To store your shopping, leftovers and frozen food between shops, first work out how much usable space you need in each compartment. Then check that the appliance will fit through the access points and that its doors can open fully. A fridge freezer suits you if you need both storage areas; a compact model is best when space is limited and you don’t need much room for frozen food. A multi-door model is worth considering if you need the extra capacity and have room to install it.
How often you shop isn’t the only thing to consider when choosing a size. The space you need for fresh and frozen food, along with the layout of your kitchen, can also affect your choice.
If you store fresh food, leftovers and frozen portions at the same time, compare the capacity of both compartments rather than looking only at the total volume. This is the starting point for Que Choisir’s published capacity guidelines.
Whether you have a studio flat, an alcove or an open-plan kitchen, measure the space and access points, and remember to allow for the doors to open. The stated noise level is also worth checking if the appliance will be near your living area.
If you shop less often or prepare meals in bulk, a larger model may be a good fit. Before choosing a multi-door fridge freezer, though, check that its capacity suits your habits and that its dimensions work for your kitchen and access points.
Start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then rule out any sizes that won’t fit your chosen spot. For the models still on your shortlist, compare noise levels and energy consumption for similar capacities.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen capacity | Compare the usable litres in the fridge and freezer separately, thinking about the meals and portions you usually store. | If I keep shopping, leftovers and frozen portions until the following week, I need room in both compartments. Around 36% of consumers rank this balance of capacity as their top priority. |
| Size and space needed | Measure the alcove, access points and door clearance. For a built-in model, check the measurements and clearance requirements in its manual. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to install the appliance and open its doors without blocking the way. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Energy consumption and noise | Compare the stated annual energy consumption and noise level of models with similar capacities. | If my kitchen opens onto the living area, noise matters just as much as the electricity used by an appliance that runs continuously. Around 21% of consumers prioritise these two aspects of everyday use. |
| Extra-large capacity | Work out how much capacity you really need, then check the width, depth and access points before choosing a larger model. | If I shop less often or prepare meals in bulk, I may need more storage, provided I have room for the appliance. This extra-large capacity is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A spacious appliance may not leave enough room for frozen food if most of its capacity is taken up by the fridge.
Make a list of what you store in a typical week — fresh food, prepared meals and frozen portions — then compare the usable litres in each compartment.
A multi-door model may fit the space you have in mind but still be difficult to get through doorways or around corners when it’s delivered. For example, the Samsung RF65DG960ESL listed by Samsung France is 912 mm wide and 723 mm deep.
Measure the access points and available space, and allow for the doors to open. Follow the clearance instructions in the manual for your chosen model.
ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously, and that their size or extra features can affect energy consumption.
Compare models with similar capacities, check their annual energy consumption, and only choose extra features if you expect to use them.
The layout and temperature of the interior zones affect how you should organise food; you can’t tell how they work from the name of a cooling technology alone.
Check the zones and drawers in the model’s manual. Que Choisir recommends keeping the fridge compartment between 0 and 5 °C.
Bosch offers fridge freezers as well as larger models, giving you a range of capacities to compare without assuming they’ll all take up the same amount of space.
Beko’s range includes built-in fridge freezers and high-capacity models, which you can compare based on the space you have and the layout you want.
Samsung’s multi-door models are good examples of larger appliances to compare with your kitchen’s dimensions.
This Joybuy selection includes fridge freezers, a multi-door model and a side-by-side fridge freezer. Compare their capacities with what you usually buy, then check the installation dimensions of your preferred model. Compact models aren’t included in this selection.
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A fridge freezer to consider if you store fresh and frozen food between shops. The product title gives a total capacity of 333 L and an energy rating of C. Check the capacity of each compartment and the required clearances before installation.
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For less frequent shopping, this four-door model offers a total capacity of 467 L, according to the product title. It’s listed as Total No Frost with an energy rating of E. Check that its width, your access points and the door clearance work for your kitchen.
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This three-door fridge freezer is worth considering for storing fresh and frozen food throughout the week. The product title lists a capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Compare the capacity of both compartments and the installation measurements before choosing.
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This 390 L fridge freezer, listed with an energy rating of C, is worth comparing if you need space for several meals. Check the split between fridge and freezer capacity, the dimensions and the defrosting system of the exact model.
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For storing large amounts of fresh and frozen food, the product title gives a split of 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer, out of a total 525 L. It’s listed as No Frost, with a noise level of 37 dB and an energy rating of E. Before choosing this size, check the overall dimensions, door clearance and annual energy consumption on the exact model’s label.
Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person, then adding 50 L for each extra person. Adjust this guide to how often you shop, the meals you prepare and how much frozen food you use, comparing the two compartments separately.
A compact or table-top model can work well when space is very limited and you don’t store much frozen food. Before choosing one for your weekly meals, check its capacity and the star rating of any freezer compartment. A small freezer compartment may not meet the same needs as the freezer in a fridge freezer.
First, check the zones and drawers specified in your model’s manual, then store food according to the instructions. Que Choisir recommends keeping the fridge compartment between 0 and 5 °C; don’t assume that every zone inside it is the same.
For a new product sold by a business to an individual in France, you can claim under the legal guarantee of conformity for two years, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Any commercial warranty is additional and doesn’t replace it, so check its terms separately.