When choosing appliances for a new home, start by checking the available space, the route into the kitchen and the installation dimensions. Then choose between a fridge-freezer, a built-in model that fits the housing, or two separate appliances. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities, annual energy consumption, stated noise level and defrosting features. A stated power-cut storage time does not guarantee that every food will remain safe to eat during an outage.
For a studio flat or a compact kitchen, check that the appliance and its doors will fit, while also meeting your shopping habits. Bosch Home Appliances UK highlights the importance of choosing dimensions to suit your home.
If you want to keep your appliances integrated with the kitchen cabinetry, compare the housing dimensions, hinge system and door front with the requirements of the exact model. Liebherr UK provides housing dimensions for the ICBNbi 5153, while Proxi Confort states that this model is supplied without a housing unit or decorative door.
If you prepare meals or stock up on food, look at the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then consider energy consumption and the stated storage time during a power cut. Product information from Bosch, Samsung and Liebherr shows the different layouts and formats available.
Worth considering: if you have a separate space for an appliance and want your fridge and freezer in one unit.
Bear in mind: the split between fridge and freezer capacity is fixed for each model. Depth, door clearance and access to drawers also matter.
Worth considering: if your kitchen has a housing unit and door front compatible with the specified fixing system.
Bear in mind: the housing unit, hinges, door front and ventilation must all be suitable for the exact model.
Worth considering: if you want to choose your fridge and freezer capacities independently and have two suitable spaces.
Bear in mind: you’ll need two appliances, so add their annual energy consumption together when comparing them.
When moving into a new home, first check where the appliance will go and how much capacity you really need. Then compare how it works, how much maintenance it needs and what the manufacturer says about its performance during a power cut.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fits your kitchen | Height/width/depth, housing dimensions if needed, hinges and door front. Also check the route into the kitchen and whether the doors can open fully. | I want to make sure the appliance will fit in the room and open without obstructing the way. Around 20% of consumers prioritise a model that fits their space. |
| Fridge and freezer capacity | Usable capacity in each compartment, drawer and shelf space, and how much food you need to freeze at once. | If I shop for several days at a time or stock up, I look at fridge and freezer capacity separately. Around 20% of consumers put storage capacity first. |
| Energy consumption and noise | Energy rating from A–G, annual consumption in kWh and stated noise level for the exact model. | I want to take account of electricity use and noise, especially in an open-plan kitchen or one near living areas. Around 20% of consumers prioritise day-to-day performance. |
| Cooling and maintenance | Check which compartment has automatic defrosting, what settings are available and what maintenance the manufacturer recommends. | If I want to cut down on manual defrosting, I check which compartment the feature applies to, while still monitoring the temperature. Around 20% of consumers prioritise easy maintenance. |
| Power cuts | Stated freezer storage time, the measurement conditions in the documentation and the manufacturer’s instructions. | If I keep frozen food, I distinguish the stated storage time from guidance on keeping food safe. Around 20% of consumers prioritise protecting their food stocks. |
A built-in appliance also depends on the cabinet dimensions, door system and front panel. Proxi Confort states that the ICBNbi 5153 is supplied without a housing unit or decorative door.
Compare the housing unit, hinges and door front with the exact model, then follow its installation instructions.
You may need to adapt the cabinet or door front.
Total capacity doesn’t show how much space is available for each type of food. Darty’s listing for the Samsung RB34C600ESA splits its stated 344 litres between 230 litres for the fridge and 114 litres for the freezer.
Work out how much fridge and freezer space you need separately before comparing capacities.
On the ICBNbi 5153, NoFrost relates to defrosting the freezer. It doesn’t replace temperature checks or good food hygiene practices.
Check which compartment the feature applies to in the documentation and regularly monitor the actual temperature. Anses recommends a temperature between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge.
Darty’s listing gives the Samsung RB34C600ESA a storage time of 9 h, but this doesn’t guarantee that every food will be safe to eat after a power cut.
Check the model’s instructions and take account of the temperature actually maintained.
If food is no longer being kept at a safe temperature, you may have to throw it away.
A brand to consider for freestanding fridge-freezers, including the KGN39VLCT.
A brand to consider for built-in models and separate appliances.
A brand to consider for freestanding fridge-freezers, including the RB34C600ESA/EF.
These models include freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers for your home. Compare their formats and stated features with your kitchen dimensions and needs.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding fridge-freezer in an American-style format.
Stated capacity: 488 l. Energy rating: E.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a built-in model. Check that the housing unit and door front are compatible before you buy.
Stated capacity: 249 l. TwinTech No Frost. Energy rating: E. Stated finish: white.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding four-door fridge-freezer.
Stated capacity: 467 l. No Frost. Energy rating: E. Stated finish: silver.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding three-door fridge-freezer.
Stated capacity: 360 l. Total No Frost. Energy rating: E. Wi-Fi and My Zone appear in the model name.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding side-by-side model.
Stated capacity: 444 l. Frost-free technology. Energy rating: E. Noise level stated in the product name: 40 dB. Stated finish: light grey.
No. Also compare annual energy consumption, capacity and stated noise level. Since 1 March 2021, the European energy label for fridges and freezers has used the A–G scale. Its QR code links to model information in EPREL.
Not necessarily. Proxi Confort states that the ICBNbi 5153 is supplied without a housing unit or decorative door. Check which door front and fixings are needed for the model you choose.
No. Darty’s listing gives a storage time for the Samsung RB34C600ESA, but it doesn’t guarantee that all food will stay safe for that long. Take account of the temperature actually maintained and follow the relevant guidance.
Regularly check the actual temperature, for example with a thermometer. Anses recommends an ideal temperature between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. The temperature shown on the controls doesn’t remove the need to check.
Under the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme, Service Public Entreprendre states that the retailer must take back, or arrange to take back, the old appliance free of charge, up to the quantity and type of product sold or replaced. Agree the arrangements with the seller before delivery.