For your weekly shop and leftovers, start by choosing a fresh-food compartment that suits what you buy and the containers you use. A fridge-freezer is a good choice if both its fresh-food and freezer capacities meet your needs. A separate freezer is worth considering if your frozen-food stocks regularly exceed the available capacity and you have a suitable space for it, bearing in mind that a second appliance runs continuously.
You shop for several days at a time and need room for planned meals and leftovers. Check the usable fresh-food capacity and storage options. ADEME recommends checking what you already have before shopping; UFC-Que Choisir also provides guidance on capacity based on household size.
You regularly buy frozen food or freeze portions for later. Compare the fridge-freezer’s freezer capacity with your usual stocks before considering an extra appliance. UFC-Que Choisir also points out that ease of use is an important factor when choosing a freezer.
You need to fit the appliance into a small kitchen or a specific space. Check that its format suits the available dimensions and installation requirements. UFC-Que Choisir covers appliance formats to suit different kitchen sizes, while Electrolux notes that ventilation requirements vary by appliance.
Consider it: if space is very limited and you buy only a small amount of fresh food.
Bear in mind: its compact size leaves less room for several days’ shopping. Check the freezer compartment if that matters to you.
Consider it: if fresh-food capacity is your priority and you freeze very little, or already have a separate freezer.
Bear in mind: check whether it has a freezer compartment and how much space it offers.
Consider it: if both the fresh-food and freezer capacities suit your usual stocks.
Bear in mind: the total capacity doesn’t show how space is divided between compartments. Compare the drawers too, along with the annual energy consumption shown on the label.
Consider it: if you need plenty of space divided into several compartments and your kitchen can accommodate it.
Bear in mind: compare usable capacity, dimensions and the appliance’s kWh/year rating before opting for a larger capacity.
Consider it: if the fridge-freezer’s freezer compartment regularly runs out of space for your stocks or the portions you want to freeze.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a suitable space, the ventilation specified in the instructions and must factor in the continuous running cost of a second appliance.
First work out which compartment is genuinely short on space, then check the location and energy use of the setup you’re considering.
| Feature | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food capacity and visibility of leftovers | Compare the litres of fresh-food capacity. Check that the shelves, drawers and heights suit your shopping and containers. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. | I shop for several days at a time and want to store leftovers where I can see them. Around 37% of consumers prioritise fresh-food capacity and being able to see their leftovers. |
| Space for frozen food | Take stock of your usual frozen-food supplies and compare them with the freezer capacity. Check how easy the drawers are to access, too. Whether you need an extra appliance depends on your actual stocks, not a universal litre threshold. | If I regularly freeze portions or keep frozen food in stock, I want to know whether the fridge-freezer’s compartment is big enough. Around 27% of consumers prioritise space for frozen food. |
| Size and installation | Measure the space and access points, then check the appliance dimensions and ventilation requirements in its instructions. | My kitchen has a specific space for an appliance, but I also need room for my shopping and frozen-food stocks. Around 18% of consumers prioritise finding an appliance that fits their kitchen. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Compare the kWh/year figures on the labels and the usable capacity of each compartment. If you’re adding another appliance, remember that it will run continuously. | I want to keep on top of the energy use of my main appliance or an extra freezer without compromising on capacity. Around 18% of consumers prioritise running costs. |
Fresh and frozen food go in separate compartments, so a high total capacity doesn’t guarantee that either compartment is big enough for your needs.
Compare the capacity in litres of the fresh-food and freezer compartments separately, then check that their layout suits your shopping and stocks.
An extra freezer won’t give you more room for fresh food or leftovers that need refrigerating.
Work out which compartment regularly runs out of space, and only choose extra capacity if you need it for frozen food.
A large capacity alone doesn’t guarantee a suitable temperature or good circulation of cold air.
Check the instructions to find out about the different zones, and store leftovers where you can find them without overfilling the compartments.
These appliances offer different balances of fresh-food and freezer space. Compare their stated capacities with your shopping habits and usual stocks.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a three-door appliance with separate fresh-food and freezer capacities.
Stated capacities: 235 L for the fridge and 125 L for the freezer.
The product description mentions My Zone and Humidity Zone compartments, easy-access drawers and LED lighting.
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Worth considering if you want to compare a large fresh-food capacity with a separate freezer compartment.
Stated capacities: 336 L for the fridge and 149 L for the freezer.
The product description lists four glass shelves and six door balconies.
The title mentions Total No Frost, Multi Air Flow, a water dispenser, an Inverter compressor and a noise level of 38 dB.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer and want to compare its total capacity with your fresh and frozen food needs.
The title gives a total capacity of 375 L and specifies a bottom freezer.
The product description mentions Total No Frost, vegetable drawers and a temperature-adjustable drawer.
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Worth considering if you want to compare the fresh-food and freezer space in a fridge-freezer separately.
Stated capacities: 252 L for the fridge and 103 L for the freezer; stated width: 60 cm.
The product description mentions Full Frost-Free defrosting, electronic controls and a Quick-Freeze function. The title gives energy class E.
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Worth considering if you prioritise fresh-food storage in a built-in appliance.
The title gives a capacity of 188 L for this fridge.
The product description mentions automatic defrosting and LED lighting. Installation requires a housing that fits the appliance dimensions and compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions; the description does not list a freezer compartment.
Start with the usable capacity of the fresh-food compartment, rather than the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to suit your shopping and the space taken up by leftovers.
Not necessarily. First compare the freezer capacity you need with that of the fridge-freezer you’re considering. If your usual stocks regularly won’t fit, look at adding extra capacity and check that you have a suitable space for it.
Measure the space and access points, then follow the instructions for your chosen appliance on ventilation and installation requirements. These can vary depending on the type of fridge-freezer; general guidance from the manufacturer does not replace the instructions for your specific model.
The European energy label lets you compare the energy class, consumption in kWh/year, fresh-food and freezer compartment capacities, and noise levels, among other details. The DGCCRF states that the label and product information displayed in France must be in French.
No. A commercial warranty is optional and comes in addition to your statutory rights. If you buy from a professional seller, the DGCCRF states that you have two years from delivery of the goods, whether new or second-hand, to make a claim under the statutory guarantee of conformity.