If you’re running out of room for both fresh food and frozen portions, a fridge-freezer lets you compare both capacities while taking up just one space. If it’s only the freezer that regularly gets full, consider an additional appliance or two separate appliances instead, provided you have enough room. If space is only an issue occasionally, reorganising your storage before adding another appliance can help you avoid creating a permanent need for more space and energy.
You prepare several portions in advance, and the freezer drawers are the first to fill up. Compare the usable freezer capacity in litres rather than the total volume, then check whether you have room for another appliance.
You’d like more storage but don’t have a spare space for a second appliance. The dimensions, any required housing space and the way the doors open could rule out a configuration before you even compare capacities.
You’re wondering whether to replace or add to your appliances for the few weeks when your storage needs are greater. As ADEME points out, fridges and freezers run continuously, so compare the capacity you’re considering with how you use them regularly.
For batch cooking, start by choosing based on which compartment fills up and how often you run short of space. You can then compare the options that meet your needs by considering where they’ll go and how much energy they use.
Consider this: if you’re short on space for both fresh and frozen food, and only have room for one appliance.
Bear in mind: freezer capacity varies by model. A large total volume doesn’t necessarily mean large freezer drawers.
Consider this: if you regularly need plenty of freezer space and have room for two appliances in your home.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for two appliances, and should add their annual energy consumption together to assess this setup.
Consider this: if your current fridge has enough room for fresh food, but its freezer is too small.
Bear in mind: even a compact appliance needs space and runs continuously. Check that its usable capacity will meet your needs.
Try this: if the drawers only overflow after certain shops, or if your current storage layout wastes space.
Bear in mind: rearranging your food won’t create extra capacity if you’re still short of space.
| Consideration | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the freezer’s usable capacity in litres and the layout of its drawers, separately from the fridge capacity. | If the meals I’ve prepared regularly fill the drawers, I’d look for more freezer space first. Around 36% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Space and positioning | Measure the space and check that the doors can open fully. For a built-in model, also check the required housing dimensions. | In a kitchen where every bit of space counts, I want to be able to install and open the appliance without blocking the way. This would be the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Energy use and noise | Check the energy consumption in kWh/year and the noise level in dB for models with a capacity that suits your needs. | If the kitchen is close to the living area, I want to consider noise as well as continuous energy use. Around 21% of consumers would put these considerations first. |
| How often you run out of space | Keep an eye on storage over several shopping cycles to tell the difference between a recurring lack of space and an occasional one. | If the drawers rarely overflow, I’d rather reorganise my storage before adding a permanent appliance. Avoiding an extra appliance would be a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Two fridge-freezers with similar total capacities may allocate space differently between the fridge and freezer. If frozen meals are the problem, the total figure won’t tell you what you need to know.
Note the usable capacity in litres for each compartment and check the drawer layout before choosing.
An additional appliance takes up space and runs continuously. ADEME recommends considering the size and features of an appliance when choosing a fridge or freezer.
Keep an eye on your storage over several weeks. If you regularly run short of space, compare the usable capacity of an additional freezer with that of a separate fridge and freezer.
The appliance’s dimensions alone aren’t enough to confirm that it will fit an existing cabinet. The housing dimensions specified by Liebherr, particularly for its under-counter and upright models, vary depending on the format you choose.
Measure the housing and check the installation and ventilation requirements, which way the door opens and whether there’s enough room for delivery access.
In France, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition says retailers must offer to take back a used appliance when you buy a new one, including for distance sales. This doesn’t, in itself, specify what’s included in installation and set-up.
Before you order, ask for details about the take-back arrangements, access to your home and the services included in delivery.
These brands offer models that are useful for comparing formats. The features below apply to specific models, not their entire ranges.
Bosch product details let you compare freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers by the capacity of each compartment, dimensions and noise level.
Liebherr offers fridge-freezers and dedicated freezers, including built-in models to compare according to the space available.
The built-in WHC18T132FR fridge-freezer is a useful point of comparison if you’re replacing an appliance integrated into your kitchen.
These appliances combine fridge and freezer compartments in a single unit. For batch cooking, compare their total capacity with the space you actually need in each compartment. If you regularly run short of freezer space, a separate freezer is another option worth considering.
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Worth considering if you want to keep fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance. The stated total capacity is 440 L and the energy rating is D. Check how the capacity is split between compartments and how much space you’ll need for installation.
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Worth considering if one appliance needs to hold both prepared meals to keep chilled and portions to freeze. Its name indicates a total capacity of 333 L and a C energy rating. Check the capacity of each compartment against your storage habits.
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This multi-door model is worth comparing if you’re looking for plenty of capacity in one appliance. Its name indicates a total capacity of 495 L and an E energy rating. Make sure the capacity split, overall dimensions and route into your kitchen are suitable.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer for your weekly shop and don’t want to choose based on total capacity alone. This model is listed at 368 L with an E energy rating. Check the freezer capacity, dimensions and noise level if your kitchen is close to your living area.
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This bottom-freezer fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Its name indicates a total capacity of 282 L and an E energy rating. Check that the freezer compartment is large enough for the portions you prepare and keep each week.
Yes, as long as the usable capacity of both the fridge and freezer meets your usual storage needs. Compare the compartments separately. If the freezer regularly fills up while the fridge has enough room, an additional freezer may be a better way to address the problem, provided you have space for it.
Compare the annual energy consumption in kWh/year for configurations and capacities that suit your needs, rather than relying on the energy rating alone. If you have a separate fridge and freezer, add together the annual consumption of both appliances. ADEME points out that they run continuously.
No. It doesn’t replace having enough freezer capacity. If you want to reduce the need to deal with ice build-up, check the defrosting system listed for the freezer compartment of the specific model, then compare its capacity and energy use too.
When you buy a new appliance, the retailer must offer to take back your used one, including for distance sales, according to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. Ask the retailer how collection is arranged, and check separately what’s included in delivery, installation and set-up.