Households that batch-cook meals
If you regularly store containers and bags of food that you’ll need to find, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to keep meals separate. Just check that they’re the right size for your containers.
Who are these types of freezer for?
Households that buy in bulk
A chest freezer has room for bulky items, as long as you have enough floor space and a way to reach food stored at the bottom.
Households with limited space
An under-counter appliance can provide a little extra freezer space. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer with the amount you usually store.
What should you check before choosing?
First, estimate how much food you want to freeze and how often you’ll need to find it. Then check that the appliance can be installed in the room you have in mind.
Upright freezer
Worth considering: if you want to organise portions you access often, using the drawers and compartments described by Beko France.
Allow for: enough space in front of the door to open it and pull out the drawers.
Chest freezer
Worth considering: for large stocks or bulky items, if you have a suitable space.
Allow for: more floor space and a way to find items stored at the bottom.
Under-counter freezer or fridge freezer
Depending on your needs: choose an under-counter model for a little extra capacity; consider a fridge freezer if you’re replacing your fridge too.
Check: that the available freezer space is enough for the portions and planned purchases you need to store.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Compare the drawers, baskets and usable dimensions with your containers and bags. Plan how you’ll organise food by contents or date. | I want to find my portions without emptying the appliance and see what’s left before I go shopping. ADEME recommends checking what you have in stock to avoid buying duplicates. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the capacity in litres with the amount of food you freeze, then measure the width, height, depth and clearances specified in the manual. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes large-capacity chest freezers from more compact upright models. | My shopping and batch-cooked meals need to fit inside without blocking the walkway or stopping the door or lid from opening. |
| Food preservation | Check the temperature setting, the freezing capacity if you’ll be adding a lot of food at once, and how the stated storage time during a power cut is defined. | I prepare several portions and want to know what to expect in the event of a power cut. According to Anses, freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but does not destroy most microorganisms. |
| Installation room | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the climate class range for the exact model. Also follow the specified clearances. | If I put the appliance in a cellar or garage, I need to check that the room stays within its specified operating range all year round. |
| Everyday use | Compare the stated annual energy consumption of appliances with a similar format and capacity. Check the defrosting method and how easy the storage compartments are to access. | I’m looking for an appliance whose maintenance and layout suit how often I use it, without estimating its energy consumption based on its energy rating alone. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing capacity without thinking about access
A large chest freezer can hold bulky items, but portions at the bottom can be harder to find. An upright model, on the other hand, needs enough space for its door to open and its drawers to slide out.
Compare your usual containers with the storage compartments and check that you can access them easily in the space you have in mind.
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Installing a freezer without checking the room
The climate class indicates a range of ambient temperatures; it’s not simply based on the climate in your area. Beko France and Bosch warn that an appliance placed outside its specified range may not work properly.
Check the possible temperatures in the room throughout the year, then compare them with the rating plate or manual for the model.
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Relying on capacity alone to manage your shopping
Having more space won’t, by itself, help you spot food you’ve forgotten about. ADEME recommends checking what you have in stock before making a shopping list.
Label each portion with its contents and date, and set aside an area for food to use first.
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Waiting until food is nearly past its use-by date before freezing it
According to Anses, freezing food at home does not destroy most microorganisms.
Plan to freeze food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is almost up.
Which brands should you compare?
These brands offer examples of different formats and features to compare. Always check the exact model rather than assuming a feature applies to an entire range.
Beko
Beko France offers upright, chest and under-counter freezers.
- Its guide describes an upright freezer’s drawers as a way to organise food.
- If you’re installing it in a cold room, check the climate class and exact model. A feature available on some models won’t necessarily be included on all of them.
Bosch
Bosch Electroménager France offers freezers in various formats, including under-counter models.
- The brand lists No Frost and a BigBox drawer on selected models.
- Check the dimensions, storage compartments and features on the product page for the model you’re considering.
Electrolux
Electrolux France’s guide distinguishes between chest freezers and compact models, among other types.
- The brand recommends chest freezers for storing large quantities and compact models for smaller amounts.
- Check that automatic defrosting, listed for some models, is available on the one you choose.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France offers upright freezers in various sizes and capacities.
- The WHFF 6403 W4E product page lists a capacity of 404 L, six drawers, a freezing capacity of 19 kg/24 h and 11 h of storage time during a power cut. These are useful specifications to compare against your needs.
- These figures apply to the WHFF 6403 W4E, not to other Whirlpool models.
Which Joybuy appliances should you consider?
This selection includes a fridge freezer if you’re replacing your fridge too, as well as upright and chest freezers and a compact model for extra storage. Compare their capacity with the portions you plan to store and check the installation requirements for each model.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4-door fridge freezer, 467 L
Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too. Check that its freezer compartment has enough space for your portions and planned purchases.
The product name lists a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the installation clearances and climate class for the room you have in mind.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer, stainless steel finish
Its upright design is worth considering if you want to store portions separately. Check the exact interior layout before choosing your containers.
The product name lists No Frost, an alarm and an energy rating of C. Check the manual to find out what the stated temperature range means, and confirm the dimensions, climate class and storage time during a power cut.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
This chest freezer could provide extra frozen storage. Plan how you’ll find food beneath the removable basket listed in the product details.
The product name lists an adjustable thermostat and an energy rating of E. Check the space needed to open the lid, the climate class and the storage time during a power cut.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
This compact model is better suited to providing extra space than to storing lots of bulk purchases. Check that it fits in your chosen spot, with enough clearance around it.
The product name lists a reversible door and an energy rating of E. Check the product page or manual for the storage layout before organising your portions.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
The included basket can help you separate smaller items, but make sure you can also reach food stored at the bottom of the freezer.
The product name lists a counterbalanced lid, an adjustable thermostat and an energy rating of E. Check the space needed to open the lid, the climate class and the storage time during a power cut.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should you set a household freezer to?
Electrolux France recommends setting it to −18 °C. According to Anses, freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most microorganisms survive. So don’t rely on freezing to make food safe if it’s been stored for too long.
Can you install a freezer in a garage or cellar?
Yes, provided the room’s actual temperature stays within the climate class range for the model you choose. Beko France and Bosch explain that this range determines the ambient temperatures the appliance is designed to operate in. Check the exact model, including during the coldest and hottest parts of the year.
What does the stated storage time during a power cut mean?
It describes how long a particular model is expected to maintain its temperature under defined conditions; it isn’t a guarantee for every situation. In its test, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long food takes to warm from −17 °C to −9 °C without power. Check how the manufacturer defines the figure before comparing two appliances.
When should you freeze batch-cooked meals or fresh shopping?
Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is almost up. Plan how you’ll store and label portions as you prepare meals or unpack your shopping.