Start by working out the space you need for fresh food and frozen food separately. According to the UFC-Que Choisir guide, allow 100 to 150 L of usable capacity per person, then around 50 L extra for each additional person. A fridge freezer is often the best choice when kitchen space is limited, while a multi-door fridge freezer, American-style fridge freezer or separate freezer also requires you to check access, dimensions and energy consumption.
Choose enough fridge space for a week’s worth of fresh food without automatically opting for the widest appliance available. UFC-Que Choisir recommends starting with the usable capacity per person, then checking your kitchen dimensions and the delivery route into your home.
Start by looking at freezer capacity, how long food stays frozen during a power cut and how the drawers are organised. If your main need is frozen food storage, a separate freezer may be a more logical addition to your existing fridge.
A multi-door fridge freezer, American-style fridge freezer or chest freezer requires you to check its width, depth, height and weight, as well as delivery access, door opening, ventilation and, depending on the model, the water connection.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. UFC-Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, then around 50 L for each additional person. Also check the drawers, shelves and areas that can genuinely be used. | I want to store a week’s worth of fresh food without sacrificing space for frozen food. A high total capacity does not guarantee a suitable split between the two compartments. |
| Access and installation | Measure the width, height, depth, access points, lift and doors with the packaging in place. Check the door swing and the ventilation clearances specified for the exact model. | My appliance must fit into my home and remain easy to open once installed, especially if I choose a model close to 90 cm wide. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare kWh/year between appliances with similar capacities and formats. Also check the noise level in dB(A), particularly in an open-plan kitchen, rather than relying solely on the energy rating letter. | I want to keep down the running cost of an appliance that operates continuously, as well as noise near living areas. ADEME reports average annual consumption of 315 kWh/year for a fridge freezer. |
| Frozen food and maintenance | Check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h, storage time during a power cut and defrosting system. For a chest freezer, also check the climate class and the temperature of the room where it will be installed. | I want to store frozen food regularly without running out of space or installing an appliance in an unsuitable room. |
A large overall capacity may still leave too little room for frozen food or a week’s worth of fresh groceries. How often you shop also affects your actual requirements.
First calculate the fridge capacity you need for your household, then consider how much frozen food you store during a particularly busy week before comparing product specifications.
Multi-door and American-style fridge freezers can be wide, heavy and difficult to move through doorways while still packaged. A door may also lack sufficient side clearance after installation.
Measure the entire delivery route, the space where the appliance will stand, its depth including doors and handles, and the opening angle. Check the installation dimensions in the manual for your chosen model.
Poorly assessed access can complicate delivery or require additional handling, depending on the seller’s terms.
Refrigeration appliances run continuously. Water, ice-making and connected features do not replace comparing annual energy consumption with the capacity you actually need.
Compare kWh/year between appliances offering similar capacity and intended use, then decide whether the additional features genuinely match your habits.
Higher annual consumption increases electricity costs throughout the appliance’s working life.
A chest freezer takes up more floor space, and food stored at the bottom can be harder to reach. Suitable ambient temperatures vary between models.
Choose this option if you have a compatible cellar, utility room or garage, then check the climate class, installation requirements and how easy it will be to access your food.
Worth considering if you are looking for a standard- or medium-width freestanding fridge freezer rather than a four-door appliance.
A possible choice for kitchens that can accommodate a very large-capacity multi-door fridge freezer, with storage or connectivity features depending on the model.
Worth considering for very large multi-door or American-style fridge freezers with a convertible drawer, dispenser or quick-access compartment, depending on the range.
Worth considering if you want to add a chest freezer when your main capacity shortfall is for frozen food.
Joybuy options covering the main formats considered for weekly family shops and regular frozen food storage.
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An option for keeping fresh and frozen food separate when doing a large family shop.
Declared specifications include 330 L of fridge space and 165 L of freezer space, No Frost, 301 kWh/year, 40 dB and dimensions of 177,6 × 81,7 × 71,5 cm. Check access, ventilation and the dispenser connection requirements before buying.
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This side-by-side format is designed for households that need plenty of fresh and frozen food space in one appliance.
Declared specifications include 420 L of fridge space, 220 L of freezer space, Full No Frost, 349 kWh/year, 36 dB and a freezing capacity of 13 kg/24 h. At 91,2 cm wide and 115 kg, check access routes, door clearance and the water connection.
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A large format that helps you keep fresh shopping separate from your frozen food stock, with two clearly defined capacities.
Declared specifications include 333 L of fridge space, 192 L of freezer space, No Frost, Multi-Airflow and a noise level of 37 dB. Check overall dimensions, weight, annual consumption and door-opening requirements before installation.
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A bottom-freezer fridge freezer for a standard-width kitchen and regular family shops.
Declared specifications include 276 L of fridge space, a width of 59,5 cm, class C and reversible doors. Check freezer capacity, depth, noise, kWh/year and the required clearances.
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A multi-door option for organising a family shop across several storage zones.
Declared total capacity of 474 L, adjustable freezer drawers, a three-temperature vegetable compartment and dimensions of 838 × 653 × 1 775 mm. Check the capacity split, kWh/year, noise level and door clearance.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person, then around 50 L extra per additional person. Use this as a guide for the fridge compartment, then check freezer capacity separately according to how much frozen food you normally keep.
No. It may offer a high capacity, but it is only suitable if your kitchen, access doors and delivery route can accommodate its size. A wide fridge freezer or multi-door model may be better suited when space is limited.
It depends on the model. Some multi-door models have a dispenser without the same connection requirements, while certain American-style fridge freezers require a cold-water connection for the dispenser and ice maker. Check the technical specifications for the exact model.
Add one when your main shortage of space is for frozen food, while your fridge remains large enough for fresh food. Chest freezers offer generous capacity, but take up more floor space and are better suited to a utility room, cellar or suitable garage.
Compare kWh/year, the capacity of each compartment and the noise level between appliances with similar capacities and formats. The European EPREL database publishes energy parameters for models sold in the European Union.