To store more without choosing an oversized appliance, first work out how much fridge and freezer space you need. UFC-Que Choisir suggests allowing 100 to 150 L for one person, then an extra 50 L for each additional person. A fridge-freezer or two-door model may suit you if its compartment layout meets your needs. Consider a multi-door model for its organisation, or an American-style fridge for a very large capacity, but only after checking the available space and energy consumption in kWh/year.
If you need to keep fresh food and prepared meals for several days, start with the number of people in your household, then adjust the capacity to suit your habits. UFC-Que Choisir’s guideline is a useful starting point, but it doesn’t determine how much freezer space you’ll need.
Compare the freezer capacity separately from the total volume. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes a freezer compartment from a simple ice box when you need to store a significant amount of frozen food.
A multi-door or American-style fridge may be worth considering if you’ll make good use of the extra capacity. Measure the space available, including room for the doors to open, then compare annual energy consumption: ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously.
Choose a layout that suits the food you store, then compare your preferred capacity with each model’s dimensions and energy consumption.
Consider this if: you want separate fridge and freezer compartments while sticking to a standard width.
Check: the freezer capacity, as you can’t work it out from the total volume.
Consider this if: a top-mounted freezer suits your habits better than bottom drawers.
Check: the capacity of each compartment, as the layout alone doesn’t tell you how much space there is.
Consider this if: you want several access zones to help organise a large stock of food.
Allow for: the width of your chosen model. For example, Haier France lists the Haier HTW7720ENMB as 700 mm wide.
Consider this if: you need a very large capacity and side-by-side access, and have a spacious kitchen.
Allow for: more width and depth. UFC-Que Choisir recommends allowing around 1 m of width for this format.
| Criteria | What to check | To suit my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare usable litres with the number of people in your household and how often you shop. UFC-Que Choisir suggests allowing 100 to 150 L for one person, then an extra 50 L for each additional person. | I keep prepared meals and groceries for several days, but don’t want to make room for capacity I won’t use. |
| Compartment layout | Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Also make sure the freezer position — at the top, bottom or side by side — suits your habits. | Space for frozen portions matters as much as space for fresh food. A large total capacity figure isn’t enough to make a choice. |
| Dimensions | Measure the width, depth and height, then check the door swing and clearance requirements for your chosen model. UFC-Que Choisir recommends allowing around 1 m of width for an American-style fridge. | A larger appliance needs to fit in my kitchen and remain easy to use with the doors open. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the kWh/year on the labels of appliances with a similar capacity and layout, rather than looking at the energy rating alone. ADEME notes that an appliance’s size and features can affect the energy consumption of one that runs continuously. | I want the capacity my household will actually use, without choosing extra features just to get more space. |
| Noise | Check the noise level and noise class on the energy label, particularly if the fridge is near a living area, as the European Commission advises. | If my kitchen is close to my living space, I want to compare the stated noise level before choosing a large model. |
A large fridge may not leave enough space for frozen food if your household regularly freezes portions. The energy label shows the capacity of each compartment.
List what you keep in the fridge and freezer, then compare the usable capacity of each separately.
This format needs plenty of space: UFC-Que Choisir recommends allowing around 1 m of width, as well as making room for the doors to open and checking the dimensions of your chosen model.
First compare a fridge-freezer, a multi-door model and an American-style fridge against your storage needs, available space and stated kWh/year.
Appliances of different sizes can have different annual energy consumption, even if their ratings look similar. ADEME highlights how an appliance’s size and features can affect the energy consumption of one that runs continuously.
Check the kWh/year and compare it with models offering a similar capacity and layout.
How useful it is depends on the model, how you use it and which features are switched on. A brand’s claims are no substitute for comparable information on the energy label.
First compare capacity, dimensions, kWh/year and noise, then check the specific requirements of the feature you’re interested in.
These examples show specific layouts and dimensions; their features don’t apply to every model from the same brand.
The Bosch KGN39VLCT-B fridge-freezer is an example of a 60 cm-wide appliance with separate fridge and freezer storage.
Samsung France describes the RB38C600CS9/EF fridge-freezer as a 390 L model with a standard width of 60 cm.
The Haier HTW7720ENMB is an example of a three-door fridge for households looking for a different way to organise their compartments.
The LG GSJV70PZLF is an example of an American-style fridge for households that want a very large capacity and have the space for it.
This selection includes fridge-freezers, multi-door models and an American-style fridge to suit different storage needs. Compare their compartments and the space they require before choosing a format.
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This 390 L fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want more storage with a separate freezer. Check how the capacity is divided between the two compartments and how much room you’ll need to open the doors.
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Its four doors offer a layout worth considering if you want to organise a large stock of food. The model name lists a 467 L capacity and Total No Frost. Check the fridge and freezer capacities, dimensions and kWh/year before making your choice.
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This 437 L freestanding model is worth comparing if fresh food storage is a priority. Check the capacity of each compartment, the space needed with the doors open and the freezer’s defrosting method.
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This 628 L American-style fridge is designed for households whose storage needs justify a very large appliance. Check the dimensions and door clearance. If you plan to use features that need a water supply, check the connection requirements too.
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This 495 L multi-door model is worth comparing if you want to organise a large stock of food across several zones. Check the freezer capacity, dimensions with the doors open, kWh/year and the requirements of any water or ice features you plan to use.
As a starting point, UFC-Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, then an extra 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guideline to how often you shop, and compare fridge and freezer capacity separately.
Not necessarily. Choose a model based on the compartment layout you need and the space available in your kitchen. A multi-door model can make it easier to access different zones. For an American-style fridge, UFC-Que Choisir recommends allowing around 1 m of width. Compare the kWh/year of the models you’re considering too.
For fridges and freezers covered by European energy labelling, the European Commission says the label shows information including the energy rating, energy consumption, storage capacities and noise level. Compare the kWh/year, taking each model’s capacity and layout into account.
Anses recommends setting your fridge below 4 °C. For the freezer, the French Ministry of Agriculture gives −18 °C as the reference temperature. You should also follow the storage instructions on food packaging.