To store a big weekly shop, first compare the fridge compartment capacity, then check that the shelves, drawers and door balconies can accommodate your containers without blocking air circulation. A fridge-freezer could be suitable if its fridge space is sufficient; consider a multi-door model if you need more room and have space to install one. Separate compartments can also help you organise a variety of fresh foods. Whichever style you choose, Anses recommends monitoring the temperature in the coldest part of the appliance and avoiding overfilling it.
If fresh food, drinks and ready meals quickly fill the shelves, focus on the space available for chilled food rather than just the total capacity. Also check whether your larger containers will fit on the shelves and in the door.
Meat, fish, dairy products, fruit and vegetables may not all belong in the same place. Anses recommends keeping perishable foods in the coldest part of the fridge. Separate drawers can make them easier to organise, provided the intended use of each drawer is specified for the model you choose.
Before choosing a wide appliance, measure the space, doorways and route it will need to take on delivery. For an open-plan kitchen, also check the noise level stated for the exact model.
Fridge-freezers and multi-door models suit different space requirements. Separate cooling compartments are a feature to check on whichever style you choose.
Worth considering: if the fridge compartment can hold your shopping and the appliance fits in the space available.
A point to consider: a high total capacity may leave less room for fresh food than you expect if a large proportion is taken up by the freezer.
Worth considering: if you need plenty of fridge space and can accommodate a wider appliance in your kitchen and along the delivery route.
A point to consider: extra capacity is no use if the doors cannot open properly or access restrictions prevent installation.
| Feature | What to check | For my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge capacity | Compare the fridge capacity separately from the freezer capacity. Check how much room the drawers and dividers take up; the capacity guidelines from UFC-Que Choisir are no substitute for considering what you usually buy. | After my shop, I need to be able to store several days’ worth of fresh food without cramming it in or blocking access to the shelves. |
| Layout | Check the adjustable shelf heights, drawers and door balconies on the exact model. A flexible layout can make it easier to fit certain items, but it does not increase the available capacity. | My dishes, bottles and larger containers need a practical place to go, not just somewhere to fit when the fridge is empty. |
| Cold zone | Find the coldest part of the fridge in the manual and check that it will remain accessible when the appliance is full. Anses recommends monitoring a temperature of 4 °C there and not overfilling the appliance, so air can circulate. | I want to be able to store perishable foods in the right place, even after a big shop. |
| Separate drawers | Check which foods each compartment is designed for, along with the temperature, humidity and space specified for the model you are considering. A feature name alone does not tell you what conditions to expect. | If I regularly buy fruit, vegetables and other fresh foods, clearly defined spaces could help me keep them separate. |
| Installation | Measure the width, depth and height of the space, as well as the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the doors. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an American-style fridge may need around 1 m of width; always check the dimensions of the model you choose. | A larger appliance will only work for me if it can get into the kitchen and the doors can open without getting in the way of everyday use. |
| Everyday use | Compare the energy labels of the models you are considering, as ADEME recommends, along with their stated noise levels in dB(A). Also check the care instructions and any relevant repairability information for each model. | In an open-plan kitchen, noise matters as much as the extra space; I also want to be able to compare the energy use of the appliances I am considering. |
This figure may include the freezer, even though a big shop is usually more of a challenge when it comes to storing fresh food. The arrangement of drawers and shelves also matters when you have larger containers.
Compare the fridge capacity and layout of the exact model with the dishes, bottles and containers you usually store.
Anses recommends not overfilling the fridge to allow air to circulate, and monitoring the temperature in its coldest part.
Check the manual to find the air vents and storage zones, and choose a capacity that lets you organise your shopping without blocking them.
An appliance may fit in its intended space but still struggle to get through a doorway, along a corridor or around a corner. It may also need more clearance to open than you have available.
Measure the space and the entire route, then check the dimensions and installation instructions for the model you have chosen.
Specialist compartments and their temperature or humidity conditions vary by range and model. They are no substitute for sufficient fridge space or a layout that allows air to circulate.
Check the purpose and capacity of each drawer in the model documentation, then make sure the rest of your shopping will fit in the fridge compartment.
The features below apply to the ranges or models mentioned, not to every appliance made by each brand.
Worth considering if you want separate compartments for different types of fresh food.
Worth considering if a flexible interior is important for storing containers of different sizes.
Worth considering if a large multi-door model will fit in your kitchen and meet your storage needs.
Worth considering if you are looking for a built-in model and want to compare its features with the space you have available.
This selection includes fridge-freezers and multi-door models. Compare the stated total capacity with the space actually available for fresh food, then check the layout and dimensions of the model you are interested in.
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Worth considering for a big shop if a multi-door appliance suits your kitchen. The 495 L figure is the total capacity, so compare the fridge space separately and check the access route, door clearance and water connection requirements for the dispenser on this model.
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This fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want to organise different types of fresh food without opting for a large multi-door model. Its total capacity is 344 L. Check the space available in the Optimal Fresh+ and Humidity Fresh+ drawers, what they are designed for, and the depth and clearance required.
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A four-door design is worth considering if you regularly separate fresh food from frozen items. The stated total capacity is 467 L. Check the shelf and door balcony layout, the delivery route and, in the manual, the location of the coldest part of the fridge.
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This large model is only suitable for substantial storage needs if its fridge compartment and layout work for your shopping. The 640 L figure is the total capacity. Measure the delivery route and check that the doors can open, then confirm the water connection requirements for the dispenser.
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This three-door model may suit households looking to keep fresh foods separate in dedicated drawers. Its stated total capacity is 360 L. Check the space available and how to use the My Zone and Humidity Zone compartments, as well as the access route and clearance needed for installation.
Anses recommends monitoring a temperature of 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge and storing foods such as meat, fish and cooked dishes there. Check the manual to find this area in your appliance, and avoid overfilling it so air can circulate.
No. The total capacity of a fridge-freezer includes the freezer compartment too. For a big shop of fresh food, compare the fridge capacity separately, then check whether the drawers and shelves can accommodate the containers you usually use.
Measure the space, doorways, corridors and corners along the delivery route, and remember to allow enough room to open the doors. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an American-style appliance may need around 1 m of width; the dimensions of the exact model are what matter.
No. Check the model documentation to see which foods the drawer is designed for and what conditions are specified. Anses still recommends keeping perishable foods in the coldest part of the fridge and avoiding overfilling it.