First, work out how much space you need for fresh food and frozen food, rather than focusing only on the total capacity. According to Darty, a bottom-freezer model is better suited to storing frozen food regularly, while a top-freezer model is more suitable if you only freeze food occasionally. If you shop less often, also check the usable capacity of each compartment, the installation dimensions and the energy label.
If you often buy fruit, vegetables and fresh meals, but not much frozen food, fridge space and organisation are especially important. This is one of the trade-offs between compartments outlined by Que Choisir and Darty.
If you regularly store cooked portions or frozen food, check the freezer’s capacity and layout. Darty recommends bottom-freezer fridge-freezers in particular for this purpose.
When you bring home several types of food at once, total capacity alone won’t help you choose between two appliances. You need to check how much space is available in each compartment. Que Choisir and Darty link the choice of format to shopping and storage habits.
Start by estimating how much food you usually store in the fridge and freezer. Then compare the usable capacity of each compartment, followed by the space the appliance will take up in your kitchen.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh food | Compare the fridge’s usable capacity and the layout of its shelves and drawers. Don’t rely on total capacity alone. | If I mostly cook with fresh ingredients, I want to be able to put them away without filling the whole compartment as soon as I get back from shopping. Around 37% of consumers would prioritise space for fresh food. |
| Storing frozen food | Check the freezer’s usable capacity and storage layout. Darty describes a bottom freezer as better suited to storing a regular supply of frozen food. | If I keep pre-prepared portions and frozen food every week, I need a compartment where I can easily find what I’ve stored. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Shopping less often | Check the capacity of both compartments, then the appliance’s dimensions and the clearances required in its manual. | When I do a big shop less often, I need to store both fresh food and frozen supplies. Around 27% of consumers would put this balanced capacity first. |
| Small footprint | Measure the available space and check the usable capacity and type of freezer compartment, if there is one. | In a small kitchen, if I rarely freeze food, I’d rather make sure a large fridge-freezer won’t take up space I don’t need. Around 9% of consumers would prioritise a compact design. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity can divide the space differently between fresh and frozen food. Their usable capacities may therefore suit different shopping habits.
Make a note of what you store in each compartment, then compare their capacities and storage layouts separately.
If you often freeze portions or regularly buy frozen food, this format may not leave enough room for your supplies. Darty says fridge-freezers with a bottom freezer are better suited to storing larger quantities of frozen food.
Look at models with a bottom freezer, then check that the fridge still has enough room for your fresh food shopping.
A frost-management feature doesn’t remove the need to check the fridge temperature. Anses recommends storing food at between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point.
Check the features of the specific model, set the appliance and check the temperature at its coldest point.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that, subject to its conditions, the legal guarantee of conformity allows you to seek a remedy for two years from the date the item bought from a professional seller is delivered.
Before taking out an optional commercial warranty, compare its duration, the repairs it covers and its exclusions with this legal protection.
The range includes freestanding fridge-freezers and built-in models to consider based on the space available for each compartment.
Some fridge-freezers in the range combine BioFresh compartments with the NoFrost function, for households looking to store fresh and frozen food separately.
The brand offers built-in and freestanding fridge-freezers to compare based on your kitchen layout and how the capacity is divided between compartments.
Its freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers include, depending on the model, No Frost or Total No Frost configurations.
These appliances cater for different needs, from space for fresh food and frozen food to large-capacity multi-door models and narrower formats. Compare how the capacity is divided between compartments before choosing a model.
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Worth considering if you regularly store fresh and frozen food in a fridge-freezer with a bottom freezer.
Advertised total capacity of 360 L; the title lists Total No Frost and My Zone functions, Wi-Fi connectivity and energy class E.
Before installation, check the ventilation clearances in the manual and measure the route into your kitchen.
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Consider this if you want a bottom freezer, while checking that the remaining space for fresh food suits your shopping.
Advertised total capacity of 282 L and energy class E.
Compare the capacity of each compartment with what you usually store, and check the installation clearances in the manual.
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Its total capacity may appeal to households that do a big shop, provided the balance between fresh and frozen storage meets their needs.
Advertised total capacity of 495 L and energy class E.
Check the space available and the route into your kitchen. If the water and ice dispenser is a factor in your choice, confirm the connection requirements for this model.
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Worth considering if you do a big shop that includes both fresh and frozen food.
Advertised total capacity of 467 L; the title lists Total No Frost and Smart Inverter functions and energy class E.
Measure the space available and the delivery route, then check the required clearances in the manual.
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Consider this if space is limited and the capacity available for fresh and frozen food suits your shopping needs.
Advertised capacity of 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer; the title lists Low Frost, a four-star freezer, a reversible door and energy class E.
Check the freezer’s position and layout, as well as the height, depth and clearances needed for installation.
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L as a general guide for one person, then an extra 50 L per person; for households of more than three people, it recommends at least 300 L. Then adjust the balance between fridge and freezer according to how often you shop and the food you actually store.
According to Darty, a bottom freezer is better suited to storing larger quantities of frozen food, particularly thanks to its drawers. However, check the freezer capacity of the model and how much room it leaves for fresh food.
Anses recommends keeping food at between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point. Check this after setting the appliance: its capacity or No Frost function doesn’t tell you what the actual temperature is.
The energy label lets you check the declared energy information for each appliance. The European Commission includes fridges and freezers among the products covered. Compare the label with the capacity and format that meet your needs, rather than choosing based only on the class shown.
You don’t need an extended commercial warranty to benefit from the legal guarantee of conformity. For a purchase from a professional seller in France, the Ministry of the Economy states that you can seek a remedy for a lack of conformity for two years from the date of delivery, subject to the legal conditions. Check what the extension adds before taking it out.