To store your weekly shop and leftovers, start by comparing the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer: a fridge-freezer combination is suitable if both compartments offer enough space for your needs. If frozen food makes up a large part of your shop, consider a separate freezer. If you mainly want more capacity and compartments, a multi-door model could be a good fit, provided it will fit through to your kitchen and into the space available. A small freezer compartment is better suited to occasional use.
Make room for fresh food, prepared meals and leftovers without filling every shelf. Que Choisir gives a general guide of 100 to 150 l for one person, plus 50 l for each additional person. Adjust this to suit your shopping habits.
Look at the freezer’s usable capacity separately from the total capacity. Que Choisir distinguishes between a small freezer compartment and a space suitable for storing a large amount of frozen food.
Choose storage that lets you put prepared food in the right temperature zone without blocking air circulation. Whatever the format, you’ll still need to set and monitor the temperature.
First decide how much space you need for chilled and frozen food, then check that the appliance can be installed and used without cramming food inside. A large total capacity alone doesn’t answer either of these questions.
| Feature | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage | Compare the usable litres in each compartment and the shelf space available for fresh food and containers. | If your shopping needs to last several days, you should be able to store fresh food and leftovers without cramming them in; around 33 % of consumers prioritise capacity and organisation. |
| Temperature and prepared food | Check the temperature controls and the layout of the temperature zones. Anses recommends checking that the temperature is between 0 °C and 4 °C in the coldest part. | If you regularly store home-cooked food, being able to control the temperature and allow air to circulate is particularly important; around 27 % of consumers prioritise this. |
| Space for frozen food | Check the freezer’s usable capacity and drawer layout, rather than looking at the total capacity alone. | If you often buy a lot of frozen food, a small compartment won’t be enough for the amount you plan to store; around 20 % of consumers prioritise freezer capacity. |
| Use and installation | Compare the model’s energy label, noise level and dimensions; also measure the route through to your kitchen. | In an open-plan kitchen or a tight space, noise and the appliance’s footprint can matter just as much as how you use it; around 20 % of consumers put these constraints and energy use first. |
Even a spacious appliance may not offer enough room in the compartment you need most. A stock of frozen food and several containers of leftovers need different kinds of storage space.
Compare the usable litres in the fridge and freezer separately with the amount of food you usually buy.
Having enough width in your kitchen doesn’t mean the appliance will fit through doorways, corridors or a lift, or that its doors will open once it’s in place.
Measure the space, the door clearance and the delivery route, taking the packaged appliance’s dimensions into account.
According to Que Choisir, fan-assisted cooling helps distribute the cold and prevent ice from forming. It doesn’t remove the need to set the temperature or follow Anses’s food storage advice.
Check that the coldest part stays between 0 °C and 4 °C, put food in the appropriate zones and avoid overfilling the shelves.
Two appliances in different formats won’t necessarily meet the same needs. To understand the practical considerations, you’ll also need to look at the specifications of each model.
Check the energy label and noise level for the exact model, ideally comparing appliances with similar capacities. In an open-plan kitchen, pay particular attention to the figure given in dB(A).
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding fridge-freezer with a bottom freezer and want to choose the right balance of capacity and temperature controls.
Worth considering if you want a high-capacity fridge-freezer without going much wider than a standard model.
Worth considering if a multi-door model’s capacity and separate compartments justify choosing a wider appliance.
This Joybuy selection features fridge-freezer combinations and multi-door models for regular shopping and storing leftovers. Compare the capacity of each compartment where this information is available, then check the dimensions needed for installation. These models aren’t a substitute for a separate freezer if you need one to store your frozen food.
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Consider this if you’re looking for plenty of space and four doors to organise chilled and frozen food. The model name indicates Total No Frost and an E energy rating; check the usable capacity of each compartment, as well as the space needed to open the doors and for delivery.
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Compare this model if you’d like three doors to organise chilled and frozen food. The name indicates Total No Frost and an E energy rating; check how the 360 l capacity is divided, the dimensions of the delivery route and the space available to open the doors.
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Worth considering if 182 l of fridge space and 71 l of freezer space suit your usual shop. The model name indicates No Frost, a reversible door and a noise level of 39 dB; measure the width, depth and delivery route before choosing this fridge-freezer.
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Compare this model if its stated width of 54 cm suits the space available. Its 227 l capacity is split between 153 l of fridge space and 74 l of freezer space; the name indicates Low Frost, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Also check the height and delivery route.
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Worth considering if you want a fridge-freezer with a bottom freezer for fresh food, leftovers and frozen food. The model name indicates a total capacity of 282 l and an E energy rating; check the capacity of each compartment, the noise level if relevant, and the delivery dimensions.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 °C and 4 °C. Check the temperature, especially if the room is warm, the door is opened frequently or the appliance is very full.
No. Que Choisir describes fan-assisted cooling as a way to distribute the cold and prevent ice from forming, but Anses also recommends not cramming food in and using the right temperature zones. Make sure you can set and check the temperature.
Choose based on the capacity you need in each compartment and the space you have available. Que Choisir describes a standard fridge-freezer as having around 300 l of capacity, with approximately two-thirds for refrigeration and one-third for freezing. A larger multi-door model means checking its width, depth, door clearance and delivery route.
Check the energy label and specifications for the exact model, then compare appliances with similar capacities and formats. ADEME presents the energy label as a tool to help you choose; the capacity should also suit your shopping habits, rather than comparing formats designed for different needs.