To store both fresh groceries and portions for the freezer in one place, a fridge-freezer is a good option to consider first. A small freezer compartment is better suited to occasional freezing; separate appliances are worth considering if frozen portions regularly take up a lot of space and your kitchen can accommodate them. Compare the capacity of each section, then check the dimensions and annual energy consumption of the appliances you’re considering.
If you cook several meals in advance, check how much space is allocated to the freezer rather than looking at the total capacity alone. Drawer size also matters when storing your containers; a separate freezer, meanwhile, needs extra space.
If vegetables, fresh groceries and meals to eat over the next few days take up most of your storage space, start by checking the fridge capacity and the layout of the drawers and shelves. Anses recommends monitoring the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge and avoiding overfilling it.
An alcove, narrow doorway or the space needed to open the doors can limit your choice before you even consider capacity. Measure the space and check the installation type; for an integrated model, also check which fixings you’ll need.
First decide how much space you need for chilled and frozen food, then check that the configuration will fit in your kitchen and suit an appliance that runs continuously.
Consider this if: you need both sections in one appliance.
The trade-off: the model you choose determines how capacity is divided between the fridge and freezer.
Consider this if: you mainly store fresh food and only freeze things occasionally.
The trade-off: the space available for portions depends on the freezer compartment in the specific model.
Consider this if: frozen food regularly takes up a lot of space and you can install two appliances.
The trade-off: you’ll need space for both appliances and should add together the annual energy consumption shown on their labels.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for frozen portions | Freezer capacity in litres and drawer size, regardless of the total capacity. | When I prepare several portions at once, I want to store them alongside my other frozen food without filling the freezer straight away. Around 29% of consumers make freezer space a priority. |
| Space and organisation for fresh food | Fridge capacity in litres and the layout of the drawers and shelves. | My fresh groceries and meals for the next few days need to be easy to reach without overfilling the shelves; this is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space and installation | Dimensions, door clearance and, for integrated models, the housing and fixings. | If my kitchen has an alcove or a narrow doorway, I need to choose an appliance that can actually be installed and opened. This is the top constraint for around 21% of consumers. |
| Energy use and noise | kWh/year and the noise level of each appliance; add together the kWh/year if you’re installing two. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to consider the noise and electricity used by an appliance that runs continuously. Around 21% of consumers say this is their main concern. |
The European Commission says that fridge and freezer labels show details including storage capacity, energy consumption and noise emissions. These details help you compare the models you’re considering. Don’t rely on total capacity alone to tell you how much space is available in each section.
The same total capacity can be divided differently between the fridge and freezer. The European Commission lists these capacities separately on the labels of relevant appliances.
Estimate how much space you need for fresh groceries and portions to freeze, then compare the capacity in litres for each section.
The DGCCRF points out that the energy label scale changed in March 2021, and the old A+, A++ and A+++ ratings were phased out.
For models using the same current label, check the A to G scale and, above all, the kWh/year figure.
A feature listed on a product page doesn’t mean you can skip setting up and organising your fridge properly. Anses recommends keeping the temperature at 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge and avoiding overfilling it so air can circulate.
Check the actual temperature and keep storage areas accessible, following the model’s instructions too.
Taking back your old appliance and access to spare parts can affect how you organise its replacement. ADEME says a replaced refrigeration appliance can be handed to the retailer or delivery driver.
Before delivery, confirm the take-back arrangements and find out about spare parts and after-sales service for the model you’re considering.
These examples of ranges and models can help you identify different configurations; they’re no substitute for checking the specifications of the product you’re considering.
The range includes fridge-freezers and fridges with freezer compartments, making it useful for comparing different ways of dividing up the cold storage.
The brand offers fridge-freezers as well as sets made up of several appliances, worth considering if you’d like to choose your storage sections separately.
The brand’s integrated fridge-freezers can fit into a fitted kitchen, provided they’re compatible with the housing and existing doors.
Some fridge-freezers in the range offer a large total capacity in a single appliance.
A separate upright freezer can complement a fridge that already meets your needs when freezer space becomes the main constraint.
These models combine fridge and freezer storage in one appliance. They offer a range of fridge-freezer formats to consider for groceries and prepared meals. Choose one to suit the space you have and the capacity you need in each section.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh groceries and frozen portions in a four-door appliance. The model title lists a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check that its 83,3 cm width, as listed in the product information, leaves enough room to open the doors.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a three-door fridge-freezer to organise fresh and frozen food. The title lists a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, My Zone, Wi-Fi and an E energy rating. Before choosing it for prepared portions, check that the space in each compartment suits your containers.
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Worth considering if you want your refrigeration appliances to fit into a fitted kitchen. The title lists a total capacity of 249 L, TwinTech No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the housing dimensions and fixings against your kitchen units, as well as the capacity of each section and the kWh/year figure on the label for the exact model.
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Worth considering if the width of your kitchen is a key factor in your choice. The title lists a width of 54 cm, 153 L of fridge capacity, 74 L of freezer capacity, a reversible door, Low Frost and an E energy rating. Check the required clearances and energy consumption in kWh/year; Low Frost doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it manually.
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Worth considering if you want to access the compartments through four doors. The title lists a total capacity of 474 L, a three-temperature drawer and an E energy rating. To see how much space it offers for frozen portions, check the fridge and freezer capacities separately; also check the kWh/year figure, noise level and installation dimensions for the exact model.
Check the A to G rating, kWh/year, fridge and freezer capacities, and noise information. The European Commission lists these details on the labels of relevant appliances. The DGCCRF points out that the old A+, A++ and A+++ ratings were phased out when the scale changed in March 2021, so don’t compare them directly with current ratings.
No: check the freezer capacity itself, then make sure the drawers will fit your containers. Total capacity includes the fridge section too, so it doesn’t tell you on its own how much space will be left for portions.
Anses recommends monitoring the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge, keeping it at 4 °C. Also follow the appliance instructions and avoid overfilling the shelves so air can circulate.
ADEME says that a replaced fridge or freezer can be handed to the retailer or delivery driver, or taken to an appropriate collection point. Confirm the take-back arrangements before delivery rather than leaving the appliance with ordinary bulky waste.