For your weekly shop, start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, rather than focusing on total capacity. A fridge-freezer is a good fit if both compartments can hold your usual stock and the appliance fits the space available. If you regularly keep more food frozen, consider a separate freezer, taking into account the space it needs and each appliance’s annual energy use.
If you bring home fresh food, drinks and frozen food all at once, check there’s enough room in each compartment. UFC-Que Choisir simulates a full weekly shop in its fridge-freezer tests, so it’s also worth checking how quickly an appliance gets back to temperature after being loaded when comparing specific models.
Work out how much space your portions will take up and how easy they’ll be to find. If a fridge-freezer’s compartment can’t meet this regular need, a separate appliance gives you more capacity options to consider, provided you have room for a second appliance.
In a small kitchen or open-plan living space, measure the area and check how the doors open before settling on a capacity. Also compare the noise level stated on the energy label. For ventilation and drawer access, follow the clearances specified in the model’s manual.
Start with the food you usually keep in stock, then rule out any configurations that can’t be installed and used in the room you have in mind.
| Criteria | What to check | For my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen capacity | Check the capacity in litres of each compartment separately, and compare it with the number of people in your household and the contents of your shop. UFC-Que Choisir suggests allowing 100 to 150 L of fridge space for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Assess freezer capacity separately. | After the weekly shop, I need to put away fresh food without sacrificing space for frozen food and pre-prepared portions. |
| Freezer configuration | Compare the freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer with the capacity of a separate appliance. According to Electro Dépôt’s guide, an upright freezer makes it easier to find what you need day to day, while a chest freezer offers space worth considering for bulky items. Check the layout inside the model you choose. | If I often freeze portions, I want to be able to organise them and find them easily. For large packs, I mainly need to check they’ll fit in the space available. |
| Energy use | For appliances with similar storage capacity, check the energy rating and kWh/year shown on the label described by the European Commission. If you’re considering two appliances, check the annual energy use of each one. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously. | I want enough space for my usual stock without choosing extra capacity I won’t use. |
| Installation and noise | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the access route and door clearance. Check the clearances in the manual, the climate class for the room and the noise emissions stated on the energy label, especially for an open-plan kitchen. | The appliance needs to fit in the room, its doors and drawers need to open, and its stated noise level needs to suit the location. |
| Adding food | For the models you’re considering, look for data or test results on how quickly they return to temperature after being loaded and, if you freeze a lot at once, on their freezing capacity. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol includes a full weekly shop; you can’t infer this result from the appliance format alone. | When I get home with several bags of shopping or prepare portions to freeze, I want to know how the model performs in that specific situation. |
A large total capacity doesn’t tell you how many litres are available for frozen food. ADEME also points out that a larger appliance that runs continuously may use more energy.
Estimate how much fresh and frozen food you usually keep, then check the capacity of each compartment separately.
The rating doesn’t tell you everything: you also need to consider kWh/year and capacity. Two appliances that don’t meet the same storage needs aren’t like-for-like comparisons.
Compare the stated annual energy use of models whose capacity and configuration suit you.
An appliance may fit in its space but still lack enough clearance for ventilation, opening the doors or taking out the drawers. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends checking the climate class.
Check the access route, door clearance and clearances specified in the manual. For a cellar or garage, make sure the room temperature is within the range allowed for the exact model.
Freezing speed and performance during a power cut vary between models, as shown by the criteria UFC-Que Choisir examines in its tests.
If you often add a lot of food to freeze at once, check the specifications or test results for the model you’re considering instead of choosing based only on whether it’s described as an “upright” or “chest” freezer.
The features below apply to specific models, not every appliance made by each brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding fridge-freezer with separate controls for each compartment.
Worth comparing if you want a fridge-freezer with stated capacity and dimensions for a specific model.
Worth considering if you need a chest freezer for separate storage, with particular attention to where it will be installed.
This selection includes fridge-freezers for storing fresh and frozen food in one appliance, as well as a 95 L convertible chest freezer to consider as a separate reserve.
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To store fresh and frozen food in one appliance, compare its 355 L capacity with your household’s usual stock. The title lists Total No Frost and an energy rating of C. Check how the capacity is split between compartments and the dimensions needed for installation.
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Its 467 L capacity is worth considering if you regularly need to store a lot of food, rather than choosing it based on the occasional big shop alone. The title lists Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Measure the access route and installation space for this four-door model.
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Its stated width of 54 cm makes this fridge-freezer worth considering for a narrow kitchen. The title specifies a height of 176 cm and a 70/30 split. Check the capacity of each compartment and the clearance needed to open the doors. For a garage or cold outbuilding, check the permitted ambient temperature range.
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The split listed in the title — 211 L for the fridge and 99 L for the freezer — helps you work out whether your shopping and pre-prepared portions will fit in each compartment. The stated width is 60 cm and the energy rating is E. Also check the full dimensions and kWh/year before comparing installation requirements and energy use.
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This 95 L chest freezer can provide separate storage. It’s advertised as switchable between refrigeration and freezing, so it can’t provide both spaces at the same time. The title mentions a removable basket and an energy rating of E. If you plan to install it in a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range.
Compare kWh/year, the capacity of the fresh and frozen compartments, and the stated noise level across appliances that meet the same needs. The European Commission says these details appear on fridge and freezer labels. The energy rating alone won’t tell you whether the capacity is right for your household.
Start with the amount of fresh and frozen food you usually store, then check the two compartments separately. For the fridge, UFC-Que Choisir suggests allowing 100 to 150 L for one person and 50 L for each additional person. Work out separately how much space you need for portions you plan to freeze.
Yes, provided the room temperature is within the range allowed for the specific model and you meet the installation requirements in its manual. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the climate class. The operation down to -15 °C stated by Beko for its HSM14540 does not automatically apply to other freezers.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of your fridge between 0 °C and +4 °C to store food safely. When choosing an appliance, check its temperature settings and, if test results are available for the specific model, how consistently it maintains its temperature.