Start by working out what you’re actually short of: easy-to-reach space for fresh food and containers, a separate freezer compartment, or a few centimetres in your kitchen. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check the shelves, installation dimensions and annual energy consumption. A large total capacity doesn’t necessarily mean more room for fresh leftovers.
If you prepare several meals, look for easy-to-reach shelves and enough fridge space for your sealed containers, without overfilling the appliance. Que Choisir presents usable capacity as a guide to be tailored to your household’s size and habits.
You’ll need to divide the capacity between fresh food and portions to freeze, so compare each compartment’s capacity rather than looking at the total alone. Que Choisir and the European Commission offer useful guidance on assessing storage capacity.
The space available may determine the type of fridge you choose. Then check that the fridge compartment suits your shopping and leftovers. Que Choisir’s buying guide covers several formats for different needs and space constraints.
Worth considering: if you mainly store fresh food and already have a freezer, or don’t need much freezer space.
Bear in mind: check whether the exact model has a freezer compartment. Specialised drawers also take up some of the interior space.
Worth considering: if you need to store fresh food and freeze portions in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: the freezer reduces the space available for fresh food. Compare the capacity of both compartments and the interior layout.
Worth considering: if the available height means you need a compact appliance and its fridge compartment can hold your shopping and leftovers.
Bear in mind: check there’s enough room for your containers before choosing a smaller model.
Worth considering: if your shopping and containers need several easy-to-reach storage zones and your kitchen has space for the appliance.
Bear in mind: measure the space, door opening and clearances required for the model you choose.
| Criteria | What to check | Who should prioritise it? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh food and leftovers | Fridge capacity, shelf height and adjustability, and access to sealed containers. | If you cook several meals and want to find fresh food and leftovers easily, this should be your top priority; around 36% of consumers prioritise this space. |
| Balance between fridge and freezer space | Compare the capacity in litres of each compartment separately, along with the usable space for your portions. | If you freeze some of your shopping, the capacity needs to suit both uses, not just fresh food; around 29% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Size and installation | Measure the height, width and depth, door opening and clearances specified for the model. | If your kitchen has limited space, the dimensions and access to drawers will determine your choice before interior capacity; around 21% of consumers put this constraint first. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the kWh/year on the energy label for appliances suited to the same storage needs. Check the noise level too if your kitchen is open-plan. | If you’re comparing the electricity use of appliances with a capacity suited to your needs, annual consumption becomes a key factor; around 14% of consumers put it first. |
Que Choisir recommends treating usable capacities as a guide and adjusting them to suit your household’s habits. To compare energy use, the European Commission says the label shows details such as the energy class, annual consumption and compartment capacities.
Some of the capacity may be taken up by the freezer, even if your main need is space for fresh leftovers. So total capacity alone won’t tell you how much room there is for your containers.
Make a separate note of how much fridge and freezer space you need, then compare the capacity of each compartment and the shelf layout.
A large freezer compartment won’t solve a lack of space for chilled leftovers.
The space needed for installation and opening the doors varies by model. For the GMVW50DDMB, LG recommends at least 4 mm of clearance at the sides; this guidance applies to this specific model.
Measure the space and check the model’s manual for the dimensions and clearances before ordering.
A compartment’s name alone doesn’t guarantee the conditions you’ll get at home. Anses recommends covering partially eaten food, not overfilling the fridge and keeping its coldest point between 0 and +4 °C.
Check that the storage is easy to access, and follow food storage guidance as well as Anses recommendations.
Worth considering for a fridge freezer if you want to divide the space between fresh and frozen food; the KGN36VLED is one example with published specifications.
Worth considering for a fridge focused on fresh food; the RBbsb 525i Prime BioFresh is an example of this approach.
Worth considering for a table-top fridge when kitchen height is limited; the TSE1285N is an example of this format.
Worth considering for a multi-door model if you need several storage zones and have a suitable space; according to LG, the GMVW50DDMB includes a convertible drawer.
The models below let you compare multi-door or side-by-side fridges with a compact fridge freezer, depending on how you need to divide the space between fresh and frozen food.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an American-style model and want to compare its total capacity with the fridge space you need for your shopping and leftovers.
Listed capacity: 488 L. Listed energy class: E.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a four-door model and want to compare its listed capacity with the space available in your kitchen.
Listed capacity: 467 L. No Frost; energy class E. Listed dimensions: 83,3 × 65 × 181,5 cm.
The doors aren’t reversible.
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Worth considering if you’re comparing side-by-side models to divide your shopping between fresh and frozen food. Check the capacity of each compartment before choosing.
Listed total capacity: 444 L. Total No Frost technology listed. Listed noise level: 40 dB.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact fridge freezer and want to check that its separate capacities suit your shopping and frozen portions.
Listed capacity: 115 L for the fridge and 59 L for the freezer. Low Frost; reversible door. Listed height: 150 cm.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a multi-door model and want to compare the fridge and freezer space separately with your storage needs.
Listed capacity: 495 L. Listed energy class: E.
At least 50 mm of clearance at the rear and sides is specified for ventilation.
Compare the fridge capacity and the height between shelves with the dimensions of your sealed containers. Anses recommends covering partially eaten food, not overfilling the appliance and keeping its coldest point between 0 and +4 °C.
Measure the space and check that the doors can open, then consult the manual for your chosen model to find out what clearances it needs. For the GMVW50DDMB, LG recommends at least 4 mm between the sides of the appliance and the wall; this guidance doesn’t apply to all fridges.
Yes. According to the European Commission, it shows details such as the energy class, annual consumption in kWh, storage capacities and stated noise level. To work out annual running costs from the kWh figure, use the price per kilowatt-hour that applies to your tariff.
The statutory guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. For a new item, the French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to claim from the seller, without having to prove the fault existed at delivery. This is separate from an optional commercial guarantee.
The documentation from the ministry responsible for the environment distinguishes between the “1-for-1” take-back service when buying an appliance of the same type and take-back without a purchase, which is subject to the conditions set by the shops concerned. Confirm the collection arrangements with the retailer when arranging delivery.