Households that mainly store fresh food
You mainly store fresh groceries, leftovers and a few frozen portions. Fridge capacity and the space the appliance takes up in your kitchen matter more to you than a large freezer compartment.
Which configuration suits your household?
Households that store fresh and frozen food
You use both compartments every week but don’t want a separate freezer. When comparing fridge-freezers, look at the separate capacities of the fridge and freezer compartments, as well as the appliance’s dimensions.
Households that stock up on food
You regularly freeze groceries or prepared portions. An upright or chest freezer could complement your fridge, as long as its location, accessibility and installation requirements work for you.
What should you compare when choosing an appliance?
Fridge with a freezer compartment
Worth considering if: fresh food makes up most of your groceries and you only buy frozen food occasionally.
The trade-off: the small freezer compartment may not be big enough for bulk buys or lots of prepared portions.
Fridge-freezer
Worth considering if: you need space for fresh and frozen food every week, all in one appliance.
The trade-off: the split between the two compartments is fixed. A large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough space in the compartment that matters most to you.
Upright or chest freezer
Worth considering if: you need a separate appliance to store larger quantities of frozen food.
The trade-off: this appliance takes up extra space and also runs continuously. A chest freezer needs room for its lid to open.
For everyday groceries and meal prep, start with the need that matters most to you, then check it against the space available.
| Priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday fresh food and limited space | Usable fridge capacity, freezer compartment capacity and star rating; dimensions and door opening. | If I mainly store fresh food and only a few frozen items, I want to save space in my kitchen without running short of fridge space. Around 42% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| A balance of fresh and frozen food | Usable capacity in each compartment; installation type and appliance dimensions. | I use both compartments every week and want everything in one appliance without compromising one for the other. This would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Large quantities of frozen food | Freezer capacity, access to drawers or the lid, and annual energy consumption; permitted ambient temperature if the room is unheated. | To store groceries bought in bulk or prepared portions, I need more freezer space than my fridge provides. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise a separate freezer. |
What to avoid before you buy
-
Looking only at the total capacity
A fridge-freezer may offer plenty of capacity overall but too little in the compartment you use every week. Fridge and freezer capacity aren’t interchangeable.
Think about what you actually store, then compare the net capacity of each compartment rather than just the total.
-
Measuring the space but not the route to the appliance
Having enough width doesn’t necessarily mean the appliance will fit through doors and hallways, or that its door, drawers or lid will open properly. Ventilation requirements also depend on the model’s instructions.
Measure the delivery route and the final location. For a built-in model, check the housing space and door fitting too.
Adapting a housing space or modifying a door front may mean extra work before installation.
-
Comparing energy ratings alone
According to ADEME, fridges and freezers run continuously. The type of appliance, its capacity and how you use it also matter when assessing energy consumption.
For every model you’re considering, check the annual consumption in kWh on the energy label and compare it with the usable capacity you need.
-
Waiting until food is nearly out of date before freezing it
According to ANSES, freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying but doesn’t destroy most micro-organisms. It won’t make food safe if it has already been stored for too long.
Make sure you have enough freezer space to freeze food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is approaching.
Brands to know when comparing formats
Bosch
Bosch’s range includes freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers, as well as freezers, giving you several kitchen configurations to compare.
- The Bosch product details for the KGN492IAF fridge-freezer list 311 L of fridge capacity and 129 L of freezer capacity: a useful example of how to compare the split with your needs.
- These capacities apply to this specific model. Check the capacities, dimensions and installation instructions for the model you choose.
Beko
Beko upright and chest freezers offer formats to consider when you need a separate appliance for storing frozen food.
- Beko lists a capacity of 286 L for the B1RFNE314W upright freezer.
- If the room isn’t heated, check the permitted ambient temperature for the exact model. The B1RFNE314W’s specifications don’t apply to the entire range.
Samsung
Samsung’s freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers make it easier to compare dimensions and installation types.
- Samsung lists a total capacity of 267 L for its BRB26705DWW/EF built-in fridge-freezer.
- For this model, as with any built-in appliance, check the capacity of each compartment and make sure the housing space and door front are compatible before you choose.
Appliances for different storage needs
These models include fridge-freezers for keeping fresh and frozen food in one appliance, as well as chest freezers that provide separate storage space. Start by choosing according to the capacity and space you need. A convertible chest freezer uses its fridge and freezer modes separately, not at the same time.
Image unavailable
Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3-door fridge-freezer, 360 L
Worth considering if you regularly store fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Advertised total capacity of 360 L; Total No Frost and energy rating E. Before buying, measure the route in, the location and the space needed to open the doors, then check the clearances specified in the instructions.
Image unavailable
AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you need a separate appliance for larger quantities and have floor space available.
Advertised capacity of 291 L, top-opening lid, energy rating E and five-level digital control. The fridge and freezer modes are alternatives: also check you have enough room to open the lid.
Image unavailable
AUCMA, 95 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you need a smaller amount of separate storage for your supplies.
Advertised capacity of 95 L, top-opening lid, energy rating E and seven-level thermostat. The fridge mode replaces the freezer mode, so they can’t run at the same time. Measure the clearance needed to open the lid and check the installation instructions.
Image unavailable
Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4-door fridge-freezer, 467 L
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large-capacity fridge-freezer for fresh and frozen food.
Advertised total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and energy rating E. The doors are listed as non-reversible: check which way they open, how much clearance they need and whether the appliance will fit along the delivery route.
Image unavailable
Comfee' by Midea RCB230BL2EU(E), 174 L fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a more compact fridge-freezer.
Advertised total capacity of 174 L, Low Frost technology and a reversible door. Check the model’s energy label for its annual consumption, then consult the instructions for installation clearances.
Frequently asked questions
How can you use the energy label to compare these appliances?
Compare annual consumption in kWh and the usable capacities of the exact model, rather than looking at its energy rating alone. ADEME points out that you can check the energy label for fridges in shops and online. When comparing appliances of different types or sizes, also consider how much of the capacity you’ll actually use.
Where should you store prepared meals and foods that need extra care in the fridge?
Place them in the coldest part of the fridge. ANSES recommends keeping this area between 0 and +4 °C, particularly for meat, fish and homemade dishes containing animal products. Check the temperature and avoid overfilling the appliance.
Can you wait until a food’s use-by date to freeze it?
According to ANSES, it’s better to freeze food as soon as you buy or prepare it rather than waiting until its use-by date is approaching. At −18 °C, bacteria stop multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive. Freezing therefore doesn’t replace proper storage before or after defrosting.
What should you measure before ordering a fridge-freezer or freezer?
Measure the space and the whole delivery route, then check the dimensions of the appliance and its packaging. Allow for doors, drawers or lids to open, as well as the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions. For a built-in appliance, check the housing space and door front too.