Start by checking the available space, the door’s opening path and the ventilation requirements in the manual. A generous capacity is no use if the appliance cannot be installed properly. A fridge-freezer combines refrigeration and freezing in one tall appliance; a table-top or under-counter model is better suited to a height restriction, but offers less room for food. If two spaces are available, separate appliances are also an option, provided you compare their combined footprint and annual energy consumption.
If the appliance needs to fit under a worktop or beside a wall, measure the space and check that the door opens far enough to access the drawers. The door-opening direction and ventilation clearances matter just as much as the appliance’s dimensions.
If your shopping often includes food to freeze, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. A compact appliance may have a limited freezer compartment, or none at all.
In an open-plan kitchen or a small home, it’s worth comparing the stated noise levels of different models. Check annual energy consumption too: as ADEME points out, refrigeration appliances run continuously.
Consider this if: you need fresh and frozen food in one appliance and have room for a tall unit.
The trade-off: you’ll need to set aside the full height of the appliance; a built-in model must also fit the space and installation system exactly.
Consider this if: height is restricted and you only have modest freezing needs.
The trade-off: there’s less room inside; check that the specific model has a proper freezer compartment.
Consider this if: the appliance needs to fit beneath the worktop without taking up space in a tall unit.
The trade-off: capacity is limited by the low space available; installation beneath a hob must be expressly permitted by the manual.
Consider this if: you have two ventilated spaces and want to choose separate refrigeration and freezing capacities to suit your needs.
The trade-off: two appliances take up two spaces and run continuously; add together their stated annual energy consumption.
| Factor | What to check | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the width, height, depth and door clearance; check the space and ventilation requirements against the model’s manual. | In a narrow space, I want to be able to open the door without compromising the installation; for around 36% of consumers, installation is the top priority. |
| Capacity and freezing | Compare the net litres of each compartment separately and check for a 4-star freezer compartment if you freeze fresh food. | If my shopping regularly includes frozen food, I want enough space for it without sacrificing room for fresh food. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this storage capacity. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise level in dB(A) for each model and follow its levelling and ventilation instructions. | When the kitchen opens onto the living space, I don’t want the appliance to disturb quiet moments; noise is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Annual energy consumption | Check the kWh/year figure alongside the usable capacity and energy rating; if you’re buying two appliances, add together their stated figures. | As an appliance runs all the time, I want to keep an eye on its energy consumption over the long term. This is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A door blocked by a wall, excessive depth or obstructed ventilation can make an appliance difficult to install and use. Contact with surrounding furniture can also contribute to noise.
Measure the space in all three dimensions, then check door clearance, skirting boards, hinges and the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model.
Specifications vary: Beko offers table-top models with a 4-star compartment, while its TS190020 has no freezer compartment.
If you plan to freeze fresh food, check the compartment description and capacity on the product page for the model you’re considering.
The energy rating doesn’t replace the annual consumption figure or the capacity you actually need. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously, and an oversized appliance can increase energy consumption.
Compare kWh/year, net litres and noise levels across appliances that fit your space. If you’re considering two appliances, add together their stated energy consumption.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies when a professional sells goods to a consumer. A commercial guarantee is separate, and what it covers depends on its terms, as the DGCCRF explains.
Check its duration, exclusions and what it covers in the event of a repair or replacement before deciding what it adds to your legal rights.
The range includes solutions for narrow kitchens and built-in under-counter fridges.
Its product pages for built-in and freestanding fridge-freezers make it easy to compare dimensions, capacity and usage figures model by model.
The range includes low built-in appliances, including models with a freezer compartment.
The brand’s table-top models include narrow appliances, with or without freezer space depending on the model.
This selection includes three fridge-freezers for keeping fresh and frozen food in one appliance, plus a compact fridge with a freezer compartment. Check the full dimensions and installation requirements for each model before choosing a format for your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you want refrigeration and freezing in one appliance and have space for a unit 150 cm tall.
The title states a capacity of 174 L, a 4-star freezer, a reversible door and a noise level of 39 dB. Low Frost reduces frost build-up but doesn’t eliminate the need to defrost.
Check the kWh/year figure and installation clearances on the product page and in the manual for the exact model.
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Worth comparing if you need separate space for fresh and frozen food in one fridge-freezer.
The title states 153 L for the fridge, 74 L for the 4-star freezer, a width of 54 cm and a reversible door. Low Frost doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost.
Check the height, depth, annual energy consumption and required clearances before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering if fresh and frozen food storage is a priority and your kitchen can accommodate a fridge-freezer of this capacity.
The title states 182 L for the fridge, 71 L for the freezer, reversible hinges, 39 dB and a No Frost function.
Measure the space and confirm the width, depth, annual energy consumption and ventilation requirements for this model.
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Worth considering when space is very limited and a small freezer compartment may suit your needs.
The title states a capacity of 92 L and mentions a freezer compartment, but doesn’t specify its capacity. The claim that it’s quiet doesn’t, by itself, provide a comparable noise level in dB(A).
Check the compartment capacity, full dimensions, noise level and annual energy consumption before choosing this format.
The clearance needed to open the door deserves just as much attention as the width. Measure any obstacles and check that the door opens far enough to remove the drawers. According to Bosch, access with the door open to 90° beside a wall is possible on models with Perfect Fit, but not on all fridges.
Only if the model is designed for this and its manual allows it. Bosch offers Perfect Fit on some appliances placed close to a wall; even so, check the ventilation clearances and the space needed to open the door for the model you choose.
That depends on your shopping and how much room you need for frozen food. As an example for one specific model, Electrolux states that the ELB3AE82YY has a total net capacity of 111 L, including 94 L of refrigeration space. Compare the two compartments with your needs before opting for an under-counter installation.
Compare their stated noise levels in dB(A), then check each model’s installation requirements. Electrolux says that insufficient ventilation, vibrations or contact with furniture can contribute to noise.
No: check the annual energy consumption in kWh and the usable capacities too, as appliances with different capacities won’t meet the same needs. If you’re considering a separate fridge and freezer, add together their stated annual energy consumption before comparing them with a fridge-freezer.