Households that do a weekly shop
After a full shop, you’ll need room to put everything away without blocking the circulation of cold air. Que Choisir takes the addition of a full weekly shop into account in its fridge freezer tests.
Who are these formats suitable for?
How often you shop matters just as much as the number of people in your household: it determines how much food the appliance needs to hold at once.
People who prepare meals in advance
Keep meals for the fridge separate from portions to be frozen. Check that the shelves and drawers can accommodate the containers you usually use.
Households that regularly stock up on frozen food
Look at freezer capacity separately from the total capacity. Que Choisir warns that a small freezer compartment won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. If the drawers in a fridge freezer are always full, it’s worth considering a separate freezer.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the food you have after a shop, then see how it will fit in the space available in your kitchen.
| Criterion | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity split | Compare the usable capacity in litres of the fridge and freezer separately. Also check the depth of the drawers and whether there’s room for your containers. | I want enough room for fresh food, prepared meals and frozen food after a full shop, rather than choosing based on total capacity alone. |
| Freezer format | Consider how much space your frozen food usually takes up: Que Choisir says a small freezer compartment won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. If the drawers in a fridge freezer are regularly full, check whether you have space for a separate freezer. | My portions to freeze and bulk buys need to fit without the freezer compartment being full all the time. |
| Keeping food chilled | Find out where the coldest area is and what temperature settings are available. Anses recommends a temperature of 0 to +4 °C at the coldest point and advises against overfilling the fridge, so cold air can circulate. | After shopping, I need to keep some space free for perishable foods in the coldest area. |
| Installation | Measure the space, delivery access and door clearance for the exact model you’re considering. Que Choisir gives an approximate width of 1 m for an American-style fridge, compared with around 70 cm for a standard model. These are only rough guides, so check the dimensions of your chosen appliance. | A large appliance is no use to me if it won’t fit through to the kitchen or its drawers are difficult to open. |
| Everyday use | Check the exact model’s cooling system and defrosting requirements, noise level and energy label. Compare these details with the capacity you need. | If the kitchen is close to the living area, noise matters too. I want to know what maintenance is required before I choose. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
-
Looking only at the total capacity
An appliance may offer plenty of fridge space without meeting your freezer needs. As a guide, Que Choisir describes a standard fridge freezer with a capacity of around 300 l, roughly a third of which is for the freezer.
After a typical shop, estimate separately how much space your fresh food, meal containers and frozen food take up. Then compare the two usable capacities and the drawers in the model.
-
Choosing a multi-door model without measuring the delivery route
A wide appliance may fit the space you’ve set aside but still be difficult to get through a doorway, along a corridor or up the stairs.
Check the model’s dimensions, how its doors open and the clearance at corners. Also check its packaged dimensions if these are provided.
-
Filling the fridge right to the back of the shelves
Anses advises against overfilling the fridge, as this helps cold air to circulate. It recommends keeping food at a temperature of 0 to +4 °C at the coldest point.
Leave space between food items, find the coldest area and check its temperature, especially before storing perishable foods there.
-
Assuming a feature is included across an entire range
The capacity and features of one model don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand. For example, Bosch lists No Frost for the specific KGN36VLED model.
Check the product details for the exact model and variant you’re considering to confirm it has the features that matter to you.
Which brands should you compare by format?
These brands offer different cooling formats. Compare the specifications of individual models rather than assuming they apply to an entire range.
Bosch
In France, Bosch offers fridge freezers, larder fridges, freezers and multi-door models. These are worth comparing if you’re deciding between a fridge freezer and two separate appliances.
- Bosch lists a usable capacity of 237 l for the fridge and 89 l for the freezer on its KGN36VLED fridge freezer, along with No Frost and a noise level of 39 dB(A).
- These specifications apply to the KGN36VLED. Check the capacity and features of any other model you’re considering.
Samsung
In France, Samsung offers fridge freezers and multi-door models in a range of capacities. They’re worth considering if you’re looking for a different split of storage space.
- Samsung’s French catalogue includes fridge freezers with capacities of 344 l and 538 l, as well as a 649 l multi-door model.
- Capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much space is in the freezer or whether the appliance will fit through your access points. Check the exact model.
Electrolux
Electrolux’s guide links your choice of fridge to your kitchen layout and shopping habits, which can be helpful when comparing compact or integrated models.
- To help you decide, compare the available space with the dimensions and internal storage of the model you’re considering.
- Electrolux’s comparisons between litres and shopping bags are the manufacturer’s estimates. They don’t replace checking the separate usable capacities of the fridge and freezer.
Which Joybuy appliances should you consider?
This selection includes fridge freezers and three- or four-door models. For your weekly shop, compare the space for fresh and frozen food, then check the dimensions against your kitchen.
Image unavailable
Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 L, three doors
If you’re looking to store your groceries and portions to freeze in a three-door appliance, compare the space in each compartment with the amounts you usually buy. The title lists Total No Frost, energy class E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Also check the dimensions and clearance required for installation.
Image unavailable
Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L, four doors
If you’re considering a large capacity for groceries and frozen food, check how much space is actually available for each. This four-door model is listed with Total No Frost and energy class E. Measure the space, delivery access and clearance for opening the doors.
Image unavailable
LG GBBSJ1CCSW, 333 L, energy class C
For a fridge freezer for your weekly shop, compare its fridge and freezer capacities with the containers and frozen food you usually store. The title lists a capacity of 333 L and energy class C. If you often freeze prepared meals, also check the drawer layout and the model’s freezing capacity.
Image unavailable
CHiQ JR263LGE, 262 L, Low Frost, black
With a listed width of 54 cm, this fridge freezer is worth comparing with the dimensions of a narrow kitchen. The title lists a height of 176 cm and a 70/30 split. Check that the freezer capacity and the defrosting required with Low Frost suit your needs.
Image unavailable
CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L, Low Frost, silver
If space is limited, check whether its 153 L fridge and 74 L freezer capacities will be enough after your usual shop. The title lists a width of 54 cm, a 4-star freezer, a reversible door and energy class E. Also check the clearance needed to open the door.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity do you need for a weekly shop?
As a general guide, Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 l of usable capacity for one person, then an extra 50 l for each additional person. Adjust this starting point to allow for your meals, containers and frozen food, and check the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
Is a small freezer compartment enough if I often buy frozen food?
Not if you need to store a large amount: Que Choisir says a small freezer compartment won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. For regular use, compare the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer with the space a separate freezer would offer.
When should you consider a separate freezer?
Consider one if frozen food and prepared portions regularly fill the drawers in your fridge freezer. Measure the space for a second appliance and compare its capacity, noise level and energy label before deciding.
Where should you store prepared meals in the fridge?
Find the coldest area for perishable foods. Anses recommends a temperature of 0 to +4 °C at the coldest point and advises against overfilling the fridge, so cold air can circulate.
What should you compare besides the energy class?
Check the energy label and the details for the exact model, including its separate usable capacities, dimensions and noise level. Appliances with different formats or capacities won’t necessarily meet the same storage needs, even if they have the same energy class.