If you shop less often and want to keep prepared meals, start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, rather than choosing the largest total capacity. A fridge-freezer combines both functions in one appliance. If you need considerably more freezer space, consider two separate appliances or adding a freezer to a fridge that still meets your needs. Then compare the dimensions and kWh/year for each option: as ADEME points out, these appliances run continuously.
Your weekly shop needs to fit without making everyday fresh food difficult to reach. Check the capacity of each compartment and the interior layout. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol, for example, takes into account adding a weekly shop.
It’s not just about the stated capacity, but how much usable space there is for containers and portions. If your current fridge has enough room for fresh food, an additional freezer could meet your needs without replacing it.
An appliance needs to fit in its intended spot, with the clearances required for installation. You should also weigh its usable capacity against its annual energy consumption: ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously.
The right format depends on what you’re actually short of: space for fresh food, room to freeze meals, or both. The options below vary in the space they take up and the number of appliances you’ll need to power.
Consider this if: you need to store fresh and frozen food in a single appliance.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between two compartments, and the balance may not suit the meals you prepare.
Consider this if: your fresh and frozen food needs are very different and you have room for two appliances.
Bear in mind: two appliances take up space and each uses electricity continuously, as ADEME points out.
Consider this if: you only freeze food occasionally and fresh food is your priority.
Bear in mind: this compartment won’t meet the same needs as regularly storing frozen meals; UFC-Que Choisir advises distinguishing between the two.
Consider this if: your current fridge still has enough room for fresh food, but not for portions and frozen shopping.
Bear in mind: you’ll need extra space and should factor its annual energy consumption in alongside your fridge’s.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Balance of fridge and freezer space | Compare the usable litres in each compartment, then check whether the drawers and shelves will fit your containers. The EU energy label shows storage volumes. | If I bring home enough shopping for several days and prepare portions to freeze, I need enough room in both compartments, not just a large overall capacity. Around 38% of consumers in this situation prioritise this balance. |
| Capacity and installation | Measure the space and delivery route, then check the appliance dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual. | I want to increase my food reserves, but an appliance that won’t fit through the door or gets in the way won’t meet my needs. For around 31% of consumers in this situation, finding a capacity that fits their available space comes before other criteria. |
| Continuous energy use | Compare the kWh/year for models with similar functions and capacity. If you’re considering two appliances, check the declared annual energy use for each one. | If I add a freezer, I want to be able to assess the electricity needed to run both appliances. Around 31% of consumers in this situation make managing energy use their priority. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity can offer very different amounts of space for frozen meals. So even a spacious fridge-freezer may not suit you if its freezer compartment is too small for your containers.
Compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately, then check the layout of the drawers and shelves.
The width and depth of a large appliance can cause problems long before installation. Samsung recommends measuring doorways, corridors and lifts for its larger models.
Check the dimensions of the appliance and its packaging to make sure it will fit through, then check the installation clearances required in the manual.
If the route is too narrow, delivery may need to be postponed or you may need to find another spot for the appliance.
Keeping your current fridge and adding a freezer means you don’t have to replace an appliance that still meets your needs, but both will run continuously. According to ADEME, the size and number of appliances affect a household’s energy use.
Check the declared kWh/year for every model you’re considering; the energy rating alone won’t tell you its annual consumption.
Air circulation, storage and connected features vary by model and depend on how they’re used. A claim about one model doesn’t describe the performance of an entire brand.
Start by checking capacity, dimensions and kWh/year. Then read the terms for the features that matter to you and, if they’re essential, look for independent tests of the specific model.
These ranges give you a basis for comparing layouts and dimensions. The features mentioned apply to the models specified, not every appliance from each brand.
The freestanding fridge-freezer range lets you compare the space allocated to fresh and frozen food, as well as the interior layout.
Some LG fridge-freezers offer interior storage features and humidity management functions worth considering, depending on the food you store.
Wider fridge-freezers may appeal to households looking for more interior space, provided they have enough room for the appliance.
The range includes fridge-freezers in different capacities and, on some models, freshness zones or adjustable compartments.
These models combine refrigeration and freezing in one appliance. Compare the interior layout before choosing one for less frequent shopping or prepared meals. If your current fridge still meets your needs, adding a freezer is another option.
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Worth considering if you want fresh and frozen food in one appliance that’s 54 cm wide.
The product details list a 70/30 split, a height of 176 cm and Low Frost technology. Check that the freezer space suits your containers and bear in mind that this model will need defrosting.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a fridge with a freezer at the bottom to store both fresh and frozen food.
The product details list a total capacity of 282 L and an energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each compartment and the space needed for installation before comparing it with other fridge-freezers.
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Worth considering if you need separate storage for fresh and frozen food to see you through your shopping.
The product details list 211 L of fridge space, 99 L of freezer space, a width of 60 cm and an energy rating of E. Check the label for kWh/year and review the full dimensions to make sure it will fit.
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Consider this if you have limited width available but still need separate spaces for fresh and frozen food.
The product details list 153 L of fridge space, 74 L of freezer space, a width of 54 cm and Low Frost technology. Check the height, depth and kWh/year before deciding whether this format will suit your kitchen and food reserves.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a large total capacity for your shopping, without assuming how much space is available in each compartment.
The product details list a capacity of 444 L, Frost-Free technology, an energy rating of E and a noise level of 40 dB. Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, along with the external dimensions, before choosing this model.
Compare the usable litres in the fridge and freezer separately, then check whether the drawers will fit the containers you usually use. UFC-Que Choisir gives a general guide of 100 to 150 L for one person and an extra 50 L for each additional person, but your freezer needs may affect your choice.
You can’t tell from the appliance format alone. Compare the kWh/year listed for the fridge-freezer you’re considering with the figures for the fridge and freezer you’d use together. ADEME points out that each appliance runs continuously.
Measure the space where it will go and the whole delivery route, including any relevant doorways, corridors and lifts, then allow for the clearances specified in the manual. If your freezer is going in a room that isn’t heated much, also check that its climate class is suitable for the room temperature, as UFC-Que Choisir recommends.
For the relevant household appliances sold in the European Union, the label shows information including the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, storage volumes and noise level, according to the European Commission. The scale has run from A to G since 1 March 2021. Compare kWh/year alongside capacity, rather than looking at energy ratings alone.