Households doing a full weekly shop
A large load of fresh food calls for enough usable capacity to store it for several days. UFC-Que Choisir includes this full weekly-shop scenario in its fridge-freezer testing protocol.
Which households is it for?
Households that regularly store frozen food
Freezer capacity should be compared separately from fridge capacity. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide, a simple freezer compartment is not enough when frozen products make up a significant part of your shopping.
People with small or restricted kitchens
Your choice depends as much on the space the appliance takes up as on its capacity: measure the intended location, delivery access and door clearance, then check the ventilation requirements in the manual.
Buying priorities
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately. Also check the number of drawers or zones if you store a range of frozen foods. | I want fresh food to last several days without reducing the space available for the frozen food I usually buy. |
| Managing a full shop | Look for comparable tests covering temperature recovery after loading. A fast-freeze function is mainly worth considering if you freeze large quantities of fresh food. | After doing the shopping, I want to be able to put away a large load without having to compromise on how I organise my chilled and frozen food. |
| Fitting it in your kitchen | Check the dimensions, door clearance and delivery access. Verify the ventilation clearances and climate class in the model’s manual. | The appliance must fit in my kitchen, remain accessible when the doors are open and operate within the intended ambient temperature. |
| Energy label and noise | Compare annual energy consumption in kWh between appliances of similar size and capacity. Also check the stated storage volumes and noise emissions on the energy label. | I want to compare like-for-like information rather than choosing solely on the energy class letter or one isolated total-capacity figure. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Choosing total capacity without checking freezer space
Two appliances with a similar stated total capacity can offer very different amounts of freezer space. A limited freezer compartment may not keep up if frozen food is a regular part of your shop.
Make a list of the frozen food you usually store, then compare freezer capacity in litres separately from fridge capacity.
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Buying a multi-door model without checking the physical constraints
Multi-door models can be wide and heavy, with access requirements similar to those of a large fridge. Some models with a water dispenser also require a water supply.
Measure the kitchen, doors, hallways and staircase before ordering, then check the connection required for the exact version you have chosen.
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Installing the appliance without following the manual
Air circulation, distance from heat sources, levelling and the intended ambient temperature all contribute to proper operation. The required clearances vary by model.
Use the dimensions and ventilation instructions in the manual for the model you select rather than relying on a generic measurement.
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Plugging it in immediately after delivery
After transport, the compressor oil needs time to settle back into place before the appliance is switched on.
Keep the appliance upright during transport where possible and follow the waiting time specified by the manufacturer; Electrolux recommends waiting at least 4 hours before plugging it in.
A guide to the brands
When comparing brands, focus first on the specifications that affect your own shopping habits: separate fridge and freezer capacities, temperature recovery after loading, noise levels, energy consumption and the installation requirements.
Hotpoint offers a practical fridge-freezer format with separate fresh and frozen storage, while CHiQ models are available in more compact widths for smaller kitchens. Sonlu provides another combined format to consider, and COMFEE offers a multi-door option for households looking for higher overall capacity and more segmented storage.
Whichever brand you choose, check the exact model’s manual, climate class, ventilation clearances, door opening space and delivery access before buying.
Joybuy products
Joybuy options for shopping that needs to last several days and regular frozen-food storage, mainly in fridge-freezer formats, with a multi-door model for higher-capacity requirements.
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Hotpoint HPK26363XBR5E 316 L
This fridge-freezer offers 210 L of fridge space and 106 L of freezer space, making it easy to compare the two storage areas.
Double No Frost, a 4-star freezer with three drawers, FreshZone and a stated freezing capacity of 6.0 kg/24 h. Stated dimensions: H 186.5 × W 59.5 × D 66.3 cm.
Check the door clearance, ventilation clearances and delivery access before buying.
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CHiQ JR263LGE 262 L
This model combines 187 L of fridge space and 75 L of freezer space in a 54 cm-wide format.
Low Frost, three freezer drawers, 4-star rating, reversible door, adjustable feet and a stated freezing capacity of 3.5 kg/24 h.
The stated ambient range is N-ST, from 16 to 38 °C; check the required clearances in the manual and compare the 75 L of freezer space with your usual stock.
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Sonlu CD-350RW 310 L
With 211 L for fresh food and 99 L for frozen food, this fridge-freezer lets you assess the two storage areas separately.
Stated width of 60 cm, inverter compressor, reversible door, electronic controls, Full Frost-Free and Quick-Freeze function.
Before buying, check the height, depth, climate class, ventilation and the required access dimensions.
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CHiQ JR227LSE 227 L
This compact fridge-freezer offers 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space for kitchens where width is a key consideration.
Low Frost, 4-star freezer, stated width of 54 cm, depth of 55 cm, reversible door and adjustable feet.
Compare the 74 L of freezer space with your usual requirements and check the height, climate class and ventilation clearances.
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COMFEE RCF470LS2EU(E) 474 L multi-door
This four-door format is aimed at households looking for high overall capacity and separate storage zones.
Stated total capacity of 474 L, four doors, three-temperature drawer, Vario Box, Flip Tray and two freezer drawers. Stated dimensions: 838 × 653 × 1775 mm.
Check the separate fresh and frozen capacities, delivery access, clearance for all four doors, ventilation and the space available in front of the appliance.
Frequently asked questions
How can you compare two fridges without focusing only on the number of people in the household?
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately with the food you usually buy. For several days of storage, also take prepared meals, bottles and salad drawers into account; if you regularly buy frozen food, a simple freezer compartment is not a substitute for a proper freezer section.
Is a top-mounted fridge-freezer or small freezer suitable for a week’s shopping?
It may be suitable if your shopping is not particularly large and you only buy frozen food occasionally. In a small kitchen, a compact format takes up less space, but UFC-Que Choisir states that a simple freezer compartment is not enough when frozen-food consumption is significant.
What should you measure before buying a fridge?
Measure the installation space, doors, hallways, delivery route and door clearance. Then check the ventilation clearances in the manual: Bosch cites, for some appliances, a space of at least 200 cm² behind and beneath the fridge, but the manual for your chosen model takes precedence.
Should you wait before plugging in the appliance after delivery?
Yes, follow the waiting time specified by the manufacturer. Electrolux recommends transporting the appliance upright and waiting at least 4 hours before plugging it in, so that the oil can return to the compressor.
What can you compare using the energy label?
For the relevant appliances sold in the European Union, the energy label shows the class from A to G, annual consumption, storage volumes and noise emissions, among other details. The European Commission states that the EPREL register can provide additional information for each model.