A fridge-freezer is a good choice if you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate in a relatively narrow appliance, and its two compartments suit your shopping needs. Consider a multi-door or American-style fridge-freezer if you prefer separate storage areas and have enough room. Before choosing, check the route into your kitchen, how far the doors open and the installation clearances. Then compare the capacity of each compartment, the kWh/year and the noise level of the specific model. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide highlights the importance of your kitchen layout, while the European Commission explains which annual energy consumption and capacity figures to compare on the energy label.
If you shop for several days at a time, compare the capacity in litres for fresh and frozen food separately, then check that larger containers will fit on the shelves. UFC-Que Choisir and the European Commission both highlight these as factors to consider.
If access or space is restricted, check the delivery route, the appliance dimensions and the clearances needed for the doors to open and for ventilation. Bosch Électroménager France sets out the ventilation requirements for its fridge-freezers, while Samsung recommends checking access for its documented American-style model.
If you store a variety of ingredients and prepared foods, look at the drawers, shelves and any adjustable zones. Anses points out that temperature and storage both matter when it comes to keeping food safely; a feature advertised by the manufacturer does not, on its own, guarantee a particular result.
For a household with several people, the right choice depends on what you need to store, your kitchen layout and where the appliance will go. Compare formats against these needs rather than looking at total capacity alone.
Choose this if : you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate in a relatively narrow main appliance, and the balance between the two compartments suits your shopping needs.
Check : the usable capacity of each compartment and the installation clearances for the specific model. Bosch Électroménager France says that its fridge-freezers need space around them for ventilation.
Choose this if : you want to organise food across several zones or drawers, and have enough space for the appliance and its doors.
Check : the width, fresh and frozen food capacities, kWh/year and any connection requirements for the exact model. Haier and LG document different features for their multi-door models.
Choose this if : you want side-by-side compartments and your kitchen has enough room for installation and for the doors to open.
Check : the width of the specific model and whether the packaged appliance will fit through your access route. Samsung recommends measuring doorways, lifts and corridors for its documented model; its dimensions do not apply to all American-style appliances.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Compartment capacity | Compare the fresh and frozen food capacities in litres, then check there is room for larger containers and look at the shelf layout. | If your shopping includes both fresh and frozen food, check what each compartment can hold before relying on the total capacity. Capacity is the top priority for around 29 % of consumers. |
| Installation and door clearance | Measure the route with the appliance still packaged, the space where it will go, how far the doors open and the clearances specified in the manual. Check the plumbing only if the specific model requires it. | In a kitchen with restricted access, measuring the route and door clearance before choosing can help you avoid finding that the appliance will not fit. Built-in fit is the top criterion for around 23 % of consumers. |
| Food storage organisation | Look at the drawers, shelves and any adjustable zones; check that the temperature settings are suitable for the foods you store. | If you store a variety of prepared foods and ingredients, accessible compartments may matter more than features you are unlikely to use. Organisation is the top priority for around 18 % of consumers. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the kWh/year figures on the energy labels, taking into account the capacity and features of the models you are considering. | You want to keep everyday energy use down without giving up the capacity you need for your shopping. Around 18 % of consumers put energy consumption first. |
| Noise in your living space | Compare the noise emissions in dB and the noise class of the specific models, taking their location into account. | If the appliance will be near your living space, noise may play a bigger part in your decision. Low noise is the top criterion for around 12 % of consumers. |
Two fridge-freezers with a similar stated total capacity can divide the space differently between fresh and frozen food, according to the European Commission.
Compare the capacity of each compartment and the interior layout before settling on a format.
The packaged appliance needs to fit all the way into your kitchen, and its doors must be able to open with the clearances required for that specific model.
Measure the delivery route, the space where the appliance will go and the door clearance; check the model’s installation instructions before ordering.
Having to rearrange delivery or installation can make organising the setup more complicated.
Requirements vary by model: LG says that its GMW765STGJ multi-door fridge-freezer needs a plumbing connection.
Check the connection requirements, accessories and seller’s terms for the model you choose.
A connection may require additional work; also check whether you will need any consumables or services.
The KGN392I1F is worth considering if the balance between fresh and frozen food capacity is an important factor in your choice of fridge-freezer.
LG documents both fridge-freezers and multi-door models; compare each one based on its format and compartments.
The HDPW7620AANPK and HFR7819ENGC show the difference in space requirements between a fridge-freezer and a multi-door model.
The RH69CG895DS9EF is worth considering if you are looking at an American-style appliance and have enough space.
The Hisense range includes several multi-door formats to compare based on the capacity and layout you need.
The models below include fridge-freezers and multi-door appliances, so you can compare compartment layouts and storage options against the space available.
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Worth considering if you want to compare fresh and frozen food capacities separately and organise food across different zones.
235 L for the fridge and 125 L for the freezer. Stated width of 59.5 cm; the product description lists a reversible door, My Zone and Humidity Zone compartments, and adjustable shelves. Allow for the ventilation and door-opening clearances required for installation.
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Worth a look if you are after a fridge-freezer and want to compare the stated capacity, annual energy consumption and noise emissions.
238 L for the fridge and 98 L for the freezer. The product description lists 135 kWh/year, energy class B and 35 dB. Reversible door; check the ventilation and door-opening clearances required for this model.
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Worth considering if you want to organise your food across several zones, including a compartment with an adjustable temperature.
304 L for the fridge, 87 L for the freezer and 92 L for the two-star compartment. The My Fresh Choice zone is stated to be adjustable from +5 °C to −18 °C; energy class E and 37 dB are also listed. Allow enough space for all four doors to open and for ventilation.
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Worth a look if you are after a large stated capacity and a variable-temperature zone to adapt part of the storage space to your needs.
390 L for the fridge; the remaining 216 L is split between the freezer and variable-temperature zone. The My Fresh Choice zone is stated to be adjustable from around −20 °C to +5 °C. Energy class E and a water dispenser are listed; the door is not reversible, so allow enough room for it to open.
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Worth considering if you want to compare a multi-door format with a dispenser that uses a water tank rather than a fixed connection.
336 L for the fridge and 149 L for the freezer. The product description lists 295 kWh/year, energy class E and 38 dB. The dispenser uses a water tank and does not make ice; allow enough space for the doors to open and for ventilation.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately in litres, then check whether the shelves and drawers can hold the food you usually buy. The European Commission says that the energy label shows the capacity of each compartment; the total capacity alone does not answer both questions.
Measure the route the packaged appliance will need to take, then the space where it will go, how far the doors open and the clearances specified in the instructions for the model you have chosen. Samsung recommends doing this for its documented American-style model, while LG specifies a minimum side clearance of 4 mm for the GBBS322APY fridge-freezer; this measurement does not apply to other models.
No, it depends on the model. LG says that the GMW765STGJ multi-door fridge-freezer needs a plumbing connection, while the product description for the Hisense RF632N4BCE specifies a water dispenser with a tank. Check the requirements for the model you are considering.
Anses recommends checking the temperature regularly, keeping perishable food in the coldest part of the fridge, between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point, avoiding overfilling the appliance and cleaning it regularly.
Compare the energy class, annual consumption, capacity and noise levels for the models you are considering on the European energy label. For a purchase from a professional seller, the DGCCRF says that claims under the statutory guarantee of conformity must be brought within two years of the goods being delivered; a commercial warranty is optional and separate.