Measure the space, the delivery route and the door clearance, then allow for the gaps specified in the manual: a fridge that fits into an alcove may not necessarily be suitable for installation there. If you rarely freeze food, consider a table-top or compact single-door model. If you regularly buy frozen food, compare compact fridge-freezers and the capacity of their 4-star freezer compartments. An integrated model is only suitable if it matches the cabinet, door fixing and ventilation requirements.
UFC-Que Choisir lists table-top models among the formats suited to studio flats. However, check that the fridge has enough fresh-food capacity for your usual shop: a low height alone tells you nothing about the space available inside.
A freestanding appliance means you don’t have to rely on a built-in cabinet, but you still need to allow for ventilation and door clearance. A reversible door can help, provided the model you choose can be set to open in the direction you need.
Compare the freezer compartment capacity separately from the fresh-food capacity. For example, Beko’s specifications for the RDSA240K40WN and BSSA210K4SN models list 4-star compartments rated at −18 °C, but with different capacities: 46 l and 19 l.
Start by checking whether the appliance can be delivered and installed, then compare its capacity with your usual shopping needs.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth of the space and the delivery route. Check the door clearance and the gaps specified in the manual. For freestanding models, Gifam’s general recommendation is to leave 1 cm on each side and 5 cm above; however, the model’s manual is the deciding factor. | I want to be able to get the fridge into the kitchen, open its door and move around once it’s installed. |
| Fresh-food capacity | Check the litres available for fresh food rather than relying on the total capacity alone. Compare the internal space with the size of your household and how often you shop. | My fresh food needs to fit between shops, without choosing an appliance that’s too large for the room. |
| Freezing | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment, its capacity and its star rating. If you also freeze fresh food, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h and the model’s defrosting instructions. | If I buy frozen food every week, I need to know how much space is actually available for it; a small built-in compartment may not be suitable for this use. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare kWh/year and noise levels in dB(A) between appliances of similar formats and capacities. According to the European Commission, the energy label also shows storage capacities and the energy efficiency class. | In a studio flat, I pay attention to noise near the living area and to the energy use of an appliance I’ll be using every day. |
| Installation type | Check whether the model is freestanding or designed for built-in installation. For an integrated model, check the niche dimensions, door fixing and ventilation system specified in the manual. | If my kitchen already has a dedicated cabinet, I want to check that it fits this specific model, not just that their widths seem similar. |
An appliance may fit between two cabinets but leave too little space for air to circulate, or make it difficult to open the door properly.
Allow for the gaps specified in the manual as well as the appliance dimensions, and measure how much space you’ll need in front of the door. Check which way the chosen model’s door can open.
Two fridges with similar total capacities may divide the space between fresh and frozen food differently. A model without a freezer compartment is suited to different needs from a fridge-freezer.
Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately on the energy label or product page, then compare them with your usual shopping needs.
The 45 l TCL RF60DWE0FR is listed on Joybuy France for drinks and snacks. That intended use doesn’t necessarily mean it can hold a week’s worth of food.
Before choosing a very small capacity, estimate how much space you need for fresh food and check whether you need a freezer compartment.
The energy efficiency letter alone doesn’t tell you the respective capacities, annual energy use or noise levels of two different appliances.
For models with similar formats and capacities, also check the kWh/year, storage capacities and noise levels shown on the European energy label.
These examples illustrate different configurations. The specifications given apply to the models named, not to every product from each brand.
Bosch Home Appliances France lists two table-top models that let you compare the fresh-food capacity in the same external dimensions, depending on whether they have a freezer compartment.
Beko France’s range covers several installation types here: the TSE1284N table-top model, the freestanding RDSA240K40WN fridge-freezer and the integrated BSSA210K4SN.
The TCL RF60DWE0FR is listed on Joybuy France as a 45 l mini fridge for drinks and snacks.
These appliances suit two needs in a small kitchen: storing mainly fresh food in a single-door fridge, or making room for frozen food too with a compact fridge-freezer. Check the dimensions and compartments of each model individually.
Image unavailable
This fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a kitchen where width is limited. The product title lists a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Before choosing a location, check the depth, door clearance and gaps specified in the manual.
Image unavailable
For fresh and frozen food shopping, the product title lists 153 l of fridge capacity and a 74 l 4-star freezer compartment. It also gives a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and an energy efficiency rating of E. Check the full dimensions and defrosting instructions in the product details and manual.
Image unavailable
This single-door fridge may be worth considering if you don’t need much storage space for your shopping. Check that 82 l is enough for your food, then confirm its dimensions and whether it has a freezer compartment before planning the installation.
Image unavailable
This single-door model is worth comparing if you’re looking for a small fridge with an integrated freezer compartment. Before relying on it for frozen food, check the compartment’s capacity and star rating. Also confirm the full dimensions and required ventilation. The product title lists an energy efficiency rating of E.
Measure the height, width and depth of the space, as well as the doors, corridors and stairs along the delivery route. Also allow for the door to open and for ventilation gaps. For freestanding models, Gifam’s general recommendation is to leave 1 cm on each side and 5 cm above, but the instructions for your chosen model take precedence.
It may be suitable for occasional frozen food shopping if its capacity and specifications meet your needs. If you shop for frozen food regularly or want to freeze fresh food, look at the capacity of a 4-star compartment. For freezing fresh food, also check the stated freezing capacity in kg/24 h.
Compare the kWh/year for appliances of a similar type and capacity, then check the fresh and frozen food capacities separately. According to the European Commission, fridge labels also show the energy efficiency class and noise emissions, so the letter alone doesn’t tell you everything that matters in a small kitchen.
Don’t assume these two installation types are interchangeable based on external dimensions alone. Check that the model is designed for the cabinet, its door-fixing system and the specified ventilation. Beko France, for example, lists the BSSA210K4SN as an integrated model and the RDSA240K40WN as a freestanding appliance.
Take it to a collection scheme for waste electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it in unsorted waste. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition explains that retailers offer a ‘one-for-one’ take-back service when you buy an appliance of the same type. Check with the seller what arrangements apply to your order and delivery.