If you store fresh food and frozen food between weekly shops, start by looking at fridge-freezers: their two compartments make it easier to assess the space available for each. A compact appliance or a fridge with a small freezer compartment is better suited to a limited stock; a multi-door model is only worth considering if you consistently need more capacity and have room for its size. Then compare how the doors open, the annual energy consumption and the noise level of the specific model.
You need to check how much space each compartment offers, rather than choosing on total capacity alone. Que Choisir recommends taking shopping frequency into account and distinguishes a small freezer compartment from a separate freezer.
Width, depth, access through doorways and the direction the doors open can matter just as much as capacity. In an open-plan kitchen, it’s also worth comparing the stated noise level of models suited to your needs.
As ADEME points out, a fridge runs continuously. So, when comparing appliances with suitable capacities, you can also look at their annual energy consumption in kWh and stated noise level, rather than focusing on size alone.
First work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then check that the appliance can be delivered, installed and opened in your kitchen. Once you’ve found models that meet both requirements, compare their energy consumption and noise levels.
Worth considering: you regularly store frozen food as well as fresh shopping.
Bear in mind: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is in the freezer.
Worth considering: you mainly store fresh food and only a little frozen food, or you have another freezer.
Bear in mind: this compartment may not replace a separate freezer for a week’s shopping.
Worth considering: both the available space and the amount you buy are limited.
Bear in mind: storage capacity may become restrictive if you buy more groceries or frozen food.
Worth considering: you consistently need more capacity and your kitchen has enough room to open the doors without obstructing the walkway.
Bear in mind: its size should be justified by what you actually store, not just its stated capacity.
| Consideration | What to check | What shoppers say |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh and frozen food | Compare the usable capacity in litres of each compartment with your usual shopping, rather than relying on total capacity alone. | I want to store a week’s shopping without running out of freezer space; around 33 % of shoppers prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Installation and door clearance | Measure the route in and the space available; check the manual for projections, clearances and door swing. | In a narrow kitchen, I need to be able to open the doors and take out the drawers without blocking the walkway. For around 27 % of shoppers, how well the appliance fits in the kitchen comes before other considerations. |
| Annual energy consumption | When comparing appliances with suitable capacities, check the kWh/year stated on the energy label or product details. | As the appliance runs all year, I want to know its stated energy consumption; around 20 % of shoppers prioritise this. |
| Noise | Check the stated dB for the exact model and compare appliances that meet the same storage needs. | If the fridge is near the living area, I want to minimise noise disturbance day to day. Noise is the top consideration for around 20 % of shoppers. |
An appliance may offer plenty of space for fresh food but not enough room for the frozen food you buy each week. A small freezer compartment is not the same as a separate freezer.
Before choosing a format, compare the usable capacity of both compartments with what you usually store.
An appliance may fit in its allotted space but still be awkward to use if a handle, wall or cabinet prevents you from opening the door or removing the drawers.
Measure the delivery route too, and check the manual for the exact model for clearances, any spacers and the direction the doors open.
The energy rating doesn’t replace the stated annual consumption, particularly if the appliances you’re comparing don’t offer suitable capacity for the same needs.
First choose the capacities that work for you, then compare the kWh/year of the models you’ve shortlisted.
A larger model may get in the way without providing any useful extra space for your usual shopping.
Think about how often you shop and how much frozen food you regularly store before opting for a very large fridge-freezer or a multi-door model.
These range and model examples can help you compare formats; the features of one model don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
The range includes freestanding fridge-freezers. According to Bosch, the KGN492IAF is 203 cm high and 70 cm wide, with 311 L of fridge capacity and 129 L of freezer capacity.
The range includes freestanding and integrated fridge-freezers. For the GBB72BM9CQ1, LG lists a fridge capacity of 233 L and a freezer capacity of 110 L.
Samsung offers fridge-freezers in a range of capacities and states that some models in its range are 600 mm deep.
The range includes freestanding and integrated appliances. According to Liebherr, the CNsfa 7723 fridge-freezer has a capacity of 485 L and measures 201,5 × 74,7 × 67,5 cm.
These fridge-freezers have separate spaces for fresh and frozen food. Capacities vary, so compare them with your weekly shopping, then check the overall dimensions and installation requirements of the model you’re considering.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer to store fresh and frozen food between shops.
Stated capacity of 333 L, No Frost technology and A energy rating. Check the manual for the clearances and door space required in your kitchen.
Image unavailable
Its stated width of 54 cm is worth considering if your kitchen is narrow and you want a separate freezer compartment.
The title lists 153 L for the fridge, 74 L for the freezer, 39 dB, a reversible door, Low Frost and an E energy rating. Low Frost may not eliminate the need to defrost. Check the height, depth and clearances too.
Image unavailable
This bottom-freezer model is worth considering if you want to split several days’ shopping between two storage compartments.
Stated capacity of 282 L, E energy rating and stainless steel finish. If your kitchen is open-plan, check the noise level for this specific model; also consult its manual for door clearance and installation requirements.
Image unavailable
Consider this model if a fresh-food compartment and a separate, more modestly sized freezer suit your shopping habits.
The title lists 182 L for the fridge, 71 L for the freezer, 39 dB and No Frost. Check the width, depth and clearances before deciding whether it will fit your kitchen.
Image unavailable
Compare its stated capacity of 174 L with your weekly shopping, especially if you regularly buy frozen food.
The title lists 39 dB, a reversible door, Low Frost and an E energy rating. Low Frost doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost. The available dimensions for this model conflict, so confirm them before deciding whether it will fit your space.
Choose a capacity that suits the number of people in your household and the amount of space your fresh and frozen food actually takes up, rather than relying on a single figure. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L as a starting point for one person, then 50 L for each additional person. After that, check the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
No. You also need to make sure you can get it into your home, open the doors and follow the installation instructions in the manual. Check the handles, hinges and any spacers in particular. For the Liebherr CNsfa 7723, the documentation states that a wall spacer adds 1,5 cm to the depth to achieve the stated energy consumption.
Once you’ve shortlisted appliances with capacities that suit your shopping, compare their stated annual energy consumption in kWh. The energy label can help you choose between them, but comparing the rating letter alone won’t tell you how models that meet the same needs measure up.
This threshold can help you shortlist models to consider, but it doesn’t guarantee the same level of comfort in every kitchen. Que Choisir describes appliances below 40 dBA as quieter. Compare the stated noise levels of the exact models, then consider how close they’ll be to your living space and the installation conditions.