Start by measuring the space, including room for the door to open and the required ventilation clearances. Then choose a capacity to suit your shopping habits and freezer needs. A table-top fridge is a good option when space is very limited, while a fridge freezer is better if you regularly store frozen food. An integrated model requires a compatible kitchen. In a living area, compare the stated noise levels and annual energy consumption of appliances of a similar size and capacity.
If the appliance needs to fit under a worktop or between two units, measure its depth and door clearance as well as the space needed for ventilation. UFC-Que Choisir lists table-top fridges among the suitable formats for studio flats. Beko and Bosch product specifications show examples of models between 54 and 56 cm wide, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll fit your space.
If you shop less often or regularly buy frozen food, freezer capacity matters. Check whether a table-top fridge’s freezer compartment will meet your needs, or whether you need the separate freezer section of a fridge freezer.
If the fridge is near your living area, desk or bed, compare the stated noise levels of similar appliances. Check the kWh per year too: as ADEME points out, a fridge runs continuously.
First, choose a format that will fit in your home. Then check it has enough room for your groceries and frozen food. Noise and energy use can help you choose between otherwise similar appliances.
Consider it if: height is limited and your grocery shop will fit comfortably in this format.
The trade-off: its compact size means less room for food, particularly if a freezer compartment takes up some of the space.
Consider it if: you regularly store frozen food and have a space that’s tall and deep enough.
The trade-off: width alone won’t tell you whether it will fit in your kitchen. For example, Whirlpool lists its W7X 83A W as 191,2 cm high and 67,8 cm deep.
Consider it if: you have a cabinet designed to house the appliance and its door panel.
The trade-off: the cabinet dimensions, fixings, hinges and ventilation must all match the model, even when replacing an existing appliance.
| What to consider | What to check | What matters to shoppers? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Measure the width, height and depth, then check the door clearance and the ventilation gaps specified in the manual. | When my kitchenette is short on space, I want to be able to open the appliance without blocking the way or restricting ventilation. Around 36% of shoppers would make this their top priority. |
| Capacity and freezing | Compare the usable capacities of the fridge and freezer separately, taking your shopping habits into account. | If I shop less often or store frozen food, I need enough room to put everything away. This would be the top priority for around 29% of shoppers. |
| Noise | Compare the stated dB(A) levels of models of a similar size. | With the fridge near my bed or desk, I pay attention to how much noise it makes while running. Around 21% of shoppers would put this first. |
| Energy use | Check the kWh per year and compare appliances of a similar type and capacity, rather than looking at their energy rating alone. | As an appliance that runs all the time, I want to choose a useful capacity without overlooking its electricity consumption. This would be the top priority for around 14% of shoppers. |
An appliance may fit between two units but still not have enough room for the door to open or for air to circulate. Electrolux recommends following the installation instructions for each model.
Measure the space in all three dimensions, allow for skirting boards and nearby walls, then check the clearances specified in the manual.
The size of your home doesn’t determine how much food you need to store. A very small compartment can be limiting if you shop less often or keep frozen food.
Work out the usable capacity you need based on your usual shopping habits, and check the freezer capacity separately.
As ADEME points out, a fridge runs continuously, so its proximity to your bed or desk may affect your choice.
Compare the stated dB(A) levels of similar appliances, while still making sure they meet your size and ventilation requirements.
The letter doesn’t replace the annual energy consumption in kWh or checking how much capacity you actually need.
Compare the kWh per year of models with a similar format and capacity, then rule out any size that your habits don’t justify.
The TSE1504FN and TSE1284N table-top fridges offer two different options for a small kitchen. Beko France lists the first as 54 cm wide and the second as having a top-mounted freezer.
Bosch Home Appliances France describes the KTR15NWEB as a freestanding table-top fridge with 134 L of fridge capacity, and the KUL22VFD0 as an under-counter integrated model with a freezer compartment.
Whirlpool France describes the WHC18T323P as an integrated fridge freezer that needs a 56 cm-wide cabinet, and the W7X 83A W as a 191,2 cm-high freestanding fridge freezer.
This selection includes a compact freestanding fridge, a fridge freezer and integrated models. Before choosing an integrated appliance, make sure it’s compatible with your kitchen.
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Worth considering if your kitchen has a compatible space for an integrated appliance and you’d like a top-mounted freezer compartment. The model name gives a total capacity of 188 L and an energy rating of E. Check the manual for installation dimensions, clearances and door-panel fixings.
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This freestanding fridge freezer is worth considering if you need a freezer in a narrow kitchen. Its description lists 153 L of fridge capacity, 74 L of freezer capacity, a width of 54 cm and a reversible door. Check its height, depth and required clearances too.
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Consider this for a kitchen that already has a cabinet designed to house an integrated fridge freezer. The model is listed with a 252 L capacity, No Frost technology and an energy rating of C. Check the cabinet dimensions, door panel and ventilation requirements before deciding.
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This compact freestanding model is worth considering for a very small space or as a second fridge. With a stated total capacity of 45 L, check that it will hold your usual groceries before choosing it as your main fridge. Also check the ventilation clearances specified in the manual.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a fridge freezer to fit in a kitchen cabinet designed for an integrated appliance. The description lists a 249 L capacity, TwinTech No Frost and an energy rating of E. Confirm the cabinet dimensions, door-panel compatibility and required ventilation gaps.
Think about how much food you store between shops, rather than the size of your home alone. Compare the usable fridge capacity and, if you buy frozen food, the freezer compartment capacity separately.
Yes, if the model has a freezer compartment that suits your storage habits. For example, Beko France lists the TSE1284N as having a top-mounted freezer, while the TSE1504FN has none. Check the capacity and storage conditions of the model you choose.
Compare their stated dB(A) levels, ideally for models of a similar size and capacity. Consider how close the fridge will be to your bed, and check that the space allows you to install it in line with the manual.
Don’t rely on the appliance dimensions alone. Check the ventilation clearances and door opening requirements in the manual. For an integrated model, also check the cabinet dimensions, hinges and door-panel fixings.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge at 4 °C. Check where this area is in your appliance, and avoid overfilling it so that air can circulate.