Weekly shops and prepared meals
If you store several days’ shopping and pre-prepared portions, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Bosch and Samsung product specifications show why the capacity of each compartment matters.
Who is this choice of fridge for ?
Small kitchens
If you have limited height or width, compare the model’s dimensions with the space available and check that it will fit through the route to your kitchen. Liebherr and Samsung product specifications provide dimensions for specific models.
Open-plan kitchens or unusual spaces
If your fridge is near a living area or in a room where the temperature varies, compare the stated noise level and climate class separately. Information from Samsung, Liebherr and Beko illustrates these two distinct considerations.
What should you compare before choosing ?
The four formats suit different requirements: available space, the balance between fridge and freezer capacity, and installation dimensions. The examples below relate to the models named, not every model in these formats.
Table-top fridge
Worth considering : if a low height is your priority and a small capacity is enough for your shopping, the Liebherr KTe550 is 85 cm tall and has a stated total capacity of 125 l.
Check : the format doesn’t guarantee enough freezer space; check the compartments of the specific model you’re considering.
Larder fridge
Worth considering : if you mainly need space for fresh food, the Liebherr Rd 5000 Pure has a stated total capacity of 348 l.
Check : the total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much freezer space is available.
Fridge freezer
Worth considering : if you want fresh and frozen food in one appliance, the Bosch KGN33NLEB has a stated fridge capacity of 193 l and freezer capacity of 89 l.
Check : a tall, upright model may need more clearance; the Samsung RB38C776CS9/EF is 203 cm tall.
Multi-door fridge freezer
Worth considering : if you want a multi-door layout and have enough space, the Samsung RF48A400EM9/EF has a stated total capacity of 488 l and is 83.3 cm wide.
Check : measure the depth, allow for the doors to open and check the route for the packaged appliance before choosing this format.
When choosing a fridge for a household’s shopping and meals, start with your main priority and check the specifications of the exact model.
| Priority | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Storing fresh food | Fridge compartment capacity, rather than total capacity; an interior layout that suits your shopping and containers. | I want my shopping to last until the next trip without running out of room for everyday food. Fresh-food storage is the priority for around 28 % of consumers. |
| Built-in freezer | Freezer capacity for the exact model and the space available in the drawers for your containers. | If I prepare portions or buy frozen food, I first check the space available for it. A built-in freezer is the priority for around 22 % of consumers. |
| Size and access | Appliance height, width and depth; packaging dimensions and access into your home. | I need to install the appliance in a space-limited kitchen or get it through narrow access points. Size and access are the priority for around 22 % of consumers. |
| Room conditions | Stated noise level; the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures compared with the climate class. | Near a living area or bedroom, or in a room where the temperature varies, I check the noise level and climate range. These installation conditions are the priority for around 17 % of consumers. |
| Energy costs | The energy label and product information for the exact model; annual consumption where stated. | I want to compare energy use between models that already meet my capacity and installation needs. Energy costs are the priority for around 11 % of consumers. |
What mistakes should you avoid when buying ?
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Comparing total capacity alone
Total capacity combines compartments that serve different needs. An appliance can therefore have a high total capacity without offering the balance between fridge and freezer space you’re looking for.
Compare the capacity of each compartment and the interior layout of the exact model.
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Measuring the space without checking the route for the packaged appliance
A fridge may fit in its allocated space but still be too large to get through a doorway or corridor during delivery.
Measure the route to your kitchen and check the model’s installation requirements before ordering.
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Confusing climate class with food storage temperature
Climate class refers to the ambient temperature the appliance is designed to operate in; the Anses recommendation refers to the temperature inside the fridge.
Check the room’s climate range in the model’s documentation. For perishable food, Anses recommends keeping it between 0 and 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge.
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Assuming old-appliance collection includes a full installation service
Taking away your old appliance and disconnecting or installing the new one may be separate services.
Ask the seller what’s included, and arrange collection and any additional services you need separately.
