For everyday storage of fresh food, leftovers and a modest stock of frozen food, start by comparing fridge-freezers. A separate freezer is better suited to regular storage needs: an upright model makes it easy to organise food in drawers, while a chest freezer requires you to arrange items for access from above. Before opting for more capacity, check what is actually running out of space. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously, and that their size can affect energy consumption.
If tubs and opened food tend to disappear at the back of your fridge, first look at how visible they are and how you organise your food. ADEME recommends checking what you have in stock before shopping and keeping your fridge tidy. More capacity is not necessarily the first thing you need.
For bulk buys or prepared portions, choose a format that makes it easy to find what you need. The drawers in an upright freezer let you separate different types of food; with a chest freezer, plan how you’ll organise items for access from above.
A narrow recess or awkward delivery route could rule out a large model, even if its capacity would suit you. Measure the space and check the clearances specified for the model you’re considering, then compare its annual energy consumption. ADEME notes that fridges and freezers run continuously.
Start with the food that regularly runs out of space, then compare the capacity of each compartment with its internal layout. A table-top fridge may meet a limited need for fresh food; a multi-door model is worth considering if its capacity and overall size suit how you’ll actually use it.
| What matters to you | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility of fresh food and leftovers | Usable fridge capacity and access to the shelves, drawers and containers you use. | If my leftovers go unnoticed before my next shop, I want to be able to spot them without clearing a shelf; around 33% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Frozen food storage | Usable freezer capacity and the space genuinely available for portions or bulk buys. | When I regularly freeze portions or buy food in bulk, enough freezer space matters more than extra fridge space; around 27% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Access to stored food | How drawers or baskets are arranged, and access to food at the back. | To find a type of frozen food without rummaging through the whole freezer, I prefer an easy-to-maintain system; this would be the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Space and energy consumption | Dimensions, door clearance, specified ventilation gaps and annual energy consumption for the capacity you need. | If the appliance has to fit through a narrow entrance and run every day in a small kitchen, its installation and energy consumption will guide my choice; around 20% of consumers would put these constraints first. |
Occasional bulk buys alone don’t justify getting a larger appliance. ADEME recommends checking what you have in stock and planning your shopping to avoid buying duplicates.
For several weeks, keep track of what’s genuinely overflowing: fresh leftovers, everyday food or portions to freeze. Consider extra capacity if the same items keep running out of space despite regular organising.
Installation requirements vary by appliance. The clearance specified for a freestanding fridge may not be suitable for a model designed for a different type of installation.
Check the instructions for the exact model and measure the clearances, door opening and entire delivery route before you order.
Total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is for fresh or frozen food, or whether the compartments make it easy to find what you need. ADEME also points out that a larger appliance may use more energy.
When comparing appliances for the same use, look at the usable capacity of each compartment, the internal layout, the dimensions and the annual kWh shown on the energy label or in EPREL, the European register of products subject to energy labelling.
In France, the Ministry for Ecological Transition describes a ‘1-for-1’ take-back scheme when you buy an appliance of the same type. However, large appliances require you to plan access and collection in advance.
Ask the retailer how to arrange collection and check that your old appliance can be moved along the planned route.
Without making arrangements in advance, collection may require another appointment or additional handling.
The Bosch KTR15NWEB and KGV33VWEAS offer two different solutions: a table-top fridge for fresh food and a fridge-freezer with a freezer compartment.
The Beko HSM35050 chest freezer is a useful comparison for households whose priority is a stock of frozen food that’s accessed from above.
The Whirlpool WHFF6403W4E upright freezer lets you see what vertical storage can offer when you want to keep different types of frozen food within easy reach.
The Haier HFR3718ENMM is an example of a multi-door model to consider if separate access points would be useful and your kitchen can accommodate a wider appliance.
The Samsung RM70F63NER is a useful benchmark for deciding whether a large-capacity multi-door model suits your kitchen and household storage habits.
These Joybuy models cover everyday storage in a fridge-freezer or multi-door appliance, as well as extra storage in a convertible chest freezer. First choose the type of compartment you need, then check the dimensions and installation requirements of your chosen model.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance. The stated total capacity is 330 L; check how it’s divided between the compartments and consult the instructions for the required clearances before deciding where to put it.
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To keep fresh food and frozen food in one appliance, compare the space available in each compartment. This fridge-freezer is listed with a total capacity of 368 L, an E energy rating and a stainless steel finish. Also measure the available height and check the delivery route.
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Consider this if your regular food stocks justify a multi-door model rather than a more compact fridge-freezer. This model is listed with a total capacity of 495 L and an E energy rating. Check the delivery route, clearances and any requirements for connecting the water dispenser in the instructions.
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Its four doors may appeal to households looking to organise their food across several compartments. The model name indicates a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating; measure the space and check the instructions for ventilation clearances.
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This chest freezer is worth considering for extra storage if you’re happy with top access and a little planning to keep things organised. Its fridge and freezer modes are alternatives, not simultaneous; the model name indicates a removable basket, LED lighting and five-level digital control. Allow space for the lid to open and for ventilation, too.
Not necessarily. First check whether leftovers are hard to see or whether you regularly run out of space. ADEME recommends checking what you have in stock, planning your shopping and keeping your fridge organised. If space is still a problem, compare the usable capacity and layout that suit the food you need to store.
Follow the clearances specified in the instructions for the exact model, rather than relying on a general guideline. The guidance published by Beko France for some appliances and by Samsung France for the RM70F63NER varies according to their design. Also measure the door opening and delivery route.
First compare appliances that can meet the same storage needs, then check their annual energy consumption in kWh and usable capacities on the energy label or in EPREL. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously: the energy rating alone doesn’t tell you how large an appliance is or whether it suits the food you store.
The ‘1-for-1’ take-back scheme described by the Ministry for Ecological Transition applies when you buy an appliance of the same type. Before placing your order, ask the retailer how collection works in practice and check there’s enough room to remove your old appliance.