To store your weekly shop, start by working out how much usable capacity your household needs, then check the space available for fresh food and frozen food separately. Que Choisir’s starting guide is 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person; adjust this to suit your shopping habits. If frozen food is a regular part of your shop, consider a fridge freezer with a separate freezer compartment. Before choosing between an integrated and freestanding model, check the space available, ventilation requirements and door clearance.
If you need to store several days’ worth of fresh food as well as frozen food, compare the capacity of both compartments rather than looking only at the total. Check, too, whether the shelves and drawers can accommodate the containers you usually use.
In a studio flat or small kitchen, an under-counter fridge or a single-door fridge may provide all the storage you need. However, check how much space you have between shops and how much freezer capacity you actually need.
For an integrated model, measure the housing unit and check the door fitting, ventilation and door clearance before comparing capacities. Requirements vary depending on the model and the kitchen unit.
First work out how much space you need for your shopping, then compare models that fit your kitchen in terms of energy use and noise levels.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the usable litres and the layout of the shelves and drawers. Que Choisir’s guide is 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. | I want enough room to store my shopping until my next shop, rather than choosing based only on the appliance’s external dimensions. |
| Space for frozen food | Check the freezer compartment’s capacity and star rating. If you freeze fresh food, also check the model’s stated freezing capacity. | Frozen food is a regular part of my shop, so a small freezer compartment may not meet the same needs as a separate freezer. |
| Installation | Measure the appliance or housing unit’s height, width and depth. Check the ventilation requirements in the manual, the door-fitting system and the door clearance. | The door must open without hitting a kitchen unit, and the appliance must fit in the space available. |
| Energy use and noise | For appliances of a similar size and capacity, compare kWh/year and dB(A), as well as the energy rating. The European Commission says these figures and the appliance’s capacity are shown on the energy label. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to compare the stated noise level. I also check annual energy consumption for an appliance that runs all the time. |
A large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough freezer space for your usual shopping. Que Choisir describes a typical fridge freezer of around 300 L, split approximately two-thirds for refrigeration and one-third for freezing. Always check the capacities of the model you’re considering.
Work out separately how much room you need for fresh and frozen food, then check the stated capacity in litres for each compartment.
Height, width, depth, door fixing and ventilation all affect installation. The appliance’s dimensions alone aren’t enough to confirm that it will fit your kitchen unit.
Measure the housing unit and check the model’s installation instructions, including ventilation clearances and door opening space.
A wider fridge may be difficult to get to its intended position or could make it harder to open the doors.
Measure the delivery route, the space where the appliance will go and the room needed to open the doors before choosing a multi-door model.
The energy rating on its own doesn’t tell you how much storage space you’ll have or how noisy the appliance is. The European Commission says the energy label also shows annual energy consumption, capacity and noise emissions.
Compare kWh/year and dB(A) for models of a similar size and capacity. The QR code on the label links to the model’s official EPREL product information sheet.
These models illustrate different formats and installation requirements. Their features aren’t necessarily representative of every model from each brand.
The Bosch KSN36AICM is an example of a large, freestanding single-door fridge for households with a separate freezer.
The Liebherr IRd 4121 Plus is an example of an integrated, single-door fridge for a kitchen with a pre-defined housing unit.
The Whirlpool WHK 26413 XBR6EE is an example of a freestanding fridge freezer with separate compartments for fresh and frozen food.
These Joybuy models are fridge freezers with separate compartments for fresh and frozen food between shops. Compare their capacity with your shopping needs, then check the dimensions and energy label information for the model you choose.
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If your weekly shop includes both fresh and frozen food, check how the 360 L capacity is divided between the compartments. The model name indicates an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Also check the dimensions and ventilation clearances in the product documentation.
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If you regularly store both fresh and frozen food, compare how the 390 L capacity is divided with what you usually buy. The model name indicates a C energy rating. Check the energy label for kWh/year and noise levels, then consult the manual for installation clearances.
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To organise your weekly shop, check the fridge and freezer capacities behind the stated total of 333 L. The model name mentions a C energy rating, as well as NatureFRESH™, DoorCooling+™ and LinearCooling™. Check the model’s product information for the capacity of each compartment and installation requirements.
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If you need plenty of space for your shopping, check that the freezer capacity meets your needs too. The model name indicates Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Measure the route to its location and the space needed to open the doors before buying.
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For a kitchen where width is limited, this model is listed as 54 cm wide and 176 cm high. Its name indicates a capacity of 262 L and a 70/30 split. Check the capacity of each compartment, as well as the maintenance needed for the Low Frost freezer and the clearances specified in the manual.
Que Choisir’s starting guide is 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust the usable capacity to suit how often you shop, the size of the packs you buy and how much space you need for frozen food.
If frozen food regularly makes up a significant part of your shopping, consider a model with a separate freezer instead. Check its capacity and the compartment’s star rating. If you want to freeze fresh food, check its freezing capacity too.
Measure the height, width and depth of the housing unit, then check the door fixing and the ventilation requirements in the manual. Dimensions vary by model: for example, Liebherr specifies a housing unit measuring 121,6–123,6 × 56–57 × 55 cm for the IRd 4121 Plus.
Compare fridges of a similar size and capacity by checking their kWh/year and dB(A), not just their energy ratings. The European Commission says the label also shows the capacity of each compartment; its QR code links to the model’s official EPREL product information sheet.
No. Check whether it’s possible for the specific model before buying. Bosch says the method can vary by appliance and refers customers to the installation instructions. Also check that there’s enough room to open the door in your kitchen.