First, choose fridge and freezer capacities to suit your household and how often you shop, then check that the appliance can be delivered and installed in your kitchen. A table-top fridge is better suited to smaller shops made more often; a fridge freezer combines fresh and frozen storage in one appliance, while a multi-door model is worth considering if you need more space and have room for its larger size. Compare the compartments, dimensions and energy label for the specific model.
If you store both fresh food and frozen items, compare the capacity of each compartment rather than automatically opting for a larger appliance. The formats outlined by Que Choisir and the compartment split listed for the Whirlpool WFNF82EOXFR show how to make this choice.
Frequent fresh-food shops and few frozen items may point to a compact format. However, check that there’s room to open the door and ventilate the appliance: Beko’s stated width of 54 cm applies to some of its table-top models, not all table-top fridges.
If you shop less often or prepare meals to freeze, freezer capacity becomes crucial. Before choosing a large appliance, measure the delivery route and the space available in your kitchen, too.
To compare different formats, start with what you usually store, then match the capacity you need to the space you actually have.
Worth considering: for a small kitchen, frequent fresh-food shops and a limited amount of frozen food.
Bear in mind: capacity is limited; check the capacity and type of freezer compartment on the model you choose.
Worth considering: if fresh food makes up most of what you store and you don’t need to freeze food, or plan to do so separately.
Bear in mind: the format alone doesn’t guarantee the capacity you need or enough room for frozen food.
Worth considering: if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance, especially after a weekly shop.
Bear in mind: the split between the two compartments varies by model and may limit how much you can store in bulk.
Worth considering: if you shop less often and need plenty of space, and your kitchen can accommodate a wider appliance.
Bear in mind: its size means you’ll need to check access, depth and door clearance before delivery.
| What matters | What to check | Which consumers? |
|---|---|---|
| Balance between fresh and frozen food | Compare the net capacity of each compartment separately against what you usually buy in a week. | If I do a weekly shop, I want to store fresh food without sacrificing space for frozen items; around 36% of consumers would prioritise this balance. |
| Freezer capacity | Check the net freezer capacity and how the drawers are arranged after a big shop. | If I freeze prepared meals or regularly store frozen food, I need a compartment that isn’t already full after I’ve done my shopping; around 29% of consumers would prioritise freezing capacity. |
| Space and access | Measure the space, delivery route and door clearance; for a built-in appliance, also check the specified housing dimensions. | In a narrow kitchen, an appealing capacity is no use if the appliance won’t fit through the door or blocks the way; around 21% of consumers would prioritise size and access. |
| Capacity for frequent shops | Choose a usable capacity to suit your household, how often you shop and any extra space you need when entertaining. | If I buy fresh food often and few frozen items, I mainly want to avoid filling my kitchen with capacity I rarely use; avoiding an oversized appliance would come first for around 14% of consumers. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity can have very different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. The European Commission says the energy label lists the capacity of each compartment. This split is what helps you judge whether your shopping will fit.
Compare the net capacity of each compartment with what you usually buy in a big shop.
Que Choisir highlights the importance of width when it comes to large fridges. Even if an appliance fits in its final position, it may be difficult to get through doors, corridors or up stairs.
Measure the entire delivery route, then check the dimensions of the packaged appliance and the space needed to open its doors.
The clearance needed depends on the installation and the model. For the relevant fridges, Bosch requires at least 200 cm² of ventilation space behind and beneath the appliance. Don’t automatically apply this figure to other brands.
Follow the instructions for the model you choose, including its requirements for ventilation and room temperature.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory for goods sold by a business to a consumer. The DGCCRF explains that a commercial guarantee is optional and supplements, rather than replaces, it.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its cover with the applicable legal guarantee, and keep your sales and installation documents.
Worth considering for some table-top fridges designed for smaller spaces.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge freezer with separate capacities listed for fresh and frozen food.
Worth considering among larger models if your kitchen width and access allow.
Worth considering for a freestanding fridge when fresh-food storage is the priority.
Worth considering when housing and ventilation requirements determine how the appliance can be installed.
These appliances combine fridge and freezer storage in a fridge-freezer or multi-door format. Compare their stated capacities with what you usually buy, then check the installation dimensions for the model you’re interested in.
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Worth considering if you shop less often and want to organise your food across several doors. This four-door fridge freezer has a stated total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the space needed for installation and to open the doors.
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Worth considering for a kitchen where width matters, without giving up a freezer compartment. Its stated width is 54 cm, with 153 L of fridge capacity and 74 L of freezer capacity; the product description lists a reversible door, Low Frost, a 4-star compartment and an energy rating of E. Low Frost doesn’t mean frost-free, so also check the care and installation instructions.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a fridge freezer and compare its capacity with your regular shops. Its product title states a total capacity of 390 L and an energy rating of C. Check the product details for the capacity split between compartments, then measure the available height and installation space.
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Worth considering if you want to organise your fresh and frozen shopping in a three-door appliance. Its product title lists a capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, an energy rating of E and the My Zone function. Check how much capacity is allocated to each use and whether its depth will suit your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you need a large total capacity for your shopping while still having a freezer compartment. Its product title lists a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Before choosing, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately and check that the door can open in your kitchen layout.
Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 L for one person, then adding around 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to how often you shop and compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately: the number of people in your household doesn’t tell you everything about what you store.
If the freezer compartment in the fridge freezers that fit your kitchen can’t hold all the frozen food you buy or the meals you prepare, consider freezer storage separately. Look at its capacity, location and energy consumption rather than assuming a small integrated compartment will meet your needs.
Measure the space, doors and route from the delivery point, as well as the clearance needed to open the appliance; for a built-in model, check the housing dimensions. Then follow the model’s instructions for ventilation: the 200 cm² figure given by Bosch applies to the relevant Bosch fridges, not every brand.
The European Commission says the label provides information including the efficiency class, energy consumption and storage capacities. Read this information for each specific model rather than assuming that a larger total capacity automatically makes it a better fit for your shopping.
No. For purchases from a business, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to eligible goods; the DGCCRF explains that an optional commercial guarantee provides additional cover without removing your legal rights. Check what the extended warranty includes before deciding whether it meets an additional need.