Households that stock up in bulk
If you buy in bulk, batch-cook or store larger items, look at the usable space rather than just the advertised capacity in litres. A chest freezer could suit you if you don’t mind its less compartmentalised storage.
Who is each type best suited to?
People who often take food out of the freezer
If you regularly need portions or pre-prepared meals, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easy to sort food by category. Just check that your packaging will fit in the compartments.
Households with limited space
A kitchen, utility room or narrow access route means you’ll need to check the appliance’s dimensions, how it opens and the entire delivery route. If it’s going in a living area, noise levels may also matter.
What are the key differences between appliances?
Upright freezer
Consider it: if you often take food out and want to organise it in drawers.
Check: large containers need to fit in the compartments, and there must be enough room to open the door.
Chest freezer
Consider it: if you store bulk buys or bulky items and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: according to Bosch Home Appliances, a chest freezer is less compartmentalised than an upright model; you’ll also need room to open the lid.
Larger fridge freezer
Consider it: if you’re short of space for both fresh and frozen food and want to keep just one appliance.
Check: its freezer capacity, which is separate from the total capacity, and the space you’ll need to replace your current appliance.
Once you’ve chosen a type, compare its capacity with the food you usually store, then check access, installation and the usage information for the exact model.
| Factor | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the freezer capacity and the space left by drawers or baskets with the packaging you usually store. | When my current compartment is overflowing after a bulk shop or batch-cooking, I first look for extra storage where everything will fit. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Access to food | Check the drawers, baskets and opening dimensions, taking into account how often you take food out. | If I take portions out every day, I want to find food without rummaging at the bottom of a chest. Easy access and organisation would come first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Space and delivery | Measure the appliance, its opening space and the access route; confirm the packaged dimensions and delivery arrangements. | In a home with narrow access routes, I need to be able to get the appliance in and open it once it’s installed. This would be a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Check the model’s kWh/year, noise level, maintenance requirements and power-cut storage time. | If the appliance is near a living area or holds a large amount of food, I want to know what to expect from it before choosing. Around 17% of consumers would put energy use, noise or power cuts first. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing based only on the capacity in litres
Two appliances with similar capacities can store your food very differently: drawers separate categories but may limit the size of containers, while a chest freezer offers less compartmentalised storage.
Think about the packaging you actually store, then check the drawers, baskets and opening dimensions.
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Assuming NoFrost and other frost-reducing features are the same
NoFrost and StopFrost are different technologies, available on selected models only. Their presence alone doesn’t tell you about energy use, noise or how long food will stay frozen during a power cut.
Check the technology and maintenance instructions for the exact model, then compare its other features separately.
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Forgetting about storage time during a power cut
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes storage time during a power cut, which is how long frozen food stays frozen, from storage capacity and energy use.
If power cuts are a concern, compare the stated time in hours and follow the manufacturer’s instructions if one occurs.
A power cut that lasts longer than the conditions the appliance is designed for could put your stored food at risk.
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Measuring the space, but not the route to get there
The external dimensions won’t tell you whether the packaged appliance will fit in the lift or round corners, or whether the door or lid will open once it’s installed.
Measure the route, ask for the packaged dimensions and delivery arrangements, then check the manual for the clearance needed.
Brands to consider by type
Beko
Beko offers both chest and upright freezers, so you can compare the two types within its range.
- According to Beko France, selected models include features such as drawers, a reversible door or fast-freeze functions.
- Features vary by model, so check its product details for storage time during a power cut, noise and annual energy use.
Bosch
Bosch Home Appliances is worth considering especially for drawer-style upright freezers, either freestanding or built-in, depending on the model.
- Bosch highlights features such as No Frost, BigBox and alarms on selected models.
- These features aren’t found on all its upright freezers; Bosch also says it no longer sells chest freezers.
Liebherr
Liebherr offers upright and chest freezers, which you can compare by capacity and maintenance requirements.
- For the relevant models, Liebherr says its NoFrost and StopFrost technologies reduce frost build-up or the need to defrost.
- Check which technology the model you choose has, as well as its dimensions, noise level and kWh/year separately.
Separate freezers to consider at Joybuy
These models are chest and upright freezers that give you extra storage separate from your main appliance. If you’re thinking of replacing your fridge freezer instead, compare the fresh-food and freezer capacities separately.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you store large quantities and are happy with chest-freezer storage.
Advertised capacity of 291 L; convertible between fridge and freezer modes, with a removable basket, LED light, five-level digital control and defrost drain. Check there’s enough space to open the lid and find out how long food will stay frozen during a power cut.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
Consider it for extra storage if you’d prefer to organise food in a tall, upright appliance.
Advertised capacity of 60 L, with three drawers and a reversible door. The stated external dimensions are 44,5 × 47,5 × 84,5 cm; also check the clearance needed to open the door. This capacity may be too limited for large quantities, so check annual energy use and storage time during a power cut before choosing.
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AUCMA, 95 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering for extra storage if you’re not looking to store large bulk buys.
Advertised capacity of 95 L; convertible between fridge and freezer modes, with a removable basket, seven-level thermostat and defrost drain. The stated energy use is 165 kWh/year. Check the lid clearance and how long food will stay frozen during a power cut.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
Consider it for extra storage if a chest freezer suits the way you take food out.
Advertised capacity of 99 L, with a removable basket, adjustable thermostat and manual defrost. Check the space above the lid, as well as the model’s annual energy use and storage time during a power cut.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L No-Frost upright freezer, stainless steel finish
Worth considering if you’d rather organise your food in drawers than rummage through a chest freezer.
Advertised capacity of 161 L, with three drawers, a reversible door and a No-Frost function listed for this model. Check its external dimensions, annual energy use and storage time during a power cut before making your choice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the energy use of two freezers?
Compare the kWh/year figures for models with a similar capacity and format that meet the same need, rather than looking at a figure in isolation. The energy label and product details also provide useful information, including freezer capacity and noise level, as ADEME and the European Commission point out.
Is storage time during a power cut the same as freezing capacity?
No: storage time is how long frozen food stays frozen during a power cut, while freezing capacity tells you how much fresh food a model can freeze over a given period. If you often add fresh food and are concerned about power cuts, check both figures in the model’s product details.
What should I measure before having a freezer delivered to a flat?
Measure the space where it will go and the entire route from the entrance, including doors, corners, landings and the lift. Compare these measurements with the appliance’s dimensions, ask for the dimensions of the packaged appliance and check the delivery arrangements with the seller. Also check the manual for the space needed to open the appliance and install it.
Can I plug in a freezer as soon as it’s delivered?
Follow the waiting time before switching it on given in the model’s manual, rather than assuming it’s the same for every appliance. The instructions may depend on the appliance and how it was transported.