After moving, first choose a fridge that can be delivered to, installed in and ventilated properly in its intended position. Then decide how much space you need for fresh and frozen food based on your shopping habits. A compact model suits a tight space and limited freezer use; a fridge-freezer is a better choice if you regularly buy frozen food, while a larger model needs more room and a suitable access route.
In a studio flat or a kitchen with a narrow alcove, the appliance’s dimensions, door clearance and ventilation matter more than its advertised capacity. Que Choisir lists under-counter fridges among the suitable options for studio flats.
If you regularly bring home frozen food or freeze food yourself, compare the space for the freezer with the space for fresh food. Que Choisir’s test protocol includes assessing how appliances cope with a full weekly shop.
Less frequent shopping or a household that stores plenty of food may call for a larger appliance. Que Choisir recommends larger models for kitchens that can accommodate them. Also check that you can get the appliance into its intended position.
To choose between a compact model, a fridge-freezer and a larger appliance, first rule out anything that won’t fit in your kitchen or along the delivery route. Then compare the space available for fresh and frozen food.
Consider this if: you live in a studio flat or have a very compact kitchen, and store little frozen food.
Bear in mind: capacity is limited, and depending on the model, the compartment may not replace a separate freezer. Que Choisir recommends this size for studio flats.
Consider this if: you want more space for fresh food and only use the freezer compartment occasionally.
Bear in mind: the compartment may be too small if you regularly buy frozen food. Que Choisir recommends considering your needs before ruling out a fridge-freezer.
Consider this if: your shopping regularly includes fresh and frozen food, and you want two separate compartments.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to allow enough space for the appliance and choose the balance of fridge and freezer capacity to suit your household’s habits, rather than focusing only on the total capacity.
Consider this if: you need plenty of storage space, have a large enough kitchen and have a suitable delivery route.
Bear in mind: take particular care to check the space required and how the appliance will be handled. Que Choisir highlights these considerations for larger models.
| Factor | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and delivery | Measure the space and the route to the kitchen, then check the door clearance and the gaps required in the appliance’s manual. | In a narrow kitchen, I want to make sure the appliance can be brought in and installed before choosing its capacity; around 36 % of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Freezer space and shopping habits | Compare the net fridge and freezer capacities separately, as well as the type of freezer compartment. | If frozen food is a regular part of my shop, a small compartment may not meet my needs; around 29 % of consumers would prioritise freezer space. |
| Usable capacity | Match the net capacity to the number of people in your household and how often you shop, then look at the interior layout. | If I shop less often for my household, I want enough room to store everything without choosing an unnecessarily large appliance; around 21 % of consumers would prioritise storage capacity. |
| Noise and electricity use | Check the kWh/year and noise level in dB(A) on the energy label. Compare appliances of a similar type and capacity. | In a studio flat or open-plan living space, I pay attention to the noise from an appliance that runs continuously, as well as its energy use; around 14 % of consumers would put these factors first. |
To help you work out the right fridge size, Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity for one person, plus an additional 50 litres per person. This is only a guide: check how much space is actually available for frozen food, as well as the external dimensions of the model you choose.
An appliance may fit in your kitchen but not through a doorway, up the stairs or into the lift. This is particularly important with larger models.
Measure the route from the entrance and let the retailer know about any access or handling requirements before you place your order.
If the appliance can’t be brought in, installation may be delayed and the delivery will need to be rearranged.
Que Choisir notes that a small freezer compartment may not be enough if frozen food makes up a significant part of your shopping.
Check the compartment’s function and capacity separately. If you regularly buy or freeze food, compare it with the freezer space in a fridge-freezer.
The required clearances depend on the appliance and how it is installed. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding fridges, but these measurements are not a general rule for all models or built-in appliances.
Before confirming where your fridge will go, check the diagram and clearance requirements in the manual for that exact model.
A large capacity is only useful if it suits the food you store and the space available. ADEME points out that a fridge runs continuously, so it’s worth comparing energy use carefully.
First work out how much capacity you need for your shopping, then compare the kWh/year and noise levels of appliances of the same type and similar capacity.
These Joybuy models include fridge-freezers with separate fridge and freezer compartments, as well as multi-door and larger-capacity appliances. For each model, check the delivery route and installation requirements before ordering.
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Worth considering if you want a fridge-freezer with separate spaces for fresh and frozen food.
Advertised total capacity of 333 L; No Frost; energy rating A. Check the dimensions, doorways and clearances specified in the manual.
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Consider this if you need more storage space and have room for a three-door appliance.
Advertised total capacity of 360 L; Total No Frost; energy rating E; Wi-Fi and My Zone listed in the product title. Check the space needed for installation and to open the doors.
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Consider this if you store a lot of food and have a kitchen and access route that can accommodate a larger model.
Advertised total capacity of 467 L; Total No Frost; energy rating E. Carefully measure the delivery route and the space needed to open the doors.
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Worth considering if space is limited but you still want separate compartments for fresh and frozen food.
Advertised 70/30 split; Low Frost; four-star freezer; stated noise level of 39 dB; energy rating E. Check the model’s full dimensions before ordering: the available width and depth specifications contradict one another.
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Consider this for a kitchen where width is limited, but you still want a separate freezer compartment.
Advertised capacities of 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer; 54 cm wide; Low Frost; four-star freezer; energy rating E. Also check the height, depth and installation clearances.
Measure the space where the fridge will go and the entire delivery route from the entrance to the kitchen, including doorways, corridors, stairs and lifts. Also check the room needed to open the doors and ventilate the appliance. For a built-in model, check the dimensions of the housing and the requirements in its manual.
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for your chosen model, as they vary between appliances. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding fridges; don’t apply these measurements to a different model or a built-in appliance without checking.
Check the instructions for your appliance to find out how long to wait before plugging it in. Electrolux recommends waiting at least four hours before plugging in its fridge-freezers, to allow the oil to flow back into the compressor. Follow the instructions for the specific model you’ve received.
Compare their kWh/year and stated noise levels on the energy labels, choosing appliances of a similar type and capacity. ADEME describes the label as a useful guide when choosing an appliance. You can also scan its QR code to view details recorded in the European EPREL database.