Households that prepare meals in advance
If you regularly take out a portion or ingredient, the drawers in an upright freezer can make it easier to organise and find what you need. Just check that your containers will fit in the compartments.
Who is each type best suited to?
Households that store large quantities
For large packs or seasonal supplies, the open compartment of a chest freezer offers a different way to organise your food. You’ll need room for it and must be able to reach food at the bottom.
Households with limited space
Measure the room and delivery access before choosing a type. If the appliance is going in a cellar or garage, check the manual for the permitted ambient temperature range for the model you’re considering.
What should you check before buying?
First decide whether you mainly need easy access to food, space for large quantities or an appliance that will work in a challenging room. You can then compare the features of specific models to decide which type is right for you.
Upright freezer
Consider one if: you often need to find portions sorted into drawers by category.
Bear in mind: drawer dimensions may limit the size of containers you can store, even if the overall capacity seems sufficient.
Chest freezer
Consider one if: you want to store large packs in an open compartment and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: finding and removing food from the bottom takes more effort.
Large fridge freezer
Consider one if: you also need to replace your fridge and want more space in both compartments.
Bear in mind: its total capacity doesn’t represent freezer space alone, so check the capacity of each compartment.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Access and organisation | Arrangement of drawers or baskets; whether the appliance can be opened once installed. | If I take out portions often, I want to find them without moving the rest of the food. Around 36% of consumers would put easy everyday access first. |
| Capacity for large quantities | Usable capacity in litres; the space actually available for the largest packs. | To store bulk purchases or large batches of food, I need space that suits their size. Flexible capacity would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Location | Dimensions, door or lid clearance; permitted ambient temperature and clearances specified in the manual. | In a narrow or unheated room, I need to be able to install and use the appliance in the conditions specified for that model. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise these location constraints. |
| Everyday use | Energy consumption in kWh/year for a comparable capacity; storage time during a power cut and defrosting method. | If I’m storing food for later, I want to consider energy consumption, maintenance and storage time during a power cut—not just capacity. These factors would be priorities for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing the largest capacity without considering access
A spacious compartment can hold large packs, but food stored at the bottom is harder to reach. Drawers make it easier to sort food, but may not fit the widest containers.
Measure your bulkiest packs and consider how often you’ll use them, then take a look at the compartment, baskets or drawers.
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Assuming every freezer is suitable for a garage
The permitted ambient temperature range depends on the model. Some models are designed for cold rooms, but this feature isn’t available across an entire range.
Compare the possible temperatures in the room with the climate class, product specifications and manual for the appliance you’re considering.
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Relying on the energy rating letter alone
Two appliances with the same energy rating can have different capacities. ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously, so it’s worth checking annual energy consumption for the capacity you need.
Compare kWh/year for models with similar capacities and formats, then look at their features and maintenance requirements.
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Assuming storage time during a power cut from the type alone
The capacity of a chest or upright freezer doesn’t, on its own, tell you how long food will stay frozen during a power cut. UFC-Que Choisir assesses this separately in its freezer testing process.
If you’re storing large quantities, check the storage time stated for the exact model and see whether it has a temperature alarm.
Brands to consider
Beko
Beko’s chest freezer range includes models with features designed to help manage frost and, in some cases, to allow installation in a cold room.
- Beko offers MinFrost on selected chest freezers and states that Freezer Guard works down to −15 °C on applicable models.
- Check that each feature is included and review the installation conditions in the product specifications and manual for your chosen model.
Liebherr
Liebherr offers chest and upright freezers with frost-management features that vary by model.
- The brand describes NoFrost as an automatic defrosting feature and FrostProtect as a feature on certain chest freezers designed to operate down to −15 °C.
- Don’t assume these features, or suitability for a cold room, apply to every Liebherr model.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s product pages for chest and upright freezers let you compare the features of individual models.
- According to Whirlpool, the WHM4612 chest freezer offers 32 h of storage time during a power cut, while the WHFF 6403 W4E upright freezer has a freezing capacity of 404 L.
- These figures relate to two different appliances and don’t describe the range as a whole.
Freezers available on Joybuy
These models include chest freezers for extra storage and upright freezers with compartments to help you organise food. Compare their capacity with your actual needs, then check the installation requirements for the model you choose.
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AUCMA convertible chest freezer, 95 L
For extra storage if you’re looking for a 95 L chest freezer. The product name indicates that it can switch between fridge and freezer modes, and has a 7-level thermostat, a removable basket and an E energy rating. Before installing it in a cold room, check that the selected mode suits your needs, as well as the climate class and storage time during a power cut.
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Heinrich´s upright freezer, 161 L, stainless steel finish
Worth considering if you want to keep food separated in an upright freezer. The product name lists 3 drawers, No-Frost, an alarm, a reversible door and a C energy rating. Check the space needed to open the door, energy consumption in kWh/year and storage time during a power cut.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E) upright freezer, 60 L
For a small amount of food to split between several compartments, rather than storing large quantities. The product name indicates that it has 3 drawers, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the space needed to open the door, as well as annual energy consumption, storage time during a power cut and installation requirements.
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CHiQ JR99DWE chest freezer, 99 L
For adding a moderate amount of storage in an open compartment. The product name lists a removable basket, an adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating; the description for the same model states that it has manual defrost. Check the annual energy consumption, storage time during a power cut and permitted temperature range for the room where you plan to use it.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR chest freezer, 140 L
Worth considering if 140 L suits your storage needs and you have room to open a chest freezer. The product name lists a basket, a balanced lid, adjustable temperature and an E energy rating. Measure the installation space and check the annual energy consumption, storage time during a power cut and permitted ambient temperature conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the day-to-day difference between an upright and a chest freezer?
An upright freezer lets you organise food in drawers, while a chest freezer has an open compartment for bulky packs but means bending down to reach the bottom. UFC-Que Choisir also compares these types in terms of the space they take up and how easy they are to access. Choose according to the size of your food and how often you take it out.
Can a freezer run in an unheated garage?
Yes, if the model is designed for the garage’s temperature range and installed according to its manual. Beko and Liebherr state that certain models can operate down to −15 °C, but this applies only to specific models. Check the product specifications, climate class and instructions for the exact appliance.
How much space should you leave around a freezer?
Check the dimensions and clearances specified in the manual for your chosen model, rather than measuring only its width and depth. Allow enough room for the door or lid to open fully, and make sure there’s enough space to get the appliance into the room.
How do you compare the energy consumption of two freezers?
Compare their annual energy consumption in kWh on the label, using models with similar capacities and formats, then check whether their capacity meets your needs. ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously; the energy rating letter alone tells you neither the available capacity nor the annual energy consumption.