For your weekly shop, choose an upright freezer if you often take out a variety of portions, or consider a chest freezer if you’re building up a large stock that you’ll access less frequently. A fridge-freezer can give you both chilled and frozen storage in one appliance, provided its freezer compartment is big enough for your needs. In all three cases, check the freezing capacity, available space and the ambient temperature range supported by the model.
If you regularly add a large amount of food to freeze, check the compartment’s capacity and freezing power in kg/24 h. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol distinguishes between everyday use and more intensive freezing after a shopping trip.
When you store a mix of bags and prepared meals, easy access matters just as much as the stated capacity. Compare the drawers in an upright freezer with the baskets and deeper storage of a chest freezer.
If you’re planning to use a garage or cellar, compare the room’s temperatures with the ambient temperature range supported by the specific model. Suitability for one freezer doesn’t mean all freezers are suitable.
Consider it if: you open the appliance often and want to sort bags or prepared meals into compartments that are easy to reach from the front.
Bear in mind: the size and layout of the drawers may limit the space available for larger packages.
Consider it if: your stock includes large packages and you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: the top-opening lid and deep storage mean you’ll need to organise things to find food at the bottom.
Consider it if: you need both chilled and frozen storage but don’t have room for two appliances.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s total capacity is not the same as the capacity of its freezer compartment alone.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezing a load after shopping | Compare the freezing power in kg/24 h and the net capacity of the freezer compartment. | If I freeze a large amount of food at once, storage capacity in litres alone won’t meet my needs; around 31% of consumers would prioritise this after-shopping load. |
| Access to portions | Check the layout of the drawers or baskets and how much room they leave for different types of food. | When I often take out different bags and prepared meals, I want to find them without rummaging; around 31% of consumers would put organised access ahead of other criteria. |
| Large stock | Compare the net capacity and internal dimensions with the packages you usually store, then measure the floor space available. | If I store large packages for several weeks, my main concern is having room for my stock; this would be the priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Location | Check the permitted ambient temperature range and the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions. | If my only option is a cellar, garage or narrow space, I first need to know whether the appliance can operate there and be installed correctly; around 15% of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
A deep chest freezer and a drawer-style upright freezer don’t offer the same access to food, even if their net capacity seems right for your stock.
Think about the types of packages you store most: check the drawer sizes if you keep a variety of portions, or plan to use baskets to organise a chest freezer.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. For example, Beko states a minimum operating temperature of −15 °C for its HSM14540, but this doesn’t apply to all freezers.
Check the room’s temperatures throughout the year and compare them with the product details and instructions for the model you’re considering.
An appliance may fit in the space but still have its ventilation openings blocked. Bosch’s instructions remind users to keep these openings clear.
Measure the delivery route and the space needed to open the door or lid, too, then allow for the clearances specified in the model’s instructions.
A fast-freeze function doesn’t mean the appliance can handle any load. UFC-Que Choisir assesses intensive freezing after a shopping trip separately.
If you often add a large amount of fresh food, compare the freezing power in kg/24 h and check the instructions for using the fast-freeze function.
Chest and upright freezers to consider if you’re planning to store a large amount of food or install the appliance in a cold room.
Upright freezers to consider if organised compartments and frequent access are important to you.
Upright freezers in different sizes to compare, depending on how much you need to store and how you want to organise it.
These appliances illustrate the three options: an upright freezer for separating food, a chest freezer for building up a stock, and a fridge-freezer for chilled food as well. Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the amount you usually store; a compact chest freezer may not be enough for a large stock.
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Worth considering if you want chilled and frozen storage in one appliance. The title states a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost technology, Wi-Fi and an E energy rating; check the freezer compartment capacity separately to see if it suits your needs.
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Worth considering if you want a dedicated upright freezer to organise a variety of foods. The title lists a capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, No Frost, a reversible door hinge and a C energy rating. If you freeze large loads after shopping, check the freezing power in kg/24 h.
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Worth considering if your household needs chilled and frozen storage in a multi-door appliance. The title states a total capacity of 495 L and an E energy rating; check the freezer’s own capacity, freezing power and the space needed for installation.
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Worth considering if a 99 L capacity suits the amount you store, rather than if you’re looking for a very large chest freezer. The title lists a removable basket, adjustable thermostat, sliding lid and an E energy rating. Also check that you have enough room to access the freezer from above.
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Worth considering if you want a dedicated chest freezer with a basket to keep some food within easy reach. The title states a capacity of 140 L, a counterbalanced lid, adjustable temperature and an E energy rating. If you regularly freeze large loads, check the freezing power in kg/24 h.
No. A chest freezer is worth considering for a large stock and bigger packages, while an upright freezer can make it easier to access lots of smaller portions. If you need to freeze a large amount of food after shopping, compare the freezing power in kg/24 h too; capacity alone won’t answer that question.
No. The garage temperature needs to stay within the ambient range supported by the model you choose. Beko states a minimum operating temperature of −15 °C for its HSM14540, but this doesn’t apply to other models: check their product details and instructions.
Keep the ventilation openings clear and follow the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. Measure the space before ordering, particularly if the appliance needs to fit into a recess or has a top-opening lid.
Compare their stated annual consumption in kWh with their capacity and how you plan to use them, rather than looking only at their energy rating letter. The European Commission’s EPREL database lets you check product energy information; make sure you look up the exact model of each appliance.