To shop less often, start by working out how much space you need in each compartment for chilled and frozen food, rather than focusing on the total capacity. A fridge-freezer is a good fit if you regularly store both; a fridge with a freezer compartment can suit occasional frozen-food shopping, while separate appliances need more room and both run continuously. Then check the dimensions and annual energy consumption of the option you’re considering.
If you cook for several days between shops, pay particular attention to the space for fruit, vegetables, dairy products and fresh meals. Anses recommends not overfilling the fridge, so air can circulate.
If you want to build up a stock, check the freezer’s capacity and how its drawers are arranged. The appliance’s total capacity alone won’t tell you how much room there is for these purchases.
Extra capacity is only useful if the appliance fits in your kitchen and its doors can open properly. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously, so compare their capacities with the annual energy consumption shown on the label too.
Worth considering: if you regularly shop for both fresh and frozen food and want to install just one appliance.
Bear in mind: the split between the two compartments varies by model. A large total capacity could still leave too little room in the compartment that matters most to you.
Worth considering: if you mainly store fresh food and only buy a small amount of frozen food.
Bear in mind: check that the compartment can actually hold your occasional frozen-food purchases. This option won’t meet the same needs as regularly stocking up on frozen food.
Worth considering: if your long-term storage needs in either compartment exceed the space offered by a fridge-freezer.
Bear in mind: you’ll need room for two appliances, and should compare their annual energy consumption, as both run continuously, as ADEME points out.
Whichever format you choose, start by thinking about what you usually buy, then compare the usable capacities with the space available in your kitchen. The European Commission says the energy label includes details such as the capacity of each compartment, annual energy consumption and noise levels.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen storage | Compare the usable capacity in litres of each compartment with the foods and pack sizes you buy. | If my big shops include both fresh and frozen food, I want enough room in the right compartment rather than an impressive total capacity; around 33% of shoppers would prioritise this split. |
| Capacity and size | Measure the height, width and depth, then check how much room is needed to open the doors. | In a narrow kitchen, I want more storage without blocking the walkway or access to the doors. Around 27% of shoppers would put this constraint first. |
| Continuous energy use | Check the kWh/an and energy rating in relation to the capacities; compare similar configurations. | Once I know I have enough space, I’d rather keep an eye on the appliance’s day-to-day energy use than add capacity I won’t use; around 20% of shoppers would make energy consumption their main consideration. |
| Storage and maintenance | Check the internal layout, temperature settings and defrosting requirements for the model. | When there’s a longer gap between shops, I need to store food without restricting airflow and be able to maintain the appliance; around 20% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
Two appliances with the same total capacity can have different amounts of space for chilled and frozen food. If you mainly buy frozen food, the freezer compartment could be too small.
Compare the capacity in litres of each compartment with the amount you buy on a big shop, rather than relying only on the figure in the product name.
Anses recommends avoiding overfilling so that air can circulate inside the fridge.
Allow some room for storage and check that the shelves and drawers suit the foods you keep.
A letter doesn’t tell you how much of the capacity you’ll use or how much energy the appliance consumes in a year. The label described by the European Commission also shows capacity and annual energy consumption.
Look at the energy rating, kWh/an and the capacity of each compartment together, ideally comparing appliances of a similar size and format.
Height and depth matter just as much as width when installing a large fridge-freezer, and you’ll need enough room to open the doors.
Check the dimensions of the exact model and measure the space, as well as the access route needed for delivery.
The specifications below relate to the models named by their manufacturers, not to every appliance from each brand.
A brand to consider when comparing freestanding fridge-freezers where width and the split between chilled and frozen storage matter.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a high-capacity fridge-freezer with dedicated storage zones.
A model to look at if you need to compare a large fresh-food compartment with plenty of freezer space.
These appliances combine fridge and freezer compartments in one unit. To choose between them, check how much room you need in each compartment and the dimensions of the exact model: a higher total capacity doesn’t guarantee the right split for your shopping.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance to organise fresh and frozen food between shops.
The model name lists a capacity of 360 L, an E energy rating and Total No Frost. Check the capacity of each compartment, the dimensions and the clearance needed before buying.
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Worth considering if you want to compare a fridge-freezer for regular shops that include both fresh and frozen food.
The model is listed with a total capacity of 390 L and a C energy rating. Check the capacity of each compartment and the available height: the product details state 203 cm.
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Worth considering if your shopping needs plenty of storage space for fresh and frozen food.
The product name lists a capacity of 467 L, an E energy rating and Total No Frost. Its stated width of 83,3 cm makes it particularly important to measure the space, access route and door clearance.
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Worth comparing if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a 282 L fridge-freezer.
The product name gives it an E energy rating. The product details specify that the NoFrost system applies to the freezer; check the capacity of each compartment and the clearance needed to install the exact model.
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Worth considering if you need a fridge-freezer with separate capacities listed for fresh and frozen food.
The product name lists 252 L for the fridge, 103 L for the freezer and a width of 60 cm. Also check the other dimensions and annual energy consumption in the details for the exact model.
Check the annual energy consumption, compartment capacities, energy rating and noise level. The European Commission says these details appear on the labels for appliances covered by EU rules. Compare similar models with comparable capacities and formats rather than choosing based on the rating letter alone.
Anses recommends a temperature below 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Store perishable food there, following the storage instructions, and always observe use-by dates: keeping food at the right temperature won’t extend them.
Avoid overfilling it: Anses recommends allowing air to circulate inside. If your shopping regularly fills every shelf, check how much usable storage space there really is and how it’s arranged, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone.
Arrange for it to be taken to an appropriate recycling route for refrigeration appliances. ADEME says you can, for example, hand it to the retailer or delivery team when your new appliance is delivered, or take it to the electrical and electronic equipment area at a recycling centre.