When fitting out a new kitchen, first check that the fridge can be delivered, installed and ventilated in the space you have planned. Then choose the fridge and freezer capacities to suit your shopping habits. A freestanding model gives you more flexibility if you don’t have suitable cabinetry; an integrated model needs a correctly sized housing unit, door panel and ventilation in line with its instructions, while a multi-door fridge needs enough room for the appliance and its doors to open.
If a housing unit, narrow doorway, island or door clearance limits the available space, check the dimensions, ventilation and delivery route before choosing a capacity. Bosch and Whirlpool’s installation guides, along with Samsung’s dimensions guide, cover these points for different types of appliance.
If you want to store fresh food and a typical amount of frozen food in one appliance, compare the usable capacity of each compartment separately. Que Choisir offers capacity guidelines that you can tailor to the size of your household and your shopping habits.
A multi-door fridge may suit you if you need plenty of storage, provided its width, door clearance and delivery route work for your kitchen. Compare the energy consumption of the models you’re considering too: the format alone won’t tell you how much energy it uses.
Choose the capacity you need and the installation type separately: a table-top model suits modest storage needs in a small space, a fridge-freezer combines fresh and frozen storage, while freestanding and integrated models have different installation requirements. A multi-door fridge is only worth considering if its capacity and size suit the way you use it.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Location and access | Measure the space with the doors open, allowing for ventilation; also check the delivery route. | If access is narrow or there’s cabinetry beside the appliance, I want to be sure I can get it into place and open the doors. Around 36% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Fridge and freezer capacity | Compare the usable capacity of both compartments, then consider it in relation to your shopping habits and household size. | When my shopping includes both fresh and frozen food, I look for a suitable split rather than a large total capacity. Around 29% of consumers would put this balance first. |
| Fitting with your kitchen units | For an integrated model, check that the instructions match the housing unit, door panel and fixing system you plan to use. | If I want to hide the appliance behind a kitchen door panel, I need to choose a model that fits my units; otherwise, I’d rather keep the flexibility of a freestanding model. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this type of installation. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the stated energy consumption and noise levels of models with similar capacities and installation types. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to take into account the noise and energy use of an appliance that runs continuously. Around 14% of consumers would consider these priorities. |
Handles, door clearance or an obstacle along the delivery route could prevent you from getting an appliance into place, even if its stated width seems suitable.
Measure the width, height and depth of the planned space, then check the door clearance, ventilation and route in from the entrance. Samsung specifically recommends taking doors and handles into account when checking dimensions.
An integrated appliance needs to fit its housing unit and door system; its ventilation requirements are different from those of a freestanding model.
Check the installation instructions against the unit’s dimensions, the door panel’s fixing system and the ventilation openings. Bosch notes that housing unit heights vary between models.
Two fridge-freezers with a similar total capacity may offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food.
Check the usable litres in each compartment and compare them with how often you shop and how much frozen food you store.
A large appliance may need to be handled with care. Whether your old fridge can be taken away and the new one installed depends on the seller’s terms and access to your home.
Before ordering, specify the floor, whether there’s a lift and the dimensions of the access routes. Then confirm the delivery, installation and collection options available for the product you’ve chosen.
Worth considering for a kitchen designed around an integrated fridge and a matching cabinet door.
Worth looking at when comparing fridge-freezers and multi-door models where capacity and width are key considerations.
Worth looking at for the installation requirements of freestanding and integrated models.
These Joybuy models let you compare freestanding fridge-freezers, integrated appliances and multi-door fridges to suit your available space and preferred storage layout. Before choosing, check the model’s installation details against your kitchen.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a multi-door fridge for your household’s shopping and have enough room to install it. The model name indicates a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost technology and an E energy rating. Check the capacity of each compartment, clearances, door opening space and delivery route.
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Worth considering if your kitchen has space for an integrated fridge-freezer. The model name indicates a 249 L capacity, TwinTech No Frost technology and an E energy rating. Check the instructions for the housing unit dimensions, door panel fixing and ventilation, then consult the energy label to compare energy use.
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Compare this model if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer with a stated capacity split of 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer. Its name mentions Low Frost, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Confirm the exact dimensions before planning where to put it; Low Frost doesn’t mean you can rule out manual defrosting.
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Worth considering if you prioritise fresh food storage with a small freezer compartment. The model name indicates a total capacity of 188 L and an E energy rating. Check that the housing unit and door panel suit the sliding door system specified for this model; the cabinet door panel is not included, and the freezer needs to be defrosted manually.
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Compare this model if you’re looking for a large four-door appliance for your household’s shopping. The model name indicates a total capacity of 474 L, Vario Box, Flip Tray and an E energy rating. Check the space needed for delivery and to open the doors, as well as the capacity of each compartment and the stated energy consumption and noise levels.
Yes: also measure the route the delivery team will take and allow enough space for the doors to open and for ventilation. Samsung recommends including doors and handles in your measurements; for its freestanding models, Whirlpool specifies 5 cm of clearance above and 10 cm behind the appliance. Check these figures against the instructions for the model you choose.
No: the housing unit, ventilation and door panel fixing must meet the model’s requirements. Bosch lists several housing unit heights for its integrated appliances; check the width, depth and door system in the instructions too before choosing.
It helps you compare the stated energy consumption and noise levels. ADEME recommends checking this information when choosing household appliances; compare it with the usable capacity and installation type of the fridges you’re considering.
Confirm the collection arrangements before ordering your new appliance, particularly any access requirements for your home. In France, the ministries responsible for the ecological transition explain how electrical and electronic equipment waste is collected and recycled; the service offered at delivery depends on the seller and the product.