For a week’s food shop, a fridge-freezer may be enough if its fridge and freezer capacities separately meet your household’s needs. A multi-door model is worth considering if its layout and dimensions work for you. If you simply need more space for frozen food, an additional freezer can provide just that. If you need plenty of room for both fresh and frozen food, two separate appliances are another option, provided you have space to install them and take their individual energy consumption into account.
The amount of fresh food you need to store depends on the number of people in your household and how often you shop. UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average guide of 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to the amount you actually store.
Look at freezer capacity separately from the total volume. If you regularly freeze large batches of food, also check the model’s freezing capacity in kg/24 h on its product information sheet.
Available space is only part of the picture: you also need to get the appliance into your kitchen, open its doors and allow for the clearances specified by the manufacturer. If you have an open-plan kitchen, compare the stated noise levels too.
Consider one if: the fridge and freezer compartments each have enough room for your usual food shop.
Bear in mind: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room for frozen food.
Consider one if: you’d like a different compartment layout and the capacity of each section suits your food shop.
Bear in mind: the dimensions, delivery access and energy consumption of the model you choose.
Consider them if: you consistently need plenty of space for both fresh and frozen food.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for two appliances, and each has its own annual energy consumption.
Consider one if: you’re happy with your fridge but its freezer compartment regularly fills up.
Bear in mind: the space needed to install it and its ongoing energy consumption.
| Priority | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh food | Compare the capacity of the fridge compartment in litres, then look at the layout of the shelves and drawers. Consider the volume in relation to the number of people in your household and how often you shop. | I want enough room for fresh food bought for several days, without relying on a total capacity that also includes the freezer. |
| Frozen food storage | Check the freezer capacity in litres. If you freeze large quantities at a time, also check the model’s freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | Our frozen food or home-cooked meals sometimes fill the freezer before our next big shop. |
| Installation | Measure the width, height and depth, including the delivery route. Check the door swing, ventilation clearances and climate class suitable for the intended location. | A larger appliance is no use to me if it won’t fit through the access route or its doors can’t open properly in the kitchen. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare kWh/year across models with similar capacities and features, and check their energy ratings too. Look at the dB level and noise class, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. | I want to consider both the electricity used throughout the year and the stated noise level in my living space. |
A spacious appliance may dedicate a large share of its capacity to fresh food, leaving too little room if you need to store lots of frozen food.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately with the amount of food you usually store.
A large appliance may fit in its final position but not through a doorway, hallway or lift. Samsung France specifically advises checking these access points for its packaged RF59C701ES9/EF multi-door model.
Check the dimensions of both the appliance and its packaging, then allow for the space needed to open the doors and provide ventilation, as specified in the instructions.
The letter on its own doesn’t tell you the annual energy consumption of appliances with different capacities.
Check the kWh/year and capacities on the energy label. If you’re considering two separate appliances, look at the energy consumption of each one.
You’ll have more freezer space, but you’ll also need to find a place for a second appliance, allow for ventilation and keep it connected to the power supply.
First check whether a larger built-in freezer compartment would meet your needs. If not, compare the capacity, dimensions, kWh/year and noise level of the additional freezer.
These examples give you an idea of the formats available and what to consider. The features of one model don’t represent the whole brand.
Bosch Home Appliances France’s range includes several formats, including fridge-freezers and multi-door models.
LG France’s product information lets you check how a multi-door model’s capacity is divided, rather than focusing only on its total.
A Samsung France multi-door model highlights why it’s important to consider both capacity and the delivery route.
These models include fridge-freezers, multi-door models and a side-by-side option, giving you space for fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Start by working out how much space you need in each compartment, then check that you can install the model you’re considering.
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Worth a look if you’re after four-door storage for the family food shop. The product title lists Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Compare the capacity of each compartment with the amount of fresh and frozen food you store, then check the dimensions for delivery.
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This fridge-freezer is worth comparing if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance. The product title mentions Total No Frost, My Zone, Wi-Fi and an energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each compartment before deciding whether the total volume is right for you.
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Worth comparing if you need plenty of space in both compartments. The product title gives 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer, and lists No Frost, 37 dB and an energy rating of E. Measure the space and access route before choosing this format.
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This fridge-freezer is worth comparing if you have limited width, as long as the freezer capacity suits your food shop. The product title lists a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Its Low Frost freezer needs to be manually defrosted, according to the product information.
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Worth a look if you prefer four-door storage for the family food shop. The product title mentions Vario Box, Flip Tray and an energy rating of E. To see how much room there is for frozen food, check the capacity of each compartment rather than looking only at the total of 474 L.
For a family fridge-freezer, check the energy rating alongside the kWh/year figure. Then compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, as well as the noise information. The European Commission says that the A to G energy scale has applied to household refrigeration appliances since 1 March 2021. The letter alone doesn’t replace a comparison of energy use and capacity.
No. You need to check how much space is allocated to the freezer. For example, LG France lists a total capacity of 506 L for the GML844PZ6F multi-door model, split between 286 L of fridge space and 220 L of freezer space. Compare this split with the amount of food you store.
Measure the space where it will go, the access route and the room needed to open the doors. For its RF59C701ES9/EF multi-door model, Samsung France also recommends checking whether the packaged appliance will fit through doorways, hallways and lifts. Finally, check the model’s instructions for the required ventilation clearances.
Yes. Compare the stated noise emissions in dB and the noise class of the models you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir classifies appliances with a stated noise level below 40 dBA as among the quietest. However, check the label for the exact figure for the model you’re interested in.