Choose a format that suits the space you actually have, the amount of fresh food you need to store and how many frozen foods you buy. A table-top fridge is ideal when space is very limited, a single-door model prioritises fresh food, a fridge-freezer keeps fresh and frozen food separate, while a multi-door model needs a kitchen with room to spare. Before you order, compare the capacity of each compartment and the kWh/year figure, then check the manual for the clearances needed for installation and opening the doors.
The right format depends as much on how you shop as it does on the space available between your kitchen units.
If every centimetre counts and you tend to buy small amounts at a time, start by measuring the available space. UFC-Que Choisir lists table-top fridges as a suitable option for studio flats, but check that the capacity is right for your shopping habits.
If you do a weekly shop, check the fridge and freezer capacities separately. A fridge-freezer caters for both, but the split between compartments varies by model.
If you buy a lot of food and want to organise it across separate compartments, a multi-door model is worth considering, provided your kitchen and delivery access can accommodate it. Also compare its annual energy consumption with that of models whose capacity would be sufficient for your household.
Start with your main constraint, then check the installation space, the room for frozen food and the energy consumption of the model you’re considering.
Worth considering: for a studio flat where a compact footprint is the priority and you shop frequently.
Bear in mind: capacity is limited; if there’s a freezer compartment, check how much space it offers.
Worth considering: if you mainly store fresh food and don’t need a freezer in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: some models, such as the Whirlpool WHMLF 6442 FXP4, have no freezer capacity.
Worth considering: when you need space for both fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between two compartments, so their individual capacities matter more than the overall figure alone.
Worth considering: for larger shops and organised storage across several compartments, in a kitchen with enough space.
Bear in mind: check the width and depth carefully, as well as the kWh/year figure for your chosen model.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen space | Measure the height, width and depth, then check the manual for ventilation and door-opening clearances. | In a studio flat, I want to keep my food fresh without blocking the walkway or access to my kitchen units. Around 29% of the consumers surveyed would put a compact footprint first. |
| Fresh-food capacity | Compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately. | If I mainly buy fresh food, I’d rather have more room for it than make space for a freezer I’ll rarely use. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise fresh-food capacity. |
| Space for frozen food | Check the freezer capacity in litres and how easy the drawers are to access, not just the total capacity advertised. | With a weekly shop and regular frozen-food purchases, I need enough room for both types of food. This is the main priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Family-sized storage | Compare the capacity of each compartment with the model’s dimensions and kWh/year figure. | When the weekly shop takes up a lot of room, I look for easy-to-organise compartments without losing sight of how much space the appliance will take up in the kitchen. Around 21% of consumers would put a large capacity first. |
This figure doesn’t show how many litres are for fresh food and how many are for frozen food. A single-door model, for example, may offer plenty of fridge space but no freezer compartment.
Compare the capacity of each compartment on the product page or energy label, based on the food you usually buy.
An appliance may fit in its space but still not have enough clearance for ventilation, opening the doors or pulling out the drawers.
Measure the delivery route too, then check the manual for the exact model to find out how much clearance is needed for installation and door opening.
The Haier HCW99F18DIMB, as presented by Haier, measures 905 × 738 × 1825 mm. Before installation, check the width, depth and access to your kitchen.
Compare its dimensions, compartment capacities and kWh/year figure with those of a fridge-freezer that could also meet your needs.
ADEME points out that a fridge runs continuously and that its size affects how much energy it uses. The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you its annual consumption.
Compare the kWh/year figures on the energy labels of appliances with a capacity suited to your needs.
These models illustrate different formats; their features shouldn’t be taken to represent every appliance from the same brand.
The KTL15NWEB is an example of a freestanding table-top fridge with an integrated freezer compartment.
The WHMLF 6442 FXP4 is a single-door model designed primarily for fresh food.
The CUe231-26 is presented as a fridge-freezer with both fridge and freezer compartments.
The HCW99F18DIMB is an example of a multi-door model designed for households that need plenty of storage.
These models offer both fridge and freezer compartments, including freestanding fridge-freezers, a multi-door model and an integrated option. Compare their listed capacities with your shopping habits, then check the installation requirements for each one.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one high-capacity appliance, provided you have enough space for it.
The model name indicates 467 L, Total No Frost technology and an E energy rating. Compare the capacity of each compartment and check the manual for the clearance needed around the appliance and in front of the doors.
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This four-door model is suited to a household looking to organise a large shop across fresh and frozen compartments, in a kitchen with enough room for its size.
The model name indicates 467 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Measure the delivery route and check the manual for the clearance needed to open the doors.
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This three-door model is worth comparing if you need to store both fresh and frozen food without opting for a large multi-door appliance.
The model name indicates 360 L, Total No Frost, an E energy rating and Wi-Fi. Check the capacity of each compartment, the depth and the door clearance before deciding where to put it.
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This freestanding fridge-freezer could suit a small household that wants space for frozen food without needing a large overall capacity.
The model name indicates 174 L, Low Frost and a reversible door. Check the exact dimensions before fitting it into a narrow kitchen, then check the energy label for its kWh/year figure.
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This option is for a kitchen with a compatible built-in housing space, and the freezer capacity should be checked against how much frozen food you buy.
The model name indicates 188 L, a single door, a freezer compartment at the top and an E energy rating. Check the separate compartment capacities, housing dimensions and fitting requirements in the model documentation.
As well as the energy rating, compare the annual consumption in kWh and the capacity of the fresh-food and freezer compartments. The European Commission says the label provides this information for the model in question. Match it against the capacity you actually need.
No. You’ll also need to allow for ventilation and for the doors and drawers to open. Measure the space and the delivery route, then follow the clearances specified in the manual for your chosen model.
Anses recommends keeping food at between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Check the temperature in your appliance and avoid overfilling it so that cold air can circulate.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies when a private individual buys a new product from a professional seller in France. The French Ministry of the Economy points out that this guarantee is compulsory. If the appliance doesn’t match the agreed description, contact the seller to find out how to make a claim, regardless of any commercial guarantee that may also apply.
Ask the retailer about having your old appliance taken back when you buy a fridge of the same type. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition describes this as the ‘1-for-1’ take-back scheme. Agree the practical arrangements before delivery.