If you mainly want to keep fresh food in a studio flat, start by looking at a table-top or compact one-door fridge, provided its capacity and dimensions suit your shopping habits and available space. If you regularly use frozen food or want to freeze fresh food, check the freezer capacity of a compact fridge-freezer instead. An integrated model also requires a compatible housing unit, door and ventilation.
If you mainly shop for fresh food, a table-top fridge can help keep clutter to a minimum. UFC-Que Choisir recommends this format for studio flats; still, check that the usable capacity is right for the amount of food you keep between shops.
A small internal freezer compartment and a separate freezer in a fridge-freezer may not meet the same needs. If you want to freeze fresh food, check the star rating and the stated capacity of the compartment on the model you choose.
If you’re replacing an integrated appliance, measure the housing unit and identify the door-fixing system. The appliance dimensions alone aren’t enough: the door opening and ventilation must also work with the unit.
Start with the space available and your storage habits, then check that the models you’re considering meet their installation requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size and space | Compare the height, width and depth with the available space and delivery route. Allow room for the door to open; for an integrated model, check the housing unit and hinges too. | In a kitchenette, I need to be able to install the appliance and open its door without blocking the way through. |
| Fresh-food capacity | Check the usable fridge capacity, then consider how much room your usual shopping takes up. Don’t assume you can tell the internal capacity from the external width alone. | If I shop less often or prepare several meals in advance, I need enough room for fresh food between shops. |
| Freezing | Check the compartment’s capacity and star rating. If you plan to freeze fresh food, make sure the compartment is suitable for this rather than relying on the word ‘freezer’ alone. | Occasional frozen food doesn’t need as much space as regular stocks of frozen food or food you plan to freeze yourself. |
| Ventilation and room temperature | Follow the clearances set out in the manual, especially for an enclosed unit. Check that the climate class suits the room temperature: Beko and UFC-Que Choisir give 16 to 32 °C for class N. | My kitchen may get warm, or the appliance may be in a room with little heating. I need to check that its operating range is suitable for that location. |
| Energy use and noise | Check the energy label and stated annual energy consumption in kWh/an. Compare appliances with similar capacities and features, and check their stated noise levels too. | If I sleep near the kitchenette, the stated noise level matters as much as the space the appliance takes up. I also want to compare the energy use of formats that suit my needs. |
An appliance may be narrow enough but still too tall or deep, or the door may not open fully.
Measure the available height, width and depth, the delivery route and the space needed for the door to swing open. For an integrated model, also note the internal dimensions of the housing unit and the fixing system.
Ventilation openings are part of the installation requirements. In its general advice, Bosch recommends at least 200 cm² of ventilation space behind and beneath the fridge; the requirements in the manual for your model take priority.
Check the clearances specified for your chosen appliance and don’t block the ventilation openings in the unit or plinth.
A small compartment may not be suitable for regularly storing frozen food or freezing fresh food.
Check its star rating and capacity. If you freeze food often, compare it with the separate freezer space in a compact fridge-freezer.
The climate class indicates a range of ambient temperatures, regardless of whether the home is in France. Beko and UFC-Que Choisir state that class N covers 16 to 32 °C.
Compare the possible temperatures in the intended location with the class stated for the model, particularly if the room is unheated or gets a lot of direct sunlight.
These examples cover different formats. The features mentioned apply to the models or ranges listed, not every appliance from each brand.
Beko’s French table-top fridge range includes models worth considering when width is limited.
Bosch’s under-counter integrated models are worth considering if you already have a compatible housing unit.
Electrolux examples range from under-counter integrated models to full-height integrated fridge-freezers.
These models include compact fridge-freezers, a small one-door fridge and taller integrated appliances. Before choosing, check that each one suits your available space and freezing needs.
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Worth considering if you need to store fresh and frozen food in a narrow kitchen. This model is listed with 153 L of fridge capacity, a 74 L four-star freezer, a width of 54 cm and a depth of 55 cm. Check its height, ventilation clearances and the space needed to open the door.
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This fridge-freezer is for a small kitchen where width is limited but there’s room for an appliance that’s 176 cm tall. It is listed with 187 L of fridge capacity, a 75 L four-star freezer, a width of 54 cm and a depth of 55 cm. The freezer is stated to require manual defrosting; also check the ventilation clearances and door opening space.
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This model is designed for a fitted kitchen with a suitable housing unit, not an under-counter space. Its stated appliance dimensions are 540 × 1772 × 545 mm, with 176 L of fridge capacity and a 76 L four-star freezer. Before choosing it, check the manual against your kitchen unit, particularly the housing dimensions, door fixings and ventilation.
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With a stated width of 47 cm, this is worth considering when space is very limited and you mainly shop for fresh food. The title mentions a freezer compartment, but check its capacity and star rating if you want to store frozen food or freeze fresh food. Also check the required height, depth and ventilation space.
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Consider this fridge for a compatible housing unit if fresh-food storage is your priority. Its stated appliance dimensions are 54.8 × 121.8 × 54.9 cm; check the usable capacity, which is listed differently in the product title and description. Also check the housing unit dimensions and door fixings; no freezer compartment is listed.
Measure the available height, width and depth, as well as the delivery route and the space needed to open the door. For an integrated model, also note the internal dimensions of the housing unit, the hinge system and the ventilation requirements in the manual.
Choose a class whose temperature range covers the temperatures possible where the appliance will be installed. Beko and UFC-Que Choisir state that class N covers 16 to 32 °C; check the rating on the model if the room could get colder or warmer.
Don’t assume so: check the star rating and instructions for the specific compartment. If you regularly freeze fresh food or store a lot of frozen food, also compare the capacity of a fridge-freezer with a separate freezer compartment.
Check their energy labels and stated annual energy consumption in kWh/an. Ideally, compare models with similar capacities and features: an appliance with a freezer doesn’t meet exactly the same needs as a fridge without a freezer compartment.