If you shop less often and keep prepared meals in the fridge, compare the space you need for fresh food and frozen food separately. A fridge freezer is worth considering if you need both types of food to fit in one appliance. A single-door or top-freezer model may be more suitable if you need less storage, while a multi-door model or separate freezer needs to justify the extra space it takes up. Before ordering, also check the delivery route, door clearance and the ventilation requirements for your chosen model.
If you keep fresh food, prepared meals and frozen food at the same time, look at how the space is divided between compartments rather than focusing only on the total capacity. Que Choisir specifically recommends taking shopping frequency into account.
If frozen food or home-cooked meals take up a lot of space, start by checking the capacity of the freezer compartment. A separate appliance is only a practical option if you also have a suitable place for it.
A cupboard space, narrow staircase or limited door clearance could rule out an appliance that otherwise suits your storage needs. Electrolux recommends checking the dimensions and access route before delivery; ventilation clearances will depend on the model.
Start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then check that your chosen style will fit in your kitchen. According to the European Commission, the energy label shows the capacity of each compartment, energy consumption and the stated noise level.
| Factor | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen food capacity | Compare the usable litres in each compartment with the food in a typical shop, rather than looking at the total capacity alone. | When I shop for several days at a time, I want to store fresh food without losing the space I need for frozen food. Around 36% of consumers would make this balance their priority. |
| Frozen food storage | Check the freezer capacity and how easy it is to reach your food. If you’re considering a separate appliance, also check the model’s climate class. | If I regularly freeze cooked portions, I need storage I can organise and access easily. Around 29% of consumers would put freezing capacity first. |
| Fitting it in your kitchen | Measure the route and the space where it will go, then check the door clearance and the gaps specified in the instructions. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to get the appliance in and open its doors once it’s installed. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise how well it fits their space. |
| Energy use and ease of use | Check the kWh/year figure and noise level on the energy label, and ask the retailer whether spare parts are available. | In an open-plan living space, I want to consider noise, ongoing energy use and future maintenance. Around 14% of consumers would make these practical considerations their priority. |
An appliance may offer plenty of space overall but too little in the compartment you need for frozen or fresh food. The energy label shows the capacity of each compartment, as the European Commission explains.
Compare each compartment with the food in a typical shop, including anything you plan to freeze.
A fridge freezer or multi-door model may fit the space you have in mind but be difficult to get through doors, up stairs or into a lift. You’ll also need enough room to open its doors in the kitchen.
Measure the route to its final position and tell the retailer about any access difficulties before arranging delivery.
The clearances required for freestanding and built-in appliances aren’t interchangeable. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding fridges; these figures don’t replace the instructions for a different model.
Follow the installation instructions for your chosen appliance and check its position in relation to heat sources.
Extra capacity is only useful if it suits the amount of food you store. Que Choisir describes the American-style fridges it reviews as using more energy than standard models, so compare energy consumption across the models that meet your needs.
First work out how much fresh and frozen food you need to store, then check the kWh/year figure and noise level of the appliances you’re considering.
These fridge freezers and multi-door models offer a range of capacities for storing fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Compare the capacity of each model’s compartments with your shopping needs, then check how much space it will take up before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a three-door appliance. Check the capacity of each compartment against the amount you need to store.
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Worth considering if you need a multi-door model and your kitchen and delivery route have room for it.
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Worth considering if space is limited, provided both compartments are large enough for your shopping between trips.
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Compare this size with the amount of fresh and frozen food you need to store. The total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much space is available in each compartment.
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Compare the capacity with your storage needs if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance, with more space stated for fresh food.
Compare the usable litres in the fridge and freezer with the food you actually keep between shops. Que Choisir offers capacity guidelines based on household size, but how often you shop, whether you keep prepared meals and how much frozen food you store can all affect the capacity you need in each compartment.
Measure the appliance, the space where it will go and every part of the route to the kitchen. Don’t forget to allow enough room to open the doors. Electrolux recommends flagging any access difficulties before delivery; check the details of the delivery service with the retailer.
Follow the clearance requirements in the instructions for your chosen model. Whirlpool recommends leaving 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding appliances, but another appliance, particularly a built-in model, may need to be installed differently.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 °C and +4 °C. Check the temperature after installation so you can adjust the appliance’s settings as needed.