Households that shop for the week
If you bring home several days’ worth of fresh and frozen food, compare the usable capacity of each compartment rather than just the advertised total capacity.
Who is this choice for?
People who live close to the kitchen
In an open-plan kitchen or one close to a living area, the stated noise level may influence your choice. Compare models that also meet your storage needs.
Households with a small kitchen or a built-in space
Suitable capacity is not enough if the appliance won’t fit through to the kitchen or its doors cannot open properly. Measure the access route and the space where it will go, then check the installation instructions for the model you’re considering.
What should you prioritise?
First, choose a format that suits the space available and the amount of food you need to store. The capacity of both compartments, followed by installation requirements and noise level, will help you narrow down models in the same format.
Fridge-freezer
Consider it: if your shopping for several days calls for separate compartments for fresh and frozen food.
Bear in mind: a separate freezer compartment does not guarantee enough space for your shopping.
Fridge with a freezer compartment
Consider it: if space is limited and you store only a small amount of frozen food.
Bear in mind: the freezer compartment may be too small for a sizeable weekly stock-up.
Multi-door
Consider it: if your household needs plenty of room for both types of food and has a suitable space for the appliance.
Bear in mind: its size means you’ll need to check the route into the kitchen and whether the doors can open fully.
Table-top
Consider it: when available space is the priority and you only need to store small quantities.
Bear in mind: this format is unlikely to suit a large weekly shop that includes both fresh and frozen food.
| Criteria | What to check before you buy | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge and freezer capacity | Check the usable litres in each compartment and compare them with your weekly shop. According to UFC-Que Choisir, 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person, is a useful average guide. Adjust it to suit your habits. | If I bring home several days’ worth of shopping, I need enough room for fresh food without squeezing out my frozen food. Around 36% of consumers put this balance of capacity at the top of their list. |
| Space and installation | Measure the access route, the space where the appliance will go and the clearance needed to open the doors. For a built-in model, also compare the housing dimensions and fitting instructions with the model’s manual. | When my kitchen has a built-in space or a narrow access route, I need to be able to install and open the appliance before I can make use of its capacity. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise level in dB(A) for models that meet your capacity and space requirements. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to avoid the noise of an appliance near the living area becoming a daily nuisance. Noise is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Energy and maintenance | Check the energy label and the model’s stated energy consumption. Look separately at its defrosting system and maintenance information. | If I plan to keep this fridge for a long time, I want to understand its stated energy consumption and the maintenance it will need. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this information. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Looking only at total capacity
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may have different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. A freezer that is too small can still be restrictive, even if the total capacity seems sufficient.
Estimate how much you put in each compartment after your shop, then compare the stated usable litres for each one separately.
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Confusing the appliance dimensions with the housing dimensions
With a built-in model, the appliance dimensions alone don’t tell you everything you need to know about installation. Access, the housing and clearance for the doors can all affect whether it will fit.
Measure the delivery route and the space where it will go, then follow the installation instructions for the exact model rather than relying on the dimensions of another appliance.
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Assuming No Frost means lower energy consumption
No Frost relates to defrosting; this feature alone is not enough to compare the energy consumption of two fridges.
Compare the defrosting system you want separately from the energy rating and stated consumption on the energy label. ADEME describes this label as a useful guide when choosing household appliances.
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Choosing a multi-door model for capacity alone
A large capacity won’t make up for an access route that is too narrow or doors that can’t open properly in your kitchen.
Check that the capacity of each compartment suits your shopping, and that the route, location and door clearance will allow you to install the appliance.
Brands to consider
These range and model examples can help you identify formats and features to compare. Whatever you decide, check the product information for the specific model you choose.
Bosch
Worth exploring if you want to compare fridge-freezers by compartment capacity and noise level.
- Bosch’s KGN33NWDA product information lists 189 L for the fridge, 90 L for the freezer and a noise level of 40 dB(A).
- These figures apply to the KGN33NWDA, not to other Bosch fridge-freezers. Check the dimensions of the model you choose too.
Samsung
Worth exploring if you want to compare fridge-freezers with different capacities to suit your household.
- Samsung France lists the RB38C7B6AS9 as a 387 L fridge-freezer.
- Total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much room there is for frozen food. Check both compartments, the dimensions and the noise level of the model you’re considering.
LG
Worth exploring if your household is considering a large-capacity multi-door model.
- LG France lists a capacity of 637 L for its GML960MBBE multi-door model.
- Before choosing this format, check how the capacity is split between fresh and frozen food, as well as the access route and clearance needed to open the doors.
Whirlpool
Worth exploring if you want to compare a built-in fridge-freezer for a kitchen with suitable housing.
- Whirlpool’s documentation for the WHSP70T121 lists a total capacity of 394 L, including 295 L for the fridge and 99 L for the freezer.
- As a built-in model, it needs suitable housing and must be installed according to the instructions for this specific model.
Electrolux
Worth exploring if space is the priority and you’re considering a compact, single-door fridge.
- Electrolux’s product information for the LFB3AE88S lists a total capacity of 124 L, including 110 L for refrigeration.
- If your shopping includes a lot of frozen food, check the freezer compartment’s capacity before choosing this format.
Models to compare by format
These Joybuy models give you a chance to compare fridge-freezers and multi-door models for storing fresh and frozen food together. Compare compartment capacities and your kitchen’s constraints before choosing between these two formats.
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Samsung RB38C603CS9, 390 L fridge-freezer, C-rated, silver
Worth considering if your shopping calls for a fridge-freezer with space for fresh and frozen food.
Stated total capacity: 390 L; energy rating shown: C. Compare the capacity of each compartment and the installation dimensions with your needs.
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LG GBBS312CEV, 333 L fridge-freezer, C-rated, black
Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer to store several days’ worth of shopping.
Stated total capacity: 333 L; energy rating shown: C. Check how much space is set aside for the freezer and the clearances specified in the manual.
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Bosch KGN497LDF, 440 L fridge-freezer, D-rated, grey
Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer and have enough space for an appliance of this capacity.
Stated total capacity: 440 L; energy rating shown: D. Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then make sure the appliance can get through to your kitchen.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1, 495 L multi-door fridge, E-rated, black
Worth considering if a large capacity for fresh and frozen food suits your shopping and your kitchen can accommodate a multi-door model.
Stated total capacity: 495 L; energy rating shown: E. Check the capacity of each compartment, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the doors.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L four-door multi-door fridge-freezer, E-rated, silver
Worth considering if you’re looking for a multi-door model to keep fresh and frozen food separate.
Stated total capacity: 467 L; energy rating shown: E; Total No Frost feature mentioned in the model name. Compare compartment capacities and check the direction and clearance needed to open the doors.
Frequently asked questions
How much capacity do you need if you shop once a week?
Start with the amount of food you actually keep in the fridge and freezer. UFC-Que Choisir gives an average guide of 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to how often you shop, and check the capacity for frozen food separately.
Is a single-door fridge enough for lots of frozen food?
Only choose one for this purpose once you’ve checked the capacity of its freezer compartment. If you need to store a lot after your weekly shop, compare this capacity with that of a fridge-freezer with a separate freezer.
What should you measure before buying a built-in or multi-door model?
Measure the route into your kitchen, the space where the appliance will go and the clearance needed to open the doors. For a built-in model, also check the housing dimensions and the installation and ventilation requirements in the manual for the specific model.
Is the energy rating enough to compare two fridges?
No. Check the model’s stated energy consumption, capacity and noise level too. ADEME recommends using the energy label as a guide when choosing an appliance, but it does not replace checking the capacity of each compartment or the installation requirements.