When preparing meals in advance, choose based on how much room you need for fresh food and frozen portions, rather than looking only at the total capacity. A fridge-freezer combines both functions in one appliance. If your frozen food regularly exceeds the capacity of its freezer compartment, it may be worth considering a separate freezer, provided you have room for an additional appliance that runs continuously. In a small kitchen where you only freeze a limited amount, a compact model or one with a small freezer compartment may be enough.
If you prepare several portions at once, consider separately how much room you need for fresh ingredients and meals, and how much for frozen portions. Easy access to the drawers matters just as much as the stated capacity when you use containers and dishes in different sizes.
A small freezer compartment can quickly limit how much you can store. Compare its capacity with your usual shopping; if it still isn’t enough, consider a fridge-freezer with more freezer space or a separate freezer, depending on the room available.
Width, depth, door opening and stated noise levels can matter just as much as capacity when choosing an appliance. A compact model is worth considering particularly if you only keep a modest amount of frozen food.
Start by working out how much food you need to store in each compartment, then check the installation requirements and energy consumption of the model you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking your consumption of frozen food into account: a simple freezer compartment won’t suit everyone.
| Priority | What to check | Depending on my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Check that the drawers and shelves can accommodate your containers. | I prepare several portions, so I need room for fresh meals without losing space for portions to freeze. |
| Type of appliance | Check the type and capacity of the freezer compartment. If you’re considering a separate appliance, compare upright and chest freezers, as well as where each could go. | I keep very little frozen food, so a small freezer compartment may suit my needs. For larger stocks, I need to compare the capacity of a fridge-freezer with that of a separate freezer. |
| Electricity | Check the annual energy consumption in kWh and compare appliances with similar categories, capacities and features. The energy rating doesn’t replace this figure. | As the appliance runs continuously, I want to choose a capacity I’ll actually use. ADEME notes that size and features can increase energy consumption. |
| Installation and noise | Check the dimensions, required clearances, door opening direction and stated noise level in dB(A). If you’re installing a freezer in another room, also check its specified climate class. | My kitchen is open-plan or narrow, so the appliance needs to fit in its space and its stated noise level needs to be suitable for being close to the living area. |
| Storage and maintenance | Check the number and size of the drawers, then look at the defrosting features of the specific model. Gifam says that frost-free cooling, or No Frost, eliminates the need to defrost. | I store containers and packaging in various sizes, so I want them to be easy to access and to know what maintenance to expect. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity can offer very different amounts of fridge and freezer space. When you’re storing prepared meals, it’s often the split between the two that determines whether your containers will fit.
Estimate what you usually store in each section, then compare their usable capacities and drawer layouts.
Cooling appliances run continuously. According to ADEME, a larger size or more features can increase electricity consumption.
Choose a capacity that suits what you store, and compare kWh/year figures for models with similar capacities and features.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that a simple freezer compartment isn’t enough for people who eat a lot of frozen food. It may therefore leave too little room for portions you prepare regularly.
Compare the compartment’s capacity with the portions you prepare and the frozen food you buy. If it won’t keep up with your usual storage needs, consider a more suitable fridge-freezer or a separate freezer.
Removing a large fridge or freezer takes some planning.
Before you order, ask the retailer how they arrange collection of your old appliance and when it can take place.
These examples highlight features to compare on specific models. They don’t represent every feature across each range, or guarantee that these models are included in the Joybuy selection below.
Bosch offers freestanding fridge-freezers, with capacities and features that vary by model.
Depending on the model, Liebherr fridge-freezers feature compartments designed for fresh food and NoFrost functions.
Some Beko ranges include HarvestFresh and separate cooling systems for the two compartments.
These appliances combine fridge and freezer storage, with different capacities and formats for fresh food and frozen portions. Compare the two compartments with your meal-prep routine. This selection doesn’t compare separate freezers.
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For storing fresh meals and frozen portions in one appliance, the product details list 311 L of fridge space and 156 L of freezer space, with two freezer drawers. They also state Total No Frost, 290 kWh/year and 35 dB(A). Check that the 181,5 × 83,3 × 65 cm dimensions and required clearances suit your chosen location. These figures are stated specifications, not independent measurements.
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If width is a key consideration in your kitchen, the product details state that this model is 54 cm wide and has a reversible door. The stated capacities are 187 L for the fridge and 75 L for the freezer, so check they’re enough for your usual supplies. The details also list 215 kWh/year, 39 dB(A) and three freezer drawers. Low Frost doesn’t eliminate the need for manual defrosting.
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At 54 cm wide, this model could suit a compact kitchen and a modest amount of frozen food. The product details list 153 L of fridge space, 74 L of freezer space, a reversible door and 39 dB. Check the full dimensions for installation, as well as the kWh/year figure to compare energy use. Low Frost still means you’ll need to defrost it.
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This side-by-side model has a stated total capacity of 444 L for fresh and frozen food. The product details list Total No Frost, 289 kWh/year and 40 dB. Before choosing it for prepared meals, check the usable capacity of each compartment, the layout and the installation dimensions. Total capacity alone won’t tell you how much room there is for your portions.
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For limited storage in a small kitchen, the product details list 115 L of fridge space and 59 L of freezer space. They state dimensions of 470 × 511 × 1500 mm, a reversible door and Low Frost, so you’ll need to defrost the freezer. If you often freeze large amounts, compare the 59 L capacity with the size of your containers. Also check the kWh/year figure and stated noise level before comparing this model with others.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh, the usable capacity of each compartment and the noise information. When choosing between two appliances, compare models in similar categories and with similar capacities, rather than relying only on their energy rating or total capacity.
It may be enough if you only freeze a few portions, but not necessarily if you regularly stock up. UFC-Que Choisir says a simple freezer compartment isn’t enough for people who eat a lot of frozen food. Check the type and capacity of the compartment, as well as the space available for your containers.
Consider one if your frozen food regularly exceeds the capacity of your fridge-freezer and you have a suitable place for it. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes chest freezers, which offer generous capacity but take up more floor space, from more compact upright models. Check the dimensions and climate class of the model you choose. A separate appliance also runs continuously.
No: it mainly comes down to your maintenance preferences. Gifam says that frost-free cooling, or No Frost, eliminates the need to defrost. Check that the exact model has this feature, then compare capacity, noise and kWh/year separately. A Low Frost model may still need to be defrosted manually.