If you shop for several days at a time and need to store both fresh and frozen food in one appliance, start by comparing fridge-freezers. A tabletop fridge is better suited to a smaller shop, while a freestanding fridge without a freezer compartment means you’ll need another solution for frozen food. A multi-door model, meanwhile, needs more space. Whatever you choose, check the capacity of each compartment separately, along with the dimensions required for installation.
If your shop needs to last several days, a fridge-freezer gives you a separate compartment for each type of food. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately: the total capacity won’t tell you how the space is divided.
A tabletop fridge takes up less vertical space, while a slimline fridge-freezer can still give you a separate freezer compartment. Be sure to measure the depth, delivery route and clearance needed for air circulation, as specified in the manual.
A large-capacity fridge-freezer or a multi-door model can make it easier to organise your food, provided your kitchen has enough room for installation and to open the doors. Check how much usable space the compartments offer, then compare the noise level and energy label of the model you’re considering.
First work out how much space you need for frozen food, then compare the appliance’s capacity and dimensions with your usual shop and your kitchen.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge capacity | Compare the usable fridge capacity and the layout of the shelves and drawers. Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L as a general guide for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adapt this starting point to how often you shop and what you buy. | After my shop, I want to be able to store the containers I usually use, rather than choosing an appliance based only on its total capacity. |
| Freezer capacity | Check that there’s a freezer and look at its capacity separately. A fridge without a freezer compartment means you’ll need another solution for frozen food; with a tabletop model, check the compartment on the specific model you’re considering. | If I buy frozen food for the week, I need enough room for it in the same appliance or a separate freezer. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the delivery route and the space needed to open the doors. Follow the model’s manual for clearance and ventilation requirements. Electrolux advises allowing air to circulate around the appliance and keeping it away from heat sources. | The fridge needs to fit in my kitchen and be easy to open once it’s installed. |
| Noise and energy | Compare the stated noise levels of appliances with similar formats and capacities. Check the energy label and the stated annual energy consumption. ADEME describes the label as a useful tool when choosing, but the energy class alone doesn’t tell you everything about how an appliance will perform in use. | Noise matters to me in an open-plan room, and I also want to compare the energy consumption figures for the models I’m considering. |
| Defrosting | Check the technology and which compartment it applies to. Bosch describes LowFrost as reducing how often you need to defrost manually, while Liebherr says NoFrost prevents frost build-up in the freezer compartment. | If I want to cut down on manual defrosting, I need to check the model’s features rather than rely on the format name alone. |
A large fridge compartment doesn’t guarantee any space for frozen food. The Bosch KSV33VLEP freestanding fridge offers 324 L of fridge capacity, but has no integrated freezer compartment.
Compare the capacities of both compartments and check that the drawers can fit the packaging you usually buy.
According to Haier France, the Haier HFR3718ENMM is 70 cm wide and 68,8 cm deep. You’ll need to consider more than just the space where it will stand: make sure it can be delivered through your home and that its doors can open fully.
Measure the space and delivery route, then check the door clearance and installation instructions for the model you’ve chosen.
These names don’t describe the same maintenance requirements. Bosch says LowFrost means you need to defrost manually less often, while Liebherr describes NoFrost as protecting the freezer compartment against frost build-up.
Before choosing based on your defrosting preferences, check which feature applies to the model and compartment you’re considering.
These models illustrate formats and features found on specific appliances; they aren’t representative of each brand’s entire range.
The Bosch KTL15NWEB and KSV33VLEP let you compare a tabletop fridge with an integrated freezer compartment and a freestanding fridge without a freezer.
The brand offers fridge-freezers with dimensions and cooling features that you’ll need to check for each model.
The Haier HFR3718ENMM multi-door model has a four-door design, making it an option for households with enough space to accommodate it.
This Joybuy selection includes fridge-freezers and a multi-door model for shops that need to last several days. Compare the freezer space you need with the space the appliance will take up before choosing a model.
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A fridge-freezer to consider if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance for several days. Its stated capacity is 390 L; check how that space is divided between the two compartments and make sure you have enough room for installation.
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This three-door model could suit a household looking to organise fresh and frozen food in one appliance. The product name lists a capacity of 360 L and Total No Frost. Check the capacity of each compartment, the clearance needed to open the doors and the installation instructions.
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This four-door model is designed for households looking for more space for a shop that needs to last several days. Its stated capacity is 467 L. Measure the space, delivery route and door clearance, then check how much room is set aside for the freezer.
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This fridge-freezer lets you store fresh and frozen food in one appliance. It’s listed with a capacity of 316 L and Dual No Frost. Compare the capacities of the separate compartments, and check the height, depth and installation instructions.
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Its stated total capacity of 437 L makes it worth considering if you do a large shop. Before choosing this fridge-freezer, check how the space is divided between the fridge and freezer, what maintenance the freezer needs, and the dimensions required for delivery and installation.
Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L as a general guide for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit your shopping habits, then check the fridge and freezer capacities separately if you buy frozen food.
A model without a freezer compartment won’t be enough on its own to store frozen food. According to its product details, the Bosch KSV33VLEP is one such model. This type of appliance is suitable if you have a separate freezer or don’t need to store frozen food.
No. Bosch describes LowFrost as a feature that reduces how often you need to defrost manually, while Liebherr says NoFrost protects the freezer compartment against frost build-up. Check the technology and the compartment it applies to on the model you’re interested in.
Measure the space, delivery route and door clearance, then follow the model’s manual for installation and ventilation. In its installation guidance, Electrolux advises allowing air to circulate around the appliance, keeping it away from heat sources and waiting at least four hours before plugging it in. Always follow the instructions for the appliance you buy.