Households that prepare meals in advance
You need to divide your meals between the fridge and freezer, so look at the usable capacity of each compartment rather than the total capacity alone. ADEME points out that these appliances run continuously.
Who is this choice for?
Households that stock up on frozen food
If a fridge-freezer compartment may not have enough room for your food, compare it with a separate freezer. Ease of access and available space can help you choose between an upright freezer and a chest freezer, as UFC-Que Choisir notes.
Buyers with a small kitchen or restricted access
Measure the route to the appliance’s position, the space needed to open it and the clearances specified for the model. Installation recommendations vary between appliances.
What to compare
Start by estimating how much fresh and frozen food you usually store, then choose a set-up with enough space for each. Next, check the annual energy consumption and whether installation is practical.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen capacity | Compare the litres in each compartment with the amount you keep between shops; don’t rely on the total capacity alone. | When I prepare meals in advance, I want enough room in each compartment for the portions I plan to store. Around 31% of consumers prioritise how capacity is divided between fresh and frozen food. |
| Access to frozen food | For an upright freezer, look at the drawers; for a chest freezer, check the baskets, top-opening lid and floor space required. | If I often take out individual portions or store bulky items, the internal layout matters to me. Around 25% of consumers prioritise access to their frozen food. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the kWh/year of set-ups suited to similar needs. If you’re considering two appliances, add together their stated annual energy consumption. The energy label and EPREL show consumption and capacity separately. | I want to meet my needs for fresh and frozen food without comparing appliances that don’t offer the same overall capacity. Around 25% of consumers put total energy consumption first. |
| Installation and delivery | Measure the route and the space available; check the dimensions, clearances and opening requirements listed for the model. Ask for the delivery and installation services to be confirmed in writing. | If doors, corridors or available space impose restrictions, I check that the appliance can be installed and opened. Around 19% of consumers make installation practicality their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing by total capacity without checking the freezer capacity
Fresh and frozen food serve different purposes. An appliance may seem spacious overall but still not have enough room for the frozen portions you want to store.
Compare the usable capacity of each compartment separately with your storage habits.
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Comparing the energy ratings of two different set-ups
The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you the annual consumption of all the appliances you need. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously.
Compare the stated kWh/year and the corresponding capacities. If you’re considering two appliances, add together their annual energy consumption.
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Assuming an upright freezer and a chest freezer are interchangeable
They have different layouts and take up space in different ways. A chest freezer opens from the top, so make sure you can reach its contents easily and that you have enough floor space.
Measure the space, check that the lid can open fully and consider how you’ll access your frozen food.
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Confusing collection of your old appliance with installation
Free take-back of an equivalent old appliance when you buy a new one is separate from delivery or installation services.
Before you buy, ask the seller for written details of the services offered and their cost. The French Ministry of the Economy sets out what must be communicated about delivery and paid installation; the DGCCRF distinguishes take-back from additional services.
Brands to consider for your set-up
Bosch
Bosch’s French website features examples of fridges with an integrated freezer compartment and freestanding fridge-freezers.
- Bosch product specifications list the capacities separately for some models. The KGN33NLEB offers 193 l of fridge space and 89 l of freezer space.
- This split may not suit a household that freezes more food. Check the specifications for the exact model.
Liebherr
The French range shown includes larder fridges, upright freezers and chest freezers.
- Liebherr lists the RBsfc 5220 as a 382 l fridge, with stated external dimensions of 185.5 × 59.7 × 67.5 cm.
- A fridge without a freezer compartment won’t replace a freezer if you need one. If you’re planning to keep an appliance in an unheated room, check the conditions for the model you choose.
Whirlpool
The brand’s French range includes upright and chest freezers to consider as separate appliances.
- Whirlpool lists the WHFF 6403 W4E with six drawers, a capacity of 404 l and energy consumption of 292 kWh/year.
- These specifications apply to this model and don’t describe Whirlpool freezers as a whole. Also compare the energy consumption of the fridge you’ll use alongside it.
Beko
The French range shown includes chest freezers to consider based on the space available and the layout you want.
- Chest freezers offer a different way to store frozen food from a fridge-freezer.
- If the appliance will be used in a cold room, check the ambient conditions specified for the exact model.
Haier
The French range shown includes fridge-freezers in different configurations, including two- and three-door models.
- The door layout can make a difference to how easily you can access the storage compartments.
- Capacity and energy consumption need to be compared model by model; the configuration alone doesn’t indicate better performance.
Products available on Joybuy
This selection includes fridge-freezers, a built-in appliance and dedicated freezers to help you organise food storage at home.
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Samsung RB33B612EBN, 344 L fridge-freezer, black, energy rating E
Worth considering if you want fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
The Joybuy product details list 230 L of fridge space, 114 L of freezer space and three freezer drawers.
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AEG NSC6M18FES, built-in fridge-freezer, energy rating E
Consider this if your kitchen is designed for a built-in appliance and the fridge and freezer capacities meet your needs.
The Joybuy product details list 186 L of fridge space, 62 L of freezer space and three drawers. The appliance is designed for integrated installation with a sliding door system, so check that it’s compatible with your unit and door system.
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Heinrich’s, 161 L upright freezer, energy rating C
Consider this if you want dedicated space for frozen food; it won’t replace a fridge for fresh food.
The Joybuy product details list a capacity of 161 L, three drawers, two shelves and a No Frost function.
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Sonlu CC-520WE, 444 L side-by-side fridge-freezer, energy rating E
Worth considering if you want to combine a fridge and freezer in a side-by-side design.
The Joybuy title lists a total capacity of 444 L and an energy rating of E.
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Sonlu CD-350RW, 310 L fridge-freezer, 60 cm wide, energy rating E
Consider this if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer with separate fresh and frozen compartments.
The Joybuy product details list 211 L of fridge space and 99 L of freezer space. The title also mentions an inverter compressor and a reversible door.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the energy consumption of a fridge-freezer with that of two separate appliances?
Check the kWh/year for each separate appliance and add them together, then compare the total with the fridge-freezer’s figure. First, make sure both set-ups offer suitable capacities for fresh and frozen food. The energy label and the European Commission’s EPREL database show annual energy consumption and compartment capacities separately.
How much clearance should I leave around a fridge?
Follow the instructions for your model and check that the door can open fully. For the appliances shown on its installation page, Samsung France recommends clearances of 50 mm at the sides and rear and 100 mm above. It also notes that these measurements vary by model, so they aren’t universal minimums.
What should I check about delivery and installation in France?
Measure the route and the space available, then ask which services are included. The French Ministry of the Economy states that the delivery charge and, if offered, the cost of paid installation or commissioning must be provided in writing at the time of purchase. Free take-back of an equivalent old appliance when you buy a new one is separate from these services.
What information and guarantees should I check when buying a new appliance from a retailer?
For relevant refrigeration appliances sold in the European Union, the energy label must be clearly displayed, including online, and you can look up the model’s product information sheet in EPREL. In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new goods sold by a business to an individual. It is the seller’s responsibility and is separate from a commercial extended warranty.
Can I install a chest freezer in an unheated garage or cellar?
Check the ambient temperature range and installation conditions for the exact model. UFC-Que Choisir draws attention to the climate class. Some manufacturers also describe models designed for unheated rooms, but this doesn’t apply to all their freezers.