Choose an upright freezer if you regularly take out individual portions and want easy-access drawers in a space with limited floor area; a chest freezer is a better choice when storage capacity is the priority and a suitable room is available. A fridge freezer or multi-door model is mainly worth considering if you are replacing the fridge as well: check the freezer capacity, overall dimensions, climate class, kWh/year and storage time during a power cut.
If you regularly look for portioned meals or frozen ingredients several times a week, the drawer-based layout of an upright freezer makes everyday storage and access easier. Que Choisir and Beko describe this format as compartmentalised.
A chest freezer can be a good choice for bulk shopping, large cuts or numerous meals, provided you have a utility room, cellar or garage where the temperature is compatible with the model.
A fridge freezer or multi-door appliance combines refrigeration and freezing, but your choice should be based on the space actually allocated to the freezer and the appliance’s external dimensions, rather than its total capacity alone.
Start by considering how often you will access your frozen food and how much you need to store. Then check the available space, energy label and installation requirements for your chosen model.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Access to frozen food | Compare the drawers and compartments of an upright freezer with the large storage compartment of a chest freezer. Also check the baskets, access to food at the bottom and the dedicated freezer capacity of a multi-door model. | I want to find portions and ingredients without moving everything else. Drawers help separate meals and dates, while a chest freezer often requires organisation using baskets or storage bins. |
| Capacity and dimensions | Note the freezer capacity in litres, width, depth and height, allowing for clearance and the route needed to bring the appliance in. Do not confuse the total capacity of a fridge freezer with its freezer space. | I want to build up a stock of food without taking over the kitchen, utility room or walkways. A chest freezer prioritises capacity, while an upright freezer makes it easier to minimise the floor space used. |
| Energy consumption and noise | Compare appliances with a similar type and usable capacity. The European energy label shows the A to G class, kWh/year, capacities and noise emissions. | I want to assess the running cost and noise of an appliance that operates continuously. The European Commission recommends checking kWh/year and noise level, not just the energy class. |
| Freezing and installation | To freeze meals, check for a 4-star compartment and a -18 °C setting. Also check the climate class or ambient temperature range, particularly if the appliance will be kept outside a heated kitchen. | I want to freeze homemade dishes and install the appliance in a suitable room. The Ministry of Agriculture states that a 4-star compartment can quickly bring food down to -18 °C. |
A fridge freezer or multi-door model may advertise a large total capacity, while a significant proportion is reserved for refrigeration. The label distinguishes the capacities of frozen and non-frozen compartments.
Record the freezer capacity in litres, external dimensions and daily freezing capacity separately if you regularly freeze large quantities of food.
The room’s ambient temperature affects the operation specified by the manufacturer. Whether an appliance is suitable for an unheated room depends on the model, not simply on its chest-freezer format.
Note the minimum and maximum temperatures in your room, then check the climate class or operating range on the model’s product information.
A freezer compartment does not perform the same function as a space designed for freezing homemade meals. The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between storage and freezing capabilities according to the number of stars.
To prepare and freeze meals, choose a freezer or 4-star compartment and set the appliance to -18 °C in line with the ministry’s recommendations.
Storage time indicates how long food remains frozen in the event of a breakdown or power cut. Loading and removing food also differ considerably between chest and upright freezers.
Check the storage time in the technical documentation and make sure you can reach food stored in the drawers, baskets or at the bottom.
Worth considering for chest freezers designed for high-volume storage and, on certain models, installation in an unheated room.
Worth considering for freestanding upright freezers when your household wants a vertical format and automatic defrosting features.
Worth considering for a multi-door fridge freezer if you are also replacing your fridge and have room for a wide appliance with an integrated freezer section.
Worth considering for a freestanding, high-capacity fridge freezer when you do not want a second freezer appliance.
Joybuy options for comparing an upright freezer, chest freezer and fridge freezers suited to storing family meals.
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A vertical option for organising portions and ingredients you access regularly.
161 L, No Frost protection, three drawers, two shelves, LED display, alarm, reversible door and temperature adjustment from -14 °C to -22 °C.
Check the climate class, storage time during a power cut and freezing capacity before installing it in a garage, cellar or unheated room.
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A chest freezer for building up a substantial stock of food or meals in a suitable room.
291 L, 4-star capacity, 226 kWh/year, 38 dB, LED lighting, five-level digital control, removable basket and defrost drain.
To store frozen meals, keep the appliance in freezer mode. Also check its climate class and storage time during a power cut.
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A single-appliance solution if you are also replacing your fridge and freezing moderate quantities.
187 L refrigerator capacity, 75 L 4-star freezer capacity, three drawers, Low Frost, 215 kWh/year, 39 dB(A), 3.5 kg/24 h and advertised 10-hour storage time.
Its dimensions are 1760 × 540 × 550 mm. The product information states an operating range of 16 to 38 °C and periodic manual defrosting.
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A slimline fridge freezer for a compact kitchen and everyday use of frozen portions.
153 L refrigerator capacity, 74 L 4-star freezer capacity, Low Frost, electronic controls, LED lighting, reversible door, adjustable feet and a width of 54 cm.
The freezer capacity is intended for moderate needs. Check the kWh/year, storage time, daily freezing capacity and climate class on the label and in the technical information.
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A compact chest freezer for small quantities of frozen meals when space is limited.
99 L, 4-star capacity, 4.5 kg/24 h, 39 dB, adjustable thermostat, removable basket, sliding lid, castors and energy class E.
The 99 L capacity is better suited to providing additional freezer space. Manual defrosting is indicated when the frost exceeds 5 mm; also check the climate class and storage time.
Not necessarily. The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between a freezer, which allows food to be frozen, and a freezer compartment intended to store pre-frozen products for a limited period. For homemade meals, check for a 4-star compartment capable of quickly bringing the centre of the food down to -18 °C.
Yes, but only if the model’s climate class or ambient temperature range covers the actual temperatures in the room. Que Choisir recommends checking this for chest freezers in cellars or utility rooms; compatibility advertised down to -15 °C for a specific model does not automatically apply to other appliances.
First compare the A to G class, then annual consumption in kWh, the capacity of the frozen compartments and the noise level. The European Commission states that this information appears on the labels of fridges and freezers.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting it to -18 °C to preserve food quality while limiting energy consumption. You should also follow your appliance’s instructions.
For a purchase from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory and covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to the DGCCRF. Keep the receipt, product information and installation requirements, particularly if the item does not match its description or the use normally expected of it.