To keep fresh ingredients and frozen portions in a kitchen with limited space, a fridge-freezer combines both compartments in one appliance. A separate freezer is a better fit if you regularly run out of room for portions to freeze and have somewhere suitable to put it. If the problem only crops up occasionally, reorganising your existing fridge and freezer could save you from buying another appliance.
If you cook several meals in advance, work out how much freezer space you really need and check that you’ll be able to find your portions easily. You’ll also need to think about where a second appliance could go.
You need room for fresh food and a few frozen meals without blocking your way or preventing doors from opening. A fridge-freezer can meet both needs, as long as you check its dimensions and installation requirements.
If you only run short of space now and again, first work out whether it’s a temporary squeeze or a regular need for more storage. ANSES recommends not overfilling the fridge so that cold air can circulate.
Start by deciding what needs to stay chilled and what you plan to freeze regularly. Then compare the usable capacity of each compartment and check that the appliance will fit and work as it should in the space you have in mind.
Choose this if: prepared meals are mainly kept chilled and you have little need for frozen storage, or already have it covered.
Limitation: it won’t provide any extra space for portions to freeze.
Choose this if: you need both chilled and frozen storage in one appliance.
Limitation: the total capacity doesn’t show how much space is available in the freezer; check both compartments separately.
Choose this if: you regularly have more portions to freeze than your current freezer can hold and you have a suitable space for another appliance.
Limitation: you’ll need room for an extra appliance and to run it.
Try this if: you only run out of space occasionally and better food rotation could free up room.
Limitation: better organisation won’t make up for regularly insufficient freezer capacity.
| Factor | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space for chilled and frozen food | Compare the usable capacity of both compartments separately, and check how easy it is to reach portions once they’re stored. | If I often freeze some of the meals I’ve prepared, I want to store and find those portions without pushing fresh food out. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this split in capacity above all else. |
| Size and installation | Measure the height, width, depth and access route; check the instructions for door clearance and ventilation requirements. | In a kitchen where the layout and units limit the available space, I’m looking for storage that’s practical to use every day. Available space would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Everyday running | Compare kWh/year for appliances with similar capacities and layouts, as well as noise levels and defrosting requirements. | As the appliance runs all the time, I want to consider its energy use, noise and maintenance, not just its capacity. Around 21% of consumers would put these factors first. |
| Making the most of your current fridge and freezer | Notice how often you run out of space and reorganise food without overfilling the fridge. | If I only run short of space after certain batches of cooking, I’d rather see whether better organisation is enough before adding another appliance. This would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
A large advertised capacity may leave less room than you expect for frozen portions. Fridge and freezer capacity meet two different needs.
Work out how much space you need in each compartment and compare the usable capacities listed for the specific model.
UFC-Que Choisir says some chest freezers can hold up to 600 l. They take up floor space, and you’ll need to be able to reach your portions easily if you use them often.
Measure the space, access route and lid clearance. If you want to keep portions separate in easy-to-reach compartments, compare upright freezers too.
The rating letter doesn’t tell you the model’s annual energy consumption, especially when capacities and layouts differ. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously.
Check the model’s kWh/year figure and compare appliances with similar storage capacity.
ANSES recommends leaving room for cold air to circulate. Packing food in too tightly isn’t a lasting solution if you genuinely don’t have enough capacity.
Try lidded containers and rotate your food. If you run out of room every time you prepare meals, reassess how much capacity you need.
A brand to look at for freestanding fridge-freezers if compartment capacity and dimensions are important to your choice.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large-capacity fridge-freezer and have enough width for it.
A brand to consider if your fitted kitchen needs an integrated fridge-freezer.
Another brand to look at for freestanding fridge-freezers, depending on the compartments and dimensions you need.
These models combine fridge and freezer space for households that want to keep fresh ingredients and prepared portions in one appliance. Integrated, freestanding and multi-door models have different installation requirements, so check these carefully. They’re not a substitute for considering a separate freezer if you regularly need more frozen storage.
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Worth considering if your fitted kitchen needs a fridge-freezer for fresh food and frozen portions.
The model name indicates a 252 L capacity, No Frost and an energy rating of C. Check the instructions for the required niche dimensions and clearances before choosing it for your unit.
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Its multi-door design is worth comparing if you want to organise fresh food and frozen portions in separate compartments.
The model name indicates a 467 L capacity, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the route into your kitchen, door clearance and installation requirements.
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Compare this three-door fridge-freezer if you want to keep fresh ingredients and frozen portions in separate spaces.
The model name indicates a 360 L capacity, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the access route, door clearance and the space required according to the instructions.
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This model has a lower freezer compartment for frozen portions, as well as a separate area for fresh food.
The model name indicates a 282 L capacity and an energy rating of E. Check the clearances, access route and door opening space to see if it will fit in your kitchen.
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Consider this model if you want to keep fresh food and frozen portions in an appliance built into your kitchen.
The model name indicates a 249 L capacity, TwinTech No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each compartment on the exact product listing, along with the kWh/year figure and niche dimensions, before comparing it with another model.
Compare its usable freezer capacity with the portions you want to store, rather than relying on the total capacity alone. Allow room for the food already in your freezer and check that you can reach the compartments once they’re full.
Choose according to the capacity you need, the floor space available and how often you’ll be taking portions out. UFC-Que Choisir says some chest freezers hold up to 600 l. An upright freezer with compartments may make food easier to organise and reach, but make sure it’s suitable for the room where you plan to install it.
Yes, if you only run short of space occasionally and your existing appliance has enough room once you’ve reorganised the food. ANSES recommends not overfilling the fridge so that cold air can circulate. However, this won’t give you any extra freezer capacity.
Chill them promptly in sealed containers and avoid packing food in too tightly. ANSES recommends a storage temperature of between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge; DGCCRF advises covering leftovers and eating them promptly. The appliance’s capacity alone can’t determine how long each dish can be kept.