If you regularly store fresh and frozen food without wanting several appliances, start by comparing the usable capacity of each compartment in a fridge-freezer. A large fridge or a separate freezer meets a different need. Your choice also depends on the space available, the room temperature, annual energy consumption and how much maintenance you’re willing to do.
If you shop for several days at a time, compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer compartments separately, then check that a fridge-freezer gives each enough room. Que Choisir Ensemble presents the balance of your needs and the available formats as factors to consider when choosing.
If the freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer isn’t big enough, consider a separate appliance. Choose between drawers and a chest freezer based on how you store and retrieve food. Que Choisir Ensemble also highlights ease of access as an important factor when choosing a freezer.
Before choosing a model, check that it will fit along the route to its final position, that its doors or drawers can open fully, and that you can provide the recommended clearances. If it’s going in an unheated room, check that the temperature falls within the appliance’s operating range. Samsung France recommends measuring access points to ensure its featured multi-door model will fit through.
Consider this if: you prioritise fresh food and already have enough freezer space.
Bear in mind: a large fridge capacity doesn’t give you extra freezer storage.
Consider this if: you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the freezer compartment may limit how much you can store; check its usable capacity separately.
Consider this if: you want more storage in your kitchen and can get the appliance to its final position.
Check: the dimensions, whether the packaged appliance will fit through, and the space needed to open the doors.
Consider this if: you need extra frozen food storage organised in drawers.
Bear in mind: it adds to your freezer storage but doesn’t replace a fridge.
Consider this if: freezer capacity is your priority and a top-opening design suits the way you organise your food.
Bear in mind: leave enough room to open the lid and check the permitted room temperatures.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Balance of fridge and freezer space | Compare the usable capacities of the fridge and freezer compartments in litres against what you store between shopping trips. | When I shop for several days, I want enough fridge space without running short of room for frozen food. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this balance between the two compartments. |
| Frozen food storage | Compare the freezer capacity, the layout of the drawers or chest, and the defrosting system of the exact model. | If I stock up, I want to be able to put food away and find what I need easily. Around 27% of consumers put freezer capacity and access to frozen food at the top of their list. |
| Access and installation | Measure the route, the space available and the door-opening clearance; check the manual for ventilation clearances and permitted ambient temperatures. | When my kitchen, pantry or garage has space constraints, I want to check the access route and installation conditions before choosing. Around 20% of consumers prioritise whether an appliance will fit its intended location. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Compare the annual energy consumption in kWh/year of the appliances you’re considering and check how each compartment is defrosted. | If I’m comparing one appliance with two, I want to factor in the energy use of each and the time needed for maintenance. Around 20% of consumers put running costs and maintenance at the top of their list. |
A fridge-freezer may look spacious but still have too little freezer space for the food you usually buy.
Compare the usable fridge and freezer capacities before deciding whether you need a separate freezer.
Having enough floor space doesn’t confirm that the packaged appliance will fit through, that its doors will open, or that the room meets its operating requirements.
Measure the route and check the model’s manual for installation requirements and its permitted ambient temperature range.
The Beko CF200EWN is described as having static cooling and MinFrost, while the Haier H4F226WDH1 is listed as Total No Frost. These terms don’t describe the same feature.
Check the details for the relevant compartment to see whether manual defrosting is still required.
A fridge and a separate freezer both run continuously, so compare all the appliances in the setup you’re actually considering.
Add together their stated annual energy consumption in kWh/year on a like-for-like basis, then consider capacity and maintenance separately.
The KGN36NLEA fridge-freezer is an example of an appliance that combines fresh and frozen food storage.
The RF48A401EB4/EF multi-door model is an example of a large appliance to consider if you have enough space in your kitchen.
The H4F226WDH1 is an example of an upright freezer with drawers, designed to add extra frozen food storage.
The CF200EWN is an example of a chest freezer designed for households that prioritise frozen food storage.
The WHMLF 6443 W5E is an example of a tall fridge for households that prioritise fresh food storage.
The range includes freezers for which it’s worth checking the temperature of the room where they’ll be installed.
This selection includes appliances for storing fresh and frozen food in one fridge-freezer, as well as separate appliances to add extra freezer capacity.
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Worth considering if you want extra frozen food storage organised with drawers and shelves. This appliance doesn’t replace refrigerated storage for fresh food.
The product details list a 161 L capacity, three drawers and two shelves, a No Frost function, a C energy rating, an LED display, an alarm and a reversible door.
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Consider this if you’re looking for chest freezer storage and want the option to switch between fridge and freezer modes. The modes are switchable, so the appliance doesn’t provide two separate compartments at the same time.
The product details list a 291 L capacity, a removable basket, LED lighting, five-level digital control and an E energy rating. Stated dimensions: 1100 × 597 × 872 mm. The description specifies a minimum ventilation clearance of 10 cm around the appliance.
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Worth considering if you want plenty of fridge and freezer capacity in one appliance, provided its dimensions suit your room and delivery route.
The product details list a 330 L fridge compartment and a 165 L freezer compartment, an E energy rating and dimensions of 177,6 × 81,7 × 71,5 cm. They specify 50 mm of ventilation clearance at the back and sides.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance and a side-by-side format suits your kitchen.
The product details list a 333 L fridge compartment and a 192 L freezer compartment, No Frost, Multi-Airflow, an E energy rating and a stated noise level of 37 dB.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact fridge-freezer and want to check how much space is allocated to fresh and frozen food.
The product details list a 153 L fridge compartment, a 74 L freezer compartment, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and an E energy rating. The stated technology is Low Frost, which doesn’t mean manual defrosting is no longer needed.
Compare the usable capacity of the freezer and fridge compartments separately, in litres, using the energy label and the model’s product details. The total capacity doesn’t tell you how much of your shopping you’ll be able to store in the freezer.
It depends on the ambient temperature range stated for the model and the temperatures in your garage. Que Choisir Ensemble highlights the importance of the climate class. Liebherr says that models with FrostProtect are designed to work in ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this limit doesn’t apply to every model.
Measure the route the packaged appliance will take, the available space and the clearance needed to open it. Then check the manual for ventilation clearances. Samsung recommends checking doorways, lifts and corridors to ensure the RF48A401EB4/EF multi-door model will fit through. Check the installation clearances for each model.
If you’re buying as an individual from a professional seller, you can claim the legal guarantee of conformity for two years from delivery of the goods, according to the Ministry of the Economy and Finance. The European energy label provides information including annual energy consumption and the capacity of the relevant appliances. Check with the retailer how to have your old appliance taken away. An extended warranty or installation service is separate from the legal guarantee.