Start by choosing based on everyday access and the space you actually have available: an upright freezer makes it easier to see and reach your food, while a chest freezer prioritises usable capacity for large stocks if you have enough floor space. A large fridge freezer may be suitable if your refrigerator also needs replacing, but make sure its freezer capacity genuinely covers your usual reserves.
You buy multipacks, freeze homemade portions or prepare several meals in advance, and need a long-term reserve that is larger than the freezer compartment of a fridge freezer. Focus on genuinely usable capacity, freezing capacity and how easily you can organise your stock.
You use your freezer several times a week and prefer drawers, dividers, lighting or removable shelves that help you identify portions quickly and avoid forgetting what you have stored. Everyday ease of use may therefore matter more than the maximum floor-space capacity.
You are considering installing the appliance outside the kitchen, in a potentially cold space. Check the dimensions, the installation conditions specified by the manufacturer and the climate class or function designed for the room temperature.
Consider it: if you open your freezer frequently and want to find portions, meals and smaller items quickly in a vertical appliance.
The compromise: capacity is often lower than that of a chest freezer; compare the capacity, drawers and dimensions of the specific model.
Consider it: if you need substantial storage for multipacks, large bags or prepared meals and have enough floor space.
The compromise: food at the bottom is less immediately accessible, and suitability for a cold room depends on the model you choose.
Consider it: if you need to replace your refrigerator and freezer at the same time and want to keep just one appliance in the kitchen.
The compromise: a large total capacity does not necessarily mean a large freezer reserve; check the capacity allocated to the freezer.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs and concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity and access | Compare the freezer capacity with your usual stock levels. Check the drawers, shelves, baskets, areas for bulky items or storage baskets, depending on the format. | I want to store multipacks, homemade portions and frozen food without wasting time looking for what I need. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, including delivery access routes and the opening space for the door or lid. Check the manual for clearance requirements and the permitted ambient temperature. | My appliance needs to fit in the intended room and remain suitable for its temperature. In an online questionnaire published by UFC-Que Choisir in 2014 among nearly 1,500 self-selected readers, 27% of respondents said they installed their freezer in a garage; this figure does not confirm that the models were suitable for cold conditions. |
| Energy and power cuts | Compare the A to G rating and kWh/year between appliances with similar capacities and functions. Also check the stated storage time in the event of a power cut and any alarms. | I want to compare appliances that meet the same storage needs, without assuming that the same energy letter means identical consumption. In the 2014 UFC-Que Choisir questionnaire, 41% of respondents said that information about energy classes had been decisive in their choice. |
| Maintenance and storage | Check whether the model specifies No Frost, SmartFrost or MinFrost, and see how easy it is to remove the baskets, drawers and food at the bottom. | I prefer an appliance that is easy to check and maintain, depending on how often I open the freezer. |
A chest freezer may offer substantial capacity, but its contents are less naturally divided than those in the drawers of an upright freezer. For small portions used several times a week, the internal layout has a major effect on everyday convenience.
Think through how you will store your bags, tubs, portions and large boxes. Choose an upright freezer if everyday access is the priority; a chest freezer is better suited if you are happy to organise items in baskets or labelled boxes.
The room temperature may fall outside the conditions specified by the manufacturer. In the UFC-Que Choisir questionnaire published in 2014, 77% of respondents said they did not know the climate class.
Record the minimum and maximum temperatures the room may reach, then check the exact model’s product information. Only rely on cold-temperature suitability when it is explicitly stated, for example down to -15 °C on certain models equipped with FrostProtect or Freezer Guard.
Freezers run continuously and the energy label helps you compare appliances, but different capacities do not meet the same storage needs.
Compare the A to G rating and kWh/year between appliances of similar size and capacity, then check the noise level, stated storage time and internal layout.
A freezer is bulky and needs to be sent through the appropriate recycling route. Delivery arrangements may also determine whether the old appliance can be collected.
Select the “one-for-one” collection option during checkout and confirm the arrangements before delivery. In France, retailers must offer to take back used equipment when a new equivalent appliance is purchased; the decree of 8 October 2014 provides for collection at the place of use when the new appliance is delivered there.
A useful reference for comparing large-capacity upright freezers with drawers or adaptable compartments.
A useful reference for households looking for a large-capacity chest freezer, particularly when installation in a compatible cold room is being considered.
A useful reference for comparing very large chest freezers and certain models designed for an unheated room.
A useful reference if you plan to replace your refrigerator and freezer with one large-capacity combination appliance.
Joybuy options for adding family-sized freezer storage, including an upright model for organised storage and a chest freezer for separate reserves.
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Its three drawers and two stated shelves make it easier to separate portions and frequently accessed food.
LED display, alarm, reversible door and a stated temperature range of -14 °C to -22 °C. Its 161 l capacity is mid-range: compare it with your usual stock levels. Check the manual for the dimensions, ventilation, climate class and storage time before installing it outside the kitchen.
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This chest freezer adds dedicated storage alongside a fridge freezer; its stated basket creates a separate area for smaller items.
Stated dimensions: 637 × 556 × 846 mm. Counterbalanced lid, castors, front drainage and adjustable temperature control. Access to the bottom requires suitable organisation; check the installation conditions, climate class and storage time in the manual.
There is no universal capacity: start by taking stock of your frozen food bags, prepared meals, homemade portions and multipack purchases. Compare usable freezer capacity, not just total capacity: the Whirlpool WHK22372X5EA1 offers 370 l in total, including 118 l for frozen food. UFC-Que Choisir states that chest freezers can hold up to 600 l, while upright freezers generally offer around 200 l and up to 400 l for the largest models.
Only if the model’s product information or manual confirms a compatible ambient temperature range. Some models explicitly state suitability down to -15 °C, such as the Liebherr CFd 2505 Plus with FrostProtect or certain Beko chest freezers equipped with Freezer Guard; do not assume this applies to another model.
The required ventilation clearance depends on the model and its installation method. Check the installation manual and the dimensions of your chosen model before ordering: European rules require information for installers and end users, but do not impose one single clearance for all freezers.
Compare the current A to G energy label and the stated annual consumption between appliances with comparable capacities and functions. The former A+, A++ and A+++ classes have not been used for refrigerators and freezers since 2021.
In France, retailers must offer to take back a used appliance when an equivalent new appliance is purchased, including distance purchases. When the new appliance is delivered to its place of use, the decree of 8 October 2014 provides for the old appliance to be collected from that location during delivery.