After a big food shop or a batch-cooking session, start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food separately. A fridge-freezer meets both needs when width is limited; a multi-door model needs more room, while a separate freezer is a good option if you only need more freezer space. If you don’t freeze much, a fridge with a small freezer compartment may be enough. In every case, check the layout, delivery access and energy label.
If you bring home lots of fresh food in one go, compare the usable space and the layout of the shelves and drawers. Que Choisir covers several formats, from compact models to multi-door designs, to suit different spaces.
Freezer space and easy access to drawers matter just as much as the total capacity. Que Choisir includes freezing scenarios in its fridge-freezer testing protocol.
A suitable capacity is no use if the appliance won’t fit through to its intended spot or gets in the way when the doors open. Compare each model’s dimensions and energy label. The European Commission also makes product information sheets for relevant appliances available through EPREL.
First, work out whether you need more room for fresh food, portions to freeze or both. Then choose a format to suit your kitchen and access route.
Consider it if: you need two separate compartments in a kitchen where width is limited.
Keep in mind: even if the model is around 60 cm wide, you’ll still need to measure its height and depth.
Consider it if: your fresh and frozen shopping regularly takes up a lot of space and there’s enough room to get the appliance into place.
Keep in mind: its width and depth may mean you need to rethink your kitchen layout.
Consider it if: you don’t store many frozen foods and want to keep the appliance’s footprint small.
Keep in mind: check how much space is available before relying on it for frequent batch freezing.
Consider it if: your current fridge has enough room for fresh food, but not for the frozen food you want to store.
Keep in mind: you’ll need extra space, and should compare this appliance’s energy label as well as the one on your existing fridge.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Usable litres in the fridge and freezer separately; external dimensions. | After a big food shop, I need room for fresh and frozen food without choosing based on total capacity alone. Around 31 % of consumers rank this split in capacity as their top priority. |
| Storage and access | Size and format of the drawers and shelves; room for containers and dishes. | To find leftovers and pre-prepared portions easily, I prefer accessible compartments to litres of space that are hard to use. This is the main priority for around 25 % of consumers. |
| Freezing and temperature | Freezer capacity and the features listed for each model; comparable test results where available. | When I need to freeze several portions after a cooking session, I want enough space and a clear idea of how the appliance handles large amounts of food being added. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise freezing performance and the ability to maintain temperatures. |
| Space and energy use | Access to the kitchen, door clearance and the annual energy consumption shown on the energy label. | In a kitchen with limited space, the appliance needs to fit and its energy use needs to suit continuous operation. For around 19 % of consumers, size and energy consumption are their top priorities. |
A large advertised capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room in the compartment that fills up in your home. For example, the Bosch KGN39VLCT has 260 l of fridge space and 103 l of freezer space, according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Make a note of the fresh and frozen food you typically buy in a week, then compare the usable capacity of both compartments.
Having enough room in the kitchen doesn’t mean the appliance will fit through the doors, hallways or lift.
Measure the space, the clearance needed to open the doors and the delivery route, taking the packaged appliance’s dimensions into account.
No Frost or separate cooling circuits don’t give you more usable litres or extra drawers. Features vary by model.
Check the compartments and their layout first, then look at the features included on the model you’re considering.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to relevant goods sold by a business to a consumer, as the Ministry for the Economy explains. Any additional commercial guarantee has its own terms and does not replace it.
Read the terms of any extended cover on offer and keep a record of the specifications advertised when you buy.
Worth considering when comparing fridge-freezers, but check the specifications of the exact model.
Worth a look if you’re after a high-capacity fridge-freezer but don’t want to move straight to a multi-door model.
Worth considering for a multi-door model if you’re looking for a large capacity and have enough room for a wide appliance.
Worth considering if a large-capacity multi-door model will fit in your kitchen.
These fridge-freezers and multi-door models cater for fresh and frozen food storage after a food shop or batch-cooking session. Compare how their capacity is split and how much space they take up before choosing a format.
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This fridge-freezer is worth considering if your shopping includes both fresh food and portions to freeze. The product title lists a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, energy class E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Compare the usable capacity of each compartment and measure the space before you buy.
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This multi-door model is designed for households with enough space to store a big food shop. The product title lists a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost, Smart Inverter and energy class E. Check the capacity of each compartment, along with the delivery route and door clearance.
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This fridge-freezer gives you the option of storing fresh shopping and portions to freeze separately. The product title lists a total capacity of 368 L and energy class E. Compare the capacity of each compartment with your habits and check that your kitchen has enough height for it.
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This fridge-freezer may suit a household that needs plenty of room in both compartments for its shopping. The product title lists a total capacity of 440 L and energy class D. Check how the capacity is split, how much space is needed for installation and whether it has No Frost if that feature matters to you.
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This multi-door model is worth considering if you’re looking for plenty of space and a layout that can be tailored to your food. The product title lists a total capacity of 474 L, Vario Box, a crisper drawer with three temperature settings, Flip Tray and energy class E. Ask for the usable capacity of each compartment to see how much room is available for frozen food.
No. Compare the usable litres of the fridge and freezer separately. If you prepare lots of portions to freeze, a high total capacity could still mean the freezer compartment is too small for your needs.
No. Its capacity is only useful if the compartments suit your shopping and the appliance fits through to its intended spot. Que Choisir also notes that large American-style models use more energy than conventional fridges. Compare the models you’re considering rather than looking at their format alone.
Compare the annual energy consumption shown on the energy labels of models with similar formats and capacities. For relevant appliances, the product information sheet in EPREL, the European Commission’s public database, provides details linked to the label.
Don’t assume that it will. The list of product categories subject to a repairability index published by the Ministry for the Economy on 18 August 2026 does not include fridge-freezers. Instead, check the after-sales service and spare parts information available for the model you choose.
No. In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to relevant goods sold by a business to a consumer, including new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to the Ministry for the Economy. Any commercial guarantee is an additional offer with its own terms. Keep a record of the product description advertised when you buy.