If you live alone and do modest food shops, a table-top fridge or a small, single-door model is a good place to start. UFC-Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. Choose based on the space you actually have and whether you need a freezer compartment, then check the stated noise level and the model’s installation instructions. In a studio flat, the dBA figure alone won’t tell you how quiet it will feel.
If you do small food shops and have limited space, start by measuring the available space and estimating how much capacity you need. UFC-Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person and suggests a table-top model for studio flats.
For occasional stays, choose a fresh-food compartment sized to what you plan to keep there. Check separately how much room there is for frozen food and the annual energy consumption stated for each model.
Before buying an appliance, check your tenancy agreement and the property inventory to see what’s already provided. Then measure the usable space, particularly if the kitchen has an alcove.
Start with the available space and your usual shopping habits, then compare freezer features, noise levels and energy labels across suitable models.
| Factor | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Measure the overall width, depth and height, the door-opening clearance and the installation space specified in the instructions. For an integrated model, also check the housing space and fixing method. | In my kitchenette, the appliance needs to fit without blocking the door or restricting airflow. |
| Capacity and freezing | UFC-Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. Check the fresh-food and freezer-compartment capacities separately. If you plan to freeze fresh food, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | I want enough room for my usual food shop, without assuming a small freezer compartment can hold a large stock of frozen food. |
| Noise | Check the noise level in dBA and the noise class. UFC-Que Choisir suggests less than 40 dBA as a guide for narrowing down your options, but points out that the stated level alone cannot predict how intrusive the noise will feel. | If I sleep in the same room, vibrations and the type of noise matter to me too. |
| Energy consumption | ADEME recommends checking the energy class and noise information on the label. Compare kWh/year figures for appliances with similar capacities, installation types and freezing functions. | Even if I don’t use the property often, I want to know the stated annual energy consumption of an appliance I’ll leave running. |
A table-top fridge may use some of its capacity for a small freezer compartment, so its total capacity won’t tell you how much frozen food you can fit inside.
Compare the fridge and freezer-compartment capacities, then check the model’s star rating and freezing capacity if you plan to freeze fresh food.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the level shown on the label isn’t enough to predict whether a fridge will be noisy in a living space.
Use the stated level to narrow down your options. If the appliance will be near your bed, look for independent acoustic test results too, if available.
An integrated appliance needs to fit the housing space and fixing system, and meet the unit’s airflow requirements. For example, Whirlpool lists the ARG94312FR as suitable for an 88 cm housing space.
Measure the inside of the housing space and check the fixing method, door-opening direction and instructions before choosing.
If the housing space isn’t compatible, you may need to adapt the unit, door panel or fixings.
Annual energy consumption figures don’t represent the same level of performance if the appliances differ in capacity or freezing function.
First compare models suited to the same purpose, then look at their energy classes and stated kWh/year figures together.
These models illustrate different installation requirements and dimensions. Check the specifications of the exact model rather than choosing on brand name alone.
The freestanding TSE1285N table-top fridge is an example of a model for one person with limited freezer needs.
The COT1S45EW is a freestanding table-top fridge to consider if you have limited width available.
The ARG94312FR is an example of an integrated model to consider if you already have a compatible housing space.
This single-door model is designed for small spaces and modest food shops. Check whether its 92 L capacity and freezer compartment suit your needs.
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Worth considering for modest food shops in a small home: its 92 L capacity is below UFC-Que Choisir’s recommended 100 to 150 L for one person. This energy class E model has a freezer section and a stated footprint of 0.22 m². If you regularly keep frozen food or sleep near the appliance, check the compartment capacity, stated noise level, energy consumption in kWh/year, full dimensions and the clearances specified in the instructions.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a starting point for one person. Adjust this to how often you shop, and check separately how much space you need for frozen food.
No. UFC-Que Choisir uses this threshold as a guide for narrowing down your options, but says the stated level alone isn’t enough to predict how intrusive the noise will feel. If the appliance will be near your bed, look for independent acoustic test results if available, and install it according to the instructions.
Measure the available width, depth and height, and remember to allow for the door to open. Check the model’s instructions for installation clearances. If you’re choosing an integrated model, also check the housing space and fixing system.
As ADEME points out, the label shows the energy class and noise information, among other details. Check the kWh/year figures too, but compare appliances with similar capacities, installation types and freezing functions. A lower energy consumption figure doesn’t make a model suitable if it won’t fit your space.