If you shop less often, start by comparing the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer. A fridge freezer is a good fit if both compartments can hold your usual shopping, while a multi-door model or separate freezer is worth considering if your frozen food regularly exceeds the space available. According to Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment is not enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. Before choosing a larger model, also check that it will fit through to your kitchen and that you have enough space to install it.
You need enough room to put away a fresh-food shop without sacrificing the space set aside for frozen food. Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 l for one person, then adding 50 l for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit how often you shop and how the compartments are divided.
Check the freezer’s usable capacity separately from that of the fridge. According to Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment is not suitable if you eat a lot of frozen food. Depending on how much you store, consider a dedicated freezer compartment or even a separate appliance.
Measure the space, delivery route and door clearance before looking for a larger capacity. Larger models need particular attention when it comes to access. Also follow the ventilation instructions in the manual for your chosen model.
Choose a format that suits the amount of fresh and frozen food you usually store, then check its dimensions and installation requirements against your kitchen.
Consider this if: you need one space for both fresh and frozen food, and both compartments have enough room for your shopping.
Bear in mind: the built-in freezer may limit how much you can store. Que Choisir describes a typical fridge freezer as holding around 300 l, split roughly into two-thirds fridge and one-third freezer space. Check the capacity of the specific model you’re considering.
Consider this if: you only occasionally buy a small amount of frozen food and have limited space in your kitchen.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment is not enough when frozen food makes up a significant part of your shopping.
Consider this if: you’re looking for plenty of storage, with separate access to the fridge and freezer, and have enough room for the appliance.
Bear in mind: the size and weight of a large model can make delivery and installation more difficult. Check the access route and door clearance on the model’s product page rather than relying on the stated capacity alone.
Consider this if: you want an extra freezer alongside your fridge because your frozen food regularly exceeds the capacity of the built-in freezer.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for a second appliance and should compare the energy use of both. Que Choisir recommends choosing a freezer capacity that suits your household’s eating habits.
| Priority | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity split | Compare the usable litres of the fridge and freezer separately; don’t look at the total capacity alone. | I want to store several days’ shopping without fresh food taking up the space I need for frozen food. |
| Frozen food storage | Check the capacity and layout of the freezer compartment. If your supplies regularly exceed its capacity, consider a separate freezer. | I need enough room for my frozen food between shopping trips, without relying on a small freezer compartment. |
| Access and installation | Measure the packaged appliance, doorways and corridors, the space available and the door clearance. Check the manual for ventilation requirements. | A roomier appliance won’t be any use if it won’t fit through to the kitchen or its doors can’t open properly. |
| Keeping fresh food cold | Leave enough room for air to circulate. Anses recommends keeping an eye on the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge, which should be 4 °C. | After a big shop, I need to be able to store perishable food in the right area without overfilling the appliance. |
| Energy and noise | Compare the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh and noise level of the models you’re considering. Check their climate class for the room where they’ll be kept, too. | I want to know the stated energy consumption of each appliance and take the noise level into account where it will be used. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. Que Choisir describes a typical fridge freezer as having roughly two-thirds fridge space and one-third freezer space, but this split does not apply to every model.
Compare the usable litres in each compartment with what you usually bring home from your shop.
According to Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment is not enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
If you regularly stock up, check that the appliance has a proper freezer compartment with enough capacity, or that you have room for a separate freezer.
A large appliance may be difficult to get through your access points or open fully once it’s in place.
Measure doorways, corridors and the space where it will go, then compare them with the packaged dimensions and door clearance of the exact model.
After a big shop, overfilling the fridge can restrict airflow. Anses recommends not overfilling the fridge and keeping an eye on the temperature in its coldest area, which should be 4 °C.
Leave room to arrange your food and put perishable items in the area specified in the manual.
In France, Bosch offers fridge freezers, multi-door models, single-door fridges and freezers, so there are several formats to explore across its range.
In France, Liebherr offers freestanding fridge freezers and separate freezers, worth considering if you’re choosing between a single appliance and extra freezer capacity.
In France, Samsung offers multi-door fridges, which are worth considering if you need plenty of capacity and have room for a wider appliance.
This selection includes fridge freezers and a multi-door model, so you can compare the space available for fresh and frozen food. Check the installation dimensions and the capacity of each compartment before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate in a three-door appliance. The model name lists Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Compare the usable capacity of its compartments with your shopping, then check the packaged dimensions and installation clearances.
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This multi-door model is worth considering if you need extra capacity for shopping less often. The model name lists Total No Frost, an E energy rating and Smart Inverter. Its wide format and non-reversible doors make it especially important to check access, door clearance and the space available. Also confirm the packaged dimensions.
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Its stated width of 54 cm is worth comparing with your available space if you have a narrow kitchen. The model name lists a 70/30 split, a height of 176 cm and a Low Frost system. According to the product details, the freezer needs periodic manual defrosting. Check the capacity of each compartment, the packaged dimensions and installation clearances.
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If you shop for several days at a time, look at how the stated 333 l is divided rather than focusing on the total alone. The product details list a cooling compartment, so check whether it’s suitable for the food you want to store. The model name mentions NatureFRESH™, DoorCooling+™ and LinearCooling™; these names don’t replace checking the features that matter to you. Also check the packaged dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual.
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The capacities listed in its name are 211 l for the fridge and 99 l for the freezer. Compare each with the amount you usually store. The name also lists a width of 60 cm, a reversible door, an inverter compressor and an E energy rating. Before deciding where to put it, check its height, depth and packaged dimensions.
Not if frozen food makes up a significant part of your shopping. Que Choisir says a small freezer compartment isn’t enough in this case. Compare the capacity of a separate freezer compartment with the amount you usually store, then consider a standalone freezer if needed.
Anses recommends keeping an eye on the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge, which should be 4 °C, and avoiding overfilling it so that air can circulate. Check the manual to find this area and store perishable food there.
Compare the packaged dimensions with your delivery route, then measure the space available, door clearance and the clearances required in the manual. The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether the model will fit through your home or open properly in your kitchen.
For fridges covered by EU energy labelling, compare the A to G energy rating and annual consumption in kWh of the models you’re considering. Also check the compartment capacities and the noise information on the label or product page: a similar total capacity doesn’t guarantee the same amount of space for frozen food.
Follow the clearances given in the manual for your model; there isn’t one standard distance that applies to every fridge. The Electrolux manual consulted notes, in particular, that the ventilation openings on the appliance or its built-in structure must not be obstructed.