To store a week’s shopping, first choose based on how much fresh and frozen food you actually keep, then compare the usable capacity of each compartment. A fridge freezer combines both functions in one appliance; a small freezer compartment is better suited to occasional needs, while a multi-door fridge or separate freezer needs more space. In every case, check the internal layout, the space needed for installation and the energy consumption of the specific model.
If you put away a lot of fresh food at once, look at the usable space on the shelves, in the drawers and in the door, rather than just the total capacity. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol also assesses how appliances respond when a full shop is added.
If your shopping often includes frozen food or portions to freeze, compare the freezer capacity and access to its drawers separately from the fridge capacity. A small integrated compartment may not suit this level of use.
An alcove, narrow access route or open-plan kitchen can matter just as much as capacity when choosing an appliance. Measure the space and check how the doors open, then compare the stated noise levels of models that can actually be installed.
If you shop weekly or less often, the space you need for frozen food can help you choose the right format. You can then compare appliances by compartment capacity and the constraints of your kitchen.
Worth considering: if you need separate compartments for fresh and frozen food, but don’t want to go straight for a very wide appliance.
Bear in mind: freezer space varies between models and may be too limited if you regularly stock up on frozen food.
Worth considering: if you mainly store fresh food and only need to freeze things occasionally.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir notes that a small freezer compartment is not enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Worth considering: if you need several storage zones and have enough space for a large appliance.
Bear in mind: its width and depth may make delivery, installation or opening the doors more difficult.
Worth considering: if you regularly stock up on frozen food without wanting to reduce the space available for fresh food.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for a second appliance, which will also use electricity.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space for frozen food | Compare the freezer’s usable capacity and access to the drawers, regardless of the appliance’s total capacity. | When my shopping often includes frozen food or portions to freeze, I want to be able to store it without losing space for fresh food. Around 36% of consumers put this freezing requirement first. |
| Storage for fresh food | Check the shelves, drawers and the space you can actually access for the containers you usually use. | After a big shop, I want to find my fresh food without having to move everything in the fridge. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this kind of storage. |
| Installation and noise | Measure the space, access routes and clearance for the doors; also compare the stated dB(A) levels. | In a compact or open-plan kitchen, I need an appliance that fits, opens properly and makes an acceptable amount of noise for the room. Around 21% of consumers prioritise these requirements. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Compare the kWh/year figures for similar formats and capacities, then check parts availability and warranty terms. | If I’m planning to keep an appliance that runs continuously for a long time, I want to be able to assess its energy use and maintenance options. Around 14% of consumers prioritise long-term use. |
A spacious appliance may not leave enough room for the frozen food you buy each week, or enough room for fresh food.
Note the usable capacity of each compartment and compare it with your shopping and the size of your containers.
A large appliance needs to fit through access routes and have enough clearance for its doors and drawers. For example, LG states that its GMX945MC9F is 912 mm wide; this measurement applies to that specific model.
Before ordering, measure the space, delivery route, depth including handles and the clearance needed to open the doors.
An appliance that won’t fit through the door or open properly can make delivery and installation difficult.
A large multi-door fridge and a more compact fridge freezer won’t necessarily offer the same storage capacity. The energy rating or noise level on its own won’t settle the choice.
Look at the kWh/year and dB(A) figures alongside usable capacity, and, where possible, compare appliances of a similar format and capacity.
The duration shown for a commercial warranty doesn’t, by itself, tell you what it adds to your rights under France’s legal guarantee of conformity.
Ask which parts are covered, for how long, and what the terms are for parts, labour and call-out charges. The French Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity can be invoked for two years for both new and second-hand goods.
These models illustrate different formats and ways of dividing up capacity; their specifications do not apply to every model in their brand’s range.
Bosch’s freestanding fridge freezers let you compare the balance between fridge and freezer space in a conventional format.
Its built-in fridge freezers are worth considering if your kitchen requires a compatible cabinet space and door-fitting system.
LG’s multi-door fridges are worth considering if you need plenty of storage and have a sufficiently wide space for the appliance.
Samsung’s connected fridge freezers may appeal to households looking at temperature controls and alarm functions, as well as storage compartments.
This selection of Joybuy appliances includes fridge freezers and larger-capacity formats for storing fresh and frozen food. Compare their stated capacity with the space available in each compartment and the room you have at home; the information in a product title alone isn’t enough to tell you how well it will cope with a full shop.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a four-door appliance. The title states a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check how the capacity is divided and how much clearance is needed to open the doors.
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Worth considering if you need a built-in appliance to fit a compatible cabinet space. The title states a capacity of 249 L, TwinTech No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each compartment, the cabinet dimensions and the door-fitting system before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate in a three-door appliance. The title states a capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Compare the capacity of each compartment and measure the space available.
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Worth considering for a shop that includes both fresh and frozen food, if your kitchen has a suitable cabinet space. The title states a capacity of 252 L, No Frost and an energy rating of C. Check the separate compartment capacities, door fitting and required clearances.
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Worth considering if you need a large stated capacity for your shopping. The title gives a capacity of 495 L and an energy rating of E. Before choosing this model, confirm the door layout, how the capacity is divided between fresh and frozen food, and any installation requirements.
Start with the number of people in your household, then adjust for how often you shop and how much space you need for frozen food. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. However, check the available capacity for fresh and frozen food separately.
Check whether the shelves, drawers and freezer drawers can hold the food you usually buy and are still easy to access when full. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol also assesses how a full weekly shop and frozen-food loads affect the performance of the appliances tested.
Compare the energy rating and stated kWh/year figures, taking capacity and format into account: two appliances with different amounts of storage won’t meet the same needs. European Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 governs the energy labelling of the mains-powered electric refrigeration appliances it covers.
No. The list of product categories covered by the French repairability index, published by the Ministry for Ecological Transition, does not include fridges. When comparing models, check which parts are available for each model, along with its documentation and repair terms.
Check exactly what it adds to the legal guarantee of conformity, including what is covered and the terms for arranging a repair. In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity can be invoked for two years for both new and second-hand goods; a commercial warranty does not replace it.