If you regularly buy fresh food and frozen items, compare the usable capacity of both compartments in a fridge freezer rather than looking at its total capacity alone. A single-door fridge may suit you better if you prioritise fresh food and already have a freezer. With an integrated model, you’ll need to check the housing dimensions and installation requirements carefully. In every case, match the capacity to your habits, then compare annual energy consumption and the space the appliance will take up.
If you put away fresh food, ready meals and frozen items all at once, check how much room there is in each compartment and how the drawers and shelves are arranged. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering how often you shop, not just the number of people in your household.
A housing unit, nearby wall or narrow passage could rule out a model that otherwise suits your shopping habits. Measure the space and the delivery route; for an integrated model, check the appliance’s installation instructions too.
Compare the stated annual energy consumption with the capacity you actually need. ADEME points out that a fridge runs continuously, and that an unnecessarily large appliance or features you don’t need can increase its energy use.
Start by thinking about what you need to store after a big shop, then check that the appliance will fit in your kitchen and can be used in line with its instructions.
| Priority | What to check | To suit my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage | Compare the usable capacity in litres of each compartment, then check there’s room for your containers, drawers and bulky items. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L as a starting point for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person; how often you shop matters too. | I want to store several days’ worth of fresh food and ready meals without choosing a capacity based on total volume alone. |
| Frozen food | Check whether there’s a separate freezer compartment and compare its usable capacity with that of the fridge. A small freezer compartment, if there is one, may not provide the storage you need. | If I regularly buy frozen food, I need a separate space for it. If I already have a suitable freezer, I can prioritise fridge capacity in a single-door model. |
| Energy consumption | Check the kWh/year figure and the energy rating from A to G, then compare appliances of a similar size and capacity. ADEME highlights how an appliance’s size can affect the energy consumption of a unit that runs continuously. | I’d rather compare the stated energy consumption with the capacity my household will use than choose based on the rating letter alone. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space, check how the door opens and measure the delivery route. For an integrated model, check the housing dimensions, door fixing and ventilation requirements against the appliance’s instructions. Electrolux notes that air circulation and the climate class must be taken into account. | My kitchen needs to have room for the appliance and allow me to access the drawers, even after a big shop. |
| Maintenance and convenience | Check which areas are covered by any No Frost function, the defrosting method and the model’s noise level in dB(A). UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol also looks at how a fridge freezer responds when it’s filled with a week’s worth of shopping. | If my kitchen is close to a living area or I often fill the appliance all at once, these features deserve as much attention as capacity. |
A large stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is available for fresh food and how much for frozen items. Conversely, ADEME notes that an unnecessarily large appliance can increase energy consumption.
Make a list of what you store after shopping, then compare the usable capacity of each area and the interior layout.
Housing dimensions, door fixing and ventilation requirements vary from model to model. So a similar height for the appliance front isn’t enough to confirm that it will fit.
Measure the height, width and depth of the housing, then check them against the installation details and door system of the appliance you’re considering.
A fridge may fit in its final position but still be difficult to get through doors, corridors or lifts. The way the door opens can also make the drawers harder to reach.
Measure the whole route, allowing for the packaged appliance. Check the product details and instructions to make sure the door opens the right way or can be reversed; Bosch notes that the process varies by appliance.
The A to G rating doesn’t replace checking the kWh/year figure, capacity and installation requirements. Ventilation guidance for one model shouldn’t automatically be applied to another.
Compare the annual energy consumption of appliances with a similar capacity, and follow the clearance requirements and climate class specified in the instructions for your chosen model.
The details below apply to the models mentioned, not to each brand’s entire range.
The freestanding KGN36VLED fridge freezer is a good example to consider when comparing fridge and freezer capacity separately.
The WFNF82EOXFR is an example of a freestanding fridge freezer with separate capacities listed for each compartment.
Liebherr’s range includes freestanding and integrated fridges in a variety of sizes and capacities.
The ENP7MD19S is a practical example of the measurements you’ll need to check against your kitchen housing.
The RB38C7B6AS9/EF fridge freezer shows why it’s important to consider capacity alongside the appliance’s dimensions and access to your home.
These models combine fridge and freezer compartments for households that store several days’ worth of groceries. Compare their stated capacity with the space you need for your food, then check the installation measurements and delivery route before choosing.
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A freestanding fridge freezer to consider if your shopping includes fresh and frozen food. It has a stated capacity of 390 L; check the split between compartments, the available space and the delivery route.
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This multi-door model has a stated capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E rating. If you store a lot of groceries at once, check that its capacity and overall size suit your household and kitchen.
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This fridge freezer has a stated total capacity of 333 L. If you shop for a mix of fresh food, ready meals and frozen items, check the capacity of each compartment and the clearances specified in the installation instructions.
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The product details list 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, so compare this split with your usual shopping. The freezer is listed as Low Frost with manual defrost, which is different from a No Frost model.
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This fridge freezer has a stated capacity of 390 L for fresh and frozen food. Compare the capacity of its compartments with your needs, and check the defrosting method if it’s an important factor for you.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this starting point to allow for ready meals, bulky fresh food and how often you shop. For a fridge freezer, check the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
A fridge freezer is a good choice if you regularly store fresh and frozen food and need separate compartments. Consider a single-door model if you prioritise fridge space and already have a suitable way to store frozen food.
Measure the space where the appliance will go and the whole delivery route, including doors, corridors and lifts, allowing for the packaged appliance. For an integrated model, also check the housing dimensions, door fixing and ventilation requirements against the instructions for that model. Its external dimensions alone won’t confirm that it’s suitable.
Compare the stated kWh/year figures for fridges of a similar size and capacity, then check their energy ratings from A to G. According to information from the European Union on energy labels, this scale helps you compare energy consumption. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that the label shows annual energy consumption.
Don’t assume you can: check the product details and instructions for the model before buying. Bosch notes that the method for changing the door opening direction varies by appliance, although some models in other ranges are listed with reversible doors.