Households that buy fresh and frozen food every week
Check the capacity in litres for the fridge and freezer separately. A large total capacity does not guarantee enough room for your frozen food.
Who is this guide for?
People with a small kitchen or narrow access
Measure the space, the route to the kitchen and the clearance needed to open the doors. A compact fridge is worth considering when every centimetre counts; for a wider appliance, check the delivery route carefully.
Households mindful of noise and electricity use
ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously. To compare models of a similar capacity and type, check their stated annual energy consumption and noise level in dB(A), particularly if your kitchen opens onto a living area.
What should you check before choosing?
Start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then see how each design will fit in your kitchen. You can then compare practical features to find the models that genuinely suit your needs.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the net capacities of the fridge and freezer separately. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L as a starting point for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person; adjust this guide to suit your shopping habits. | I stock up on frozen food, so the space set aside for it matters just as much as the total capacity. |
| Compact design | For a compact or single-door fridge, check the external dimensions and whether it has a freezer compartment, including its capacity. If you already own a freezer, also consider how much room you need for both appliances. | My kitchen is small, or I mainly store fresh food and have a separate freezer. |
| Fresh and frozen food in one appliance | For a fridge-freezer, check how the capacity is divided between the two compartments, the door opening direction and the available space. Make sure the freezer suits how often you shop. | I want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance without running short of space for either. |
| Large storage capacity | For a multi-door model or two separate appliances, measure the space and the whole delivery route. If you choose two appliances, compare their combined annual energy consumption too; do not assume a larger model uses as much energy as a smaller one. | I need plenty of storage, or very different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food, and I have room for the solution I choose. |
| Energy use and noise | Check the kWh/year figure and noise level in dB(A) for the exact model. Compare appliances of a similar type and capacity rather than relying on the energy class or size alone. | My fridge runs continuously, and its noise will be more noticeable in an open-plan kitchen. |
| Cooling and maintenance | Check the cooling system, defrosting instructions and temperature settings. According to Anses, the coldest part of the fridge should be between 0 and +4 °C to keep food safely. | I want to know how much maintenance the freezer needs and be able to check the temperature where I store sensitive foods. |
| Repairs | For the exact model, look for information about spare parts, documentation and repair options. The list of categories published by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition on 8 July 2025 does not include fridges among the products covered by the repairability index. | Before replacing my appliance, I want to be able to find out about maintenance and repair options for the model I am considering. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based on total capacity alone
A spacious appliance may not have enough freezer capacity for your shopping habits.
Compare the net capacity of both compartments and estimate how much room your usual frozen food supplies will take up.
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Measuring the space but not the delivery route
A large appliance may fit in its final position but not through a doorway, corridor or lift. Que Choisir highlights the size of larger models in particular.
Before ordering, measure the route to the kitchen, the available depth and the clearance needed to open the doors.
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Looking only at the energy class
The energy class alone does not tell you the annual consumption of the model you are considering. ADEME points out that cooling appliances run continuously.
Compare the kWh/year figures for appliances of a similar type and capacity, as well as their noise levels if the kitchen is close to your living areas.
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Expecting every fridge to have a repairability index
Fridges are not among the products covered by the index in the list of categories published by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition on 8 July 2025. So the absence of an index does not, by itself, tell you how repairable a model is.
Instead, look for information about spare parts, documentation and repair options for the exact model.
What can the brands tell you?
These ranges can give you a starting point for comparing designs and features; always check the specifications of the model you choose.
Bosch
Bosch offers No Frost fridge-freezers and appliances with VitaFresh compartments, among other options.
- According to Bosch Électroménager, some of its new freestanding No Frost fridge-freezers achieve an A energy efficiency class and an A noise class.
- This applies to certain models in the range, not all Bosch fridges: check the label, capacities and dimensions of the model you choose.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France offers both single-door fridges and fridge-freezers in its ranges.
- According to Whirlpool France, No Frost technology is available on some single fridges and fridge-freezers.
- Check that the specific model has this feature, and that its compartment layout meets your needs.
Samsung
Samsung France’s multi-door range can be a useful comparison if you are looking for a large capacity.
- Samsung France includes a 646 L multi-door model with an E energy class.
- That capacity and class apply to this specific model: check the details of the one you are interested in, as well as its dimensions.
Which Joybuy models should you consider?
This selection includes three fridge-freezers, a four-door model and a side-by-side fridge-freezer. Compare their capacities and dimensions with your shopping habits and the space available at home.
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CHiQ JR263LGE, 262 L Low Frost fridge-freezer, black
Worth considering if you want fresh and frozen food in one appliance and space is tight on width in your kitchen.
The model name indicates a capacity of 262 L, a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm and a Low Frost freezer. Check the clearance needed to open the doors and the defrosting instructions before choosing.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L four-door Total No Frost
This four-door model is designed for households looking for a large capacity in one appliance, provided they have enough space and suitable access.
The product title indicates a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost technology and an E energy class. Measure the space and the entire delivery route, then check its annual energy consumption before comparing it with other large models.
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CHiQ JR525WSE, 525 L side-by-side No Frost
This model offers the potential for generous fresh and frozen food storage in one appliance, as long as you check that you have enough room.
The product title gives the 525 L capacity as 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer; it also lists a noise level of 37 dB and an E energy class. Check its dimensions, door clearance and kWh/year consumption to compare it with other models.
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Heinrich´s, 253 L No Frost fridge-freezer, stainless steel
This fridge-freezer may suit you if you want fresh and frozen food in one appliance without opting for a larger model; first check that the freezer has enough room for your supplies.
The product title specifies 182 L for the fridge, 71 L for the freezer, No Frost technology and a noise level of 39 dB. Check the full dimensions and annual energy consumption before comparing it with another fridge-freezer.
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Sonlu CD‑350RW, 310 L fridge-freezer, 60 cm wide
This fridge-freezer is worth considering if your shopping calls for more freezer space while you still want an appliance that is 60 cm wide.
The product title lists 211 L for the fridge, 99 L for the freezer, reversible doors and an E energy class. Also check the height, depth, kWh/year consumption and noise level of the model.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity should you look for in a replacement fridge-freezer?
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to how often you shop, and check the freezer capacity separately if you regularly store frozen food.
How do you choose a model for an open-plan kitchen?
Compare the stated noise levels in dB(A) of appliances with a similar size and capacity. Also think about where the appliance will go: being close to a living area makes noise an especially important factor in your choice.
What should you compare on the energy label?
For the exact model, check its energy class, annual consumption, compartment capacities and noise information. The European Commission says its EPREL database lets you compare information about registered models; then compare appliances of a similar size and capacity.
Do fridges in France have to carry a repairability index?
Fridges are not included in the list of categories covered by the index, published by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition on 8 July 2025. To assess a model, look for information about spare parts, documentation and repair options instead of expecting it to have this index.
What temperature should you check after installation?
According to Anses, food should be kept between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Find out where this area is in the manual and check its temperature, particularly after installation or loading the fridge with a large amount of food.