor space, while food at the bottom can be harder to find. UFC-Que Choisir notes that chest freezers can hold up to 600 litres.
Measure the space, delivery route and clearance needed for the lid or door. Then think about how you’ll get to the food you use most often.
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Confusing total capacity with freezer capacity
A large fridge freezer divides its capacity between fresh and frozen food, so its total volume doesn’t tell you how much space you’ll have for frozen meals.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone and check that the appliance’s full dimensions will fit in your kitchen.
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Relying on the energy rating alone
According to ADEME, fridges and freezers run continuously. The European Commission says the label also shows energy consumption, capacity and noise emissions.
For the appliances you’re considering, check the kWh/year and dB(A), taking usable capacity and the room where it will be installed into account.
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Assuming every model is suitable for a garage
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the appliance. A feature listed for one model doesn’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
Before choosing a model for an unheated cellar or garage, check its product specifications and manual to find its operating temperature range.
Brands to consider
Liebherr
Some chest and upright freezer models are worth considering if you need an appliance suitable for a room with little or no heating.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 359 l and suitability down to -15 °C for its CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer.
- Liebherr says this model is 167 cm wide, so check the space it will take up and don’t assume other models have the same specifications.
Beko
The brand’s upright freezers may suit households looking to organise portions in drawers.
- Beko lists a capacity of 177 l and a storage time of 9 h for the RFNM200T40WN.
- For another model, check its own installation requirements and storage time rather than relying on the RFNM200T40WN’s specifications.
Bosch
Bosch’s larger models are worth considering if you’re thinking about replacing your main fridge rather than adding a separate freezer.
- Bosch offers XXL fridge freezers among its fresh and frozen food storage solutions.
- According to Bosch, these fridge freezers can be more than 70 cm wide. Measure your kitchen and check how much capacity is actually reserved for freezing.
Joybuy products to suit your needs
These models illustrate the three options: replacing your fridge freezer with a larger model, adding a chest freezer or choosing an upright freezer to organise portions. Compare their capacities according to what you need: a fridge freezer’s total capacity is not the same as its freezer capacity.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, four-door fridge freezer, 467 L
Worth considering if you want to replace your main appliance and store both fresh and frozen food.
The product name lists a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost technology, a Smart Inverter and an energy rating of E.
Check the freezer compartment capacity separately, along with the space needed for installation.
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AUCMA, convertible chest freezer, 291 L
Worth considering for storing provisions in a chest freezer, if its footprint and top access suit your home.
The product name lists convertible fridge-freezer operation, a removable basket, LED lighting, five digital settings and an energy rating of E.
If you’re putting it in an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature in the model’s manual. Check its storage time during a power cut too, if that matters to you.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer, stainless steel
Worth considering if you’d rather organise portions in an upright freezer than stack them in a chest freezer.
The product name lists No Frost protection, drawers, a reversible hinged door, an alarm and an energy rating of C.
Check the dimensions, drawer layout and annual energy consumption before deciding where to put it.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
Worth considering if you want to add a 99 L chest freezer and don’t need to store large quantities.
The product name lists four-star freezing, an adjustable thermostat, a removable basket and an energy rating of E.
Check that the capacity and access to food stored beneath the basket suit the way you organise your provisions.
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Beko B5RCNE406HG, 355 L fridge freezer
Worth comparing if replacing your main fridge needs to give you more space for both fresh and frozen food.
The product name lists a total capacity of 355 L, Total No Frost technology and an energy rating of C.
Before buying, check the freezer capacity in litres, the available height and the clearances needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a freezer in an unheated garage?
Yes, if the ambient temperature range listed for that specific model includes the temperature in your garage. For example, Liebherr says its CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer is suitable down to -15 °C, but this feature doesn’t automatically apply to other freezers.
Why check storage time during a power cut rather than relying on capacity?
Because storage time and capacity describe two different things. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long it takes for the temperature to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without a power supply. Check the figure for the model you’re considering.
What should you compare on the energy labels of two freezers?
Compare annual energy consumption, storage capacity and noise emissions, taking into account how much space you actually need. The European Commission says this information appears on the labels of refrigeration appliances; the energy rating letter alone doesn’t tell you how an appliance will work for you day to day.