For a family’s weekly food shop, start by working out how much usable capacity your household needs, then check how much space is set aside for fresh and frozen food. Que Choisir recommends allowing 100 to 150 L for one person, then an extra 50 L for each additional person. A fridge freezer with the freezer below may be worth considering if kitchen space is limited; a multi-door model offers more storage if it fits your kitchen and can be brought into your home. A smaller freezer compartment is better suited to a household that stores few frozen foods.
How often you shop and how much frozen food you store matter just as much as the number of people in your household.
If you need to store fresh food, leftovers and frozen food at the same time, compare the usable capacity of each compartment rather than looking at the total capacity alone. Que Choisir recommends taking your shopping routine and storage habits into account.
Choosing an appliance with enough capacity for your household is only part of the picture: it must not obstruct the way or be too large for its intended space. A fridge freezer with the freezer below may let you consider taller models, without assuming that a wider multi-door model will fit in your kitchen.
Compare freezer capacity in litres and how easy the drawers are to access before opting for a large total capacity. Que Choisir describes multi-door models as having one or more freezer drawers below the fridge compartment. You’ll also need to check the dimensions of the model you choose.
Worth considering: for a family shop when the available width points towards a narrower appliance than a large multi-door model.
Keep in mind: its total capacity may disguise a lack of freezer space if frozen food makes up a large part of your shop.
Worth considering: if your household needs more storage and you’d like to access frozen food in drawers below the fridge compartment, as described by Que Choisir.
Keep in mind: some models are large, so check the available space and the entire delivery route.
Worth considering: if you mainly buy fresh food and your household stores few frozen items.
Keep in mind: this leaves little room to stock up on frozen food during your weekly shop.
| Criterion | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Check the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately. As a starting point, Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, then an extra 50 L for each additional person, giving 250 to 300 L for four people before adjusting for your storage habits. | I shop for several people and need to store fresh food without choosing an appliance based on its total capacity alone. |
| Freezer space | Check the freezer capacity in litres and how the drawers are arranged. If you regularly buy frozen food, compare this compartment rather than relying on the number of doors alone. | Some of my shopping goes straight into the freezer; I want enough space to access and store the items I usually buy. |
| Fitting and access | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the route into your kitchen. Check the manual for required clearances and, if the model has a dispenser, whether it needs a water connection. | The fridge freezer needs to fit in my home and open in its intended position, even if its capacity suits my needs. |
| Energy use and noise | On the EU energy label, compare annual consumption in kWh, capacity and noise levels across appliances of a similar type and size, rather than looking at the A to G rating alone. The European Commission says the QR code links to the model’s information in EPREL. | If the appliance will be near a living area, I want to check its stated noise level as well as its annual energy consumption. |
Two appliances with similar total capacities may have very different amounts of freezer space. A large fridge compartment won’t solve a shortage of freezer space.
Compare the capacity in litres of both compartments on the energy label and product specifications, then check that the freezer capacity suits your usual shopping.
A multi-door model may fit in its intended position but still be difficult to get through a hallway, doorway or staircase.
Measure the delivery route and the installation space, then compare these measurements with the appliance and packaging dimensions, as well as the clearances specified in the manual.
The rating doesn’t tell you the annual consumption in kWh, and it shouldn’t replace checking the capacity and noise level. The European Commission says this information appears on the label of applicable appliances.
Compare models of a similar size and capacity, then use the label’s QR code to view their detailed information in EPREL.
For goods sold in France by a trader to a consumer, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory, as economie.gouv.fr explains. Any additional commercial guarantee should therefore be judged on what extra it actually provides.
Ask what additional services it covers, including call-outs, labour, parts and installation, and check what is excluded.
These examples show different formats and dimensions to compare. The specifications given apply to the named models or ranges, not every product from each brand.
Bosch’s product details for the freestanding KGN39AIAU fridge freezer list 260 L of fridge capacity and 103 L of freezer capacity in an appliance that is 203 cm tall and 60 cm wide.
LG France’s multi-door range includes models with stated capacities from 506 to 646 L.
Haier states that its four-door Collection Horizon HCW99F18DHMB multi-door model offers a capacity of up to 700 L and measures 905 × 738 × 1 825 mm.
This selection includes fridge freezers with the freezer below in a range of capacities, a four-door multi-door model and a side-by-side model for households considering more storage. For each one, check the space available for frozen food and whether it will fit in your kitchen.
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This 344 L fridge freezer is worth considering for a weekly shop. Compare the space allocated to fresh and frozen food with your usual shopping, then check the access route and clearances needed for installation.
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This 360 L, three-door model is worth considering if storage layout is important for your shopping. The model name lists Total No Frost, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Also compare the fridge and freezer capacities, along with the dimensions needed to get it through your home and install it.
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This 390 L fridge freezer may appeal to households looking for more total capacity. Check how much space is allocated to the freezer before choosing it to store frozen food, then check the height, depth and installation clearances.
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This 467 L model lets you consider a multi-door option for larger food shops. Its name lists four doors and Total No Frost. Compare the freezer capacity with your needs, and measure the installation space and delivery route.
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For a household that stores lots of frozen food, this model lists 333 L of fridge capacity and 192 L of freezer capacity, with No Frost and a stated noise level of 37 dB. Before choosing this side-by-side design, check its dimensions, required clearances, freezer layout and annual energy consumption in kWh.
Que Choisir recommends 250 to 300 L of usable capacity for four people: 100 to 150 L for the first person, then 50 L for each of the other three. This is a starting point to adjust according to how often you shop. If you store lots of frozen food, pay particular attention to the capacity actually allocated to the freezer.
For a fridge freezer covered by the EU energy label, compare annual consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise levels, as well as the A to G rating. The European Commission says the QR code links to detailed information about the model in EPREL. Where possible, compare appliances of a similar type and capacity.
It depends on the model’s dimensions and the route to its intended position. Measure the space, doorways and access routes, then check the clearances specified in the manual. For example, Haier lists a width of 905 mm and a depth of 738 mm for its Collection Horizon HCW99F18DHMB.
Some models need one, but not all. Que Choisir notes that some multi-door models with a front-mounted water dispenser require a water supply. Check the manual for the exact model before arranging installation.
According to economie.gouv.fr, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold in France by a trader to a consumer. It covers, among other things, an appliance that does not match its description or an agreed installation carried out under the seller’s responsibility. If you need to make a claim under this guarantee, contact the seller rather than only the manufacturer.