Choose a fridge freezer by comparing how much space you need for fresh food and frozen food, rather than looking at its total capacity alone. If prepared portions and bulk buys regularly fill the freezer compartment, it may be worth considering a separate freezer, provided you have room to install one and can keep its contents organised.
If you cook ahead, the space available for portions and how easy they are to find matter just as much as total capacity. A separate freezer is worth considering if the freezer compartment in your fridge freezer regularly fills up, while you still have room for fresh food.
You store both fresh and frozen food between shopping trips. Compare the usable capacity of each compartment with your habits: a larger appliance won’t solve the problem if the extra space is on the wrong side.
If width is limited, a freezer that fits under the worktop or a compact upright model could be an option for a modest stock of frozen food. Check that the door can open fully and that you can reach your food, not just the appliance’s dimensions.
If you mainly store fresh food with a few frozen items, start by comparing the two capacities of a fridge freezer. If you regularly run short of freezer space, compare separate freezer styles with the space you have available and how often you need to reach your portions.
| What matters | What to check | Who this may suit |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity split | Compare the usable capacity in litres of the fridge and freezer separately with the food you usually store. | I want to shop less often without running short of fridge space or giving too much room to frozen food; around 33% of consumers would put this balance at the top of their needs. |
| Frozen food capacity | Check the freezer’s usable capacity and, if you freeze a lot of meals at once, its freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | My prepared portions and bulk buys regularly fill the freezer in my fridge freezer; increasing this capacity would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Access to portions | Check how easy it is to reach the drawers or the bottom of a chest freezer, and whether you can organise food by type or date. | I want to find stored portions quickly rather than rummage through a deep freezer; for around 20% of consumers, ease of access would matter more than maximum capacity. |
| Installation and energy use | Measure the space and clearance needed; compare the stated annual energy consumption and the model’s permitted ambient temperature range. | The available space or the temperature in an unheated room could limit my choice before capacity even comes into it; around 20% of consumers would prioritise these installation and usage constraints. |
A spacious fridge freezer can still lack room in the compartment you use most. Que Choisir describes a standard fridge freezer whose capacity is mainly devoted to refrigeration.
Make a note of what usually goes in each section, then compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately.
The large, open space in a chest freezer works well for storing plenty of food, but items at the bottom can be hard to find.
Check that you can open the lid fully, and plan to use sections or baskets to organise your portions.
According to Que Choisir, the climate class defines the ambient temperature range in which the manufacturer guarantees the appliance will work. A garage or cellar should therefore be assessed against the requirements of the specific model.
Before choosing a location, compare the room temperature with the range shown on the rating plate and in the instruction manual.
If the room falls outside the permitted range, the appliance may not work effectively and stored food could be at risk.
Extra capacity won’t help if food gets forgotten or bought twice. ADEME recommends taking stock before shopping and organising your fridge, among other things.
Before choosing a larger appliance, check what you’re actually short of space for and find a way to date and locate your portions.
A brand to consider if you want to compare different fridge freezers and capacity splits.
A brand to consider if you’re comparing a fridge freezer with a chest freezer for storing larger quantities.
A brand to consider for fridge freezers, particularly if you may need to install yours in an unheated room.
These fridge freezers and multi-door models combine fresh and frozen food storage in one appliance. Compare their size and the space allocated to each compartment with your shopping habits and prepared portions. If freezing remains your main need, also consider a separate freezer.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh food and frozen portions in a multi-door appliance; check that the split between the two areas suits what you keep in stock.
Stated capacity: 467 L. Total No Frost and energy rating E are included in the product title.
Measure the space, access routes and clearance needed to open the doors.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for one large appliance for planned shopping trips: check the capacity available for fresh and frozen food separately.
Stated total capacity: 495 L. Energy rating E.
Check access routes, ventilation clearances and the permitted ambient temperature range if the appliance is going in an unheated room.
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Worth considering for a narrow kitchen if you need space for fresh food and a modest amount of frozen food in one appliance.
153 L fridge and 74 L freezer; Low Frost, reversible door and energy rating E are included in the product title.
Compare the freezer’s 74 L capacity with the portions you usually store and check the clearance needed for the door.
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Worth considering if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one four-door appliance; ask for the usable capacity of each area to see whether it suits your prepared meals.
Stated total capacity: 474 L. The product title lists Vario Box and energy rating E.
Check the dimensions, installation clearances and stated annual energy consumption for the model.
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Worth comparing for moderate fresh and frozen food storage needs; if you freeze lots of portions, first check how much space your stock requires.
Stated total capacity: 174 L. The product title lists Low Frost, an adjustable thermostat and a reversible door.
Check the usable capacity of each compartment, the annual energy consumption and the model’s installation requirements.
Compare its usable capacity with the space taken up by your usual portions and frozen food, rather than looking at the appliance’s total capacity alone. If the freezer compartment regularly fills up while there’s still room in the fridge, it’s worth comparing a separate freezer.
An upright freezer is a better fit if you often reach for portions organised in drawers; consider a chest freezer if you prioritise a large reserve or need to store bulky items. If you choose a chest freezer, plan how you’ll identify and reach food at the bottom.
Yes, if the room temperature stays within the range permitted for your chosen model. Que Choisir notes that the climate class corresponds to the ambient temperature range in which the manufacturer guarantees the appliance will work. Check the rating plate and instruction manual before installation.
Compare the annual energy consumption shown on each energy label, taking into account the size and capacity you actually need. For the relevant fridges and freezers in the European Union, the European Commission states that the A to G scale has applied since 1 March 2021; you can also find detailed model information in EPREL.