For a household that stocks up on fresh and frozen food every week, a fridge-freezer is a practical starting point, as long as both compartments offer enough room. Consider a multi-door model if you need the extra capacity and have space for it. Two separate appliances may be a better fit if freezing has become a long-term priority, but you’ll need room for both.
If you add lots of food in one go, check how much space is set aside for chilled and frozen food, and how quickly the temperature returns to normal after you put your shopping away. UFC-Que Choisir includes a weekly shop and daily additions in its test protocol.
Freezer space matters more than the total capacity alone. Also check the freezing capacity if you often add food to freeze after doing the shopping.
Compare the dimensions, the clearance needed to open the doors and the noise level of the specific model. The model with the most litres may not be the one that fits best in your home.
For a household’s regular shopping, first choose a layout that gives you the right balance of fresh and frozen storage. Then check that the appliance fits in your kitchen and suits the way you use it.
Consider it: if you want fresh and frozen food in one main appliance and both compartments are big enough for your shopping.
Bear in mind: the freezer space may be limiting if frozen food makes up a large part of your shopping.
Consider it: if you need more capacity and have enough space for it.
Bear in mind: weigh the extra capacity against the width, depth and energy consumption of the model you choose.
Consider them: if you have a long-term need for dedicated freezer capacity and space for two appliances.
Bear in mind: you’ll need room for both appliances and should compare each one based on how you’ll use it.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen capacity | Compare the usable capacity in litres of each compartment separately, rather than looking at the total capacity alone. | If my weekly shop includes lots of fresh food and a regular stock of frozen food, I need space for both; around 33% of consumers would put this balance first. |
| Cooling after your shop | Check the cooling system in each compartment and, where available, test results for cooling and freezing after food is added. | When I put away several bags at once and open the door frequently, I care most about how quickly the temperature returns to normal and how frost is managed; nearly 27% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Kitchen space | Measure the space and access routes; check the manual for clearance requirements and door-opening space. | If the space or access route is narrow, a larger appliance is no use if it can’t be installed properly; around 20% of consumers would put the right fit first. |
| Noise and energy consumption | For models of a similar size and capacity, compare the kWh/year and dB(A) figures on the energy label. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to consider everyday noise without overlooking energy consumption; around 20% of consumers would prioritise these factors. |
A spacious appliance may still have too little room for your frozen food. UFC-Que Choisir describes a typical fridge-freezer as having around two-thirds fridge space and one-third freezer space, but this split won’t suit every household.
Take stock of a week’s shopping and compare it with the usable capacity of each compartment.
Frost management alone doesn’t tell you how well an appliance cools after you’ve put away a full shop. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol looks at food being added and how it freezes, among other things.
Consider the cooling system alongside any available test results for cooling, freezing and temperature stability on the exact model you’re considering.
Larger appliances need room beyond the space they’ll occupy once installed. UFC-Que Choisir says an American-style fridge can be around 1 m wide and 75 to 80 cm deep; check the dimensions of the model you’re considering rather than assuming they apply to every multi-door model.
Check doors, hallways and stairs along the delivery route, then check the clearance needed for ventilation and opening the doors in the manual.
A narrow access route can make delivery difficult or prevent the appliance from being installed where you planned.
You can’t compare two fridges of different capacities by looking at a single letter. According to the European Commission, the label also shows annual energy consumption, capacity and noise emissions.
Compare kWh/year and noise levels for appliances of a similar size and capacity, then check the model’s entry in EPREL.
Freestanding fridge-freezers to consider if you’re looking for separate organisation for fresh and frozen food.
Fridge-freezers to compare if the balance of capacity and compartment settings matters to your household.
A range that lets you compare fridge-freezers with larger appliances, if your kitchen has the space.
Fridge-freezers to consider if you want to compare capacity and stated noise levels.
Models to consider if the layout of the fridge compartment is one of your priorities.
This selection includes fridge-freezers and multi-door appliances for storing fresh and frozen food after your shop. Compare the space in each compartment and the overall dimensions before choosing a style.
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If your shopping includes both fresh and frozen food, check whether the split of the 440 L capacity between the compartments suits your habits.
Stated total capacity: 440 L; energy rating: D. Measure the space and access routes before installation.
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If you’re considering a multi-door model for your weekly shop, compare the space allocated to frozen food and check that all four doors can open in your kitchen.
Stated total capacity: 467 L; Total No Frost; energy rating: E. This technology alone doesn’t tell you how stable the temperature is after your shop.
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To organise fresh and frozen food in a three-door appliance, look at the capacity of each compartment rather than the number of doors alone.
Stated total capacity: 360 L; Total No Frost; energy rating: E. Check the dimensions and clearance needed for installation.
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If you’re looking for a fridge-freezer for regular shopping, compare the space in each compartment with the fresh and frozen food you buy.
Stated total capacity: 316 L; Double No Frost; energy rating: D. For an open-plan kitchen, also check the noise level on the model’s label.
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If you want to fit a full shop into a fridge-freezer, check that the freezer capacity suits the amount of frozen food you usually keep.
Stated total capacity: 368 L; energy rating: E. If you often freeze food after your shop, check the model’s freezing capacity.
First, compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer with what you actually buy. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 l for one person, plus 50 l for each additional person. Then adjust the freezer space to suit the amount of frozen food you buy, rather than assuming the total capacity guarantees a particular split.
No: frost management alone doesn’t show how quickly the fridge returns to temperature after you add food. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between cooling systems and tests factors including daily additions and a weekly shop. If this matters to you, look for test results for the specific model.
Compare their noise levels and annual energy consumption, looking at models of a similar size and capacity. According to the European Commission, the energy label shows noise emissions, kWh/year and compartment capacities. Also check that the doors and drawers can open in the space available.
No: a multi-door model is only worth considering if its compartments and dimensions suit your family and kitchen. For the larger models described by UFC-Que Choisir, also measure the delivery access routes and compare kWh/year with appliances that have the capacity you need.