If you mainly cook with fresh ingredients and freeze very little, consider models with a top-mounted freezer. If frozen food and pre-prepared portions are a regular part of your routine, compare models with a bottom-mounted freezer. Bosch Home Appliances and Boulanger explain how these layouts suit different needs, but the freezer’s position isn’t the only thing to consider: check the capacity of each compartment on the model you’re interested in. If you need to store a lot of frozen food, UFC-Que Choisir also suggests considering a separate freezer, provided you have enough space.
If frozen food is just a backup, first consider the space for fresh food and how easy it is to reach the drawers and shelves. Noise levels are also worth checking if you have an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir and Bosch Home Appliances cover these points in their buying guides.
If you alternate between fresh food shopping, batch-cooked meals and frozen food, you’ll need enough room to store everything without overfilling either compartment. Compare freezer capacity and drawer layout, while making sure there’s still enough space in the fridge.
Bulk buys, home-grown produce or preparing lots of meals may make it worth comparing a fridge-freezer compartment with a separate freezer. UFC-Que Choisir outlines both upright and chest freezer formats. The right choice also depends on the space you have and how you’d like to access your food.
Start by working out how much space you need in each compartment, then check whether the layout suits your storage habits and kitchen.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Balance of fresh and frozen food | Compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately, then look at the drawer layout. | When my weekly shop includes both fresh food and portions to freeze, I look for enough space in both compartments. Around 43% of consumers are said to prioritise this balance. |
| Frozen food storage | Check the freezer capacity, how easy the drawers are to access and how much room you’d need for a separate appliance. | If I often freeze meals, home-grown produce or bulk buys, a small compartment can quickly limit my storage space. Storage capacity is said to be the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space for and access to fresh food | Check the fridge capacity, salad drawers, shelf height and which way the doors open. | If I cook with fresh ingredients every day and only keep a few frozen items as backup, I want easy access to chilled food. Around 28% of consumers are said to prioritise this use. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. The capacity of each compartment is among the details listed in the European EPREL database.
Compare the capacities separately against what you usually store, rather than choosing based on the total figure alone.
If home-cooked portions or bulk buys regularly fill your freezer, a fridge-freezer’s layout may no longer suit your needs. UFC-Que Choisir features separate freezers for households that need more storage space.
From the outset, compare the space available for a fridge-freezer with what you’d need for a separate upright or chest freezer.
A separate appliance takes up extra space and needs to be plugged in.
A feature designed to reduce frost doesn’t tell you how large the drawers are or how easy it is to reach stored portions. It also doesn’t remove the need to clean the appliance.
Check the layout and capacity of the model, then follow the manual for maintenance.
When replacing an appliance, the French Ministry for Ecological Transition outlines a ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme for products of the same type. Access to your home and the practicalities of collection are important when you have a bulky fridge to remove.
Tell the retailer if you’d like your old appliance collected, and measure access routes before delivery.
A brand to consider if you’re comparing freezer positions and compartment capacities across specific fridge-freezers.
Worth considering if a dedicated food-preservation zone or frost management is on your list of priorities.
Worth considering if capacity, quoted noise levels and fresh food storage are key to your comparison.
These appliances combine a fridge and freezer in one unit. Two models are explicitly listed with a bottom-mounted freezer; for the others, check the compartment layout before choosing based on accessibility.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer with a bottom-mounted freezer and want to compare how it stores fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
The product name lists three doors, a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the dimensions and the space needed for installation.
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Worth comparing if you want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food in a multi-door fridge-freezer. Check that the doors can open comfortably in your kitchen.
The product name lists four doors, a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Confirm the compartment layout in the product details.
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Worth considering if you regularly use frozen food and want the freezer below the fridge compartment.
The product name lists a total capacity of 282 L and an E energy rating. Measure access routes and allow for the ventilation clearances specified in the manual. Follow its instructions for transport and installation, too.
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Worth considering if width is a key factor, but check the height, depth and freezer position before choosing.
The product name lists 153 L for the fridge, 74 L for the freezer, a width of 54 cm, Low Frost, a reversible door and an E energy rating.
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Worth comparing if you want separate capacities for fresh and frozen food. Check the freezer position and dimensions before deciding where to put it.
The product name lists 182 L for the fridge and 71 L for the freezer, No Frost, freezer drawers and a quoted noise level of 39 dB.
For storing food at home, the French Ministry of Agriculture recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 and 4 °C, and the freezer at −18 °C. Check the temperatures after installation and set the appliance according to its manual.
If you mainly store fresh food and only freeze things occasionally, consider a top-mounted freezer. If you regularly use frozen food, look at models with a bottom-mounted freezer. Bosch Home Appliances and Boulanger explain how these layouts suit different needs, but you should still compare the usable capacity and accessibility of each compartment, model by model.
Check the quoted annual energy consumption and compartment capacities, rather than focusing on the energy rating alone. The European EPREL database lists these details. When choosing between two appliances, also consider their dimensions and how much space they offer for fresh and frozen food.
No. No Frost is designed to reduce frost in the relevant compartment, but it doesn’t replace cleaning. The French Ministry of Agriculture recommends cleaning and disinfecting the fridge monthly. For defrosting and other care specific to your model, follow its manual.