If your weekly shop regularly includes fresh food, leftovers and frozen goods, start by comparing fridge-freezers. Their separate compartments let you choose the right amount of space for each, based on your habits. A model with a small freezer compartment may be enough if you only buy frozen food occasionally; a multi-door fridge-freezer is better suited to larger storage needs, provided you can fit it in your kitchen and have it delivered. Whatever you choose, check the capacity of each compartment and whether your containers will fit comfortably—not just the total capacity.
How often you shop matters, but your choice depends mainly on what you need to store at the same time and how much space you have at home.
If fresh food, leftovers and frozen goods all need to fit, check the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Keeping food in sight and within easy reach also makes it easier to check what you have before your next shop—a habit recommended by ADEME to avoid buying duplicates.
The stated capacity won’t tell you whether your containers will fit on the shelves. Check the adjustable shelf heights, usable depth and access to the drawers before choosing models with dedicated storage zones.
A larger capacity or adjustable compartments can be useful for bigger shops. Remember to measure the space where it will go and the whole delivery route, too: Samsung advises checking doors, lifts and corridors for its multi-door RF24BB620EB1EF.
First choose a style to suit how much fresh and frozen food you need to store, then check that the models you’re considering work with your containers and kitchen.
| Feature | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Compare a fridge-freezer if fresh and frozen food are regular parts of your shop; a model with a small freezer compartment if you only buy frozen food occasionally; or a compact fridge if you need minimal storage. Consider a multi-door model only if you need a large capacity and have enough space in your kitchen. | I shop for several days at a time: how much fresh food, how many leftovers and how many frozen items need to fit until my next shop? |
| Separate capacities | Check the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately rather than focusing on the total. The European Commission says the label on refrigeration appliances shows storage capacities and indicates whether the appliance has a freezer compartment. | I buy frozen food regularly: I don’t want to find that a large total capacity leaves too little room in the freezer. |
| Internal storage | Check the usable shelf height and depth, access to the drawers and whether there’s room for your containers. Consider dedicated storage zones in light of the food you would actually keep in them. | My prepared meals need to fit without hiding other food; I also want to be able to spot leftovers that need using up. |
| Installation | Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the clearance needed to open and install the appliance. For a larger model, also check that the packaged appliance can be moved all the way to your kitchen. | I’m interested in extra capacity only if the fridge will fit through the access points and be easy to open once installed. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the energy efficiency class, annual consumption in kWh, noise emissions in dB and noise class on the label. For a fair comparison, look at models with a similar style and capacity. This information appears on the European label described by the European Commission. | My kitchen is open to the living area, so noise matters to me, as does the energy use of an appliance that runs continuously. |
Two models with similar total capacities may not offer the same amount of space for frozen food. The European label shows the capacity of each compartment separately, making it easier to compare how well they’ll suit your shopping needs.
Estimate how much you keep in the fridge and freezer separately, then compare your needs with the capacities listed for each model.
A multi-door model may fit in the space you have for it but still be too large to get through a door, corridor or lift on the way there. Samsung recommends checking access points for its RF24BB620EB1EF model.
Check the dimensions of the packaged appliance and measure the entire route, as well as the clearance needed once it’s in place.
These models show some of the configurations you can compare; their features don’t apply to every appliance from each brand.
These two Bosch fridge-freezers show why it’s important to compare compartment capacities and check the installation requirements.
The CBNsdc 765i Prime is an example of a large-capacity fridge-freezer with separate cooling circuits.
The multi-door RF24BB620EB1EF is an example of a large-capacity model that requires you to check access points.
The HSPR79F18DWMB shows how a convertible zone can be used for either refrigeration or freezing.
These fridge-freezers and multi-door models let you compare how they store fresh and frozen food for shops that need to last several days. Check the usable internal dimensions for your meals and containers, as well as each model’s installation requirements.
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To split your shopping between fresh and frozen food, the product specifications list 235 L of fridge space and 125 L of freezer space, with My Zone and Humidity Zone compartments. It has an E rating, uses 271 kWh/year and has a noise level of 35 dB(A). Its dimensions are 59,5 × 66,7 × 185 cm. Check that the shelves and drawers offer enough usable space for your containers.
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This fridge-freezer has 183 L of fridge space, a 37 L chill compartment and 113 L of freezer space to help you organise different foods. The product specifications show a C rating, annual consumption of 169 kWh, a noise level of 34 dB and dimensions of 597 × 1 860 × 674 mm. Check that there’s room for your containers and allow for the minimum 5 cm clearance specified at the sides, rear and top.
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For larger shops, the product specifications split the stated capacity between 311 L of fridge space and 156 L of freezer space; they also list six door balconies and two freezer drawers. It has an E rating, uses 290 kWh/year and has a noise level of 35 dB(A). Its dimensions are 83,3 × 65 × 181,5 cm. Measure the delivery route and check that the shelves will fit your meals.
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For storing fresh and frozen food together, the product specifications list 276 L of fridge space and 114 L of freezer space, along with five shelves and a vegetable drawer. It has a C rating, uses 169 kWh/year and has a noise level of 35 dB. It stands 203 cm high and is 59,5 cm wide. Check the available height, clearances and usable shelf dimensions to make sure your containers will fit.
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This fridge-freezer has 230 L of fridge space and 114 L of freezer space, with three freezer drawers to keep stored food separate. The product specifications show a D rating, a width of 59,5 cm and a height of 185,3 cm. Before comparing it with other models, check the exact model’s annual energy use, noise level and depth on its energy label and in its manual. Make sure there’s room for your meals, too.
Compare the energy efficiency class, annual consumption in kWh, compartment storage capacities and noise information. The European Commission says these details appear on the labels for fridges and freezers. When planning your shop, the separate fridge and freezer capacities are more useful than the total capacity alone.
No. Decide whether you need a large capacity based on what you actually store, and make sure the appliance will fit in your kitchen. For its multi-door RF24BB620EB1EF, Samsung also recommends measuring doors, lifts and corridors before delivery. Then compare the compartment capacities and energy use of the model you’re considering.
No. This feature is about frost; when storing leftovers, focus on whether your containers will fit and be easy to see on the shelves. ADEME recommends checking your food stocks regularly before shopping to avoid buying duplicates.
ADEME says that in France, you can hand your old refrigeration appliance to the retailer or delivery driver when it’s being replaced. Remember to arrange this when organising delivery of your new model.