To store groceries and prepared meals in one appliance, start by comparing the fridge and freezer capacities of a fridge-freezer separately. A fridge with a small freezer compartment may be a better fit if you don’t freeze much; consider two separate appliances if frozen food regularly takes up a lot of space and you have room for both. Then check the dimensions and compare the kWh/year and noise levels of configurations that meet your needs.
If you regularly freeze portions, check the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres and how its drawers are laid out. Don’t rely on the total capacity alone. Also check whether the model lets you set separate temperatures for the fridge and freezer.
Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the clearance needed to open the doors. For a built-in model, also check that the housing and door fitting are compatible with the instructions for your chosen model.
ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously. Once you’ve found a capacity and configuration that suit your home, compare the energy use in kWh/year and the noise level in dB shown on the label.
Start by working out how much space you need for fresh food and frozen meals, then check how much room you have in your kitchen. The energy label described by the European Commission shows, among other things, the capacity of each compartment, annual energy use and noise levels.
Consider this if: you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the model determines how capacity is split between the two compartments. A large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough space for your frozen meals.
Consider this if: you mostly buy fresh food and freeze very little.
Bear in mind: the space for frozen meals can quickly limit how much you can store, so check the capacity of this compartment.
Consider this if: you regularly batch-cook or store lots of frozen food, and have room for two appliances.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for both, and should check the annual energy use of each appliance.
Consider this if: space is your priority and you don’t need to store much food or many meals.
Bear in mind: there’s less room for containers, and you should still check the noise and energy use.
| What to consider | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Balance of fresh and frozen storage | Capacity in litres for each compartment; space and layout for meal containers. | I keep fresh groceries while regularly freezing portions, so the total capacity doesn’t tell me whether there’s enough room in each compartment. Around 27% of shoppers would prioritise this balance. |
| Size and installation | Dimensions and door clearance; housing and door fitting for built-in models. | In a narrow kitchen or with an existing housing unit, I need to be able to install the appliance and access its compartments. This would be a priority for around 33% of shoppers. |
| Energy use and noise | kWh/year and dB on the label, compared between appliances with a suitable capacity and configuration. | If the appliance is near my living space, I want to consider both its electricity use and its stated noise level. Around 20% of shoppers would put both at the top of their list. |
| Defrosting and maintenance | Which compartments have No Frost; the model’s instructions and repair information. | I’d rather keep defrosting to a minimum and check the maintenance requirements before choosing. Around 20% of shoppers would put these points first. |
A fridge-freezer may have enough capacity overall, but too little in the compartment where you plan to store frozen meals or fresh groceries.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, using the figures on the energy label or product listing.
The energy rating letter doesn’t replace the kWh/year figure when you’re choosing between appliances suited to the same needs. ADEME also notes that an appliance’s size and features affect the energy use of an appliance that runs continuously.
Check the kWh/year figure alongside the capacity and configuration, then use the energy rating as an additional guide.
The capacity you want won’t help if the appliance won’t fit through the access points or its doors can’t open in your kitchen. A built-in model must also fit the housing and door system.
Measure the space and the delivery route. For a built-in model, check the installation instructions for the exact model.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity that a professional seller owes a consumer is separate from an optional commercial guarantee, according to the Ministry of the Economy.
Before choosing an extended guarantee, compare its duration, exclusions and the services it actually adds.
Bosch offers freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers, with features that vary by model.
The range includes freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers, with features that vary between models.
Electrolux offers built-in fridge-freezers, among other options. Compare them based on your housing unit and the capacity you need.
These models combine fridge and freezer storage in one appliance. Compare their size and the information listed for each variant with the space available and the capacity split you need.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to combine fridge and freezer storage in a fitted kitchen.
This variant is listed with No Frost and an energy rating of C. Check the capacity of each compartment, the housing dimensions and the required door fitting before choosing it.
Image unavailable
Consider this if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer to fit into a suitable housing unit.
The product listing gives a total capacity of 249 L and an energy rating of E. The total doesn’t exactly match the sum of the listed compartment capacities, so check the split on the energy label, along with the housing dimensions and door system.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for plenty of total capacity for groceries and frozen food.
The title gives an energy rating of E. The multi-door description doesn’t match the Side-by-Side description, so check the actual layout of the compartments, how the doors open and the clearance required.
Image unavailable
Compare this if you want fridge and freezer space in one appliance, with the freezer at the bottom.
The title gives an energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each compartment, the noise level on the energy label and the ventilation clearance before deciding where to place it.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to store groceries and frozen food in a 227 L fridge-freezer.
The title lists a 153 L fridge, a 74 L freezer, a reversible door and an energy rating of E. The stated width differs between the title and description, so confirm the exact dimensions before planning the installation. Low Frost doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it manually.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities you need in litres, then compare the kWh/year and noise levels of suitable appliances. The European Commission says this information appears on the energy label. In France, the DGCCRF notes that household refrigeration appliances have used the new energy label scale since 1 March 2021. Don’t confuse it with the old A+ to A+++ ratings.
No, it depends on the model. Check the product listing or manual to see whether the feature applies to the freezer alone or to the fridge as well. The feature name alone doesn’t tell you how the cooling system is configured.
In France, the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme allows you to hand over a used appliance when buying a new appliance of the same type, according to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. Ask the seller how to arrange the handover or collection of your old appliance.
No. The Ministry of the Economy says that, in France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a professional to an individual; a commercial guarantee is added to it and doesn’t replace it. Read the services and exclusions included with an extended guarantee before deciding whether it’s useful for you.