When equipping a kitchen after moving in, first measure the space and the route to the kitchen, then choose fridge and freezer capacities to suit your household and shopping habits. A table-top fridge is mainly for limited storage; a fridge-freezer combines fresh and frozen food in one appliance, while a multi-door model needs more room. If your kitchen has an alcove, the installation instructions and door-fitting system will determine whether a built-in model will fit.
If you buy small amounts of food and keep few frozen items, compare a table-top fridge with a small fridge-freezer. Measure the width and depth, and allow room to open the door: a compact appliance still needs to be practical once installed.
A fridge-freezer lets you store fresh and frozen food in one appliance, as long as the balance between its compartments suits your habits. UFC-Que Choisir’s general guide is 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Consider the space you need in the freezer separately.
A multi-door model could be an option if you need several storage zones and have enough room to install it. For a built-in model, the alcove dimensions, door-fitting system and cabinet ventilation are the main factors that determine whether it will fit.
First rule out any formats that cannot be installed, then compare fridge and freezer capacity before looking at practical features.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Format and space | Measure the height, width and depth, then check the delivery route and how the doors open. Compare a table-top fridge for a small space, a fridge-freezer for keeping fresh and frozen food together, and a multi-door model only if you have room for it. | In a small kitchen, I want to be able to move around and reach the drawers once the appliance is in place. |
| Separate capacities | Check the fridge and freezer capacities in litres rather than relying on the total capacity alone. UFC-Que Choisir’s general guide is 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person; adjust this to suit your shopping habits. | If I prepare meals in advance or shop for several days at a time, I need enough space in the compartment I use most. |
| Freezing | Check the freezer compartment’s capacity and star rating, and, if you freeze fresh food, the model’s stated freezing capacity. A single-door fridge with a small freezer compartment and a fridge-freezer may not suit the same amount of frozen food. | I often buy frozen food, so a large total capacity isn’t enough if the freezer is small. |
| Installation | For a built-in model, check the alcove dimensions, door-fitting system and ventilation openings against the installation instructions. For a freestanding model, also check the clearances specified by the manufacturer and the ambient temperature range allowed by its climate class. | My kitchen already has an alcove, or the appliance will be placed in a room where the temperature changes with the seasons. |
| Energy and noise | According to the European Commission, the label for household fridges shows the energy class from A to G, annual energy consumption, capacity and noise level. Compare these details between appliances of a similar format and capacity. | In a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, I pay attention to the stated noise level without overlooking the capacity I need. |
Two appliances with the same total capacity can have different amounts of space for chilled and frozen food. This matters if you store ready meals or frozen food.
Make a note of the capacity you want in each compartment, then check the star rating and freezing capacity if you freeze fresh food.
The alcove, door-fixing system and airflow all affect installation. A Liebherr manual specifies at least 200 cm² for the ventilation openings it describes; this measurement does not apply to every model.
Measure the alcove in all three dimensions and check the door-panel fitting and ventilation against the instructions for the fridge you are considering.
An appliance may fit in its intended space but not through the hallway, or there may not be enough room to open its doors and drawers. For example, the Whirlpool WQ9 B1L is 90.9 cm wide and 69.8 cm deep, according to Whirlpool France. These measurements apply to this specific model.
Measure the delivery route and check the model’s door-opening diagram before settling on a format.
The climate class specifies the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. This matters in a pantry or an unheated room, for example.
Compare the temperatures the room actually reaches with the climate class shown on the product information or rating plate for your chosen model.
These brand examples can help you identify the features to look for in each format. The dimensions and features mentioned apply only to the relevant models or ranges.
Beko’s UK table-top range includes models designed for narrow kitchens, as well as some built-in formats.
Bosch’s freestanding fridge-freezer product details include measurements you can compare with your available space and storage needs.
Liebherr’s built-in product details can help you check whether a model will fit your existing alcove and door system.
A Whirlpool multi-door fridge can be a useful point of comparison if your kitchen has room for this format.
This Joybuy selection includes freestanding fridge-freezers, a multi-door model and a built-in fridge-freezer. Compare their formats with your kitchen and the space you need for frozen food.
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This freestanding fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want to keep fresh and frozen food together in a 467 L appliance. Its product name specifies Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the dimensions, delivery access and space needed to open the doors.
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This 360 L three-door model is designed for households looking to organise chilled and frozen food in one appliance. Its product name specifies Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check that it will fit in your kitchen and that the doors can open freely.
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Consider this 467 L multi-door model if you want several storage zones and have a kitchen suited to this format. Its product name specifies Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Measure the delivery route and check how much space is available with the doors open.
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Its stated width of 54 cm is worth considering for a narrow kitchen, but remember to check the height and depth as well. The product details split the 227 L capacity into 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, and specify a reversible door, Low Frost and an E energy rating.
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This 188 L, single-door built-in fridge-freezer is worth considering for a fitted kitchen with an alcove. Before choosing it, check the alcove dimensions, door-panel fitting and ventilation against the installation instructions. Also make sure the freezer capacity suits your habits.
UFC-Que Choisir’s general guide is 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person. Adjust your choice to how often you shop, and compare fridge and freezer capacities separately, especially if you store a lot of frozen food.
A table-top fridge may suit you if you buy small amounts of food and keep few frozen items; UFC-Que Choisir recommends this format for studio flats. Check the capacity of each compartment, the dimensions and whether the door can open where you plan to put it.
Compare the height, width and depth of the alcove with the model’s installation instructions, then check the door-panel fitting, door opening and air inlets and outlets. An alcove or ventilation measurement given for a different appliance, even one from the same brand, is not enough to confirm compatibility.
It shows the ambient temperature range the fridge is designed to operate in. Beko lists, for example, SN from 10 to 32 °C, N from 16 to 32 °C, ST from 18 to 38 °C and T from 18 to 43 °C. Compare the temperature in your room with the climate class stated for the specific model.
According to the European Commission, the label for household fridges shows an energy class from A to G, annual energy consumption, capacity and noise level. Consider all these details together and, where possible, compare appliances of a similar type and capacity: the letter alone won’t tell you whether the format suits your needs.