To store several days’ worth of shopping and prepared meals, start by estimating how much fridge and freezer space you need separately, then measure the space available. A fridge freezer combines both in one appliance. A tabletop fridge is better suited to limited storage, while a multidoor model or separate freezer takes up more room and is worth considering if you need the extra capacity.
If fresh food builds up between shopping trips, think about how much space it needs, as well as the room required for frozen food. How often you shop matters just as much as the number of people in your household when deciding how to divide the capacity between the two compartments.
Compare the freezer’s usable capacity and drawer layout with the size of your containers. A large total capacity alone won’t tell you how many portions will fit in the freezer.
A compact appliance frees up space, but its freezer compartment still needs to suit your habits. Measure the delivery route too, and check the clearances specified in the manual.
First, choose a format that will fit in your kitchen, then compare the usable capacity in each compartment. UFC-Que Choisir’s recommended capacity per person is a useful starting point, but you should adjust it to suit your shopping habits and the portions you freeze.
Consider this if : you want fridge and freezer space in one appliance and frozen portions don’t make up most of your stored food.
What to bear in mind : the amount of space allocated to the freezer varies by model, even when total capacity is similar.
Consider this if : you have a small kitchen, shop frequently and rarely freeze portions.
What to bear in mind : check the compartment’s capacity and usage instructions rather than assuming it will fit your prepared meals.
Consider this if : you need spacious compartments and have a suitable space and delivery access.
What to bear in mind : its width and depth can make access and installation more difficult ; check the dimensions of the model you’re considering.
Consider this if : your portions and frozen food regularly fill the fridge freezer’s compartment and you have room for a second appliance.
What to bear in mind : a second appliance takes up space and uses electricity ; compare its stated energy consumption and ventilation requirements.
| Priority | What to check | How it suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity split | Compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately, then check how much room there is in the drawers. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person and around 50 L for each additional person as a guide, which you can adjust to suit your shopping habits. | I shop for several days at a time, but I also need to know how many portions and frozen foods will fit in the freezer. |
| Storing portions | Check the number and shape of the drawers, and whether your containers will fit. Compare the internal layout, not just the stated total capacity. | When I prepare several meals in advance, I want to find my portions without moving everything else in the freezer. |
| Fresh food storage | Make sure there’s accessible space for foods that need careful storage, and avoid overfilling the compartment. Anses recommends keeping an eye on the temperature in the coldest zone, which should be 4 °C. | I need enough room to store my shopping without cramming everything in, and to check the coldest zone easily. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as any doors, corridors and lifts along the delivery route. Follow the clearances specified in the model’s manual. | In a small kitchen, I need to make sure the appliance will fit through my home and can be installed in the space I’ve chosen. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the energy label, annual consumption in kWh and noise level in dB(A) for the models you’re considering. Don’t assume these figures based on the appliance format alone. | If my kitchen opens onto my living space, noise matters too ; I also want to know the stated energy consumption for each appliance. |
Two households of the same size may store different amounts of fresh food and frozen portions. A suitable total capacity could still hide a freezer that’s too small.
Make a note of what you usually keep chilled and what you freeze, then compare the usable capacity of both compartments.
Anses advises against overfilling your fridge so that air can circulate. Keeping things organised also makes it easier to place sensitive foods in the coldest zone.
Leave some room for storage and check the temperature at the coldest point.
A multidoor model might fit in the space you’ve chosen, but still not make it through the doors, corridor or lift on the way there.
Measure the delivery route and check the manual for the clearances needed around your chosen model.
Stated energy consumption varies by model : the format name alone won’t help you compare two appliances on this point.
Check the annual consumption in kWh on the energy label and compare it with the usable capacity of the appliances you’re considering.
These brands showcase different formats worth considering ; check the features mentioned for each individual model, as they may not apply to the products featured below.
Beko offers tabletop, fridge freezer and multidoor formats to suit different space requirements.
Bosch offers upright freezers, which are worth considering if you need a separate appliance for frozen portions.
The Samsung RF50C530ES9/EF multidoor model listed in France is an example of a large appliance : the brand states that this model has a capacity of 495 L and a width of 817 mm.
Liebherr is a brand worth considering for built-in or larger fridge freezers, including the ECBNe 7871 model.
Whirlpool offers fridge freezers that combine both compartments in one appliance.
These multidoor and fridge freezer models combine space for chilled shopping with a compartment for frozen portions. Before choosing a total capacity, compare the internal layout with your habits.
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Worth comparing if you store several days’ worth of shopping and frozen portions : the stated capacities are 311 L for the fridge and 156 L for the freezer, with two freezer drawers. This Total No Frost model measures 181.5 × 83.3 × 65 cm ; check the delivery route and installation clearances.
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To divide space between shopping and portions, this model has a stated capacity of 235 L for the fridge and 125 L for the freezer, with three freezer drawers. It measures 185 × 59.5 × 66.7 cm : check the delivery route and required ventilation.
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Its stated width of 54 cm makes it worth considering for a narrow kitchen. It offers 187 L of fridge space and 75 L of freezer space, with three drawers ; the Low Frost system needs manual defrosting, stated to be required around once or twice a year. The recommended ambient temperature range is 16 to 38 °C : the product information advises against placing it in a garage or outbuilding.
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For more modest storage needs, this Low Frost fridge freezer has a stated capacity of 115 L for the fridge and 59 L for the freezer. Before deciding where to put it and your containers, check the full dimensions, required clearances and freezer layout in the model documentation.
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This 54 cm-wide fridge freezer has a stated capacity of 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, giving you space for shopping and portions. Check the other dimensions, installation clearances and the freezer’s internal layout before choosing where to put it.
Anses recommends keeping an eye on the temperature in the coldest zone, which should be 4 °C. It advises keeping food between 0 and +4 °C at this point. Check the manual to find this zone so you can store sensitive foods there.
No : Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until the end of its use-by date. Freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive ; once defrosted, food should be eaten promptly and not refrozen.
No : compare the freezer’s usable capacity and drawer layout separately with the portions you plan to store. UFC-Que Choisir gives around two-thirds fridge space and one-third freezer space as a rough guide for a standard fridge freezer ; the split in your chosen model may be different.
Measure the space where it will go and the entire route to get there : doors, corridors, stairs and, if relevant, the lift. Check the appliance dimensions, the clearance needed for delivery and the installation clearances specified for your chosen model.