Who are these formats for?

Households that do a weekly shop

You shop for seven days or more and need to store both fresh and frozen food. A fridge-freezer is a good place to start, as long as the capacity of each compartment suits the quantities you usually buy.

Households that mainly stock frozen food

Bulk buys or meals prepared in advance may fill the freezer compartment before your next shop. Compare its usable capacity with that of a separate freezer if you have room for a second appliance.

Households with limited kitchen space

Your chosen capacity also needs to fit in your kitchen and get through the delivery route. Note down the appliance dimensions, then check the ventilation clearances or niche dimensions specified for the model you’re considering.

Which features should you prioritise?

UFC-Que Choisir links your choice of fridge to how often you shop, the space available and how much frozen food you need to store. First decide how much room you need for fresh and frozen food, then check the installation requirements.

Fridge-freezer

Consider this if: your regular shop includes fresh and frozen food that you want to store in one appliance.

Bear in mind: the model determines how the capacity is divided between the two compartments.

One-door fridge with a freezer compartment

Consider this if: you mainly shop for fresh food and only buy frozen food occasionally.

Bear in mind: a freezer compartment won’t meet the same storage needs as a dedicated freezer when frozen food takes up a lot of space, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.

Multi-door fridge

Consider this if: your household wants a large capacity in one appliance and has a suitable space for it.

Bear in mind: its dimensions may make installation and delivery more difficult; check the measurements of the specific model.

Separate fridge and freezer

Consider this if: freezer capacity is your priority and you have room for two appliances.

Bear in mind: you’ll need space for both appliances and should compare their energy consumption.

Priority What to check Who this matters to
Balance of fresh and frozen food Compare the usable capacity of each compartment separately, rather than looking only at the total capacity. I do a weekly shop and need space for both fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Around 37% of consumers prioritise this balance.
Frozen food storage Check the usable freezer capacity and the space you’d need if you’re considering a separate freezer. I freeze bulk buys or meals prepared in advance and want enough room to last until my next shop. For around 27% of consumers, freezer capacity comes first.
Space and installation Measure the space and delivery route; allow for the clearances specified in the model’s manual. There’s little room to spare in my kitchen or along the delivery route, even though I need to store more. Around 18% of consumers prioritise the appliance’s footprint.
Large capacity in one appliance Compare the usable capacity, width, depth, noise information and energy consumption of each model. Our large household has a lot to store, but we’d prefer one appliance. Around 18% of consumers prioritise a large capacity in one appliance.

Mistakes to avoid before buying

  • Looking only at the total capacity

    A spacious appliance may not leave enough room for frozen food to suit your shopping habits. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the difference between a small freezer compartment and freezer capacity suited to households that eat a lot of frozen food.

    Think about how much fresh and frozen food you usually store, then compare the usable capacity in litres of each compartment.

  • Measuring only the space in your kitchen

    A large appliance also needs to fit through doors, corridors and lifts, and have enough clearance for installation.

    Measure the delivery route and check the model’s manual for its ventilation clearances.

    If the appliance won’t fit, you may need to rethink the delivery arrangements or your kitchen layout.

  • Planning to put it in a garage or conservatory without checking its climate class

    The acceptable ambient temperature range varies by model. Whirlpool says this information is given in its climate class.

    Compare the climate class of your chosen appliance with the temperatures in the room where it will be used.

  • Prioritising convenience features without checking your main needs

    Extra features won’t make up for a compartment that’s too small or an appliance that doesn’t suit your kitchen.

    First compare usable capacities, the energy label and the noise level, then look at features that suit your shopping habits.

Brands to consider by format

Bosch

The range includes freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers.

  • Bosch says its KGN36ELEA fridge-freezer offers 216 L of fridge capacity and 89 L of freezer capacity: compare each figure separately with your needs.
  • This capacity split applies to the KGN36ELEA; check the figures for any other model you’re considering.

Whirlpool

Its ranges let you compare both fridge-freezers and separate freezers.

  • Whirlpool lists 198 L of usable capacity for its W3RHS19DW chest freezer, an example of dedicated frozen food storage.
  • Adding a freezer means having a suitable space for a second appliance; its specifications don’t apply to other Whirlpool appliances.

Liebherr

The range includes large built-in appliances with several storage zones.

  • The ECBNe 7871 is an example of a large built-in model.
  • Liebherr says this model requires a niche measuring 203.2 to 207.2 cm high, 76.2 cm wide and 63.5 cm deep. Check these dimensions before choosing this format.

Samsung

Its multi-door models are worth considering if your household wants a large capacity in one appliance.

  • Samsung lists a capacity of 637 L for the RF65A977FSR multi-door fridge.
  • This model is 912 mm wide; Samsung also advises checking that the packaged appliance will fit through the delivery route.

Joybuy products

Products related to this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

What capacity do I need for a week’s worth of shopping or more?

Work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food separately before choosing a capacity. UFC-Que Choisir gives a general guideline of 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to suit the amount you store, and check how much space is dedicated to the freezer.

How much clearance does a fridge need for ventilation?

Follow the clearances specified for the model you choose. For a freestanding appliance, Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind it. A built-in model must meet the dimensions and ventilation instructions in its own manual.

Can you put a fridge in a garage or conservatory?

It depends on the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Whirlpool advises checking the climate class on the rating plate or in the technical specifications, then comparing it with the temperatures where you plan to install the fridge.

What should you check after a big shop?

Check the fridge temperature and put food away promptly. Anses recommends keeping the temperature between 0 °C and 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. If your model has a rapid-cooling function, check the manual to find out when to use it.

What is the energy label for?

It helps you compare energy information for the appliances you’re considering. ADEME reminds shoppers that large household appliances must display an energy label; check the label for the specific model and variant you plan to buy.