First, work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then compare the stated kWh/year figures for appliances with similar uses and capacities. A fridge-freezer combines both compartments in one appliance; a separate freezer is mainly worth considering if you need extra frozen-food storage and have the space, while bearing in mind the energy use of both appliances. For a smaller capacity or a second-hand appliance, pay particular attention to whether the storage suits your needs and to the exact model specifications.
If your appliance runs continuously, compare its capacity with your current needs, then check the stated annual energy consumption of the models you’re considering. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously.
Limited space or a small amount of frozen food may make a more modest capacity a better choice. How often you shop matters just as much as the number of people in your household when working out how much space you need.
Check how many litres are set aside for the freezer, not just the total capacity. If a fridge-freezer’s compartment isn’t big enough, consider the space a separate appliance would take up and how much energy it would use.
To choose between a fridge-freezer, two separate appliances or a more compact design, start with your storage habits and the space available. Then check the figures for the exact model, rather than judging its electricity use by its energy rating alone.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use | Compare the stated kWh/year figures for appliances with similar functions and capacities. For two separate appliances, add their annual energy consumption together. The European Commission’s EPREL database lists this information for each model. | I want to estimate the electricity use of an appliance that runs continuously, without relying solely on its energy rating letter. |
| Capacity split | Check the usable capacity in litres for the fridge and freezer separately. Compare these figures with how often you shop and how much frozen food you store. | I need enough room for my shopping without giving too much space to a compartment I rarely use. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the doors; follow the clearances specified in the manual. Check the stated noise level in dB(A) for the exact model. | In an open-plan kitchen or a small home, noise and the space needed for installation matter every day. |
| Cooling and maintenance | Check the cooling system, the settings and the freezer’s stated storage time in the event of a power failure. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol also looks at how well temperatures are maintained when food is added and in hot weather. | I sometimes fill the appliance after shopping and want to know how much defrosting the model I choose will require. |
| Second-hand appliance | Check the exact model number, the appliance’s condition and the warranty terms offered. If the label or product information sheet is available, check its capacities and annual energy consumption. | Before choosing a second-hand or refurbished appliance, I want to know how much it can store and how much energy it uses. |
The rating doesn’t replace the model’s kWh/year figure. Nor can ADEME’s published average figures predict how much energy the appliance you choose will use.
Compare the kWh/year figures for models with similar capacities and functions, then use your electricity tariff to estimate the annual cost.
Two households of the same size may shop differently and store different amounts of frozen food. The total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is available in each compartment.
Make a note of what you usually store and compare the usable capacity in litres for the fridge and freezer separately.
An appliance may fit in its allotted space without leaving the clearances required by its manual. If it’s going in an open-plan room, it’s also worth checking its stated noise level.
Measure the delivery route, the space for the appliance and the door-opening clearance. Follow the manufacturer’s ventilation requirements and check the model’s dB(A) rating.
In France, the Ministry for Ecological Transition states that when you buy a new appliance, including online, the retailer must offer to take back your old appliance on a “one-for-one” basis.
Ask the retailer about collection arrangements when you place your order, including how to prepare the old appliance and any access requirements for your home.
Brand ranges can give you a starting point for comparison, but check the capacity, features and energy use for each specific model.
Depending on the model, Bosch fridge-freezers come with features such as VitaFresh or No Frost, and a range of energy ratings.
Some Beko fridge ranges feature technologies such as NeoFrost Dual Cooling, AeroFlow and HarvestFresh.
LG offers fridge-freezers with different capacities and noise levels, depending on the model.
These models combine refrigeration and freezing in one appliance. Compare their stated capacities with the space you need, then check the capacity of each compartment and the kWh/year figure on the product information page for the model you’re interested in.
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This four-door design could suit a household looking to combine its fridge and freezer space in one appliance.
The product description lists a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost, an energy rating of E and Smart Inverter. Check the capacity of each compartment, the dimensions and the kWh/year figure for the exact model.
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If you’re comparing multi-door fridge-freezers, check that this model’s internal layout works for the fresh and frozen food you buy.
The product description lists a capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, an energy rating of E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the capacity of each compartment, the dimensions and the annual energy consumption for the exact model.
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Its stated width of 54 cm may be worth considering if space is tight, but don’t forget to allow room for the door to open and for ventilation.
The product description lists a height of 176 cm, a 70/30 split and Low Frost. Check the maintenance required for this system, the capacity of each compartment and the model’s kWh/year figure.
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This bottom-freezer fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate in one appliance.
The product description lists a capacity of 282 L and an energy rating of E. Before choosing, check the capacity of each compartment, the kWh/year figure and the noise level for this model.
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If you’re looking for a model with a large stated capacity, check how much of its 444 L is reserved for frozen food before you decide.
The product description lists an energy rating of E, a stated noise level of 40 dB and a rapid-cooling function. Check the installation dimensions and the kWh/year figure on the product information page for the exact model.
Compare their stated annual energy consumption in kWh/year when their capacities and uses are similar. You can then apply your electricity tariff to each figure to estimate the annual cost. The European Commission’s EPREL database lets you check the energy use and capacities of the models listed there.
Start by considering what you actually store in each compartment. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide gives an average guide of 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to suit how often you shop and how much frozen food you keep, rather than treating it as a hard-and-fast rule.
Yes, especially if the appliance will be near a living area. UFC-Que Choisir says that models rated below 40 dB(A) are among the quietest; check the noise figure and noise class for the model you’re considering.
Look at how the capacity is split between compartments, the dimensions, the maintenance requirements and the freezer’s features. To assess how well an appliance maintains its temperature in everyday use, UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol looks at factors including adding food, performance in hot weather and the freezer’s storage time in the event of a power failure. Check for independent test results for the model in question, if available.
Yes. When you buy a new appliance, including online, the Ministry for Ecological Transition says the retailer must offer to take back your old appliance on a “one-for-one” basis. Confirm the practical arrangements for collection and preparing the old appliance with the retailer.