If you do a weekly shop or buy enough to last longer, and regularly stock up on frozen food, start by comparing fridges with a separate freezer compartment. Its usable capacity matters just as much as that of the fridge section. A single-door fridge with an ice box or an under-counter model is better suited to smaller amounts; consider a multi-door fridge for larger stocks, but check it will fit in your kitchen and can be brought in at delivery.
The total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room is left for fresh and frozen food. If your shopping needs to last until your next trip, compare the usable capacity of both compartments. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking your shopping habits into account when choosing a fridge.
Check the freezer capacity separately from the fridge capacity. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between households with substantial frozen food needs and those that can get by with a simple ice box.
Before choosing a wide appliance, check the space available, how the doors open and the delivery route. For its larger models, Samsung recommends measuring the doors, corridors and lifts the packaged appliance will need to pass through.
Start with what needs to fit between shops, then check the dimensions and energy label details of models with enough space.
| Feature | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen food capacity | Compare the usable capacity of each compartment, not just the total. Check that the drawers can hold the packaging you usually buy. | After a big shop, I want to put away my fresh food without running out of room for my frozen supplies. |
| Style | A fridge freezer has a separate freezer compartment, so check its capacity. With a single-door or under-counter fridge, make sure it has a freezer compartment that suits your shopping, rather than just a simple ice box. A multi-door model also needs to fit your available space. | If I often buy frozen food, the space set aside for it will matter more to me than the style of the fridge. |
| Installation and delivery | Measure the width, height and depth, door clearance and the space available. Check the delivery route, including the packaged dimensions if these are provided. | I need to be able to get the appliance into my home and open its doors once it’s in place. |
| Energy | On the European energy label, compare the A to G rating and annual consumption in kWh between appliances of similar capacity. Keep their usable capacities in mind too. | When comparing two appliances that can both hold my shopping, I want to know their stated annual energy consumption, not just their rating. |
| Noise | Check the noise level in dB(A) and the noise class listed for the specific model, especially if your kitchen opens onto a living area. | In an open-plan kitchen, the stated noise level matters to me as much as the layout of the compartments. |
| Maintenance | Check the freezer’s cooling system and the model’s maintenance guidance. Low Frost doesn’t mean No Frost. | I’d rather know what freezer maintenance is needed before choosing between models with similar capacities. |
| Repairs | Find out about spare parts and repair options for the exact model. Don’t assume a fridge can’t be repaired just because it doesn’t display a French repairability index. | If the appliance breaks down, I want to know who to contact and which parts are available. |
A large fridge may not leave enough room for the frozen food you buy. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a simple ice box won’t meet the needs of someone who eats a lot of frozen food.
Work out how much you need to keep frozen after your shop, then compare the usable freezer capacity of the models you’re considering.
A multi-door fridge may fit in the space you’ve planned for it but still not fit through the front door, a corridor or a lift. Samsung recommends measuring these access points to make sure the packaged appliance can get through.
Measure the space where the fridge will go and the delivery route. Also check the clearance needed to open the doors.
The European A to G scale shows an appliance’s energy rating, but the letter alone doesn’t tell you its stated annual consumption or how much storage space you’ll have.
Compare the kWh/year and usable capacities of appliances that offer similar storage space.
The product categories covered by the French repairability index, as listed by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, don’t include fridges. So the absence of an index doesn’t mean a model can’t be repaired.
For the model you’re interested in, ask how to get spare parts and access a repair service.
The details below apply to the models mentioned, not to every appliance made by each brand.
The Bosch KGN39AIAU fridge freezer shows why it’s worth comparing the two compartments separately.
The Liebherr CND 5703 fridge freezer is a useful point of comparison if you’re considering capacity and noise levels.
The Haier HCR79F18CHMB multi-door fridge is worth considering if you need space for larger supplies.
The Samsung RF24BB620EB1EF is another example of a high-capacity multi-door fridge.
These models offer different splits between fridge and freezer space, from a slim fridge freezer to larger appliances. Compare each compartment and the overall dimensions with your shopping habits and kitchen.
Image unavailable
This four-door model is worth considering if your shopping calls for plenty of space for fresh and frozen food. The product listing states a total capacity of 467 l, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the usable capacity of each section and the dimensions before making your choice.
Image unavailable
With three doors and a stated total capacity of 360 l, this model offers separate storage for fresh and frozen food. The product listing mentions Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Compare the capacity of each compartment with the amount you usually keep in stock.
Image unavailable
Its stated width of 54 cm makes it worth considering if space is tight. The listing gives 153 l of fridge space and 74 l of freezer space, so check that the freezer capacity is enough for your needs after a shop. It also specifies Low Frost, which isn’t the same as No Frost.
Image unavailable
For larger supplies, the listing gives 333 l of fridge space and 192 l of freezer space, adding up to 525 l in total. It also mentions No Frost, 37 dB and an E energy rating. Check the dimensions for delivery and the kWh/year figure to compare its energy consumption.
Compare the usable fridge and freezer capacities separately with what you put away after a big shop. The total capacity can hide a freezer section that’s too small. Also allow for the space taken up by large packs and ready meals.
A fridge freezer with a separate freezer compartment is the best place to start if frozen food makes up a regular part of your shopping, as long as its usable capacity is sufficient. UFC-Que Choisir says a simple ice box isn’t suitable for storing large amounts of frozen food.
For energy use, compare the A to G rating and kWh/year shown on the European energy label for appliances of similar capacity. For noise, check the dB(A) level and noise class for the specific model, especially if your kitchen opens onto a living area.
No. The product categories covered by the French repairability index, as listed by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, don’t include fridges. To help you choose a model, find out directly whether spare parts are available and what repair services are offered.
Take it to a collection point for electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it out with ordinary rubbish. The ministry responsible for the ecological transition reminds consumers that these appliances may contain gases that need to be handled appropriately. Ask the retailer what take-back options are available when your new fridge is delivered.