Households that mainly buy fresh food
If you shop frequently and freeze few portions, prioritise fridge space that suits your containers rather than a large total capacity. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously.
Who are these options suitable for?
People who freeze prepared meals
If you cook in advance or regularly buy frozen food, check how much usable space there is in the freezer drawers. A second appliance also needs room and uses energy, so factor both in.
Households with limited space
In a small kitchen, an alcove or a room where the temperature varies, measure the appliance and access route, then check the clearance requirements and ambient temperature range specified for the model.
What sets the appliances apart?
For a weekly shop and prepared meals, start by considering what you usually store in your fridge and freezer, then check whether the appliance can be installed in your home. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking factors such as how often you shop and how much frozen food you buy into account.
Fridge without a freezer
Worth considering if: you mainly buy fresh food and rarely freeze portions.
Bear in mind: it won’t provide freezer storage for prepared meals.
Fridge-freezer
Worth considering if: you want to store fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the split between the two compartments varies by model.
Separate freezer
Worth considering if: you regularly need more freezer space than a fridge-freezer can provide.
Bear in mind: you’ll need room and a power supply for a second appliance that runs continuously.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh food | Compare the usable fridge capacity and internal layout with your usual shop, rather than focusing only on total capacity. | If I mainly buy fresh food, I want enough room for my containers without choosing an appliance that’s too large for my needs; around 36% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Balance between compartments | With a fridge-freezer, check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then look at how the drawers are arranged. | I shop for the week and also keep prepared portions: the space allocated to each use matters to me. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Freezer storage | Compare the capacity of a separate freezer with the number of portions you usually store. If you add another appliance, compare the combined annual energy consumption of both appliances. | When I regularly freeze meals or bulk-bought food, I first look for enough storage so it won’t fill up too quickly; around 21% of consumers would prioritise this capacity. |
| Installation | Measure the appliance, access route and clearances specified in its instructions; check its ambient temperature range. | In my small kitchen or a room where the temperature varies, the most important thing is that the appliance can be installed in the conditions specified. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this. |
A compact appliance may be a good choice if space is limited, provided its usable capacity is enough for your shopping and, where relevant, your frozen portions. Its smaller size doesn’t mean you can skip checking ventilation and the permitted room temperature.
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on a fridge-freezer’s total capacity
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may offer different amounts of space for frozen meals. For example, Whirlpool splits the WHK 26402 XP4E’s 355 L between 249 L of fridge space and 106 L of freezer space.
Take stock of your fresh food and frozen portions over a typical shopping cycle, then compare each compartment separately.
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Adding a freezer without looking at the whole picture
ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously, so choosing a second appliance isn’t just about the extra freezer capacity it provides.
For the models you’re considering, compare their combined annual energy consumption in kWh/year with that of a fridge-freezer offering similar capacity.
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Measuring the alcove without allowing for ventilation
Checking the external dimensions alone won’t tell you whether the appliance can be installed properly. Whirlpool specifies 5 cm of clearance above and 10 cm behind its freestanding appliances; built-in models have their own requirements.
Check the instructions for your chosen model, the delivery access route and the ambient temperatures the appliance is designed for.
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Treating litres per person as a hard-and-fast rule
A capacity guide alone doesn’t reflect how often you shop, whether you use large containers or how many meals you freeze. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking these habits into account when choosing a fridge.
Start with what you actually store between shops, then check how much space you need for each use.
Brands to consider, model by model
These examples show different configurations. The specifications mentioned apply to the models or ranges listed, not every appliance from each brand.
Bosch
Bosch’s product information for the freestanding KGN39VLCT-B fridge-freezer and integrated KIR21NSE0 fridge illustrates two different layout options.
- Bosch lists 260 L of fridge space and 103 L of freezer space for the KGN39VLCT-B, making it easy to assess the two requirements separately.
- Before confirming where you’ll put your chosen model, check its instructions for clearance requirements and the permitted ambient temperature.
Liebherr
Liebherr’s range of freestanding freezers includes different capacities to consider when you need separate freezer storage.
- The range shown by Liebherr includes capacities from under 80 L to over 300 L.
- Liebherr specifies FrostProtect down to an ambient temperature of −15 °C for certain models only. If the room is cold, check this feature for the exact model you’re considering.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s freestanding WHK 26402 XP4E fridge-freezer is an example of how fresh and frozen food storage can be split within one appliance.
- Whirlpool lists 249 L for the fridge and 106 L for the freezer in this model.
- The clearance requirements Whirlpool specifies for freestanding appliances shouldn’t automatically be applied to a built-in model.
Appliances for fresh and frozen food
These Joybuy models include fridge-freezers for storing fresh food and frozen portions, as well as a separate freezer to consider if you need extra storage. Compare their capacities and installation requirements against your needs, rather than choosing based on total capacity alone.
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Samsung RB33B612EBN, 344 L fridge-freezer, black, E-rated
Worth considering if you want to store fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance.
The model name indicates a total capacity of 344 L and an energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each compartment and the clearance needed for your chosen location.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L four-door fridge-freezer, silver
Consider this if you’re looking for one appliance for fresh food and portions to freeze, with a total capacity of 467 L.
The model name includes Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Before choosing this four-door design, check the split between compartments, the delivery access route and the clearance required.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1, 495 L multi-door fridge-freezer, black, E-rated
Consider this model if you need to store a large amount of fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
The model name indicates a total capacity of 495 L and an E energy rating. Check the capacity of each compartment, the installation space and, if the water and ice dispenser is important to you, its connection requirements.
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AEG NSC6M18FES, 249 L white built-in fridge-freezer
This built-in fridge-freezer can meet your needs for both fresh and frozen food, provided it’s compatible with your kitchen installation.
The model name indicates a total capacity of 249 L, TwinTech No Frost and an E energy rating. Before ordering, check the niche and installation dimensions, usable capacity in each compartment and annual energy consumption.
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Heinrich’s, 161 L No Frost freezer, stainless steel
Worth considering as extra freezer storage for prepared portions. This freezer isn’t a replacement for a fridge for fresh food.
The model name indicates a capacity of 161 L, No Frost and an energy rating of C. Check its dimensions, annual energy consumption and the permitted ambient temperatures for your chosen location.
Frequently asked questions
Is the energy label enough to compare two refrigeration appliances?
No. When choosing between two appliances, also consider their type, compartment capacities and dimensions. The EU energy label shows information including an energy rating and annual consumption; compare the kWh/year for appliances with a similar capacity to meet your needs.
How much space should you leave around a fridge?
Follow the clearance requirements for the model you plan to install. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding fridges; these measurements don’t automatically apply to a built-in appliance.
Can you put a freezer in an unheated room?
Only if the model’s specified ambient temperature range covers the conditions in that room. Liebherr specifies FrostProtect down to −15 °C for some of its freezers, but not the whole range. Check the exact model before installing it.
What should you do if your delivered appliance doesn’t conform to the contract?
In France, the Consumer Code provides for non-conforming goods to be brought into conformity by repair or replacement, subject to the conditions set out by law. Contact the seller and describe the fault; any commercial guarantee doesn’t replace these statutory rights.