Households that prepare meals for the week
If you store both chilled dishes and frozen portions, look at the space available in each compartment rather than the total capacity alone.
Which households are these styles suited to?
Families who do a big weekly shop
A large fridge freezer, multi-door or American-style fridge is worth comparing by usable capacity and the layout of its doors, shelves and drawers.
Households with a restricted kitchen or access
The delivery route matters just as much as the final position. For example, Samsung France lists the multi-door RM70F63NER as 912 mm wide. Measure the access route too, and allow enough space to open the doors.
What should you look for before choosing?
First decide how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then check that your chosen style fits your kitchen and compare the features of each model.
Large fridge freezer
Worth considering: if you want refrigeration and freezing in one appliance without necessarily opting for the width of a multi-door model.
Bear in mind: the space allocated to the freezer is set by the model’s layout, and its usable capacity may not suit your needs.
Multi-door
Worth considering: if separate access to a large shop and freezer drawers suits the way you organise your food. UFC-Que Choisir describes this layout as having drawers beneath the fridge section.
Bear in mind: check the width and door clearance carefully in your kitchen and along the delivery route.
American-style or side-by-side
Worth considering: if you want a large capacity with an integrated freezer and have enough room for this style of appliance.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir notes that American-style fridges can use more energy than conventional fridges. Compare the kWh/year figures for models that suit your needs rather than assuming this applies to every appliance.
Two separate appliances
Worth considering: if you want to choose your freezer capacity independently of your fridge capacity, particularly if you store lots of prepared portions.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to plan for two spaces and two power supplies, and check the installation requirements for each appliance.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately. Look at the drawer layout if you store containers and portions. | I keep lots of fresh food, but how many meals do I also need to be able to freeze? |
| Installation | Measure the width, height and depth, then check the delivery route. Consult the model’s manual for clearance requirements and door and drawer openings. | The appliance needs to fit through the doorways and remain easy to use once installed, without blocking neighbouring units. |
| Energy use and noise | Check the stated kWh/year and dB(A) figures. Compare appliances with similar capacities and layouts, along with their energy ratings. | If my kitchen opens onto the living area, noise is also a factor when choosing an appliance that runs continuously. |
| Access to food | Look at the arrangement of the doors, shelves and drawers. Check the specific model has room for your dishes, containers and bottles. | I want to find my shopping and stored meals easily, rather than choosing a style based on its stated capacity alone. |
What should you avoid before buying?
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Looking only at the total capacity
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may offer different amounts of space for frozen food. A large overall capacity doesn’t necessarily mean there’s enough room for prepared meals.
Compare the usable capacity of each compartment with the quantities you usually store.
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Measuring the space, but not the access route
An appliance may fit in its intended space but be too large to get through a doorway, or leave too little room to open its drawers.
Measure the delivery route, the space where it will go and the openings it needs; then check the clearances specified in the model’s manual.
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Judging energy use by the energy rating alone
The rating alone doesn’t tell you an appliance’s annual energy use or its capacity. It also isn’t enough to work out its running costs.
Check the stated kWh/year, usable capacities and noise level, comparing models with similar capacities and layouts.
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Choosing a dispenser without checking its water supply
If a model’s dispenser requires a fixed water supply, you’ll need to plan for this when fitting out your kitchen.
Check the model’s product details and manual to see whether the dispenser uses a tank or needs a mains connection.
Which brands and models can you use as a guide?
These models illustrate different layouts to compare; their features don’t represent every model in the brands’ ranges.
Bosch
The freestanding KGN492IAF fridge freezer gives you an example of how fresh and frozen food can be arranged in an appliance that’s 700 mm wide.
- Bosch Home Appliances France lists 311 L for the fridge, 129 L for the freezer and 29 dB(A) for this model.
- At a stated height of 2,030 mm, you’ll need to check the available height and installation requirements.
Samsung
The RM70F63NER is an example of a multi-door model to compare with the space available in your kitchen.
- Samsung France lists this model as having a capacity of 648 L.
- Its stated dimensions are 912 mm wide, 1,853 mm high and 683 mm deep. Check the access route and door clearance too.
LG
The GSXV90PZAE is an example of an American-style fridge with an integrated freezer.
- LG France lists a total capacity of 635 L, including 416 L for the fridge and 219 L for the freezer.
- LG France states that this model uses 348 kWh/year and has a noise level of 36 dB. Compare these figures with similar appliances and check it will fit in your kitchen.
Liebherr
The freestanding freezer range is a good starting point if you want to choose your freezer capacity separately.
- Liebherr France features categories for capacities under 80 L and over 300 L.
- Compare the capacity, dimensions, noise level and energy use on the product details for each appliance you’re considering.
Fridges to explore on Joybuy
This selection includes multi-door and American-style fridges, as well as a fridge freezer. For each model, compare the stated capacity with your storage needs, then check the installation requirements before choosing.
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Samsung RF48A401EB4, 488 L, E rating, black
Worth a look if you want to store your shopping and meals in a 488 L appliance. Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then measure the access route and check the clearances specified in the manual.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS multi-door fridge freezer, 467 L, silver
Its four doors may suit a household that wants to organise shopping and meals by zone. The model name lists a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E rating. Check the space needed to open the doors and the specified clearances.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1 multi-door fridge, 495 L, black
Consider this model if you’re looking for a large capacity and easy access to food through several doors. The model name lists a capacity of 495 L and an E rating. If the water and ice dispenser is important to you, check its water supply requirements in the manual, as well as the access route and space needed to open the doors.
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CHiQ JR525WSE side-by-side fridge freezer, 525 L
If your household regularly freezes portions, compare the stated capacities of 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer with the quantities you store. The model name lists No Frost, 37 dB and an E rating. Check the dimensions and kWh/year before comparing installation and energy use with other models.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG three-door fridge freezer, 360 L
This 360 L fridge freezer combines refrigeration and freezing, with Total No Frost and an E rating listed in its name. Check how much space is allocated to the freezer based on the meals you need to store, along with the access route and clearances required in the manual.
Frequently asked questions
How do you estimate the capacity you need for several people?
UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average of 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Use this as a starting point, then work out separately how much space you need for fresh food and the portions you freeze.
Does a large total capacity guarantee a large freezer?
No: the split depends on the model. For example, LG France lists a total capacity of 635 L for the GSXV90PZAE, including 219 L for the freezer. If you freeze lots of meals, compare the freezer capacity in litres rather than looking at the total alone.
Does a multi-door fridge with a dispenser need a water supply?
It depends on the dispenser in the model you choose. Before buying, check the product details and manual to see whether it uses a tank or needs a fixed water connection, then make sure it can be installed in your kitchen.