If you regularly store fresh food and frozen portions, choose a fridge freezer with capacities for both compartments that suit your habits. If the freezer is the only part that feels too small, a separate appliance may be a better fit. Also compare the space needed, the interior layout and annual energy consumption: according to Anses, a fridge should not be overloaded, and ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously.
If you divide meals between the fridge and freezer, check the capacity of each compartment and how easy the drawers are to access. Leave enough room for air to circulate in the fridge, as recommended by Anses.
To store meat, fish, dairy products and vegetables without overcrowding the fridge, look at its layout and whether you can place perishable foods in the coldest zone, in line with Anses guidance.
If your fridge has enough room for fresh food, it may be worth considering a separate freezer for portions and frozen food, provided you have a suitable place for it.
Worth considering if: you need room for fresh and frozen food in the kitchen without adding a second appliance.
Limitation: a large total capacity does not guarantee that the freezer compartment will be big enough for your portions.
Worth considering if: you only freeze food occasionally and in small quantities.
Limitation: check the compartment’s temperature, rating and capacity before relying on it to freeze meals.
Worth considering if: you need plenty of space for both fresh and frozen food and can make room for two appliances.
Limitation: both appliances run continuously, so compare their annual energy consumption, as ADEME advises for refrigeration appliances.
Worth considering if: your fridge already has enough room for fresh shopping, but the freezer section is too small.
Limitation: a chest freezer needs floor space and an organised layout; an upright model gives you vertical access to its compartments.
| Criterion | What to check | To suit your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Temperatures | Check the settings and the temperature in the fridge’s coldest zone. If you plan to freeze portions, check the compartment’s rating and temperature too: Anses specifies 4 °C in the coldest zone and −18 °C for home freezing. | I store perishable food in the fridge and want to know where to place it; if I freeze meals, I also check the compartment designed for this purpose. |
| Capacity and storage | Compare the usable capacity in litres of the fridge and freezer separately. Check the size of the drawers, baskets and shelves against your containers; Anses recommends not overfilling the fridge. | My shopping needs to fit without blocking air circulation, while my frozen portions should be easy to find. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, check how the doors open, and measure the delivery route. For a built-in model, also check that the appliance fits the housing dimensions specified by the manufacturer. | A large capacity is no use if the appliance won’t fit in my home or stops the drawers from opening. |
| Energy consumption | For appliances with a similar type and capacity, compare the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh and usable capacity. The EU energy label rates appliances from A to G; ADEME also points out that size and over-equipping matter. | As this appliance will be on all the time, I want to compare set-ups that suit what I actually store. |
A fridge freezer may offer plenty of space for fresh food but too little room for your frozen portions. A separate chest freezer, on the other hand, won’t give you more space for fresh food.
Think about what you usually store in each compartment, then compare their usable capacities separately.
According to Anses, overfilling the fridge restricts air circulation, while perishable foods need to be kept in the coldest zone.
Check that the shelves and drawers can hold your shopping and containers without blocking the space needed for air to circulate.
According to its French product specifications, the Bosch KGN492IAF measures 203 × 70 × 66,7 cm. An appliance’s dimensions can make it difficult to deliver or install, even if its capacity is right for you.
Measure the space, access routes and door openings. For a built-in model, also check the specified housing dimensions.
ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously, and that their size or having more equipment than you need can affect energy consumption.
Compare the energy rating, kWh/year and usable capacities of similar types of model, then check the label for the exact model.
These examples illustrate different formats and factors to compare; they do not represent every range from each brand.
The freestanding KGN492IAF fridge freezer lets you compare the fresh and frozen capacities of a single appliance.
The RB38C7B6AS9/EF is an example of a fridge freezer to consider if you’re looking for Samsung’s Twin Cooling features.
Whirlpool chest and upright freezers offer two layouts to consider if you want to add more freezer storage.
The built-in LNA7CE18S0 fridge freezer is designed for kitchens with specific cabinet requirements, rather than simply for those looking to increase capacity.
These fridge freezers combine refrigeration and freezing in one appliance, for fresh shopping and prepared portions. Compare the space in each compartment and the installation requirements to find the right fit for your needs.
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A fridge freezer to consider if you want to store fresh shopping and frozen portions in one appliance. The product name lists Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the capacity split, dimensions and temperature settings to make sure it suits your needs.
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Its stated width of 54 cm is worth considering if space is tight. The product name specifies a 70/30 split, a height of 176 cm and Low Frost technology. Compare the usable space in each compartment with your shopping and portions, and check how often it needs defrosting.
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For a narrow kitchen, compare its 54 cm width and reversible door with the space available. The product name lists 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space, along with a four-star freezer compartment, Low Frost and an E energy rating. Check the full dimensions, annual energy consumption and temperature settings before choosing.
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This A-rated fridge freezer is listed with No Frost. For your shopping and prepared meals, compare the capacity of each compartment rather than focusing only on its total 333 L. Also check the freezer’s storage temperature and the fridge settings.
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This E-rated model combines both functions in a fridge freezer with a bottom freezer. Check how its 282 L is divided before planning where to store your shopping and portions, as well as the installation dimensions and the freezer compartment’s storage temperature.
Anses recommends 4 °C in the coldest zone of the fridge. Store perishable foods such as meat, fish and cooked meals there, and check the temperature rather than relying only on the setting shown on the appliance.
Check that the compartment is suitable for home freezing at −18 °C and has enough capacity for your portions. Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it when necessary, and not refreezing food once it has been defrosted.
According to Anses, don’t leave a prepared meal out for more than two hours before refrigerating it. However, avoid putting a large dish in the fridge while it is still hot: dividing a large quantity into smaller portions helps it cool more quickly.
Compare their annual consumption in kWh, energy rating, type and usable capacities, choosing models with a similar configuration. ADEME points out that a larger size or additional equipment can affect energy consumption; the energy label and the European EPREL database provide information about the exact model.