For prepared meals, choose based on how much you keep chilled and frozen at the same time. The capacity and layout of each compartment matter more than the total capacity alone. A fridge freezer combines both functions; if you’re happy with your fridge but need more room for frozen food, compare a separate freezer, taking its footprint and energy consumption into account, as these appliances run continuously, according to ADEME. In all cases, allow enough space to avoid overfilling the fridge, as recommended by Anses.
You need accessible shelves and zones for ingredients and meals for the next few days, without cramming everything into the fridge. Anses recommends not overfilling the appliance so that air can circulate.
You want to organise meals for later and find each portion easily. The space and layout of the freezer compartment matter just as much as its total capacity. The European Commission lists fridge and freezer capacities separately on the energy label.
Your fridge may already meet your needs, but you’re comparing separate freezers based on how much you need to store, how easy the food is to reach and how much floor space you have. Que Choisir lists capacity and cooling type among the factors to consider.
Choose this if: you mainly store fresh food and only freeze a few portions.
Check: the capacity and layout of the small compartment, which can’t be inferred from the total capacity.
Choose this if: you regularly need space for both chilled meals and frozen portions.
Check: the capacity of each compartment, how easy they are to access and whether the appliance will fit through to its intended spot.
Choose this if: you want wide, separate storage areas for groceries and prepared meals.
Check: the available width and energy consumption against the capacity your household actually needs.
Choose this if: your fridge is big enough, but you want to organise frozen portions and access them regularly.
Check: whether the drawers fit your containers and the energy consumption of running an additional appliance.
Choose this if: you’re building up a large stock of food and have enough floor space and clearance to open the lid.
Check: the baskets and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom, which is less straightforward than in an upright freezer with drawers.
| What matters | What to check | Who cares most about it |
|---|---|---|
| Chilled storage space | Fridge capacity in litres, shelf and drawer layout, appliance dimensions. | When I’m preparing several meals, I want to store ingredients and dishes without cramming them in. Around 33% of consumers prioritise space for chilled food. |
| Access to frozen portions | Freezer capacity in litres, number and dimensions of drawers or baskets, defrosting method for the exact model. | If I often take out a specific portion, I want to find it without moving everything else. Around 27% of consumers prioritise access to frozen portions. |
| Frozen food storage | Freezer capacity, dimensions and lid clearance, baskets or drawers, and the expected ambient temperature where it will be installed. | When I need more than everyday storage, I’m looking for extra capacity that suits the space available. Around 20% of consumers put frozen food storage capacity at the top of their priorities. |
| Energy use and space taken up | Annual energy consumption in kWh, separate fridge and freezer capacities, dimensions and access to the installation area. | If I’m comparing a large fridge freezer with an additional appliance, I want to take the space it occupies and its energy use into account. Around 20% of consumers are most concerned about running costs and the space taken up. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is available for chilled and frozen food. The split between compartments affects how a fridge freezer works in practice.
Estimate how much you’ll keep in each area at the same time, then compare the separate capacities and the internal layout.
Terms indicating reduced frost don’t necessarily mean that defrosting happens automatically.
Check the defrosting method in the product details and manual for the exact model.
Depending on the appliance’s system, manual maintenance may still be needed.
Whether an appliance can operate at a low ambient temperature depends on the specific model, not just whether it’s a chest or upright freezer.
Compare the room temperature with the range stated in the product details and manual for the model you’re considering.
An example of a fridge freezer to compare capacity and dimensions for an appliance that handles both chilled and frozen food.
A useful point of comparison for a high-capacity multi-door fridge freezer.
An example of a separate upright freezer for comparing drawers and extra storage capacity.
An example of a medium-capacity chest freezer to consider for separate frozen food storage.
An example of a high-capacity chest freezer to compare if you have enough space.
An example of a multi-door fridge freezer for comparing the storage zones of a specific model.
This selection features fridge freezers and multi-door models, designed to help you organise fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance.
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If you want to keep chilled and frozen food in one appliance, check that the split between compartments suits the amounts you usually store.
Stated capacity: 390 L in total. C energy rating. Silver finish.
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To keep fresh and frozen food separate, compare the layout of the compartments with your containers and storage habits.
The model name states Total No Frost, E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone.
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To compare several storage zones in one appliance, check what each stated capacity can actually hold.
Total No Frost, My Fresh Choice, Triple Zone and E energy rating feature in the model name. The 92 L two-star zone is separate from the 87 L freezer compartment, so don’t count it as standard freezer capacity.
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To store chilled and frozen food in separate areas, compare the internal layout with your containers and usual storage habits.
Total No Frost, Inverter, Multi Air Flow and a water dispenser feature in the model name. Stainless steel finish.
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A side-by-side layout may suit you if you want to keep chilled and frozen food in separate areas. Check the appliance’s footprint and access to its intended position.
The model name states a fridge capacity of 333 L and a freezer capacity of 192 L, as well as No Frost, Multi-Airflow and an E energy rating.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities shown separately on the energy label, then check that the shelves and drawers suit your containers. The total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much space is available for frozen portions.
Check the model’s manual to find the coldest area and see how to check its temperature setting. Anses recommends keeping this area at 4 °C and not overfilling the fridge. These are food storage recommendations, not a guarantee linked to any particular appliance format.
Not necessarily: reducing frost build-up doesn’t mean defrosting is automatic. Beko describes MinFrost on the HSM14540 and Liebherr describes SmartFrost on the CFd 2505 Plus as frost-reduction features. Check the defrosting method for the specific model in its product details and manual.
Compare the kWh/year shown on the energy label for appliances suited to a similar capacity requirement. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously, and that a larger appliance or an additional one can affect energy consumption. The cost in pounds depends, among other things, on the electricity tariff that applies to you.
For appliances covered by EU energy labelling, it includes details such as the efficiency class on a scale from A to G, annual energy consumption, capacity and noise. The European Commission states that this label has been in use since 1 March 2021; its QR code links to the model information in EPREL.