Start by sizing the usable capacity according to the size of your household and how often you shop: Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, followed by an additional 50 L per person. A fridge freezer is suitable when your fresh and frozen food needs are fairly balanced; for larger stocks, compare a multi-door fridge freezer, an American-style side-by-side or a separate freezer, taking the available space into account.
You mainly store fresh food for the week while keeping a moderate reserve of frozen products. Start by comparing the actual capacities of the two compartments rather than looking only at the total capacity. Based on guidance published by Que Choisir.
A generous capacity and clear internal organisation make it easier to store the family shop, prepared meals and frozen food. A multi-door fridge freezer, side-by-side or two separate appliances may be suitable if your kitchen and access routes allow it. Based on guidance published by Que Choisir.
You need to balance capacity, overall size, noise level and ease of movement around the kitchen. Measure the full dimensions, door opening and noise level before choosing a large model. Que Choisir considers appliances rated below 40 dBA to be among the quietest.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the usable litres with the size of your household and how often you shop. Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, followed by 50 L for each additional person. | I want enough space for the week without buying an appliance that is too large for my habits. |
| Fresh and frozen food split | Check the refrigeration and freezer capacities separately. Look at the number, size and accessibility of the freezer drawers. | My fresh food needs to be easy to reach while I still want a freezer capacity suited to my kitchen and shopping habits. |
| Size and installation | Measure the width, height, depth, handles and door-opening clearances. Also check access through doors, corridors, staircases and lifts. | The fridge freezer must fit in the kitchen, and its doors must open without obstructing movement. |
| Noise and energy use | Compare kWh/year, the energy rating, dB(A) and the noise class for appliances with a similar capacity and format. The energy label is governed by European regulations. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want a discreet appliance and need to be able to compare its annual energy consumption. |
| Internal organisation | Examine the drawers, adjustable shelves, freshness zones and defrosting functions. Check these details on the product page for the exact model. | I want to see what is stored at a glance and easily organise containers, delicate products and frozen food. |
Two appliances with the same total capacity can offer very different freezer capacities. Que Choisir describes a standard fridge freezer as having roughly two-thirds dedicated to fresh food and one-third to frozen food.
Note down the litres you need separately for fresh and frozen food, then compare the net capacities of each compartment.
Large appliances can be very wide and heavy. For a large model, Liebherr recommends checking access through doors, staircases and lifts.
Measure the installation space, delivery route and clearances needed to open the doors before ordering.
A fixed connection may require suitable installation; without a compatible water supply, some functions cannot be used.
Que Choisir states that American-style fridge freezers are generally less energy efficient than standard models and considers appliances rated below 40 dBA to be among the quietest.
Compare kWh/year, the energy rating, dB(A) and the noise class for appliances with comparable capacities and formats.
A noisier or less energy-efficient appliance can have an impact day to day, particularly in an open-plan living space.
A range of freestanding and built-in fridge freezers, with selected models offering No Frost, storage drawers and flexible internal layouts.
A range of fridge freezers, large-format and built-in models, with selected references offering freshness compartments and separate cooling circuits.
A range featuring large-capacity multi-door and side-by-side models, with selected appliances offering a customisable zone or connected features.
A range of American-style and multi-door fridge freezers including, depending on the model, large capacities and water or ice dispensers.
These Joybuy options include fridge freezers for mixed family shops, as well as multi-door and side-by-side models offering more space and freezer capacity.
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A fridge freezer designed for family shops combining fresh and frozen food.
276 L refrigeration capacity and 114 L freezer capacity; rated at 35 dB, 169 kWh/year, with No Frost, four shelves, two salad drawers and three freezer drawers.
Check the delivery route, door opening and clearances around this 203 cm-high appliance.
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This fridge freezer provides generous capacity in a single appliance for large family shops.
311 L refrigeration capacity and 129 L freezer capacity; rated at 35 dB, 223 kWh/year, with an 18-hour storage time, VitaFresh, Multi Airflow and fast freezing.
At 70 cm wide and 203 cm high, this model requires you to measure the installation space, access routes and installation clearances.
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A fridge freezer option for weekly shops combining fresh and frozen food.
230 L refrigeration capacity and 114 L freezer capacity; No Frost, Power Cool, Power Freeze, reversible door, Optimal Fresh+ and Humidity Fresh+ zones, and three freezer drawers.
Check the depth, noise level, annual energy consumption, door opening and clearances in the technical specifications.
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This side-by-side is designed for large shops and substantial frozen-food storage in a single appliance.
420 L refrigeration capacity and 220 L freezer capacity; rated at 36 dB, 349 kWh/year, with No Frost and a freezing capacity of 13 kg/24 h.
The dispenser and ice maker require a professional connection to the mains water supply; also check the width of 91.2 cm, the weight of 115 kg and the door-opening space.
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A multi-door model for large family shops, with separate storage for fresh and frozen food.
330 L refrigeration capacity and 165 L freezer capacity; rated at 40 dB, 301 kWh/year, with Twin Cooling Plus, No Frost, shelves and drawers in both compartments.
Check how the dispenser is supplied, the installation requirements and the clearances needed for this 81.7 × 177.6 × 71.5 cm model.
As a guideline, Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, followed by an additional 50 L per person. Then adjust the freezer capacity according to how much frozen food you store and your batch-cooking habits.
Not always: Que Choisir describes a standard fridge freezer as having roughly two-thirds for the fridge and one-third for the freezer. If you regularly batch-freeze food or buy in bulk, compare this compartment with a separate freezer; according to Que Choisir, upright freezers can reach 400 L and chest freezers 600 L.
No. Also check the available width, door opening, delivery access, weight, energy consumption and the split between fresh and frozen food. Que Choisir states that an American-style model may require around 1 m of width and use more energy than a standard model.
Compare the energy efficiency rating, annual consumption in kWh, the capacity of each compartment and the noise level. This information falls under the European ecodesign and energy-labelling framework applicable to domestic refrigeration appliances.
No, it depends on the model. Que Choisir explains that some multi-door models with a dispenser require a water supply; the LG GSLV70PZTD product page specifically states that plumbing is required. Check the installation requirements for the exact model before buying.