Choose according to which compartment you need more of: a fridge if you mainly need extra space for fresh food, a fridge-freezer if you need to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance, or a separate freezer if your fridge still has enough room for fresh food. Then compare the usable capacity of each compartment, the space required and the annual energy consumption of any appliances you’ll keep running.
Your fridge still has room for fresh shopping, but prepared portions and frozen food are filling up its freezer compartment. You’ll need to decide whether a fridge-freezer with a more suitable split would work better, or whether to add a separate freezer.
You need a new appliance to store several days’ worth of fresh shopping as well as frozen meals. Before choosing between a fridge and a fridge-freezer, check how much space each compartment offers and how the interior is laid out.
A recess, a narrow access route or the thought of running a second appliance can affect your choice. Dimensions, door clearance and annual energy consumption matter just as much as the capacity you need. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously.
If you shop for several days at a time and prepare meals in advance, first work out whether you need more room for fresh food, frozen food or both. Then choose an appliance that suits your kitchen and the other appliances you’ll be keeping.
Consider this if: you mainly need more room for fresh food and you already have enough freezer space.
The drawback: this option won’t give you any extra room for portions to freeze.
Consider this if: you need both compartments in one appliance for your shopping and prepared meals.
The drawback: the balance between fresh and frozen storage varies by model. The total capacity won’t tell you whether each compartment will be big enough.
Consider this if: your fridge still meets your needs for fresh food, but its freezer compartment is regularly overflowing.
The drawback: you’ll need space for a second appliance and must factor in its energy use as well as that of the fridge you’re keeping.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh–frozen split | Compare the usable capacity in litres of each compartment separately, then check access to the drawers and shelves. | If I need to fit fresh shopping and frozen portions in the same appliance, I want to avoid one compartment already being full while the other isn’t. Around 36% of consumers would make this balance their priority. |
| Space and access | Check the dimensions, installation type and clearance needed to open the doors and access the drawers. Consult the manual for ventilation requirements. | In a kitchen where space is at a premium, extra capacity won’t help if the doors or drawers are difficult to use. Space and access would come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Continuous energy use | Compare the models’ kWh/year figures. If you’re adding a freezer, factor in the energy use of both appliances you’ll be keeping running. | Before I leave an extra appliance running, I want to be able to assess its energy use over time. Around 21% of consumers would put this running cost first. |
| Extra freezer space | Check that your current fridge is big enough for fresh food, then look at the usable capacity and accessibility of the freezer you’re considering. | When my fresh shopping already fits in the fridge, I mainly want somewhere to store more frozen portions without replacing that appliance. This would be the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Two fridge-freezers with a similar total capacity can offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. The compartment you’re buying for could still end up being too small.
Identify which compartment is overflowing now, then compare the usable fridge and freezer capacities listed separately for each model.
ADEME points out that cooling appliances run continuously, and that their size or the number of appliances you have can increase energy use.
Check the kWh/year figure for the freezer you’re considering, as well as that of the fridge you’ll keep plugged in, rather than relying on the energy rating alone.
No Frost technology, noise levels and interior layouts vary by model. For example, Bosch lists Total NoFrost and 29 dB for its KGN492IAF. These details apply to that model, not every Bosch appliance.
Keep the full model number to hand and check its product information, energy label and dimensions before deciding.
For goods sold by a business to a private individual in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity is mandatory, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. A commercial warranty is a separate offer.
Before taking out a commercial warranty, check what it covers, how claims are handled and what is excluded. It doesn’t replace your statutory rights.
These ranges offer a useful point of comparison for configurations and specifications. Features vary from one model to another.
Bosch offers fridge-freezers, fridges and freezers, including freestanding and integrated models.
Liebherr’s range includes freestanding fridge-freezers with different splits between fridge and freezer space.
Whirlpool offers integrated and freestanding fridge-freezers to consider based on your available space and preferred interior layout.
These appliances combine fridge and freezer storage for households that want to keep fresh shopping and frozen portions in one appliance. If your fridge already has enough space for fresh food, compare this option with adding a separate freezer too.
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Worth considering if you’d like to combine fresh and frozen storage in one fridge-freezer. The model name indicates a total capacity of 344 L and an energy rating of E. Compare the capacity of each compartment with your needs.
Check the dimensions and the clearance needed to open the doors in your chosen location.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a single multi-door appliance for fresh and frozen food. The model name indicates a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E.
Check the capacity split, dimensions and door clearance in your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you’d like to organise fresh and frozen food in a multi-door appliance. The model name indicates a total capacity of 495 L and an energy rating of E, but the total alone doesn’t show how much space each compartment offers.
Check the dimensions and the clearance needed around the doors before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering if freezer space is a particular priority: the model name lists 333 L of fridge space and 192 L of freezer space.
It also lists No Frost, a stated noise level of 37 dB and an energy rating of E. Before buying, check the model’s dimensions, kWh/year consumption and installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you want to split your shopping between two compartments while keeping an eye on width: the model name lists 252 L for the fridge, 103 L for the freezer and a width of 60 cm.
A reversible door and an energy rating of E are also listed. Check the height, depth, required clearance and kWh/year consumption to assess how it will fit and perform.
No. With a fridge-freezer, compare the usable capacity in litres of the fridge and freezer separately. Check the layout of the drawers and shelves too, to make sure your food packaging will fit.
It’s worth considering an extra freezer if your current fridge still has enough room for fresh food and you only need more freezer space. Make room for the new appliance and compare its annual energy consumption, taking into account the fridge you’re keeping. ADEME points out that both appliances run continuously.
Check the installation type specified for the model, its three dimensions, which way the doors open and how much clearance they need. Consult the manual for recess and ventilation requirements. Don’t assume a freestanding model is suitable for an integrated installation.
No. For a purchase from a business in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies, including when goods don’t match the seller’s description, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. A commercial warranty is separate. Read its terms to see what additional cover it provides.