In a studio flat, choose a table-top or compact model if its dimensions fit your space and you don’t store many frozen foods. For less frequent shopping trips and a good supply of fresh and frozen food, a fridge freezer offers two separate compartments. A multi-door model is better suited to very large storage needs, provided your kitchen and access routes can accommodate it. Always compare the capacity of each compartment, the stated energy consumption and the installation requirements of the exact model.
If your kitchenette has limited height under the worktop or a narrow entrance, a table-top fridge is worth considering. Check its usable capacity and whether it has a freezer compartment: both configurations are available.
If you want to keep several days’ worth of fresh and frozen food, check the capacity of each compartment in a fridge freezer separately. Its height and depth, as well as the delivery route, matter just as much as its total capacity.
A multi-door fridge freezer can meet a need for high capacity if your kitchen, door clearance and access routes allow for it. The Liebherr models mentioned in this category hold more than 570 L, and one is 90.6 cm wide.
Start with the space available and how you’d like to divide it between fresh and frozen food. Once you’ve chosen a format, compare the suitable models’ annual energy consumption in kWh, noise levels and climate class.
| Your priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the alcove, delivery route and door clearance. Follow the clearances specified in the model’s manual. | In a small kitchen, you need to be able to get the appliance in and open its doors without blocking the space; around 31% of consumers prioritise a compact footprint. |
| A few frozen foods in a compact format | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment, its usable capacity and its star rating. | If space is limited but you still want a few frozen foods close to hand, around 15% of consumers prioritise this compromise. |
| Less frequent shopping trips | Compare the capacity in litres of the fridge and freezer compartments, rather than looking only at the total capacity. | If you want to store several days’ worth of shopping, having enough room in both compartments is crucial; around 39% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Very large stocks | Check the capacity of each compartment, the width and the kWh/year rating of the model you’re considering. | If your household buys a lot in one go and has a spacious kitchen, around 15% of consumers prioritise maximum capacity. |
A compact model may not have a freezer, while two fridge freezers with similar total capacities may divide their space differently between fresh and frozen food.
Assess your two needs separately, then compare them with the usable capacity stated for each compartment.
An appliance may fit in your kitchen but not through a doorway, corridor or lift. You’ll also need enough room to open its doors once it’s installed.
Measure the entire delivery route and check the door clearance and spacing required by the manufacturer.
The letter on its own tells you neither the available capacity nor the stated annual energy consumption of two appliances in different formats.
Compare the kWh/year ratings of models with similar capacity, then consider their noise levels if the appliance will be near a living area.
The climate class sets the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Ventilation requirements also vary depending on the model and how it’s installed.
Check the climate class and follow the installation instructions for your chosen fridge, particularly if it will be in an unheated room or an alcove.
The table-top range offers configurations to explore for kitchens where space is at a premium.
A useful point of comparison for freestanding fridge freezers and installation requirements.
Fridge freezers to consider when you need good capacity that will still fit within your measured kitchen width.
Multi-door models to consider for large stocks, if your kitchen has enough space.
These models are designed to store fresh and frozen food separately: fridge freezers for a range of capacity needs and a multi-door model for larger stocks. Compare their dimensions and compartments with your kitchen and shopping habits.
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Worth considering if you shop less often and need separate areas for fresh and frozen food. The model name indicates a total capacity of 360 L, three doors, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the dimensions, delivery route and clearances specified in the manual.
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A multi-door model to consider for large stocks, if your kitchen and access routes can accommodate it. Its name indicates four doors, a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Measure the space needed to open the doors and the entire delivery route.
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For a household looking to divide its food between fresh and frozen compartments, the model name specifies 252 L of fridge capacity and 103 L of freezer capacity, with a width of 60 cm and a reversible door. Check the full dimensions and access route before deciding whether this width will work for your installation.
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Its stated width of 54 cm is worth noting for a narrow kitchen, provided the height and depth also suit your space. The model name lists 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the four-star freezer, as well as a Low Frost system and a reversible door. Measure the entire space before buying.
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Worth considering for a small household wanting separate compartments: the model name lists 182 L of fridge capacity and 71 L of freezer capacity. It also specifies No Frost and a noise level of 39 dB. Check the width, depth and delivery route to see whether it will fit.
Yes. The French Ministry of the Economy states that the energy labelling requirement for applicable new fridges applies both in shops and online. When choosing between two models, look in particular at their stated annual energy consumption in kWh and their usable capacity.
Follow the clearances in the manual for your model rather than applying one distance to every appliance. Bosch recommends at least 200 cm² of free space at the back and underneath some fridges; a built-in alcove may have different requirements.
First check that the room temperature stays within the range specified by the model’s climate class. For example, Bosch gives a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN. Check the rating plate and manual, especially if the appliance will be in an unheated room or somewhere exposed to high temperatures.
Arrange for it to be taken back or collected before delivery. According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme applies when buying an electrical appliance of the same type. Ask the seller how this works for your order.