Start by choosing your fridge and freezer capacities separately: households that mainly buy fresh food will often benefit from prioritising fridge space, while prepared portions and regular frozen food may justify a fridge freezer with a bottom freezer or a separate freezer. Then compare usable litres, dimensions, door-opening direction and the stated kWh/year for the exact model.
Check the freezer capacity separately, along with drawer organisation and storage time in the event of a power cut. Depending on how much you store, a fridge freezer with a bottom freezer or a separate freezer may be a better choice. Darty and UFC-Que Choisir highlight the importance of distinguishing between fresh-food and frozen-food needs.
Prioritise accessible fridge space, with shelves and drawers suited to your fresh groceries. The freezer position and the split between fridge and freezer litres matter more than a high total capacity.
Confirm the overall dimensions or niche dimensions, the clearances required by the model and the actual door-reversal capability. These details are not interchangeable between freestanding and built-in appliances.
Start by dividing your needs between fresh and frozen food, then check the installation requirements before comparing the energy consumption of similarly sized appliances.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer litres separately. Darty suggests 100 L for one person, then around 50 L more per additional person; adjust this according to how often you shop and how many meals you prepare. | I want to store my usual groceries and prepared portions without buying an appliance that is too large. If I mainly eat fresh food, I will prioritise the fridge; if I often freeze food, I will look at the freezer drawers and capacity. |
| Annual consumption | Compare the stated kWh/year between appliances with similar capacities and installation types. Also check the precise model’s energy class, from A to G. | I am looking for a capacity I will genuinely use, because the appliance runs continuously. ADEME states that a larger or heavily equipped appliance can increase electricity consumption. |
| Installation | Distinguish between freestanding and built-in appliances. For a built-in model, check the niche and door system; for a freestanding appliance, follow the clearances specified in the instructions. | I want the appliance to fit in the kitchen and the door to open on the correct side. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding appliances; built-in models follow their own installation diagrams. |
Two appliances with the same total capacity can offer very different amounts of fridge and freezer space. A household that cooks in advance may run out of freezer drawers, while a household that mainly eats fresh food may lose valuable fridge space.
Write down the space you need for fresh and frozen food separately before comparing models. Per-person guidelines are a starting point, not a fixed rule.
Installation requirements vary according to the appliance type and reference. Whirlpool provides clearances for its freestanding appliances, while built-in appliances follow the dimensions set out in their documentation; Bosch also specifies that some Perfect Fit models can be placed against a wall.
Before ordering, compare the appliance or niche dimensions, clearances, door system and instructions for the exact model.
Fridges and freezers run continuously. ADEME states that size and additional features can increase electricity consumption.
Choose a suitable capacity, then compare kWh/year between models with similar capacities and installation types rather than relying solely on the energy-class letter.
No Frost, reversible doors, noise levels and defrosting systems vary between references. For example, the Electrolux ENG7TD18S specifies a No Frost freezer, while the Whirlpool WHC20D011B1 FR states that its freezer requires manual defrosting.
Keep the technical specifications for your chosen reference and check the cooling type of each compartment, door-opening direction, stated noise level and defrosting method before confirming your basket.
In France, the brand offers freestanding and built-in fridge freezers, with the freezer at the bottom or top, as well as a range of storage formats.
A useful reference for a built-in project: the Série 700 GreenZone ENG7TD18S specifies a 1780 mm niche and a net capacity of 256 L.
The brand provides built-in references with reversible doors, as well as separate installation guidance for its freestanding appliances.
This composite list is based on best-selling rankings and sales counters displayed on Joybuy France, together with product specifications. It is neither an independent test nor an overall ranking of the French market.
| Rank | Reference | Key specifications | Why it features | Supplier or platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L | 153 L fridge, 74 L freezer, 54 cm wide, reversible door, energy class E. | Joybuy France displays a best-selling ranking and more than 800 reported sales. Its capacity split is better suited to a household looking for a compact fridge freezer than to those needing a large capacity. | Joybuy |
| 2 | CHiQ JR318WSD, 322 L | 226 L fridge, 96 L freezer, fan-assisted cooling, 37 dB, reversible door, energy class D. | Joybuy France displays a best-selling ranking and more than 200 reported sales. With more capacity than the 227 L model, this reference is aimed at greater fresh and frozen food storage needs. | Joybuy |
Joybuy fridge freezer options for storing both fresh groceries and the household’s frozen portions.
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Suited to a fitted kitchen that needs to keep fresh groceries and frozen portions separate.
Declared specifications include 176 L of fridge space, a 76 L four-star freezer, three drawers, No Frost, 150 kWh/year, 34 dB(A), energy class C and a reversible door. Check the niche, airflow and compatibility of the door system with the cabinet.
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An option for a medium-sized household alternating between fresh groceries and frozen food in a fitted kitchen.
Declared specifications include 186 L of fridge space, 62 L of freezer space, three drawers, TwinTech Total No Frost, 37 dB(A), a reversible door and sliding system. Check the niche, door-front attachment, ventilation and kWh/year before buying.
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This freestanding fridge freezer is aimed at households that often buy fresh food and regularly freeze portions.
Declared specifications include 187 L of fridge space, a 75 L bottom freezer with three drawers, 215 kWh/year, 39 dB(A), a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm and a reversible door. The Low Frost freezer requires manual defrosting; also check the ventilation clearances.
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This capacity split suits family grocery shopping with a greater need for frozen-food storage.
Declared specifications include 211 L of fridge space, a 99 L bottom freezer, a width of 60 cm, a reversible door, electronic controls, an inverter compressor and Full Frost-Free technology. Check the full dimensions, ventilation, kWh/year, noise level and the freezer’s internal layout.
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A compact format for a narrow kitchen that still needs a separate freezer compartment.
Declared specifications include 153 L of fridge space, a 74 L four-star freezer, three drawers, a width of 54 cm, 39 dB, a reversible door, adjustable feet and Low Frost. Fridge space may be limited for four people or large shops; check the defrosting and ventilation requirements.
As a starting point, Darty suggests 100 L of fridge space for one person, then around 50 L more per additional person. For a fitted kitchen, Darty also suggests 150 L for one person, 200 to 250 L for two to three people and more than 300 L for four or more people. Increase these guidelines if you cook in advance or do large shops, and always check the fridge and freezer litres separately.
For freestanding fridges, Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind the appliance to allow heat to escape. This guidance applies to freestanding models: for a built-in appliance, follow the model’s instructions and installation diagram, as niche and airflow requirements vary.
No. Reversibility must be stated in the technical specifications or manual for the exact reference. For example, Whirlpool specifies a reversible door for the WHC20D011B1 FR, but the fact that one model in a range has a reversible door does not mean that every reference does.
The French Ministry for Ecological Transition states that a “1 for 1” take-back scheme with no threshold applies when buying equipment of the same type. A “1 for 0” take-back depends in particular on the shop’s sales area. Before delivery, confirm the arrangements for collection, disconnection and access to your home with the seller.