For a weekly shop and batch-cooked meals, first compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately, then consider the space the appliance will take up and how easy it is to access the drawers. A standard fridge-freezer, a multi-door model or one with a large freezer will suit different storage needs. The stated capacities alone do not show how quickly the appliance returns to temperature after you unpack your shopping.
You come home with a full weekly shop and need to put away fresh food and prepared meals without blocking the flow of cold air. Que Choisir recommends considering how often you shop and includes a weekly shop in its testing.
You prepare several meals in advance and want enough freezer space to store portions separately and find them easily. Anses notes that freezing does not destroy most micro-organisms.
You need to make sure the appliance can get to your home and fit in your kitchen, while leaving the doors and drawers easy to open. Width and layout matter just as much as the stated capacity.
Worth considering: if you want two separate compartments in an appliance with a relatively compact footprint, compare the usable capacity of each. Bosch Electroménager France lists 260 l of fridge capacity and 103 l of freezer capacity for the KGN39AIBT, with a width of 600 mm.
Check: the actual drawer space and available height. The published specifications for this model do not show how quickly it returns to temperature after a full shop.
Worth considering: if your kitchen and access route can accommodate a wide appliance and you want plenty of space split between the two compartments. LG France lists 360 l of fridge capacity, 246 l of freezer capacity and six freezer drawers for the GMJ960MBJE.
Check: where it will go, the dimensions of your delivery route and any installation requirements. The GMJ960MBJE is 914 mm wide, has a stated energy consumption of 358 kWh/year and a noise level of 40 dB, and its dispenser needs a water connection. These specifications apply to this model, not to all multi-door models.
Worth considering: if freezing portions is a priority but you prefer a two-door appliance. Beko France lists 158 l of freezer capacity, 356 l of fridge capacity and a freezing capacity of 7,80 kg/24 h for the BRCNE50140ZXBN.
Check: the energy consumption, noise level and layout of the specific model. A freezing capacity stated in kg/24 h does not tell you how well the appliance maintains its temperature after you add a full shop.
To choose between these formats, look at the capacity of each compartment separately, the storage layout and the installation dimensions. Que Choisir includes a weekly shop and daily additions in its test procedure. To assess how quickly an appliance returns to temperature, you need a test result for the exact model.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh food space and temperature stability | Compare the usable fridge capacity and shelf layout with the containers you use. To check how quickly the temperature returns to normal after a full shop, look for a test of the exact model. | If I come home with the weekly shop, I want to put fresh food away without blocking the airflow between items. Around 31 % of consumers prioritise fridge space. |
| Freezer capacity and organisation | Check the usable capacity, the number and layout of the drawers, and the freezing capacity in kg/24 h if you prepare a large batch. | When I prepare several meals in advance, I want to store portions separately and find them easily. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise freezing portions. |
| Fitting the appliance and easy-access storage | Check the width, height and depth, measure the route to the kitchen, and make sure the doors and drawers have room to open. | If space or the delivery route is tight, I need to be able to install the appliance and open its compartments. This is a priority for around 19 % of consumers. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the energy rating and annual consumption in kWh on the label for the specific model, taking the fridge and freezer capacities into account. The European Commission notes that the label also shows the volume of each compartment. | If I’m comparing different capacities, I want to weigh up how I’ll use the appliance against its stated annual consumption. Around 13 % of consumers prioritise this factor. |
| Noise in your living space | Compare the stated noise emissions in dB and, where available, listening or measurement test results for the exact model. The European Commission includes noise levels on fridge labels. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to consider how noisy the appliance will be day to day. This is a priority for around 12 % of consumers. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may divide the space differently between fresh and frozen food. The total capacity does not tell you whether there will be a convenient place for prepared meals or portions.
Check the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately, then look at the shelves and drawers before you choose.
Storage capacity and freezing capacity in kg/24 h answer two different questions. Neither figure alone tells you how quickly the appliance returns to temperature after a large amount of food is added.
If you freeze several meals at once, compare both specifications and look for test results for the exact model.
The appliance dimensions do not guarantee that it will fit through doors and hallways. For example, LG France lists the GMJ960MBJE as 914 mm wide.
Measure the space and delivery route, check that the doors and drawers can open, and make sure you have the connections required for your chosen model.
According to Anses, freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive freezing.
Refrigerate prepared food promptly and freeze portions when you make them, rather than waiting until the use-by date, in line with Anses advice.
The brand’s freestanding fridge-freezers are worth considering if you’re comparing the footprint and the separate fresh and freezer capacities.
The brand’s fridge-freezers with larger freezers are worth considering if you want to store portions without immediately moving up to a multi-door model.
The brand’s multi-door models are worth considering if you have room for a large appliance and want to organise food across several storage areas.
The brand’s fridge-freezers with freezer drawers, including the three-door HTR5719ENPT, are worth considering if easy access to frozen food is important to you.
The brand’s multi-door models are worth considering if the interior layout and installation of a large appliance suit your kitchen.
This selection includes side-by-side models and fridge-freezers with a bottom freezer, including a three-door appliance, so you can compare storage for fresh food and frozen portions with the space each one takes up.
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Worth considering if you want to divide a full shop between fresh and frozen food and freeze portions.
Stated capacities: 329 L for the fridge and 159 L for the freezer. Stated freezing capacity: 12 kg/24 h; two freezer drawers.
Stated dimensions: 83,3 × 179,3 × 74 cm. Check your available space and access route.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for two separate spaces for fresh shopping and frozen portions.
Stated capacities: 347 L for the fridge and 197 L for the freezer. Stated freezing capacity: 12 kg/24 h; two freezer drawers.
Stated width: 911 mm. Check the available space and delivery route.
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Worth considering if you prefer a standard fridge-freezer and want separate compartments for fresh food and frozen portions.
Stated net capacities: 215 L for the fridge and 115 L for the freezer. Stated freezing capacity: 10 kg/24 h; noise level stated in the model name: 35 dB.
Stated dimensions: 59,5 × 185,6 × 60 cm. The door is listed as reversible.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a two-door fridge-freezer with a bottom freezer for your shopping and food portions.
Stated capacities: approximately 249 L for the fridge and 106 L for the freezer. Stated freezing capacity: 6 kg/24 h.
Stated dimensions: 210,2 × 76,2 × 66,1 cm. Check these against your available space; the door is listed as reversible.
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Worth considering if you want a three-door fridge-freezer with several drawers to organise frozen portions.
Stated capacities: 235 L for the fridge and 125 L for the freezer. Stated freezing capacity: 10 kg/24 h; three freezer drawers.
Stated width: 59,5 cm. The door is listed as reversible.
Compare the usable fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check that your containers will fit on the shelves and in the drawers. To find out how quickly the temperature returns to normal after a large amount of food is added, look for a test result for the specific model. Que Choisir’s test procedure describes this scenario, but does not by itself provide a result for a particular model.
Anses recommends putting perishable food in the coldest part of the fridge, keeping an eye on the temperature and allowing air to circulate rather than overloading the shelves. It advises refrigerating hot food within two hours and gives an ideal storage temperature of between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part.
Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until the use-by date. Freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive; once a portion has been defrosted, it should not be refrozen.
The label lets you compare the energy rating, annual consumption, compartment capacities and noise level, among other things. The European Commission outlines this information for household fridges, while the French Ministry of the Economy notes that fridges are among the appliances covered by energy labelling.
For a consumer purchase from a professional seller, you can claim under the legal guarantee of conformity within two years of receiving the product, according to the DGCCRF. You make the claim to the seller, and it is separate from any commercial guarantee that may also apply.