For your first home or a move, start by choosing a fridge that can be delivered and installed in the space you have planned. Then match its capacity and freezer space to your shopping habits. A table-top fridge can suit modest storage needs in a small space; a fridge without a freezer, a fridge-freezer or a larger model will suit different needs. Whichever you choose, check the dimensions, noise level and energy consumption of the exact model.
If the space and access routes are tight, start by measuring the delivery route and the space available. Que Choisir associates table-top fridges with studio flats, among other things. Then check the usable capacity, noise level and clearance requirements of the model you’re considering.
If you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance, compare the capacities of the two compartments separately. The space you need depends on the size of your household and how often you shop.
If your kitchen is open-plan or close to a living area, pay particular attention to the stated noise level. Also compare the energy label consumption of appliances with similar sizes and capacities.
First rule out any sizes that won’t fit your kitchen or delivery route. Then work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, before comparing the remaining models by noise level and energy consumption.
Consider it: for a studio flat or a very limited space, if your storage needs are modest. Que Choisir associates this size with studio flats.
Bear in mind: usable capacity and whether there’s a freezer compartment vary by model, so check these details before choosing this size.
Consider it: if you want to prioritise fridge space and don’t need an integrated freezer. The Bosch KSN36VLDG is an example of this configuration, with no freezer compartment.
Bear in mind: a model without a freezer won’t keep your frozen food, so check the exact configuration of the model you choose.
Consider it: if you want to store fresh and frozen food in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space each compartment offers, so compare their capacities separately.
Consider it: if you need plenty of storage space and your kitchen and access routes can accommodate a large appliance.
Bear in mind: check the width, depth, weight and energy consumption carefully. Que Choisir highlights these considerations for large American-style fridges.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and delivery | Measure the space and access routes, then compare them with the appliance’s dimensions and specified clearances. | If the appliance needs to go up a narrow staircase or fit into an alcove, I want to know it can be installed before choosing its capacity. Around 33% of consumers put this compatibility first. |
| Capacity and freezing | Compare the usable capacities of the fresh and frozen food compartments, and check whether there’s an integrated freezer. | If I regularly buy frozen food, I need space in both compartments, not just a large total capacity. This is the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Noise | Check the stated noise level in dB(A) and consider how close the appliance will be to living areas. | In a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to take the appliance’s noise into account when it’s near the space where I live. This is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the annual consumption shown on the energy label of models with similar functions and capacities. | As an appliance that runs continuously, I want to know how much energy it uses before making a decision. Around 20% of consumers make this their priority. |
An integrated fridge must fit its housing and fixings; a freestanding model needs the clearances specified in its manual. The route to the kitchen and the space needed to open the doors matter too.
Note down the measurements of the space, access routes and door swing, then compare them with the installation diagram for the exact model. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding models; the manual for your model is the final word.
Its single-door fridge product pages let you check the capacity, dimensions and noise level of a specific model.
Its French range includes integrated fridges and fridge-freezers, which you can explore based on the space available.
Its installation and pre-installation guidance can help you prepare for delivery and set-up.
These Joybuy models include fridge-freezers for storing fresh and frozen food in one appliance, as well as larger-capacity models. Choose the capacity you need, then check your kitchen measurements and delivery route for the exact model you’ve selected.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Stated total capacity: 390 L; stated energy rating: D. Measure the access route and check the clearances required in the manual before deciding where to put it.
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Consider it if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer for fresh and frozen food and want to compare its energy consumption with similar-sized models.
Stated total capacity: 333 L; stated energy rating: C. Check the dimensions, specified clearances and delivery route.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a lower-capacity fridge-freezer for a kitchen where every centimetre matters.
The title states a total capacity of 174 L, a height of 150 cm and a noise level of 39 dB. Check the energy label for consumption and consult the manual for the required clearances.
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Consider it if you need plenty of storage space and your kitchen can accommodate a large appliance.
Stated total capacity: 488 L; stated energy rating: E. Check the width, depth, weight and clearances carefully before delivery.
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Compare it if you need plenty of separate space for fresh and frozen food.
The title states 333 L for the fridge, 192 L for the freezer and a noise level of 37 dB. Check the model’s dimensions and annual energy consumption, then measure the delivery route.
Measure the space where it will go, as well as every door, corridor, staircase, lift and turn it needs to pass through. Then compare these measurements with the model’s dimensions, door opening and clearance requirements in the manual. Let the delivery company know about any difficult access before delivery.
Check the annual consumption shown on their energy labels, ideally comparing appliances with similar functions and capacities. This figure helps you compare models, but it doesn’t replace checking how much space you actually need for your shopping.
Follow the waiting time specified in your model’s manual before plugging it in. In its installation instructions, Electrolux recommends waiting at least 4 hours after transport; check the instructions that apply to your appliance.
Check the seller’s collection arrangements before booking delivery. The Electrolux pre-installation guide, for example, asks you to select this service when arranging your appointment and prepare the old appliance according to the instructions provided.
In France, you can report a fault covered by the legal guarantee of conformity to the seller if it appears within two years of the goods being delivered, according to Service Public. A commercial warranty may also apply under its own terms; it doesn’t replace the legal guarantee.