Start by considering how much food you regularly keep chilled and frozen. A fridge may be all you need if you rarely freeze food or already have a freezer, while a fridge-freezer combines both uses in one appliance. If its freezer compartment is too small for the food you usually keep in stock, a separate freezer may be worth considering, provided you have the space and take its ongoing energy use into account. If you’re considering a refurbished appliance, compare the specifications and condition of the specific item being sold.
If you cook ahead or sometimes buy in bulk, storage that keeps food in view can make it easier to keep track of what you have. ADEME also recommends checking what you already have before shopping and tidying your fridge regularly.
If prepared portions and frozen food regularly fill the available compartment, compare the freezer capacity you need with the space a separate appliance would take up.
Replacing an appliance is a good opportunity to reassess the capacity you need, its annual energy use and how the old one will be collected. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously.
The type of appliance you choose depends first on how much space you need for chilled and frozen food. Refurbishment is a separate consideration: check the specifications of the specific appliance being sold, whatever its configuration.
Consider this if: you mainly store fresh food and rarely freeze anything, or you already have a freezer.
Bear in mind: if you start freezing food more regularly, you’ll need another place to store it.
Consider this if: you regularly store both chilled and frozen food but only have room for one appliance.
Bear in mind: the amount of freezer space varies between models, so total capacity alone won’t tell you enough.
Consider this if: your frozen food regularly fills the freezer compartment in your fridge-freezer.
Bear in mind: you’ll need extra space for an appliance that also runs continuously, as ADEME points out.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| How capacity is split | Compare the usable litres of the fridge and freezer separately, then check the appliance’s dimensions. | If my prepared portions take up the whole freezer, extra space for fresh food won’t solve the problem. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this balance between chilled and frozen storage. |
| How easy it is to see your food | Check the layout of the shelves, drawers and door balconies on the model you’re considering. | When I’m planning my food shop, I want to see what’s left in the fridge rather than buy something I’ve forgotten about. Around 29% of consumers would put this organisation ahead of other factors. |
| Ongoing energy use | Compare the kWh/year shown on the energy label for appliances of the same type and similar capacity. Check the noise level too, if needed. | If I’m replacing an appliance that’s used all year round, I don’t want to choose a bigger one than my food stocks require. Energy use would be the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Replacement arrangements | Confirm the delivery and collection arrangements. For a refurbished appliance, check its model, condition and energy use. | If I need to get rid of an old fridge or am considering a refurbished model, I want to know the terms that apply to the specific appliance I’m buying. Around 14% of consumers would put a managed replacement process first. |
Two fridge-freezers can divide their capacity differently between the fridge and freezer. The total capacity might look right, but one compartment could still be too small for the food you store most.
Work out which area is short on space at home, then compare the usable litres in each compartment.
ADEME points out that cooling appliances run continuously, and that an appliance that’s too large or an additional appliance can increase electricity use.
Choose a capacity that suits the amount of food you usually keep in stock, and compare the annual energy use of similar models before adding a second appliance.
A well-designed interior can make it easier to find food, but a feature such as No Frost won’t keep track of what you have. ADEME recommends checking your stocks before shopping to avoid buying duplicates.
Choose storage that suits the food you keep and get into the habit of checking what you have.
When you buy a new equivalent appliance in France, ecosystem says the retailer must offer free ‘one-for-one’ take-back. Check the delivery and collection arrangements when you place your order.
Before ordering, confirm where the old appliance will be collected, check the access dimensions and ask about any removal or installation services you may need.
Difficult access or an unplanned removal can make things more complicated on delivery day.
Bosch’s fridge-freezer product information lets you check the capacity split, dimensions and interior layout for a specific model.
Its fridge-freezers and freezers offer configurations worth considering if frozen food takes up a significant amount of space in your household.
Beko’s fridge-freezer range includes different layouts and cooling features. Compare them with the food you store and the space you have available.
These five appliances combine refrigeration and freezing in one unit. To compare them, start with the capacity you’re actually short of, then check the layout, dimensions and energy use of the model you choose.
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Worth a look if you want to keep your chilled and frozen food in one appliance. The product name lists a total capacity of 344 l and an energy rating of E. Compare the capacity of each compartment and the dimensions before choosing.
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Consider this if you need to store chilled and frozen food in a four-door appliance. The product name lists a capacity of 467 l, an E energy rating and Total No Frost. Check how the capacity is split, and make sure you have enough room to open the doors.
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Worth a look if a fridge-freezer with a bottom freezer suits the way you store food. The product name lists a total capacity of 282 l and an E energy rating. Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, along with the clearance needed for installation.
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Consider this if you’re looking for plenty of capacity for chilled and frozen food in one appliance. The product name lists a capacity of 495 l and an E energy rating. Check the door configuration, the capacity of each area and the space available in your kitchen.
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Worth a look if you want to compare the chilled and frozen storage in a fridge-freezer before replacing your appliance. The product name lists a total capacity of 333 l and a C energy rating. Check how the capacity is split between compartments, the annual energy use and the clearance needed for installation.
It may be worth considering if your frozen food regularly fills the freezer compartment in your fridge-freezer and this is an ongoing need. Compare the usable capacity you need, the space available and the annual energy use of the second appliance, which will run continuously.
Start by comparing annual energy use in kWh/year for appliances of the same type and similar capacity, then check the energy rating and usable capacity of each compartment. Noise level is also worth considering if the appliance will be near a living area.
When you buy a new equivalent appliance in France, the retailer must offer free ‘one-for-one’ take-back, according to ecosystem. Before ordering, check where and how the old appliance will be collected, particularly if your new one is being delivered to your home.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to refurbished goods bought from a professional seller, as the DGCCRF explains. Before buying, also check that the model, condition and specifications provided relate to the specific refurbished appliance being sold.