Renters with a very compact kitchen
You need to fit the appliance under a worktop or next to a wall, while leaving enough room to open the door and provide the ventilation clearance specified in the manual.
Who are these formats for?
Someone living alone who keeps a few frozen foods
You want a freezer compartment that suits your shopping habits, without giving up an unnecessarily large part of your studio flat to the appliance.
Someone living in an open-plan space
If the fridge is near your sleeping area, its stated noise level matters just as much as its usable capacity and the annual energy consumption shown on the energy label.
What should you look for in a studio flat?
Table-top fridge without a freezer
Worth considering: if you shop often, buy few frozen foods and mainly have space under a worktop. Que Choisir describes the table-top format as suitable for studio flats.
The trade-off: this option does not provide space to store frozen food.
One-door fridge with a freezer compartment
Worth considering: if you want to keep ice cubes or a few frozen foods from time to time, without opting for a tall fridge-freezer.
The trade-off: compared with a similarly sized model, the built-in compartment leaves less room for fresh food. Check its capacity and features.
Small fridge-freezer
Worth considering: if you regularly store frozen food and have a space tall enough for a separate freezer compartment.
The trade-off: it may take up considerably more space than a table-top fridge. Measure the route through to the kitchen, too.
Compact built-in fridge
Worth considering: if your kitchenette already has a housing unit that fits the model you have in mind.
The trade-off: the housing unit, cabinet door, fixings and airflow must all meet the installation instructions.
Once you’ve chosen a format, compare models based on the factors that matter most for your installation and shopping habits.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Measure the height, width, depth and door swing; check the ventilation clearances in the manual. | When every centimetre in the kitchenette counts, I want to be able to install the appliance and open its door without obstructing the walkway. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this compatibility. |
| Fresh-food and freezer capacity | Compare the capacity of each compartment and the features of the freezer compartment or separate freezer. | If I regularly buy frozen food, I need to make sure there’s enough room for it without sacrificing fresh-food storage. This would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Noise and energy use | Check the noise level in dB(A) and the kWh/year figures in the model’s documentation; compare appliances of a similar type and capacity. | With a fridge near my sleeping area, I pay attention to its noise and ongoing energy use. Around 25% of consumers would put this day-to-day comfort first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Focusing on width alone
An appliance may fit between two cupboards but stick out beyond the worktop or stop the door from opening fully. The dimensions Bosch publishes for its table-top fridges and fridge-freezers show how sizes vary by format.
Before choosing a capacity, measure the height and depth, the delivery route and the space needed to open the door fully.
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Leaving out the ventilation gaps
A tight fit can prevent the airflow the appliance needs. For the models it covers when installed in an alcove, a Beko manual specifies at least 5 cm between the appliance and the ceiling and wall. This measurement does not apply to every fridge.
Follow the manual for the exact model you buy, and don’t block its ventilation openings.
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Choosing a freezer without thinking about your shopping habits
A fridge-freezer takes up more space than a small fridge if you only store frozen food occasionally.
Think about what you typically buy in a week: compare a model without a freezer or with a built-in freezer compartment if you rarely freeze food, and a separate freezer if you use it regularly.
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Comparing kWh/year without considering what you get
Annual energy consumption alone doesn’t tell you how much storage space you’ll have or whether the appliance has a freezer. ADEME recommends using the energy label when choosing household appliances.
Compare energy consumption and energy class across appliances of a similar type and capacity, then consider the noise level in your living space.
Brands to consider by format
Beko
A brand to consider for table-top fridges designed for small kitchens.
- Beko lists a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and adjustable feet for the TSE1504FN.
- Check the ventilation clearances in the manual for your chosen model rather than assuming they based on these features.
Bosch
Models to compare across table-top, fridge-freezer and under-counter built-in formats.
- Bosch publishes dimensions and specifications for the KTR15NWEB, KTL15NWFA, KGN33NWDA and KUL22VFD0.
- These models differ in size and compartment layout, so compare their product specifications individually.
Electrolux
An option for a kitchenette with a housing unit for an under-counter built-in fridge.
- Electrolux describes the EXB3AE82R as an 81.9 cm built-in model.
- The appliance’s height alone does not confirm it will fit: check the housing unit, ventilation and installation requirements, too.
Whirlpool
A brand to consider for small fridges that fit under a worktop.
- Whirlpool describes the table-top format as an option for under a worktop or in a small kitchen.
- The fridge-freezers among the models reviewed are not necessarily compact. Check the size of each one before considering it for a studio flat.
Built-in fridges and fridge-freezers on Joybuy
These models offer two options for a studio flat: a built-in fridge, chosen to fit your existing housing unit, or a freestanding fridge-freezer, sized to suit the space you need for fresh and frozen food.
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SMEG S4C122E, 188 L built-in fridge-freezer, class E
Worth considering if you have a compatible housing unit and also want a freezer compartment. Check the installation dimensions, door fitting and clearances in the manual before ordering.
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SMEG S4L120E, one-door built-in fridge, class E
Consider this model for storing fresh food in a kitchen with a suitable housing unit. Confirm the capacity of the exact model before buying, as the capacity figures listed for this reference differ. Also check the housing unit dimensions in the manual.
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Comfee' by Midea RCB230BL2EU(E), 174 L freestanding fridge-freezer, black
Worth considering if you need to store both fresh and frozen food in a freestanding appliance. The model name lists a reversible door; still, measure the space, delivery route and door clearance, then check the product documentation for noise and energy consumption.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L fridge-freezer, silver, class E
Worth comparing if you want a separate freezer compartment for regular frozen-food storage: the product name lists 153 L for refrigeration and 74 L for freezing, with a reversible door. Confirm the width of the exact model before deciding where to put it, as the dimensions listed for this reference do not match.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to leave space around a fridge in a studio flat?
Yes, according to the clearances specified for the model you choose. For the models it covers when installed in an alcove, a Beko manual specifies at least 5 cm between the appliance and the ceiling and wall. Check your own manual before deciding where to put it.
What should you look for if the fridge is near your bed?
Compare the stated noise level in dB(A) in each model’s documentation, but don’t assume that this figure alone tells you how noisy it will be in your studio flat. It’s also important to install the appliance securely and follow the manual.
What temperature should you set after installation?
Anses recommends setting the fridge below 4 °C. Check the temperature after switching it on rather than relying solely on the control setting.
How can you use the energy label to compare two models?
Check their energy class and annual consumption in kWh, then consider the appliance type and capacity. As ADEME points out, the energy label can help you choose. However, comparing a table-top fridge without a freezer with a fridge-freezer without considering how you’ll use them could lead you to the wrong decision.
What should you do with your old fridge when replacing it?
Arrange for it to be collected or taken back rather than putting it out with your household rubbish. Ecosystem lets you search for a fridge collection point; also check the removal options offered when your new appliance is delivered.