For family food shops that are less frequent, start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. A fridge-freezer is a good choice if its freezer can hold your usual stock; consider a multi-door fridge or a separate freezer if you need more room for frozen food. Gifam gives over 330 L of fridge capacity as a general guide for households of four or more, but recommends matching freezer capacity to your storage habits. Also check the space available, delivery access, noise levels and annual energy consumption.
The time between food shops matters just as much as the size of your household: it affects how much fresh and frozen food you need to store at once.
Allow for the space you need just after shopping, both for fresh and frozen food. For households of four or more, Gifam gives over 330 L of fridge capacity as a general guide; then choose freezer capacity to suit your usual stock.
Compare the freezer capacity in litres rather than looking only at the total volume. UFC-Que Choisir describes a typical fridge-freezer as having a capacity of around 300 L, with approximately a third allocated to freezing. That split may not suit the amount you keep in stock.
Measure the space in your kitchen and the delivery route before choosing a large model. According to Gifam, multi-door fridges are usually over 90 cm wide. In a living area, also compare the stated noise level; UFC-Que Choisir classifies appliances rated below 40 dB(A) as quiet.
Start with what you usually bring home from a big food shop, then see how each configuration fits the space you have available.
Consider this if: you want fresh and frozen food in one appliance, and both compartments can hold what you usually keep in stock.
Bear in mind: freezer capacity is fixed for each model, even if the total volume seems sufficient.
Consider this if: you want generous compartments in a single appliance and have room for its size.
Bear in mind: according to Gifam, these appliances are usually over 90 cm wide; also check the access route to your kitchen.
Consider this if: you want to choose fridge and separate freezer capacities independently, with either a single-door fridge or a fridge-freezer.
Bear in mind: you’ll need two suitable spaces, and should compare the energy consumption and noise levels of both appliances.
| What to consider | What to check | How it suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity of each compartment | Check the usable capacity in litres of the fridge and freezer separately. Gifam gives 250 to 330 L of fridge capacity for two to three people and over 330 L for four or more; freezer capacity depends on your storage habits. | After a big food shop, will I have enough room for fresh food without cutting into my frozen food storage? |
| Space and noise | Measure the appliance, its packaging and every access point, then check the clearances specified in the manual. Compare noise levels in dB(A); UFC-Que Choisir classes models rated below 40 dB(A) as among the quietest. | My appliance needs to fit all the way through to the kitchen and be quiet enough if it’s near the living room. |
| Cooling and freezing | Check the compartments and features of the specific model. According to Gifam, fan-assisted cooling prevents ice from building up, but food should be covered to prevent it drying out. If you freeze a lot of food at once, also check the available freezing performance information for the model. | I sometimes bring home a lot of food to store or freeze; I want to choose features to suit how I use the appliance, without assuming they guarantee food will keep well. |
| Energy consumption | Check the energy rating alongside annual consumption in kWh and usable capacity. If you’re considering two separate appliances, check the figures for each one; compare configurations that meet the same storage needs. | An energy rating letter alone isn’t enough if the appliances I’m considering don’t offer the same amount of space for fresh and frozen food. |
An appliance may offer plenty of room for fresh food but have a freezer that’s too small for less frequent shopping. UFC-Que Choisir describes a typical fridge-freezer with a capacity of around 300 L as having approximately two thirds for fresh food and a third for frozen food.
Make a list of what you buy during a typical big shop, then compare the usable capacity of each compartment and the layout of the drawers.
According to Gifam, multi-door fridges are usually over 90 cm wide. The packaged appliance also needs to fit through doors and other access points on its way to its final position.
Measure the space, doors, corridors and, if necessary, the stairs or lift. Check the package dimensions, door-opening direction and the clearances specified for your chosen model.
Gifam says that fan-assisted cooling prevents ice from building up, but notes that uncovered food can dry out. A feature or compartment with a branded name doesn’t, on its own, prove that it will work for every type of food.
Check which compartments are included in the exact model you’re looking at, and protect food in suitable containers or packaging.
The energy rating letter doesn’t tell you how many litres each appliance provides for fresh and frozen food. Two configurations with different capacities may not meet the same needs.
Compare annual consumption in kWh with usable capacity and noise levels for the models you’re considering. If you choose two appliances, check the figures for both.
These models illustrate different capacities and dimensions to compare; their specifications don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
For the KGN36VLED fridge-freezer, Bosch lists 237 L of fridge capacity, 89 L of freezer capacity, a noise level of 39 dB(A) and No Frost.
LG lists the GMX945BS9F multi-door fridge as having a total capacity of 638 L, split between 365 L for refrigeration and 273 L for freezing, with a width of 91.2 cm.
The Samsung RF24BB620EB1EF multi-door fridge is listed with a total capacity of 674 L and a width of 908 mm.
These two multi-door fridge-freezers combine fresh and frozen storage in a single appliance. Before choosing this configuration over two separate appliances, compare the capacity of each compartment with what you usually buy.
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This model combines fresh and frozen storage for less frequent food shops. Compare the capacity of each compartment with the amount you usually keep in stock. Its product title lists a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the package dimensions and required clearances before choosing this size.
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This three-door model lets you store fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Check that each compartment meets your needs after a food shop. Its product title lists a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Also check the access route for the package and the space needed for installation.
Gifam gives 250 to 330 L of fridge capacity as a general guide for two to three people, and over 330 L for four or more. Adjust this guide to how often you shop and how much room fresh food takes up after a big shop.
Choose a capacity to suit what you usually keep in stock, rather than relying only on the number of people in your household. Gifam notes that freezer capacity depends on your lifestyle and habits: make a list of your frozen food and any meals you freeze, then check the usable capacity of the compartment.
No. No Frost alone doesn’t guarantee that all food will keep well. According to Gifam, fan-assisted cooling prevents ice from building up, but food should be covered to prevent it drying out. Also check the model’s compartments and the recommended storage conditions for your food.
Check the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise rating. Ideally, compare appliances that meet the same storage needs; if you’re choosing two separate appliances, check each one individually.
Measure the space where it will go and the whole route to the kitchen, including doors, corridors, stairs or lifts. According to Gifam, multi-door fridges are usually over 90 cm wide; also check the package dimensions and the clearances required in the model’s manual.