If you shop for several days at a time, first choose the capacity you need for fresh and frozen food, then check the space available and the annual energy consumption. A fridge-freezer combines both in one appliance. A multi-door model is worth considering if its useful capacity justifies the space it takes up, while two separate appliances make sense if you have a long-term need for extra freezer space and enough room to install them.
If you put away fresh food, drinks, leftovers and frozen food all at once, check the capacity in litres of each compartment. The total capacity alone won’t tell you how much space is allocated to the freezer.
The capacity needs to suit the available space, the delivery route and the way the doors open. If the kitchen is part of your living space, also compare the noise levels stated for each model.
Check the capacity allocated to frozen food rather than choosing based on the appliance’s overall size alone. A large capacity that’s mainly for fresh food won’t meet the same needs.
Your choice of style depends mainly on how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, and how much room your home can accommodate.
Consider it if: one appliance can hold the fresh and frozen food your household usually buys.
Consideration: check the integrated freezer capacity separately, especially if you often freeze portions.
Consider it if: your shopping regularly takes up a lot of space and your kitchen can accommodate a large appliance.
Consideration: the extra capacity doesn’t remove the need to check the dimensions and the specific model’s kWh/year.
Consider them if: you consistently need more freezer capacity than would suit the rest of your shopping.
Consideration: allow space for both appliances and compare each one’s annual energy consumption.
| Criterion | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L per person as a starting point, plus 50 L for each additional household member; adjust this to suit your shopping habits. | I want enough room for several days’ shopping without choosing extra capacity that I wouldn’t use for my usual groceries. |
| Installation | Measure the space, access routes and door clearance. Check the clearances required in the model’s instructions. | A larger appliance will only work for me if it can be brought into my home and still leave the kitchen practical to use. |
| Energy consumption | The label described by the European Commission shows the energy efficiency class and kWh/year. Compare these figures alongside usable capacity, between models suited to the same purpose. | If the appliance will run all year in my home, I want to know its stated annual energy consumption, rather than relying on the letter of its energy class alone. |
| Noise | Check the model’s noise emissions on its label. Que Choisir classifies appliances with stated noise levels below 40 dBA as quieter models. | My kitchen opens onto a living area, so the stated noise level matters as much as the space available. |
A large appliance may devote most of its capacity to fresh food, even when your household mainly needs more room for frozen food.
Make a list of what you typically buy in a week, then compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
An appliance may fit its designated space but still cause problems in a hallway or on the stairs, or when you open its doors.
Measure the access routes and the space needed in front of the appliance. Also check the ventilation clearances specified in its instructions.
Capacity and energy efficiency class don’t replace the annual kWh figure shown on the label. A convenience feature should only influence your choice if you plan to use it.
Compare the kWh/year figures for models with similar capacity, then consider the features you want separately.
An air circulation feature or dedicated compartment doesn’t remove the need to check the temperature at which food is stored.
After installation, check the temperature with a thermometer. Anses recommends a temperature of 0 to +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge.
These model examples can help you identify features to compare; they don’t represent every model in each brand’s range.
The KGN39AIAU fridge-freezer is one option to consider if you’re looking for dedicated compartments and want to reduce the need for defrosting.
The GBB72BM9CQ1 fridge-freezer can be a useful comparison if the available width is a key factor in your choice.
Some Samsung fridge-freezers offer SmartThings AI Energy mode, which is worth considering if you plan to use its digital features.
This selection includes fridge-freezers and multi-door appliances designed to keep a family’s fresh and frozen shopping organised. Compare their stated capacities with the space available in your home.
Image unavailable
Consider this if your shopping for several days at a time justifies a four-door appliance. Check that the split between fresh and frozen food suits your shopping habits. The model name lists a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and energy efficiency class E. Check the space needed for installation and to open the doors.
Image unavailable
This three-door style may suit you if you want fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Compare the capacity of each compartment with the amount you usually store. The model name lists a capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, energy efficiency class E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check its dimensions and the clearances required.
Image unavailable
Consider this if your kitchen is narrow and you can top up your shopping regularly rather than storing everything at once. The model name lists a capacity of 262 L, a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm and Low Frost. Check how much space is available for frozen food and what defrosting involves.
Image unavailable
The capacities listed in the name — 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer — make it easy to assess the space available for frozen food separately. This model is also listed with No Frost, 37 dB and energy efficiency class E. Check its full dimensions, the route to your kitchen and its kWh/year before comparing it with another large model.
Image unavailable
The total capacity of 444 L may catch your eye for family shopping, but compare the space allocated to fresh and frozen food with what you need. The model name lists frost-free operation, 40 dB and energy efficiency class E. Also check the full dimensions to make sure it will fit.
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L per person as a starting point, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit how often you shop, and check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, particularly if you store a lot of frozen food.
The European Commission says that the label for fridges and freezers provides information on energy efficiency class, energy consumption, storage capacity and noise. To compare appliances suited to the same purpose, look at the kWh/year alongside the capacity of each compartment and the noise emissions.
No. Its capacity is only useful if the appliance can be delivered, installed and used without obstructing movement around the kitchen. Measure the space, door clearance and access routes, then check the model’s instructions for installation clearances.
Anses recommends a temperature between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Check the temperature after installation, for example with a thermometer; a food-preservation feature doesn’t replace this check.
According to the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition, an electrical appliance can be taken to a collection point or recycling centre, returned to a retailer or given to a social and solidarity economy organisation. Arrange how you’ll dispose of it before your new appliance arrives.