If you shop less frequently and regularly keep frozen food in stock, start by comparing the fresh-food and freezer capacities of a fridge-freezer. If you keep little frozen food and have a compact kitchen, a single-door or table-top model may suit your needs better; a multi-door model is more suited to those who need plenty of space. Whichever you choose, measure the space, ventilation clearances and door-opening area before making a decision.
How often you shop and how much space you need for frozen food matter just as much as the number of people in your household. Two households of the same size may need very different amounts of fresh and freezer space.
If you shop little and often and keep few frozen items, start by considering a compact or table-top model. Check its usable capacity, then measure the space needed for ventilation and to open the door. A narrow exterior alone doesn’t guarantee an easy fit.
If you keep both fresh food and a supply of frozen food, check the capacity of each compartment separately. It’s worth comparing a fridge-freezer with a separate freezer compartment against a single-door model with a small freezer compartment.
A multi-door model may suit households that need plenty of room for fresh and frozen food. However, Que Choisir points out that these models can be large and heavy. Check your kitchen, the door-opening space and the delivery route—not just the advertised capacity.
Measure your kitchen first, then compare the capacity of each compartment with your usual shopping. The energy label and noise level can help you choose between appliances with similar formats and capacities.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food and freezer capacity | Check the capacity in litres of the fresh-food and freezer compartments separately on the model’s product page or in EPREL. Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 L for one person, then around 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit your shopping habits. | I want to store my shopping until my next trip without giving too much space to a compartment I rarely use. If I regularly keep frozen food, the capacity of the freezer compartment matters just as much as the total capacity. |
| Installation | Compare the appliance’s height, width and depth with the space available and the delivery route. Check the manual for the required ventilation clearances, and make sure the doors open far enough to remove the bins and drawers. | My fridge needs to fit in my kitchen and still be easy to use when placed next to a wall or between two units. |
| Energy and noise | Compare the current A to G energy rating and kWh/year figures for models with similar formats and capacities. If the appliance will be in a living area, also check its stated noise level in dB(A). Que Choisir uses 40 dBA as a guide for the quietest appliances. | In an open-plan kitchen or studio flat, noise matters to me. I also want to compare the annual energy use of models that can store similar amounts. |
| Storage and temperature | Check the layout of the shelves, bins and drawers against the food you buy. For fridge use, Anses recommends a temperature of between 0 °C and 4 °C in the coldest part and advises against packing food in too tightly. | After shopping, I need enough room for fresh food without blocking the circulation of air. |
| Repairs and replacement | Check the after-sales service terms and, if you’re replacing an appliance, how the old one can be collected. In France, fridges aren’t included in the official list of products covered by the repairability index, so you shouldn’t expect to find this rating for this category. | I want to know who to contact if there’s a problem and how to arrange collection of my old appliance when I replace it. |
A spacious appliance may have less room for frozen food than you expect. The total capacity doesn’t tell you how the space is divided between compartments.
Compare the stated capacity for the fridge and freezer compartments separately, then check how it matches the amount of food you put away after shopping.
A door blocked by a wall may stop you removing a bin or drawer, even if the appliance fits in the space. An overly tight fit can also restrict the ventilation required for the model.
Check the manual for the required clearances and make sure the doors can open fully. Que Choisir specifically recommends checking that bins and drawers can be removed once the appliance is installed.
The energy-label scale changed in 2021. ADEME explains that the old ratings don’t correspond directly to the new scale.
To compare fridges with similar formats and capacities, use their current A to G energy labels and stated consumption in kWh/year.
According to Que Choisir, multi-door models can be large and heavy. A capacity that suits your shopping won’t help if you can’t get the appliance into the kitchen or open its doors in the space where it will stand.
Measure the doors and hallways along the delivery route, then check how far each door needs to swing open. If the model has a water dispenser, check its water-supply requirements in the manual.
This selection includes fridge-freezers and a multi-door model. Compare their fresh-food and freezer capacities with your shopping needs, then make sure the format you choose is right for your kitchen.
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To compare freezer space with fresh-food capacity, the stated figures are 235 L for the fridge and 125 L for the freezer.
The product details list dimensions of 185 × 59.5 × 66.7 cm, a reversible door, an E energy rating, 271 kWh/year and 35 dB(A). Check the clearances and door-opening space required for your chosen location.
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If you need plenty of space for fresh and frozen food, this model has a stated capacity of 311 L and 156 L respectively.
Its stated dimensions are 181.5 × 83.3 × 65 cm; the doors aren’t reversible. The product details list an E energy rating, 290 kWh/year and 35 dB(A). Check the route into your kitchen and the space needed to open the doors.
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With a stated 187 L for fresh food and 75 L for frozen food, this fridge-freezer makes it easy to compare the space for your shopping with the space for frozen food.
It measures 54 cm wide and 176 cm high, and its door is reversible. The product details list an E energy rating, 215 kWh/year and 39 dB(A). The Low Frost freezer needs to be defrosted manually, and the stated ambient temperature range is 16 to 38 °C. Check these conditions before considering it for an unheated outbuilding.
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If you have a narrow kitchen but still need a separate freezer, this model has a stated 153 L for fresh food, 74 L for frozen food and a width of 54 cm.
Its stated depth is 55 cm and its door is reversible. The product details list an E energy rating and 39 dB. Check the height, kWh/year figures and defrosting requirements in the model information before deciding.
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For a small space and modest amounts of frozen food, this model has a stated 115 L of fridge capacity and 59 L of freezer capacity. Compare these figures with your shopping needs before choosing this format.
Its stated dimensions are 470 × 511 × 1500 mm. It has a reversible door and a Low Frost freezer. If energy use or noise will help you choose between your options, check the model’s product details for its kWh/year figures and stated noise level.
Compare the capacity in litres of the fresh-food and freezer compartments separately: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee plenty of room for frozen food. Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 L for one person, then around 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit how often you shop and your freezing habits.
Measure the height, width and depth of the space, as well as the route to your kitchen. Check the manual for the model’s ventilation clearances and the space needed to open the doors and remove the bins. These requirements can differ between a freestanding appliance and a built-in model.
If you regularly keep a supply of frozen food, consider a fridge-freezer with a separate freezer compartment rather than choosing a single-door model based on its total capacity alone. Be sure to check how many litres are actually available in the freezer compartment: the format alone won’t tell you whether it will hold your usual stock.
Compare the stated noise level in dB(A) for appliances with similar storage capacities. Que Choisir describes the quietest fridges as being below 40 dBA; use this as a guide, and check the stated figure for each model.
Anses recommends a temperature of 0 °C to 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Check it with a thermometer if needed, and avoid packing food in too tightly so the air can circulate when you put your shopping away.