First, measure the space, delivery route and door clearance. Then choose the usable capacity to suit your shopping habits and how much room you need for frozen food. A table-top or single-door model may suit frequent shopping trips, while a fridge freezer gives you a separate freezer compartment. A multi-door model is worth considering if you’ll use the extra capacity and have room for it in your kitchen. Remember to factor in its energy consumption.
If you shop frequently and live in a studio flat or have a small kitchen, a table-top fridge may keep your fresh food chilled without taking up the space of a large appliance. UFC-Que Choisir associates this format with studio flats in particular. However, check how much space you need for frozen food.
If you need to store fresh and frozen food until your next shop, compare the usable capacity of each compartment separately. A fridge freezer gives you a separate freezer compartment, but the balance between the two needs to suit what you buy.
A multi-door model may be worth considering if its extra capacity suits your larger shops. Check that you have enough room in the kitchen and along the delivery route, too. ADEME points out that the size of an appliance that runs continuously can affect its energy consumption.
Worth considering: for a studio flat where space is limited and you shop frequently. UFC-Que Choisir associates this format with studio flats.
Bear in mind: storage is limited, particularly if you need a proper freezer compartment.
Worth considering: if most of your storage space is for fresh food and you buy little frozen food.
Check: an internal freezer compartment may not offer the same storage capacity as a separate freezer.
Worth considering: if your less frequent shops regularly include fresh and frozen food that you need to store separately.
Bear in mind: it takes up more space than a table-top model. The split between compartments matters just as much as the total capacity.
Worth considering: if the extra capacity suits your shopping needs and you have room for it.
Bear in mind: it takes up more space, and you should check the energy consumption of the model you choose.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Measure the space and delivery route. Check the door clearance and required gaps in the model’s instructions. | In a narrow kitchen, I need to be able to get the appliance in and open its doors once it’s in place. Around 31 % of consumers put this first. |
| Storage between shops | Compare the usable capacity in litres of the fridge and freezer separately, based on what you usually buy. | When I shop weekly, I want enough room for fresh and frozen food until my next trip to the shops. Storage is the priority for around 31 % of consumers. |
| Compactness | Consider how much capacity you really need between shops and how much space you need for frozen food. | If I shop frequently for a small household, I’d rather not give too much space to an oversized appliance. Compactness comes before other criteria for around 19 % of consumers. |
| Noise and energy consumption | Once you’ve chosen the capacity, compare the stated noise level, kWh/year and energy rating of the models you’re considering. | In a living space next to the kitchen, I want to keep noise down and monitor the energy consumption of an appliance that runs continuously. This is the main concern for around 19 % of consumers. |
A large stated capacity may still leave too little room for the frozen food you buy each week. An internal freezer compartment won’t necessarily replace the freezer section of a fridge freezer.
Compare the usable capacity in litres of both compartments separately against what you typically buy in a week.
A fridge may fit in the space you’ve chosen but not make it through the doors and hallways, or its doors may not open properly once it’s in place. Ventilation requirements vary by model.
Before ordering, measure the delivery route and check the installation instructions for the exact appliance, especially if it’s built in.
Extra capacity is no help if you don’t use it, while the appliance takes up more space. ADEME points out that a larger appliance and unnecessary extra capacity can increase energy consumption.
Compare the capacity with what you buy, then check the dimensions and kWh/year of the model you’re considering.
The rating alone doesn’t tell you whether the capacity is right for your household. A fridge runs continuously, so it’s worth checking its annual energy consumption, too.
Compare appliances that offer similar storage capacity, then check their energy labels, kWh/year and stated noise levels.
These Joybuy models include fridge freezers for keeping fresh and frozen food in separate compartments, as well as multi-door models to consider if you need the extra capacity and have room in your kitchen. Compare their features with your available space and usual shopping habits.
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Worth comparing if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a fridge freezer rather than a compact model.
Stated total capacity of 333 L; energy rating C. Check the delivery route dimensions and the clearances specified in the instructions before choosing where to put it.
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Worth considering if you regularly buy fresh and frozen food and want a three-door fridge freezer.
The model name indicates Total No Frost, Wi-Fi, My Zone and an energy rating of E. Check the instructions for the required clearances and measure the delivery route.
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Worth considering if you need plenty of storage for your shopping and have room for a multi-door model in your kitchen.
The model name indicates Total No Frost, Smart Inverter and an energy rating of E. Check the available width, door clearance and delivery route.
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Worth comparing if you need plenty of storage, once you’ve confirmed you’ll use the capacity and can fit the appliance in your home.
The model name indicates an energy rating of E. Check the dimensions and delivery route. If you plan to use a dispenser, check whether the version sold requires a water connection.
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Worth considering for a small household looking for a compact appliance with a separate freezer compartment.
The model name indicates a 70/30 split, a height of 150 cm, Low Frost, a four-star freezer, a reversible door, 39 dB and an energy rating of E. Check the exact dimensions before planning where to install it.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a starting point for one person, then an extra 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to how often you shop and check separately how much room you need for frozen food.
Not necessarily, if you regularly store frozen food until your next shop. UFC-Que Choisir advises taking the amount into account. Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment with that of a separate freezer compartment.
Measure the space where it will go, as well as the doors, hallways and turns along the delivery route. Then check that the appliance doors will have enough room to open. Consult the instructions for the exact model for clearance and ventilation requirements and, if it’s built in, the required housing dimensions.
Your Europe states that energy labels must also be shown online for the relevant refrigeration appliances sold in the European Union. Check the A to G rating, then look at the annual energy consumption and noise data for the exact model, while keeping in mind how much capacity you need.
In France, ecosystem states that when you buy a new equivalent electrical appliance, the retailer must offer to take back your old one free of charge on a ‘one-for-one’ basis, including for online purchases. Check the practical arrangements for collection when organising your delivery.