Choose an upright freezer if you open the appliance frequently and want to find portions and prepared meals easily in drawers; choose a chest freezer if you want to build up a larger reserve in a suitable room. A larger-capacity fridge freezer may be suitable if you only need a limited amount of additional freezer space or if your main fridge also needs replacing.
This option is ideal when your fridge’s freezer compartment no longer has enough room for portions, prepared meals or bulk purchases. The capacity you need and how often you access your food will help you decide between an upright and a chest freezer.
A separate freezer can provide more space than a fridge freezer. UFC-Que Choisir states that large upright freezers can approach 400 L, while some chest freezers can hold up to 600 L.
A chest freezer may be suitable if you have enough floor space and the room matches the appliance’s climate class. Measure the dimensions, required clearances and opening area before ordering.
Choose this if: you often access portions, bags and prepared meals and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: the capacity is often lower than that of the largest chest freezers; also check the door clearance and access to each drawer.
Choose this if: you want to store large packages or substantial reserves in a room with sufficient floor space.
Bear in mind: top access and the limited number of fixed dividers require more careful organisation for smaller portions.
Choose this if: your main fridge needs replacing and your need for additional freezer space is moderate.
Bear in mind: compare the space actually dedicated to freezing, rather than just the appliance’s total capacity.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the usable litres with your current storage shortfall; look at the internal layout; measure the width, depth, height and door-opening clearance. | I want to store more meals, portions or large packages without installing an oversized appliance in my home. |
| Everyday access | Examine the drawers, trays, baskets and compartment; check the lighting, alarms and opening type; adapt the storage layout to the size of your food. | I want to find frequently used food quickly, without having to move the entire reserve every time I open the freezer. |
| Food protection | Compare the storage time during a power cut; check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h and the fast-freeze function; check the room’s climate class. | I want to be able to store a large grocery shop and protect food if a power cut occurs. |
| Use and maintenance | Compare the energy class and kWh/year for similar capacities; look at frost management; consider the noise level in dB(A) if the appliance is near a living area. | I am looking for an appliance that runs continuously without unnecessarily increasing energy use or defrosting tasks. |
A chest freezer can offer a large capacity, but an upright freezer generally makes it easier to organise food in drawers. The wrong format can make some items difficult to reach or find.
Make a list of what you freeze most often: portions and bags that you access frequently are better suited to an upright freezer, while large packages may be better suited to a chest freezer.
Ambient temperature affects how the appliance operates, particularly in a cellar, garage or utility room.
Check the climate class of the exact model, the temperatures actually reached in the room, the required ventilation clearances and the opening space for the door or lid.
Storage time varies between models. UFC-Que Choisir measures, among other things, how long the appliance maintains a low temperature during a power cut, while freezing capacity helps you compare how well it can handle a large load of fresh products.
Compare the stated storage time, freezing capacity in kg/24 h, temperature alarms and any fast-freeze function.
A freezer runs continuously, and models with similar capacities can differ in energy class, annual consumption and noise level.
Compare the energy label, kWh/year, noise level, usable capacity and maintenance features between appliances with comparable capacities.
Annual electricity consumption is one of the factors to consider for everyday use.
In France, Bosch offers freestanding and integrated upright freezers, with models focused on drawers, No Frost technology and large capacities.
Beko is worth considering if you are looking for a freestanding chest freezer to increase storage in an additional room.
In France, Whirlpool offers freestanding and integrated upright freezers, worth considering when you need an integrated niche or several drawers.
These Joybuy options include upright and chest freezers to add extra freezing capacity to your home.
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An upright option for organising portions and prepared meals that you access regularly.
161 L, three drawers, two trays, LED display, alarm, Fast Freeze function and a stated range of -14 °C to -22 °C. Reversible door and energy class C.
Before installation, check the dimensions, climate class, noise level, annual consumption and storage time during a power cut for the exact model.
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This compact chest freezer may suit a small reserve of frozen food when space is limited.
95 L, removable basket, seven-level mechanical thermostat, 4-star freezer mode, 165 kWh/year and a stated noise level of 38 dB.
Check the climate class and storage time during a power cut before installing it in a cellar, garage or utility room.
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An organised extra storage solution for a small kitchen or under-counter space.
60 L, three compartments, two shelves with lift-up covers, bottom drawer, reversible door and a stated freezing capacity of 6 kg/24 h.
This capacity may be limited for large grocery shops; also check the storage time, climate class, noise level and annual consumption.
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An additional chest freezer for increasing your reserve while keeping the footprint small.
99 L, removable metal basket, adjustable thermostat, castors, defrost drain, a stated noise level of 39 dB and a stated freezing capacity of 4.5 kg/24 h.
Manual defrosting is required when the frost exceeds 5 mm. Check the climate class and storage time during a power cut before installing it outside the kitchen.
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This chest freezer is designed to provide extra storage for products of various sizes.
140 L, storage basket, lid that stays open, adjustable temperature control, castors, adjustable feet and energy class E.
Before buying, check the climate class, storage time during a power cut, noise level, annual consumption and defrosting requirements.
No. A chest freezer is suitable if you prioritise a large capacity and have enough floor space, but it offers fewer fixed dividers. An upright freezer may be better for a family that opens the freezer frequently and wants quick access to portions stored in drawers.
Compare the storage time stated for the exact model and check the measurement method when available. In its testing protocol, UFC-Que Choisir measures, among other things, how long it takes the temperature to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without power; the figures cannot be directly compared between models.
Yes, provided the room temperature is compatible with the climate class specified for the model. Also check the ventilation clearances recommended by the manufacturer; Bosch’s general guidance recommends a minimum of 5 cm at the sides and rear.
Anses states that freezing food at home at -18 °C stops bacterial growth, but most micro-organisms survive. Freeze food as soon as you buy or prepare it, defrost it in the fridge, in the microwave using the defrost setting or quickly through cooking, then eat it without refreezing it.
If it still works, it can be donated or sent for reuse. If it cannot be repaired, take it to a collection scheme suitable for refrigeration appliances; ecosystem states that this equipment is decontaminated before its materials are sorted and reused.