A table-top fridge may be enough for one person who mainly buys fresh food, provided its capacity and dimensions are suitable: UFC-Que Choisir gives a guide figure of 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. If you share a fridge or regularly buy frozen food, compare the fresh-food and freezer capacities separately rather than looking only at the total capacity. For a built-in appliance, also check the housing and ventilation requirements in line with ADEME guidance and the model’s instructions.
You shop for one and need to balance floor space, fresh-food capacity and noise near your living area. UFC-Que Choisir recommends a table-top format for studio flats and gives a guide figure for the capacity needed by one person.
You need to store food for several people and compare the space for fresh food with the capacity for frozen food. Bosch Electroménager France product specifications show how capacities vary by format.
Your kitchen has a specific housing space or requires the door to open in a particular direction. Check that the appliance can be installed and ventilated correctly before considering convenience features. ADEME and Electrolux set out the installation requirements to check.
If you live alone, first check the fresh-food capacity and the space available. If you share the appliance or buy frozen food, also compare the freezer capacity and the internal layout.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Overall size and fresh-food capacity | Measure the space and doorway, then compare the appliance dimensions and usable fridge capacity. UFC-Que Choisir gives a guide figure of 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. | In a studio flat, I want enough room for my fresh food without giving too much space over to the appliance. Around 33% of consumers put overall size and fresh-food capacity first. |
| Capacity for sharing | Compare the usable fridge capacity and check that the internal layout suits your usual shopping. | When sharing, I want to store everyone’s shopping without confusing the total capacity with the space actually available for fresh food. Around 27% of consumers prioritise capacity for sharing. |
| Freezer space | Check the freezer capacity separately, along with the features of its compartment. | If I regularly buy frozen food, I want to know how much freezer space is actually available before choosing a small compartment or a fridge-freezer. Around 20% of consumers prioritise freezer capacity. |
| Noise and installation | Compare the stated noise level and check the installation requirements, including door opening, housing space and ventilation. | If the appliance is near my bed or needs to fit in a specific space, I want to avoid excess noise and make sure it can be installed there. Around 20% of consumers prioritise noise or whether the appliance will fit in the space. |
Total capacity may include a freezer compartment. For the LFB3AE88S, Electrolux lists 124 L in total, including 110 L of fridge capacity.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check the model’s internal layout.
The dimensions of the housing and airflow are part of the installation requirements. ADEME states that leaving too little space around a built-in appliance can increase its energy consumption.
Check the instructions for the exact model to confirm the dimensions, ventilation and door fitting requirements.
You may need to adapt the cabinetry or choose a different appliance if the space does not meet the installation requirements.
If you regularly buy frozen food, consider whether the actual freezer capacity will be enough. For two Bosch table-top fridges with the same external dimensions, Bosch lists 134 L of fridge capacity without a freezer compartment and 106 L with one.
Check the compartment specifications and your shopping habits before choosing a format.
The models mentioned include table-top fridges and a freestanding fridge-freezer, making it easy to compare fresh-food capacity across different formats.
The LFB3AE88S is a built-in model to consider if you have a suitable under-counter housing space.
The Rdi 1621 Plus is another example of a table-top fridge for a small kitchen.
The ARZ 0051 is an example of an under-counter built-in option, rather than a freestanding table-top fridge.
This selection includes freestanding fridge-freezers and built-in single-door models, with or without a freezer compartment, so you can compare fresh and frozen food capacity for a compact or shared kitchen.
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Worth considering if you want to store both fresh and frozen food in a fridge-freezer with a stated width of 47 cm.
The Joybuy product listing states 115 L of fridge capacity, 59 L of freezer capacity, a width of 47 cm, a noise level of 39 dB and a reversible door.
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Worth considering if several people need separate space for fresh and frozen food, provided you have enough room for its width.
The Joybuy product listing states 153 L of fridge capacity, 74 L of freezer capacity, a width of 54 cm, a noise level of 39 dB and a reversible door.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a built-in fridge-freezer and have cabinetry that suits its dimensions and ventilation requirements.
The Joybuy product listing states 176 L of fridge capacity, 76 L of freezer capacity, a width of 540 mm, a height of 1,772 mm, a noise level of 34 dB(A) and No Frost technology. Follow the installation instructions and keep the ventilation openings clear.
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Worth considering for a fitted kitchen and a mainly fresh-food shop, provided the cabinet space suits the model’s dimensions.
The Joybuy product listing gives a capacity of 188 L, energy rating E, a noise level of 34 dB and dimensions of 54,8 × 121,8 × 54,9 cm. Check the installation instructions for the intended housing space.
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Worth considering if you want a built-in appliance with an integrated freezer compartment, provided you have a suitable housing space.
The Joybuy product listing states 174 L of fridge capacity, 14 L of freezer capacity, a noise level of 35 dB and a reversible door. The furniture door panel is not included; check that the housing and sliding door system are compatible.
UFC-Que Choisir gives a guide figure of 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. This is not a required capacity: consider the fridge capacity, rather than the total capacity alone, in relation to how often you shop and what you buy.
Compare the housing dimensions, fixing system and door opening with the model documentation, then allow for the ventilation openings specified in the instructions. For the LFB3AE88S, Electrolux distinguishes between the appliance dimensions, 873 × 548 × 549 mm, and the stated housing dimensions, 880 × 560 × 550 mm.
Anses recommends a storage temperature of between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Check the temperature and follow your appliance’s instructions for storing food, cleaning and defrosting.
For household fridges and freezers covered by the rules in the European Union, the European Commission states that the label has used a scale from A to G since 1 March 2021. Also compare annual energy consumption and the stated capacities, rather than relying on the rating letter alone.
For a new product bought from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies for two years. The Ministry of the Economy explains that consumers do not have to prove the fault existed on the date of sale; a commercial warranty does not replace this statutory guarantee.