If you want to shop less often, compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately, then check that the appliance and its delivery route are suitable for your home. A fridge freezer may be all you need if both compartments meet your requirements. A separate freezer gives you extra storage, but needs a second space, while a multi-door model means carefully checking its width and how its capacity is divided.
If you shop less often, check whether the freezer in a fridge freezer is big enough or whether a separate appliance would better suit your needs. UFC-Que Choisir points out that how often you shop and how much frozen food you store are important factors when choosing a format.
Compare fridge capacity with the space you need for frozen food, and arrange your food so that cold air can circulate. Anses recommends keeping food between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge.
Capacity alone won’t tell you whether an appliance is suitable. Also consider where it will go, how the doors open and whether it can get through your home during delivery. Samsung recommends checking the route for the packaged appliance for its RF48A400EB4/EF model.
Worth considering: if you have space for just one appliance and the separate capacities for fresh and frozen food are right for the amount you keep in stock.
Check: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is allocated to the freezer. For example, Bosch lists 279 l for the fridge and 89 l for the freezer in the KGN39VLEB, according to Bosch France.
Worth considering: if the compartment is big enough for your needs and its star rating suits how you want to store or freeze food.
Check: a small freezer compartment may not provide enough room for a large stock of frozen food. The French Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between uses according to the number of stars.
Worth considering: if the freezer in a fridge freezer isn’t big enough, or if your current fridge still meets your needs for fresh food.
Check: you’ll need space for two appliances. Also compare their combined annual energy consumption and check the installation requirements for each one.
Worth considering: if the compartment layout suits you and your kitchen and delivery route can accommodate the appliance.
Check: Samsung lists a total capacity of 488 l and a width of 833 mm for the RF48A400EB4/EF. Also check the freezer’s own capacity and make sure the packaged appliance will fit through your home.
| Feature | What to check | Who tends to prioritise it |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen food capacity | Compare the freezer’s net capacity in litres, the drawer layout and the compartment’s star rating. | If you’re building up a stock of frozen food, check the freezer capacity before you decide. Around 33 % of consumers put this need first. |
| Fresh food capacity | Check the fridge’s net capacity in litres, its shelves and drawers, rather than relying on the total capacity alone. | If you store fresh food for several meals, usable space and air circulation matter. Around 27 % of consumers prioritise fridge capacity. |
| Space and delivery | Measure the space where the appliance will go, the delivery route and the room needed to open the doors. Check the manual for ventilation requirements. | If your access route or kitchen is narrow, you need to make sure the appliance can be brought in and installed with the required clearance. Around 20 % of consumers prioritise these constraints. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Compare the kWh/year figures and add them together for two appliances. Also check the cooling system and the stated conditions for keeping food cold during a power cut. | If you want to manage day-to-day running costs, look at each appliance’s energy use and maintenance requirements. Around 20 % of consumers put these factors first. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity can divide their space differently between fresh and frozen food. For example, Bosch lists 279 l of fridge capacity and 89 l of freezer capacity for the KGN39VLEB, making 368 l in total, according to Bosch France.
Compare the usable capacity of each compartment with the space you actually need for your food before choosing a format.
If there isn’t enough room for frozen food, you may need to rethink how you organise your shopping or consider a second appliance.
Not all compartments allow you to store food for the same length of time or freeze fresh food. The French Ministry of Agriculture says that a two-star compartment can store frozen food for up to three weeks at most; what you can use it for depends on its star rating.
Check the star rating and the manual to see whether the compartment is suitable for storing food that’s already frozen or freezing fresh food.
If a compartment isn’t suitable for the storage time you need, you may have to use up your food sooner.
An appliance may fit in its intended space but not through a doorway or down a hallway. Samsung says to check that the packaged RF48A400EB4/EF will fit through your home; Bosch sets out ventilation requirements in the manuals for its appliances.
Measure the entire route, check how the doors open and allow for the clearance specified in the manual for your chosen model.
Failing to plan for access can make delivery difficult or mean you have to rearrange your installation.
Annual energy consumption in kWh is given for each appliance. To compare different set-ups on a like-for-like basis, add together the figures for a separate fridge and freezer.
Check the annual energy consumption listed for each model instead of relying on its energy rating alone.
With two appliances, you’ll also need to allow space for each one and make sure they can both be connected to the electricity supply.
Freestanding fridge freezers are worth comparing if you’re looking for a single appliance for fresh and frozen food.
Separate upright freezers are worth considering if the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer isn’t big enough for your needs.
The brand offers configurations to compare if you’re deciding between an integrated solution and a separate fridge and freezer.
Multi-door models are worth comparing if their capacity and dimensions suit the space you have available.
This selection features freestanding fridge freezers, from standard models to multi-door formats. The fridge and freezer capacities are listed separately where this information is available.
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Compare the fresh and frozen food storage in one appliance before planning less frequent shopping trips.
Listed capacities: 249 l for the fridge and 106 l for the freezer. Four-star freezer compartment, listed freezing capacity of 6 kg/24 h and Total No Frost technology.
Allow at least 5 cm at the sides and rear, following the installation instructions for this model.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a three-door appliance with separate listed capacities for fresh and frozen food.
The product description lists 235 l for the fridge and 125 l for the freezer, a four-star freezer compartment and a freezing capacity of 10 kg/24 h.
Follow the stated ventilation and power supply requirements for the appliance: 220–240 V / 50 Hz.
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Consider this side-by-side format if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
The product is listed with a total capacity of 444 l and Total No Frost technology. Its stated annual energy consumption is 289 kWh.
Check the dimensions, delivery route and space needed to open the doors before choosing an appliance in this format.
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Compare this fridge freezer, which lists its fridge and freezer capacities separately.
The title lists 211 l for the fridge and 99 l for the freezer, a width of 60 cm, a reversible door and a Full Frost-Free system.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a fridge freezer and want to assess the space allocated to fresh and frozen food separately.
The title lists 252 l for the fridge and 103 l for the freezer, a width of 60 cm, a reversible door, an inverter compressor and a Full Frost-Free system.
There’s no single capacity that suits every household. Work out separately how much fresh and frozen food you plan to store, then compare the usable capacity of each compartment in litres rather than looking at the total capacity alone.
Not necessarily. Check the star rating and the model’s manual. The French Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between storing food that’s already frozen and freezing fresh food; a four-star compartment can also freeze fresh food.
Anses recommends a temperature between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. The French Ministry of Agriculture advises setting the freezer to −18 °C. Don’t overfill the fridge, either, so that cold air can circulate.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh on a like-for-like basis, adding together the figures for the two separate appliances. Also check that you have enough space and can meet the installation requirements for each one.
Follow the model’s manual for installation and restarting the appliance, after checking the delivery route and ventilation requirements. In its transport guide, Liebherr recommends leaving an appliance to stand for two hours after upright transport and at least twelve hours after it has been transported lying down. These are Liebherr’s recommendations and aren’t universal instructions for all brands.