To kit out a studio flat, first choose a fridge that fits the space available, allowing for the door to open and for ventilation. Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 litres for one person. An under-counter fridge may be suitable if you mainly store fresh food, while a freezer compartment or compact fridge-freezer is worth considering if you regularly buy frozen food. If your kitchen opens onto your living space, compare the stated noise levels too, without overlooking the dimensions and usable capacity.
An under-counter or slimline fridge can hold your everyday shopping without taking up the space required by a full-sized appliance. However, make sure its capacity suits the amount of food you keep between shops.
If the fridge is close to where you work or sleep, its stated noise level matters just as much as its capacity and footprint.
A small internal compartment and a separate freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer may not suit the same needs. Check the space available for frozen food and the functions listed for the specific model.
Measure the space, work out how much capacity you need for your shopping, then compare formats based on freezing needs and noise.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge capacity with your usual shopping. Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 litres for one person; be sure to distinguish the fridge capacity from that of the freezer. | I shop for one and want enough room for fresh food without choosing an appliance that is too large for my kitchen. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, then check the doorway, door swing and ventilation clearances in the model’s manual. | The fridge needs to fit in my kitchenette, with enough room to open the door and remove the drawers. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise levels in dB(A). Que Choisir counts appliances below 40 dB(A) among its quiet models and also assesses the sounds made during operating cycles in its tests. | As my kitchen is close to where I relax, I want to consider everyday noise as well as the dimensions. |
| Freezing | Check the type and capacity of the compartment, as well as the uses listed in the model’s specifications. If you regularly buy frozen food, compare the freezer space in a compact fridge-freezer too. | I often buy frozen food, so a small internal compartment may limit how much I can store. |
| Energy | For appliances of a similar type and capacity, check the energy class and consumption details on the label. According to Your Europe, the A to G scale replaced the old classes with “+” for fridges in 2021; EPREL lets you look up the declared specifications for a specific model. | I want to compare energy consumption without relying on the letter alone or overlooking differences in capacity and function. |
A low height does not guarantee enough room for your shopping. Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 litres for one person, which you should compare with your own habits.
Measure the space, then compare fridge capacity rather than deciding based on external dimensions alone.
The compartment’s capacity and stated uses may not suit regular purchases of frozen food.
Check the model’s specifications, particularly if you want to freeze fresh food rather than occasionally store items that are already frozen.
An appliance may fit in its space but still make it difficult to access the drawers or fail to meet the clearances required for installation. Bosch’s Perfect Fit design applies to certain models, not all fridges.
Check the depth, the door opening direction and swing, and the ventilation instructions in the manual for the exact model.
Appliances with different capacities or functions do not meet the same needs, even if their energy class is the first thing that catches your eye. Your Europe states that the A to G scale has applied to fridges since 2021.
Compare the stated consumption of models with similar types and capacities, while also taking noise and capacity into account.
These examples highlight features to compare on specific models; they do not imply that the products are available from Joybuy.
The KTR15NWEA under-counter fridge is a useful point of comparison if you do not need an integrated freezer compartment.
The Rdi 1620 Plus is an under-counter fridge to consider if fresh food storage and stated noise levels are key factors in your choice.
Beko’s guide features under-counter and single-door formats, making it useful for comparing appliances designed for smaller spaces.
These two CHiQ models let you compare a fridge-freezer with a separate space for frozen food and a smaller-capacity, single-door fridge. Their inclusion here does not replace checking whether they can be installed in your studio flat.
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Worth considering if you want a separate freezer compartment: the model title lists 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, with a 4-star compartment. It also lists a width of 54 cm, a reversible door, Low Frost technology and an E energy class. Its fridge capacity is slightly above the 100 to 150 litres Que Choisir recommends for one person. Check the height, ventilation and door clearance in your chosen space.
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This capacity may suit lighter shopping, but 92 L is below the 100 to 150 litres Que Choisir recommends for one person. The title mentions a cold compartment and an E energy class; if freezing is important to you, check the compartment’s specifications. Also check the full dimensions, stated noise level and installation clearances before deciding where to put it.
Que Choisir recommends a fridge capacity of 100 to 150 litres for one person. Compare this with the amount of food you keep between shops, and check that the stated capacity distinguishes between the fridge and freezer.
It depends on how much space you need and what the compartment in your chosen model is designed for. Check its capacity and specifications. If you regularly buy frozen food, compare it with a compact fridge-freezer that has a separate freezer compartment.
Follow the clearance and ventilation instructions in the manual for the exact model. Bosch offers a Perfect Fit design on some of its appliances, but this feature does not automatically apply to other models. Also allow enough space for the door to open.
Compare fridges of a similar type and capacity, checking their stated energy consumption and noise levels in dB(A). According to Your Europe, fridge energy labels have used the A to G scale since 2021. For a specific model, you can look up its declared specifications in EPREL.