Start by considering the space available and how you divide your shopping between fresh and frozen food. A fridge-only model suits households that mainly need fresh-food storage, while a fridge freezer keeps the two types of food separate. A multi-door model is worth considering only if you can justify its capacity and the space it takes up. Then compare the usable capacity, dimensions, noise level and annual energy consumption of the specific model. If your current appliance isn’t working properly, a diagnosis can help you decide whether to repair or replace it. For a second-hand appliance, check its condition and specifications before making your choice.
Compare the space for refrigeration and freezing separately. A fridge freezer is worth considering if you regularly use both compartments, but there’s no need to choose more total capacity than your shopping habits call for.
Width alone won’t tell you whether an appliance will fit. Measure its depth, how far the doors open and the clearance required, too. If the fridge will be near your living space, compare the stated noise level for the exact model.
A diagnosis can help you explore repair options before ordering a replacement. In France, ADEME lists fridges among the appliances that may qualify for the Repair Bonus when eligible work is carried out by an approved repairer.
Start with your shopping habits and the space available, then compare the specifications of the exact model rather than focusing on its format alone.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage | Compare the usable litres in the fridge and freezer separately. Check there’s room for bottles, drawers and the foods you buy regularly. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person, as a starting point to adjust to your needs. | Is most of my shopping fresh food, or do I also need a decent amount of freezer space? I want to store a week’s worth of shopping without basing my choice on total capacity alone. |
| Energy consumption | Check the energy rating and kWh/year shown for each model. Compare appliances of a similar format and capacity that suit the same needs. According to ADEME, fridges and freezers run continuously, and their size and certain features can affect energy consumption. | I want to keep energy use down for an appliance that’s always running, without confusing the energy rating, capacity and annual consumption. |
| Noise | Compare the stated dB(A) levels for the models you’re considering and check their installation instructions. UFC-Que Choisir describes fridges below 40 dBA as among the quietest; the name of a cooling technology alone won’t tell you how noisy an appliance is. | In an open-plan kitchen or one close to the living room, I pay attention to the stated noise level and where the appliance will actually go. |
| Installation and your old appliance | Measure the height, width and depth, check how far the doors open and measure the delivery route. For a built-in model, check the housing dimensions. If your current appliance has broken down, arrange a diagnosis and find out about take-back or suitable collection options if you replace it. | I need to be able to install and take delivery of the new fridge, while deciding what to do with the old one rather than assuming it has to be thrown away. |
A fridge freezer can offer plenty of litres overall without dividing the space in a way that suits your fresh and frozen shopping.
Think through what you buy in a typical week, then compare the capacity of the two compartments. Use UFC-Que Choisir’s capacity guide as a starting point and adjust it to your habits.
According to ADEME, the size and certain features can increase the energy consumption of fridges and freezers, which run continuously.
Compare the kWh/year figures for models that meet the same storage needs, and consider whether you’ll use every extra feature.
A capacity that suits your shopping doesn’t guarantee the appliance will fit through the doors or stairwell, or into the space you’ve planned for it.
Measure the delivery route, any housing, the required clearances and the space needed to open the doors of your chosen model.
A breakdown doesn’t automatically mean the appliance can’t be repaired. A fridge or freezer that’s no longer working also needs to be taken to a suitable collection point.
Ask for a diagnosis and check the Repair Bonus terms with an approved repairer. If you replace the appliance, arrange for it to be taken back or dropped off through an appropriate scheme. ADEME outlines the different options for refrigeration appliances.
The specifications below apply to the models mentioned, not every appliance made by each brand.
Bosch’s product pages show the difference between a freestanding fridge freezer and a built-in model.
The RB34T600CSA/EF is an example of a fridge freezer to consider if depth and capacity are important to your choice.
The Liebherr models mentioned offer options for different built-in requirements and capacity needs.
The KNT6ME18S4 is a built-in fridge freezer. Its housing dimensions and compartments need to suit your kitchen unit and household shopping.
This selection includes fridge freezers, a multi-door model and a side-by-side appliance, so you can compare different ways to store fresh and frozen food. Check the capacity of each compartment and make sure the model that suits your shopping will fit in your home.
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Its four-door design suits households looking to organise their fresh and frozen food. The model name indicates Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check how the capacity is divided, the available width and whether it will fit through to your kitchen.
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This fridge freezer keeps fresh and frozen food in separate compartments within one appliance. It has an E energy rating; compare the capacity of each compartment and check the required clearances before choosing where to put it.
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This fridge freezer offers separate spaces for fresh and frozen food. The model name indicates a C energy rating; check how the 333 L is divided between the compartments before deciding whether it has enough room for your shopping.
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At 54 cm wide and 176 cm high, this fridge freezer is worth measuring against the space available in a narrow kitchen. Check the installation clearances and remember to consult the defrosting instructions for its Low Frost freezer.
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This side-by-side model suits households looking for plenty of space for fresh and frozen food. The product name indicates an E energy rating and a noise level of 40 dB. Check the capacity of each side, the external dimensions and the delivery route before choosing this 444 L model.
Yes, provided the appliance and the repair meet the scheme’s requirements. In France, ADEME lists fridges among the appliances covered, and the ministry responsible for ecology explains that the discount is applied to the bill for a repair carried out by an approved repairer. Ask for a diagnosis before deciding whether to repair or replace your appliance.
Compare the stated dB(A) levels for each model you’re considering and think about where it will go. UFC-Que Choisir uses below 40 dBA as a guide for fridges it describes as among the quietest; check the manufacturer’s installation instructions, too.
No. It depends on the condition and specifications of the appliance. ADEME presents reuse as one possible option. Before buying, check that it cools properly, inspect the doors and seals, and check its capacity, energy consumption, dimensions and transport arrangements.
Arrange for it to be taken back or collected through a suitable scheme rather than abandoning it. ADEME says a refrigeration appliance can be handed to a retailer or delivery driver when you buy a replacement, or dropped off at a collection point. If it still works, donating or reselling it are also options to consider.