Disconnecting and installing the appliance may require separate arrangements or a separate service.
Brands to consider when comparing specific models
Liebherr
The KTe550 and Rd 5000 Pure models suit different needs, from a low-profile format to a taller appliance with greater total capacity.
- Liebherr states a capacity of 125 l for the KTe550 and a total capacity of 348 l for the Rd 5000 Pure.
- EasyFresh is a technology described by Liebherr, not independent proof of better food preservation. Don’t assume specifications apply across different suffixes or models.
Bosch
The KGN33NLEB is an example of a fridge freezer to compare by fridge and freezer capacity, as well as its stated noise level.
- For this model, Bosch states a fridge capacity of 193 l, a freezer capacity of 89 l and a noise level of 42 dB.
- Bosch’s description of No Frost doesn’t remove the need to check other maintenance requirements or whether the compartments suit your needs.
Samsung
The RB38C776CS9/EF and RF48A400EM9/EF models illustrate a tall fridge freezer and a wider multi-door appliance respectively.
- Samsung states a fridge capacity of 276 l and a freezer capacity of 114 l for the RB38C776CS9/EF; the RF48A400EM9/EF has a total capacity of 488 l and is 83.3 cm wide.
- SpaceMax and Twin Cooling are Samsung marketing technologies, not independent proof of better food preservation across all models.
Fridges with a built-in freezer on Joybuy
This selection includes fridges with built-in freezers in different formats and capacities, so you can compare space for fresh and frozen food.
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Sonlu CC-520WE, 444 l, energy rating E
Worth considering if you’re looking for a high-capacity appliance with frost-free freezing.
Stated total capacity: 444 l. The title lists Frost Free technology, a stated noise level of 40 dB and energy rating E.
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Sonlu CD‑350RW, 310 l, energy rating E
Worth considering if you want to divide your shopping between two compartments in a 60 cm-wide fridge freezer.
Stated capacities: 211 l for the fridge and 99 l for the freezer. The title lists a reversible door, an Inverter compressor and energy rating E.
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Comfee' RCB169WH2(E), 174 l, energy rating E
Worth considering if you need a compact format with separate compartments for fresh and frozen food.
Stated capacities: 115 l for the fridge and 59 l for the freezer. The title lists a height of 150 cm, Low Frost technology, a 4-star freezer and a reversible door.
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Samsung RS57DG410EB4, 583 l, energy rating E, black
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large total capacity and have enough room for installation.
The title lists a total capacity of 583 l and energy rating E.
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CHiQ JR525WSE, 525 l, energy rating E
Worth considering if you want to divide a large capacity between fresh and frozen food.
Stated capacities: 333 l for the fridge and 192 l for the freezer. The title lists No Frost, Multi-Airflow, a stated noise level of 37 dB and energy rating E.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a fridge
Does a weekly shop mean you need to choose a fridge freezer ?
No, not by itself: first compare how much room you need for fresh and frozen food. How often you shop doesn’t determine a one-size-fits-all capacity; compare the compartments with the food you usually buy.
Will a fridge rated at 35 dB be inaudible in an open-plan kitchen ?
No, a stated noise level of 35 dB doesn’t guarantee that you won’t hear it in your room. Samsung states this level for the RB38C776CS9/EF; also consider where you’ll put it and how sensitive you are to noise.
Can you install an SN-T-rated fridge in a cold garage ?
Only if the actual temperatures stay within the range specified for the model. Beko gives an SN-T range starting at +10 °C, so this rating doesn’t confirm the appliance is suitable if the room drops below that temperature.
What temperature should you check for perishable food ?
Anses recommends a temperature between 0 and 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. This usage recommendation is different from the climate class and the capacity you need.
Does No Frost mean you never need to maintain the appliance ?
No. No Frost doesn’t mean the appliance needs no maintenance. Follow the instructions for the model in question; Electrolux says that defrosting can help restore cooling and free up storage space.