For a kitchenette or studio flat, measure the space first and choose a fridge capacity that suits your shopping habits: the smallest appliance may not be enough for everyday use. An integrated freezer is useful if you buy frozen food, but it takes up some of the total capacity. If the fridge will be in your living space, also compare the stated noise level and annual energy consumption of models with similar features.
If the fridge needs to fit under a worktop or between two units, measure its height, width and depth. Also allow space to open the door and follow the installation instructions. A generous capacity is no use if the appliance cannot be installed properly.
If you want to store fresh food for your meals rather than just a few drinks, check the usable capacity of the fridge compartment. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. Adjust this depending on how often you shop and how much room you need for frozen food.
If the fridge shares your living space, its stated noise level matters more. Check its annual energy consumption too: as ADEME points out, a fridge runs continuously. The stated noise level is useful for comparing models, but it cannot guarantee how noticeable the sound will be.
First rule out any models that will not fit in the space available. Then compare the room left for fresh and frozen food. If the appliance will be near your bed, add noise and energy consumption to your checklist.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the height, width and depth, then check the door opening and the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. | When the space is narrow, I need to be able to fit the appliance and open its door without blocking the kitchenette; around 36% of consumers would put this fit above all else. |
| Capacity for fresh food | Compare the usable litres in the fridge compartment and its layout with your usual shopping, rather than looking at the total capacity alone. | If I cook with fresh ingredients for several days at a time, an extra fridge might limit what I can buy; around 29% of consumers would prioritise fresh-food capacity. |
| Freezing | Check the capacity and type of freezer compartment, and how much room it leaves for fresh food. | If I want to keep some frozen food without buying a second appliance, I need a compartment that suits the amount I store; around 21% of consumers would make freezing their top priority. |
| Noise and energy consumption | Compare the stated dB(A) and kWh/year on the energy label for models with similar capacities and features. | If the fridge is near my bed or desk, its noise and continuous operation affect my choice; around 14% of consumers would prioritise these factors. |
With a compact fridge that has a freezer, not all the stated litres are available for fresh food. For example, BUT lists a mini model with 60 L split between 38 L of fridge space and 22 L of freezer space.
Think about what you usually keep in each compartment, then compare their capacities separately.
An appliance might fit between two units but stick out beyond the worktop, or leave too little room for the door or ventilation. The room temperature must also be suitable for its climate class.
Measure the space and the route to it, then check the instructions for the exact model before ordering.
The stated noise level helps you compare models, but Que Choisir points out that it cannot, on its own, predict how disruptive the sound will be in a living space.
In a studio flat, compare the stated noise level, read reviews of the exact model and follow its installation instructions.
Appliances with different capacities or compartments do not meet the same needs. ADEME points out that size and unnecessary features can affect the energy consumption of an appliance that runs continuously.
Compare the kWh/year figures for models with similar capacities and features, then consider how much space you really need.
These models show a range of formats; the features of one model do not apply to the whole brand.
The range includes freestanding top-mount fridges with a small freezer compartment.
The KTR15NWEA is an example of a top-mount fridge designed for fresh food, with no integrated freezer.
The range includes compact fridges to consider based on their installation type and dimensions.
The RCU48BE is an example of a cube-shaped mini fridge for limited or occasional storage.
These models suit two different needs: keeping fresh and frozen food in one compact appliance, or furnishing a very small space with a mini fridge. Compare their capacities with your shopping and their dimensions with the space available. Their inclusion here does not mean they are all suitable for fitting under a worktop.
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Worth considering if you need space for both fresh and frozen food and the 54 cm width suits your kitchen.
The product name lists 153 L of fridge capacity, 74 L of freezer capacity, a reversible door, Low Frost and an E energy rating.
Before installing it under a worktop or in a studio flat, check the height, depth, ventilation clearances, stated noise level and kWh/year for this model.
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Consider this model if space is limited and you want a freezer compartment in the same appliance.
The product name lists a total capacity of 92 L, a single door and an E energy rating.
To see how much room is available for your shopping, check the separate capacities of the fridge and freezer compartments. Also check the full dimensions, clearances, dB(A) and kWh/year for the model.
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Worth considering for extra storage or a small amount of shopping, rather than assuming it will hold all your food for the week.
The product name lists a total capacity of 45 L, a toughened glass shelf, adjustable feet and an E energy rating.
If you plan to store frozen food, check whether it has a suitable compartment and how much it holds. Also check the instructions for installation clearances and the energy label for kWh/year.
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a starting point for one person. Adjust this based on how often you shop and how much room drinks or ready meals take up. A 45 L appliance is better suited to limited or extra storage.
A small compartment may suit a modest amount of frozen food, but its capacity needs to match what you plan to store. For example, Beko lists 12 L of freezer capacity and 73 L of fridge capacity for the TS190340N. Check both figures rather than looking at the total capacity alone.
Compare the stated noise level in dB(A) and annual energy consumption in kWh on the energy labels of models with similar features and capacities. In a studio flat, reviews of the exact model can add useful context to the noise figure: Que Choisir notes that it does not tell you everything about how noticeable the sound will be.
This depends on the model’s climate class and the room temperature. Que Choisir notes, for example, that a class N appliance is not designed to operate below 16 °C. Check the temperature limits for your model before deciding where to put it.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 °C and +4 °C. Set the appliance according to its instructions and, if needed, check the temperature it actually reaches rather than relying only on the dial setting.