For your first kitchen, start by choosing an appliance that fits the space available and offers the right balance of fridge and freezer capacity for your shopping habits. A compact fridge is a good choice when space is limited; a fridge with a freezer compartment may suit you if you rarely freeze food, while a fridge-freezer is worth considering if you regularly store frozen food. An integrated model also needs to match the housing, door system and ventilation requirements set out in its instructions.
If your kitchen is small, compare the dimensions of a compact fridge with the capacity you need for your shopping. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as an average starting point for one person. Adjust this to suit your habits and how often you use frozen food.
If you shop weekly, consider separately how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. UFC-Que Choisir suggests adding around 50 L of usable capacity for each additional person to its initial guideline, but this doesn’t replace checking the freezer capacity you need.
An integrated fridge is only suitable if the unit’s internal dimensions, door system and ventilation match the model you choose. The installation dimensions listed by Electrolux for one of its models show why you should check the instructions for each appliance.
First, work out how much space you have and what you need to store. Then compare the installation requirements, energy label and noise levels of the models that meet your needs.
Worth considering: if you need a compact appliance for a studio flat or very small kitchen.
Things to weigh up: make sure the usable capacity and any freezer compartment are large enough for your shopping.
Worth considering: if you mainly buy fresh food and rarely buy frozen food.
Things to weigh up: a small freezer compartment may not be suitable if you regularly store frozen food.
Worth considering: if your shopping regularly includes both fresh and frozen food.
Things to weigh up: check how much space the appliance needs and the capacity of each compartment.
| Factor | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge capacity | Compare the fridge’s usable capacity with the number of people in your household and how often you shop. UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average of 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person. | If I shop once a week, I need enough room for the fresh food I plan to buy. I shouldn’t choose capacity based only on the appliance’s external dimensions. |
| Freezer capacity | Check the type and usable capacity of the freezer compartment, separately from the fridge capacity. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment may not be enough if you need to store a lot of frozen food. | Do I regularly buy frozen food, or do I only need a small amount of freezer space for occasional use? |
| Location | Measure the height, width and depth, check the delivery route and allow for the door to open. For an integrated model, also check the housing, door fixing system and ventilation requirements in the instructions. | I need to be able to install the appliance and open its door in my kitchen. If I already have a unit, it must be compatible with the model I choose. |
| Installation requirements | Follow the ventilation clearances in the instructions and keep the appliance away from nearby heat sources, as Electrolux recommends. If you’re placing it in a garage or conservatory, check that the climate class is suitable for the room temperature; Bosch notes that the recommended temperature ranges vary by class. | If the appliance will be in a very cold or hot room, I need to check that the location meets the requirements for that model. |
| Energy and noise | Check the energy label and the stated noise level. Compare appliances with similar capacities and configurations rather than focusing on just one rating. ADEME presents the energy label as a useful guide when choosing household appliances. | In a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, the stated noise level matters just as much as capacity. I’ll also compare energy information across the formats that genuinely meet my needs. |
An appliance may fit in your kitchen without offering enough room for your household’s shopping. A larger model could also take up space you don’t need to use.
Measure the space, then compare the usable fridge and freezer capacities with your habits. UFC-Que Choisir’s capacity guidelines are a starting point, not a fixed size you have to choose.
A small compartment may not hold all the frozen food you want to keep.
If you often buy or freeze food, check the type and usable capacity of the compartment. Then compare a fridge-freezer with a fridge that has a freezer compartment.
If the appliance isn’t installed with enough airflow or in the recommended ambient temperature range, it won’t be operating in the conditions specified for it.
Check the instructions for clearance requirements and the recommended distance from heat sources. If you’re placing the appliance in a garage, conservatory or unheated room, check its climate class too.
The housing, door system and ventilation requirements vary between models, so having a unit in place doesn’t automatically mean it’s compatible.
Measure the internal dimensions, identify the door system and compare them with the instructions for the model you’re considering.
If these details don’t match, you may need to adapt the unit before installation.
These Joybuy options are fridge-freezers, including one integrated model. They let you compare different capacities for your first kitchen; an integrated model is only suitable if it’s compatible with your unit.
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Worth considering if you want fridge and freezer space in one appliance for a kitchen where width is a key factor. The model name indicates a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Also check the depth and clearance requirements for your chosen location.
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According to its product name, this model offers 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space for shopping that includes both fresh and frozen food. It’s listed as 54 cm wide, with a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the full dimensions and installation requirements before deciding where to put it.
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For assessing storage space, its product name lists 182 L of fridge capacity and 71 L of freezer capacity. It’s also listed as having a noise level of 39 dB and a reversible door. Check the space it needs and consult the energy label for the exact model to compare its energy and noise information.
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This freestanding 174 L fridge-freezer may suit you if you’re looking for a modest capacity with a separate freezer compartment. Its product name mentions Low Frost and a reversible door. Compare the dimensions and capacity of each compartment with your shopping habits and available space.
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Only consider this integrated model if your unit can accommodate it. Its product name lists TwinTech No Frost and an E energy rating. Before choosing, check that the housing dimensions, door fixing system and ventilation requirements match the instructions.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends an average of 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person, then 50 L for each additional person as a starting point. Adjust this guideline to how often you shop, and check the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
A small freezer compartment may not be enough if frozen food regularly makes up a significant part of your shopping, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. Check the type and usable capacity of the compartment before choosing between a fridge with a freezer compartment and a fridge-freezer.
Check the dimensions, door clearance and spacing requirements in the instructions for the model you’ve chosen. Electrolux recommends leaving space for air to circulate around the appliance and keeping it away from heat sources. Its instructions also advise waiting at least four hours after transport before plugging it in.
The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Bosch gives 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN and 16 to 32 °C for class N, for example. Check the class of the model you’ve chosen and the room temperature; don’t assume another model’s range will apply.
Compare the labels of models with similar capacities and configurations that meet similar needs, rather than choosing based only on the displayed rating. ADEME presents the energy label as a guide to choosing a household appliance. Usable capacity and noise level are also worth checking for your kitchen.