If you shop less often, first choose a fridge capacity that suits your household, then check separately how much room you need for frozen food. Que Choisir’s guides suggest a fridge-freezer if its freezer compartment is big enough, or a larger appliance or separate freezer if you need more frozen storage. Also compare the space it takes up and the annual energy consumption shown on the energy label.
Allow enough room for fresh food between shops, without choosing a large appliance based on total capacity alone. Que Choisir recommends matching usable capacity to the number of people in your household and how often you shop.
Consider freezer capacity separately from fridge capacity. According to Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment is not enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. If your current fridge still meets your needs, a separate freezer is also worth considering.
A multi-door fridge-freezer can keep all your supplies in one appliance, as long as it fits in your kitchen and along the entire delivery route. Also compare its annual energy consumption with that of other models that meet the same needs.
Assess your fresh and frozen food storage needs separately, then compare the available formats with the space you have and how you plan to use the appliance.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge capacity | Compare usable capacity with the number of people in your household and how often you shop. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person; adjust this to suit the amount you store. | If I shop for several days at a time, I need room for fresh food without counting the freezer capacity. |
| Frozen food storage | Check the freezer capacity, the layout of the compartments and the stated power-cut storage time. Que Choisir explains that this indicates how long food stays frozen during a power cut. | I regularly store frozen food, so a fridge-freezer needs a freezer that’s big enough. If my current fridge is suitable for fresh food, I could consider a separate freezer instead. |
| Format and access | Measure the space, the clearance needed to open the doors and the delivery route, including the packaged appliance. Check the width and depth of the specific model. | I’m only interested in a multi-door model if its extra capacity suits the amount I store and it can be brought into my kitchen. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the annual consumption in kWh and noise information on the energy label for appliances with a capacity and format that suit your needs. ADEME explains that the label helps you compare these features. | I want to know the stated energy consumption of the appliance I’ll be using, rather than choosing based only on its size or energy rating. |
| Defrosting | Check whether the model specifies No Frost, Low Frost or manual defrosting; don’t assume a feature based on the format. Read the model’s care instructions. | If I want to avoid manually defrosting the freezer, I need to confirm that the appliance I choose has the right feature. |
| Where to put the freezer | If you’re placing a separate appliance in a garage or utility room, check the permitted ambient temperature range in the manual. A feature specified for one model does not apply to every model from that brand. | If I’m adding a freezer to an unheated room, I’ll check that the model can operate there. |
Two large appliances can divide their capacity differently between the fridge and freezer compartments. So if your household stores a lot of frozen food, you could end up short of space in the compartment that matters most.
Compare the usable capacity of both compartments with the amount you usually store. Que Choisir advises against relying on a small freezer compartment if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Extra capacity is no help if the packaged appliance can’t get through your doors, corridors or lift and into your kitchen.
Measure the space and delivery route, then check the dimensions including handles, the clearance needed to open the doors and the manufacturer’s specifications for your chosen model.
Appliances with different capacities and formats may not meet the same storage needs, and the energy rating letter alone doesn’t tell you their annual consumption.
Compare the kWh per year shown on the energy label for models with capacities that suit you. ADEME says the label also provides information about noise.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. For example, Beko states that its B5RFNE315G with Freezer Guard can operate down to −15 °C, but this does not apply to other freezers.
Before installing a freezer in a garage or utility room, check the climate range and instructions in the manual for the specific appliance.
The freestanding KGV36VLEAS fridge-freezer shows what to compare when you want to store fresh and frozen food in one 60 cm-wide appliance.
The GML844PZ6F multi-door model gives you an idea of what it takes to store a large amount of food in one appliance.
The RF65A967ESR shows why it’s important to check access for a large multi-door appliance.
A separate upright freezer is worth considering if your current fridge has enough space for fresh food and you only need more room for frozen food.
These options include fridge-freezers with different capacities, as well as a separate freezer to consider alongside a fridge that already meets your fresh food storage needs.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one multi-door appliance. The model title lists 467 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the capacity of each compartment and make sure the appliance can get into your kitchen.
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An option to compare if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance. The model title lists 360 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the capacity of each compartment and the dimensions needed for installation.
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Worth comparing if space is limited and the built-in freezer can hold the amount of frozen food you plan to store. The model title lists a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm and a 70/30 split. Low Frost does not mean you can skip checking the defrosting instructions.
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This fridge-freezer lets you consider a 54 cm-wide format for more modest storage needs. Its title lists 153 L of fridge capacity and 74 L of freezer capacity, with a 4-star freezer rating. Check whether 74 L is enough for your frozen food and read the defrosting instructions.
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Worth considering if your fridge still meets your fresh food needs but you need a separate space for frozen food. The model title lists 161 L and a C energy rating. You’ll need extra space and a power supply, so check the dimensions and permitted ambient temperature range.
Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 L of fridge capacity for one person, then adding 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to how often you shop, and work out separately how much freezer capacity you need.
No: you need to look at how the capacity is divided between the two compartments. For example, LG lists a total capacity of 506 L for its GML844PZ6F, including 220 L of freezer capacity and 286 L of fridge capacity. Compare the separate capacities with the amount you usually store.
If you want to avoid manually defrosting the freezer, check the features of the specific model. Manufacturers’ product details vary: Bosch, for example, says the KGV36VLEAS is not No Frost, while Beko lists No Frost for its B5RFNE315G.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of your fridge between 0 and +4 °C. Check it regularly, for example with a thermometer, and avoid overfilling the appliance so that cold air can circulate.