Families of four or more
Gifam suggests a fridge capacity of over 330 L as a general guide for this household size. Choose your freezer capacity separately, based on how much room frozen food takes up in your shopping.
Which households are these options suited to?
Two- to three-person households that shop weekly
Gifam suggests a fridge capacity of 250 to 330 L. The space you need also depends on how much fresh food you keep between shops and how often you freeze food.
Families with open-plan kitchens or narrow access
Before choosing a wide appliance, measure the delivery route, the space where it will go and the clearance needed to open the doors. In a living area, also compare the noise levels listed for each model.
What should you compare before choosing?
Start with the space you need for your food, then rule out styles that won’t fit your kitchen before comparing their performance details.
Freestanding fridge freezer
Consider it if: you want an appliance that’s narrower than a large multi-door model but still offers enough room for fresh and frozen food.
What to weigh up: check how the compartments are divided, as the total capacity won’t tell you whether there’s enough freezer space for your needs.
Multi-door
Consider it if: you want several separate storage zones and have enough room for a wider appliance.
What to weigh up: compartment capacities and overall dimensions vary by model. Extra features don’t replace the need to check these details.
American-style
Consider it if: a large capacity suits your shopping habits and your kitchen and access route can accommodate a wide appliance.
What to weigh up: Que Choisir highlights the large size and recommends carefully comparing energy consumption with that of a standard model.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare fridge and freezer capacities separately. For fridge capacity, Gifam suggests 250 to 330 L for two to three people and over 330 L for four or more. | I shop for several days at a time, so I need enough room for fresh food, without overlooking the frozen food I keep between shops. |
| Dimensions and installation | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the delivery route and door clearance. For a built-in model, also check the housing dimensions, fittings and ventilation requirements in the model’s instructions. | A large appliance won’t be any use if it won’t fit into my home or its doors get in the way in the kitchen. |
| Energy and noise | According to the European Commission, the EU energy label shows details including annual energy consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and airborne acoustical noise emissions. Ideally, compare appliances with similar styles and capacities. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to know how noisy the model I choose is. I also check its annual energy consumption rather than relying on its features alone. |
| Storage and maintenance | Check the drawers and storage zones on the exact model you’re considering. If you want to reduce manual defrosting, check which compartments have the No Frost feature. Make sure you allow for the ventilation specified in the instructions. | When doing the family shop, I want to be able to put food away and access the compartments without blocking the air vents. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based on total capacity alone
Two appliances with the same total capacity may offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food.
Compare the capacity of each compartment with your usual shopping, especially if you often freeze food.
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Measuring the kitchen but not the delivery route
A multi-door or American-style model might fit its space but still not make it through a doorway, hallway or lift.
Check the entire route, the clearance needed to open the doors, and the delivery and installation arrangements before you order.
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Guessing energy use from the features listed
No Frost, freshness zones and connectivity don’t tell you an appliance’s annual energy consumption or noise level on their own.
Check the energy label and product details for the exact model to compare kWh/year, noise, capacity and dimensions.
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Overlooking ventilation when installing the appliance
A blocked grille or installation near a heat source can make it harder to keep the appliance cool.
Follow the clearance requirements in the instructions. Gifam recommends keeping the ventilation grille clear and dusting the rear grille at least once a year.
Which brands and ranges should you consider?
These models illustrate different styles and features to check individually; details for one model don’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
Bosch
Bosch offers freestanding and built-in fridge freezers, with features that vary by model.
- Bosch’s product details for the KGN493WDA list 330 L of fridge capacity, 108 L of freezer capacity, 38 dB and a width of 70 cm.
- For other Bosch models, check the capacity, dimensions and installation requirements on the individual product page.
LG
The range includes fridge freezers whose capacity and width should be considered together.
- LG lists a capacity of 384 L, a width of 59,5 cm and a noise level of 35 dB for the GBP62PZNCN1.
- These figures apply to the GBP62PZNCN1, not to other LG fridge freezers.
Samsung
Samsung offers large-capacity multi-door models, some of which have connected features.
- Samsung’s product details for the RF65DG9H0EB1EF list a capacity of 636 L and a width of 912 mm.
- Samsung says its AI Vision Inside recognition works with selected foods only and does not recognise items stored in the door shelves or freezer.
Haier
Haier offers multi-door models with a range of interior layouts.
- Haier describes the HFR7819ENGC as a freestanding, four-door, No Frost model with a width of 83 cm.
- Check the usable capacity, energy consumption, noise level and installation space for the model you’re considering.
Fridge freezers to consider on Joybuy
These appliances showcase several options for a family household: American-style, multi-door and standard fridge freezers. Total capacity alone won’t help you decide. Compare the space for fresh and frozen food with your habits, then measure your kitchen.
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LG GSXE90BSAD American-style, 628 L, class D
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large appliance for fresh and frozen food and have a suitable kitchen. Check there’s room for the doors to open and that the appliance can be delivered to your kitchen. If you plan to use the dispenser, also confirm the water connection requirements.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4 doors, 467 L, Total No Frost, class E
This four-door style could suit a household looking to keep different types of food separate. Before choosing, check the capacity of each compartment and make sure the doors can open fully in the space available.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3 doors, 360 L, Total No Frost, class E
This three-door model could suit you if you want separate storage areas but don’t need an American-style appliance. Compare its fridge capacity with your shopping habits: Gifam’s general guide is over 330 L for households of four or more, but this alone won’t determine what every household needs.
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LG GBBS312AEV, 333 L, No Frost, class A
This fridge freezer lets you compare a narrower style with your family’s needs. Before choosing it for its 333 L total capacity, check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, as well as the dimensions of the space where it will go.
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LG GBBSJ1CCSW, 333 L, class C
This 333 L fridge freezer is another option to compare with the space available in your kitchen. Before deciding whether its capacity is right for your family, check how the total is divided between the fridge, cooling compartment and freezer.
Frequently asked questions
What fridge capacity should I look for as a family?
Gifam suggests 250 to 330 L for two to three people and over 330 L for four or more. Choose your freezer capacity separately, based on how much frozen food you buy: the total capacity doesn’t show how the space is divided.
What should I compare on the energy label?
For the refrigeration appliances covered, the European energy label shows details including the energy class, annual energy consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and airborne acoustical noise emissions, according to the European Commission. Compare these details across models that match the capacity and style you’re looking for.
Is an American-style fridge freezer right for every large family?
No. Capacity isn’t the only consideration if the appliance can’t be brought into your kitchen or its doors can’t open fully. Que Choisir gives approximate dimensions of 1 m wide and 75 to 80 cm deep for this style, and says it uses almost twice as much energy as a standard model. Check the dimensions and energy label for the model you’re considering.
How can I maintain good ventilation after installation?
Follow the clearance requirements in the instructions and keep the ventilation grilles clear. Gifam also recommends dusting the rear grille at least once a year. If the appliance will be in a location with unusual temperatures, check the model’s climate class and operating conditions.