Housemates who want their own designated spaces
If everyone buys their own fresh food, check whether the shelves, drawers and door balconies can be clearly divided up. Flatzen recommends labelling food that isn’t shared.
Who is this choice for?
Housemates who do a big weekly shop
If you need to store plenty of fresh food and prepared meals, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. The EU energy label shows the storage volume for each compartment.
Housemates with a small or open-plan kitchen
Available space, door clearance and noise matter just as much as capacity. Measure the space and walkways, then check the model’s dimensions and declared airborne acoustical noise emissions on its energy label.
What should you look for?
First decide how much space each person needs, then compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. If frozen food makes up a large part of your shared shop, compare a large fridge-freezer with two separate appliances, taking up the space they’ll need into account.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Internal storage | Check the images of the exact model to see whether it has adjustable shelves, drawers and door balconies. | When everyone stores their own fresh food, clearly defined spaces mean you won’t have to move someone else’s shopping; around 36% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Fridge capacity | Compare the usable fridge capacity and the practical space available for meals and containers. | Doing a big shop or preparing several meals calls for plenty of space for fresh food; this is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Freezer capacity | Check the usable freezer capacity and the layout of its drawers; consider a separate appliance if needed. | If several housemates regularly store portions or frozen food, everyone should be able to access the freezer without filling the whole compartment; around 21% of consumers prioritise this capacity. |
| Installation and everyday use | Measure the space and door clearance; check the declared annual energy consumption and noise level. | In a small kitchen or near a living area, an appliance needs to fit without obstructing the way, and its noise matters day to day; around 14% of consumers put these considerations first. |
The European Commission says that the energy label for fridges and freezers includes information such as energy consumption, storage volumes and noise emissions. These figures help you compare models, but they don’t show how easy it will be to share the shelves.
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a model based on its total capacity alone
The total capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how much space is given over to the freezer, or whether the internal layout makes it easy to assign spaces.
Check the capacity of each compartment and look at the internal layout of the model before deciding how to divide up the space.
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Forgetting about door clearance and noise
An appliance may fit in its space but still not leave enough room to open the doors or move around. Noise is also worth considering in an open-plan kitchen.
Measure the walkways and the space needed to open the doors, then compare the dimensions and declared noise levels of the models you’re considering.
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Confusing cooling features with how you organise shared food
A feature such as No Frost or a dedicated drawer doesn’t determine who owns the food or reserve space for each person.
Assign the shelves and drawers you can use, then label personal food where it makes sharing easier.
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Neglecting maintenance after installation
Sharing a fridge also means keeping an eye on food storage and cleaning spills promptly. Anses recommends keeping the temperature between 0 °C and +4 °C at the coldest point.
Agree on who will check the temperature and clean up spills, and follow the manufacturer’s advice on storing food.
Brands to know when comparing models
Bosch
Bosch fridge-freezers come in several configurations to consider when the balance between compartments and noise level are important factors.
- Bosch’s product information for the KGN36VLED lists 237 l of fridge capacity and 89 l of freezer capacity, with a declared noise level of 39 dB.
- These figures apply to this model; check the layout and specifications of any other Bosch model you’re considering.
LG
Some LG fridge-freezers offer plenty of capacity, but make sure their dimensions work for your kitchen.
- LG lists 234 l of fridge capacity, 107 l of freezer capacity and a declared noise level of 36 dB for the GBP31DSLEC.
- Capacity doesn’t tell you how easy it is to assign spaces: check the internal layout and measure the space before choosing this model.
Liebherr
Liebherr’s large-capacity fridge-freezers are worth considering if you need plenty of room for a shared shop.
- Liebherr lists a total capacity of 371 l and a declared noise level of 35 dB for the CND 5703.
- To see whether it’s right for a shared house, compare the capacity of each compartment and the internal layout of the model you choose.
Fridge-freezers on Joybuy
These models include fridge-freezers to consider for sharing groceries, as well as larger appliances for storing more food together. Compare their layouts with the number of housemates and their freezing habits; this selection doesn’t cover the option of having a separate fridge and freezer.
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Bosch KGN33NLEB, 282 l fridge-freezer
Worth considering if your household would rather share one fridge-freezer than have two separate appliances. It has a stated total capacity of 282 l and an energy rating of E; check the internal layout, the capacity of each compartment and the noise level of the model on sale.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1, 495 l multi-door fridge-freezer
Consider it for a large shared shop if your kitchen can fit a multi-door appliance. It has a stated total capacity of 495 l and an energy rating of E; check the dimensions, door clearance and how easy it is to assign spaces inside.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 l fridge-freezer
Worth considering for storing a moderate amount of shared groceries in a kitchen where width is a concern. The model title lists 153 l for the fridge and 74 l for the freezer, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and Low Frost; check the full height and internal storage layout.
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Comfee' RCB169WH2(E), 174 l fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you’re sharing a modest amount of groceries and have limited vertical space. This fridge-freezer has a stated capacity of 174 l, a height of 150 cm, a noise level of 39 dB and a reversible door; check there’s enough room for everyone’s shopping and check the annual energy consumption on the label.
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CHiQ JR525WSE, 525 l side-by-side fridge-freezer
Consider it if you need plenty of room for both fresh and frozen food and your kitchen can fit a side-by-side appliance. The model has a stated fridge capacity of 333 l, freezer capacity of 192 l, No Frost and a noise level of 37 dB; measure the space and check the internal layout before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Which figures should I check on the energy label?
For a shared fridge-freezer, start by comparing the storage volume of each compartment, annual energy consumption and noise emissions. The European Commission says this information is shown on the label; then check the model’s product information for its dimensions and internal layout.
Is a large total capacity enough for several housemates?
No. A large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough freezer space or practical areas that are easy to assign. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check the shelves, drawers and door balconies of the exact model.
How should you organise and maintain a shared fridge?
Assign usable spaces, label personal food if needed and agree on cleaning rules. For food storage, Anses recommends a temperature of 0 °C to +4 °C at the coldest point, and prompt cleaning of any soiled surfaces.