If you shop less frequently, start by working out how much room you need for fresh and frozen food. A fridge freezer could suit you if fresh food makes up a large part of your stock, while a separate freezer is worth considering if frozen storage is becoming a priority. A fridge freezer with a larger freezer compartment lets you stick to one appliance; a multi-door model is better suited to wide, compartmentalised storage, provided you check its dimensions and energy consumption.
If you keep fresh food for several days and have a few frozen items, work out how much space you need in each compartment. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide to the volume needed per person is a useful starting point, which you can adjust to suit how often you shop.
If prepared portions and bulk buys regularly fill your freezer, the available capacity in litres and access to the drawers matter more than the total volume shown. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol also assesses more intensive freezing after a big shop.
A multi-door model can make it easier to store wide dishes and keep food separate, if you have room to install one. Check the width, depth, door clearance and energy consumption of the specific model; Samsung, for example, offers wide models in its multi-door range.
If you want to stick to one appliance, start by comparing the balance between fridge and freezer space. A fridge freezer with a larger freezer compartment may mean you don’t need an additional appliance, but it still needs to leave enough room for fresh food. If you consistently need more frozen storage, look at a separate freezer; if large containers and organisation are your priority, measure the available space before considering a multi-door model.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen food storage | Compare the freezer compartment capacity in litres and check how easy the drawers are to access. If you freeze food after shopping, check the model’s freezing information too. | I prepare portions or buy in bulk to keep frozen; running out of space in this compartment would be my biggest problem. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this storage space. |
| Space for fresh food | Check the fridge capacity in litres, not just the total volume, then compare it with the size of your containers and the time between shops. | There needs to be room for fresh food and dishes to keep until my next shop, without filling the entire fridge. Around 27% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the kWh/year of appliances with the usable capacities you need. If you’re considering a separate fridge and freezer, add together their stated energy consumption. | I want enough storage space without overlooking the electricity the appliance uses all the time. Around 20% of consumers would make energy consumption their main priority. |
| Installation and storage | Measure the space, delivery route and clearance needed for the doors and drawers; check how the compartments are arranged. | I need to be able to install the appliance and reach the food easily, including wide dishes. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise fitting the appliance and accessing its contents. |
A large appliance may not leave enough room for frozen portions, or may have more fresh-food space than you need. The total capacity doesn’t tell you how the space is divided.
Make a list of what needs to stay fresh and what needs to stay frozen between shops, then compare the usable capacity of each compartment.
According to ADEME, refrigeration appliances run continuously. A second appliance can provide the extra storage you need, but its energy consumption is added to that of your fridge.
Add together the kWh/year figures shown for the two models you’re considering, then compare the total with that of a single appliance offering the right usable capacity.
The stated capacity is less useful if the appliance is difficult to get into your home on delivery, or if its drawers won’t open fully once it’s in place.
Measure the route to your kitchen, the space where the appliance will go and the clearance needed to open the doors and reach the storage compartments.
After a big shop, how you arrange the food and monitor the temperature still matters. Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 °C and 4 °C.
Check the model-specific information on temperature stability and freezing; once installed, monitor the temperature and avoid overfilling the appliance.
The range includes freestanding fridge freezers and larger appliances, which you can compare according to how much fresh and frozen storage you need.
A brand to consider if a separate freezer would better suit your regular need for frozen food storage.
The multi-door range may appeal to households that store large dishes and want to keep food in separate compartments.
The freestanding multi-door range gives you the option of storage divided across several doors.
These appliances combine refrigeration and freezing in one unit, with fridge-freezer, multi-door and Side-by-Side configurations. If you shop less frequently, compare their total capacity with the split you need, then check that the appliance will fit in your kitchen.
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Worth a look if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a four-door appliance. The title states a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E; check the capacity of each compartment and the space needed for installation.
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A fridge freezer to consider if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance. The title states a total capacity of 440 L and an energy rating of D; check how the capacity is divided and make sure you have enough height.
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Consider this if a fridge freezer suits your shopping habits and you want to compare different splits between fresh and frozen storage. The title states a total capacity of 368 L and an energy rating of E; check the freezer capacity before planning to store larger amounts regularly.
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A Side-by-Side model to consider if you need one large appliance for storing plenty of fresh and frozen food. The title states a total capacity of 640 L; measure the access route, installation space and door clearance, then compare the capacity of each compartment.
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Worth a look if you want one appliance for fresh and frozen food, with a multi-door layout. The title states a total capacity of 495 L and an energy rating of E; check the installation dimensions and interior layout before choosing.
Start by estimating the fridge and freezer capacities separately. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres for one person as a starting point, then 50 litres for each additional person. Adjust the space you need according to your shopping habits, containers and how much frozen food you keep.
Not necessarily: it depends on the models and usable capacities you compare. Check their kWh/year figures on the energy labels and add together the figures for both appliances if you’re considering a separate freezer; ADEME points out that these appliances run continuously.
Pay particular attention to the capacities in litres shown for the fridge and freezer compartments, as well as the kWh/year figure. The European energy label also shows the energy rating and noise level; compare these details across models with capacities that meet your needs.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 °C and 4 °C. Check the temperature after installation and arrange food without overfilling the appliance, especially just after a big shop.
Check the delivery, installation and collection arrangements before placing your order. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition describes a “one-for-one” take-back scheme linked to buying a product of the same type. Separately, the French Ministry of the Economy states that the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods bought from a professional seller, whether new, second-hand or refurbished.