In a small kitchen, first choose a fridge that fits the space and whose door can open fully. Then divide the capacity between fresh and frozen food to suit your shopping habits. A table-top fridge or a fridge with a freezer compartment can meet modest storage needs. If you regularly buy frozen food and shop weekly, consider a fridge-freezer instead, provided you have enough height and depth.
If you live alone or with one other person and mostly buy fresh food, a compact size may matter more than a large freezer. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L as a starting point for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit your shopping habits.
If you stock up on fresh food, leftovers and frozen items all at once, compare the capacity of both compartments. A slimline fridge-freezer may suit your needs, but its height, depth and door clearance must work in your kitchen.
If the appliance needs to fit inside a cabinet, measure the space and check the manual for door fitting and ventilation requirements. A fridge’s external dimensions alone are not enough to confirm that it will fit in a built-in space.
Choosing between a table-top fridge, a fridge with a freezer compartment and a fridge-freezer depends mainly on the space available and how much frozen food you need to store. Whether you need a freestanding or built-in appliance is a separate question of compatibility with your kitchen.
Consider it: when headroom is very limited and your household stores little food.
Bear in mind: limited capacity, particularly for frozen food, may make it difficult to shop less often. UFC-Que Choisir associates this format with studio flats rather than the needs of a larger household.
Consider it: if you mostly buy fresh food and only need space for a few frozen items.
Bear in mind: the integrated compartment may not offer the same capacity or layout as the freezer in a fridge-freezer. Check the capacity and function of the specific model.
Consider it: if frozen food and weekly shops call for two separate storage spaces.
Bear in mind: even a narrower fridge-freezer may need more height and depth. For example, Liebherr lists the CUe331-26 as measuring 181,2 × 55 × 63 cm. These dimensions do not apply to other models.
| Consideration | What to check | What shoppers say |
|---|---|---|
| Size and door clearance | Measure the height, width and depth, including the door, as well as the delivery route. Check the door swing and the clearances specified in the manual. | I need to get the appliance into place and open its drawers without blocking the way; around 36% of shoppers rank this as a priority. |
| Fresh and frozen capacity | Compare the usable capacity of each compartment and the freezer layout, rather than looking only at the total capacity. | I need enough space for my shopping until my next trip, including frozen food; for around 29% of shoppers, storage capacity comes before other considerations. |
| Noise and energy use | Check the noise emissions and annual kWh consumption for the exact model on its label. Compare appliances that meet similar storage needs. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to take noise into account while keeping energy use under control; nearly 21% of shoppers prioritise this information. |
| Installation compatibility | For a built-in model, check the cabinet space and door fitting. In all cases, follow the model’s ventilation and climate class requirements. | I’m replacing an appliance in a cabinet and need the new one to fit the existing installation; this is the top priority for around 14% of shoppers. |
Two appliances with the same total capacity may divide the space differently between the fridge and freezer. A large fridge compartment won’t meet your needs if you regularly buy frozen food.
Compare the capacity in litres of each compartment and the freezer layout with the food you buy.
An appliance may fit in its space but not through the delivery route, or its door may not open fully. Built-in installation also comes with requirements for the cabinet space and door fitting.
Measure the delivery route, then check the depth, door clearance and requirements in the manual before you order.
No Frost and the energy class alone don’t tell you how noisy an appliance will seem, how stable its temperature will be or how reliable a model is.
Use the label to compare the stated figures, and look for independent tests of the exact model if these factors will determine your choice.
Air circulation and the recommended ambient temperature are part of the appliance’s operating requirements. Instructions for after transport can also vary by model.
Check the manual for ventilation, positioning and how long to wait before plugging the appliance in after delivery.
Worth considering for freestanding fridge-freezers if your kitchen can accommodate a width of 60 cm.
Worth considering if the width of a freestanding fridge-freezer or the dimensions of a cabinet space are key factors.
Its freestanding and built-in models should be considered separately before you compare their capacity and dimensions.
These models are fridge-freezers. Compare their capacities and stated dimensions, then check the manual to make sure the appliance, its door and its ventilation requirements are suitable for your kitchen. Table-top fridges and fridges with a freezer compartment are separate options.
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Worth considering if width is an issue and you want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food.
The product title lists a width of 54 cm, 153 L of fridge capacity and 74 L of freezer capacity, as well as a reversible door, Low Frost and an energy class of E. Check the height and required clearances before choosing this model.
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Worth considering for a small household that needs moderate storage for its shopping and frozen food.
The product title lists a total capacity of 174 L, Low Frost and a reversible door. Check the dimensions, separate compartment capacities and clearances in the product details and manual before seeing whether it will fit in your kitchen.
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Worth considering if a height of 150 cm suits your space and your household doesn’t need to store a lot of frozen food.
The title lists a total capacity of 174 L, a height of 150 cm, a reversible door, Low Frost and an energy class of E. It states a noise level of 39 dB: compare this figure with the information for the exact model and check the required clearances.
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Worth considering if your shopping needs more storage space and your kitchen can accommodate a larger fridge-freezer.
The title lists a capacity of 333 L and an energy class of C. Before choosing this model for a narrow space or one next to a wall, check its dimensions, clearances and door opening requirements in the manual.
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Worth considering if your household needs more storage for its shopping and has space for a fridge-freezer.
The title lists a total capacity of 344 L and an energy class of E. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check the height, depth and door clearance before buying.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise emissions, as well as the energy class. The European Commission states that this information appears on the labels of fridges and freezers. Compare models that offer the right storage for the same needs.
Yes. Allow for the air circulation required by the model’s manual, rather than applying the same clearance to every appliance. Electrolux also recommends keeping the appliance away from heat sources and observing its recommended ambient temperature range.
Follow the waiting time stated in the manual for the appliance you’ve received. For appliances covered by its guidance, Electrolux support recommends waiting at least four hours after transport before plugging them in.
Contact the seller about the issue and keep a copy of the product description and your purchase documents. In France, the Ministry of the Economy explains that the legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory for goods sold by a business to an individual. This is separate from any optional returns policy.
Use a take-back or collection service for electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it in your household waste. In France, the ministry responsible for the ecological transition describes a collection and recycling scheme. Ask the seller or your local authority which options are available to you.