For a weekly shop, start by assessing the usable capacity you need and the space available, then divide that requirement between fridge and freezer space according to how much frozen food you buy. A fridge freezer is often a good choice when you store fresh food, prepared meals and frozen products; a multi-door model requires more space, while an under-counter or single-door model is better suited to more limited needs or to use alongside a separate freezer.
The right usable capacity helps you put away a large shop without cramming in the food. Que Choisir recommends matching the size to how often you shop, the size of your kitchen and how much frozen food you eat.
Make sure you have an accessible cold zone for cooked dishes, and avoid filling the appliance so tightly that air cannot circulate properly. Anses lists prepared meals among the foods that should be kept in the coldest part of the fridge.
Compare freezer capacity separately from the total volume. A small integrated freezer may not be enough when frozen food is a regular part of your shop, as Que Choisir points out.
Start with the genuinely usable capacity, then check the installation requirements, how sensitive foods are stored and the information on the energy label.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and layout | Compare fridge and freezer capacity separately. Que Choisir uses 100 to 150 L for one person as a guide, followed by an additional 50 L per person; adjust this according to how often you shop. Also check the height, width, depth and door clearance. | I want to put away my shop without losing space for prepared meals. The freezer capacity should match the amount of frozen food bought during a typical week. |
| Storing sensitive foods | Anses recommends 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge for meat, fish and prepared meals. Make sure this area is easy to access and that the interior layout allows you to avoid overfilling the appliance. | I need to be able to place prepared meals and sensitive foods easily in a cold zone without blocking air circulation. |
| Noise and energy use | Compare the A to G rating, annual energy consumption in kWh, capacities and noise emissions in dB between similar models. Also check the climate class if the appliance will be installed in a very warm or poorly heated room. | In an open-plan kitchen, I am looking for a quiet appliance. I want to compare its energy use with models of a similar capacity and format. |
| Maintenance and organisation | Check whether the model offers a No Frost system, separate circuits or a compartment dedicated to fresh produce. These features should be assessed on a model-by-model basis. | I would prefer to reduce manual defrosting and keep fresh food, frozen products and meals to be stored more clearly separated. |
Two appliances with the same total capacity can divide the space between fresh and frozen food very differently. For prepared meals, fridge capacity and access to the coldest zone matter just as much as the total figure.
Note down the fridge and freezer capacity you need for a typical week, then compare these figures on the energy label and product information.
Multi-door models may require around 1 m of width, compared with 70 cm for a standard model, according to Que Choisir. The depth, door opening and route into the kitchen can also restrict installation.
Measure the space, access points, depth with the doors open and the clearances specified in the instructions before ordering.
Storage also depends on the actual temperature, how food is arranged and air circulation. Anses recommends maintaining 4 °C in the coldest zone and not overfilling the fridge.
Set the appliance according to its instructions, place meat, fish and prepared meals in the coldest zone, cover opened foods and avoid overloading the fridge.
The energy rating, kWh/year, litres and dB describe different aspects. A very large appliance may offer more storage while using more energy.
Compare the A to G rating, kWh/year, the capacity of each compartment and the dB rating together, between appliances with similar capacities and formats.
A large multi-door model can result in higher annual energy use: LG France states that the LG GML8031ST uses 426 kWh/year.
An example of freestanding fridge freezers focused on generous capacity, No Frost, fresh-food zones and low noise levels on selected models.
An example of large-capacity fridge freezers with NoFrost, a fresh-food compartment and a width between that of a standard fridge freezer and a multi-door model.
An example of 60 cm-wide fridge freezers designed to provide generous interior capacity without increasing the appliance's width.
An example of very large-capacity multi-door models for households with a sufficiently spacious kitchen.
These Joybuy options are fridge freezers suited to storing fresh and frozen food separately for shops lasting several days.
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For a weekly shop combining fresh and frozen food, this fridge freezer offers 276 L of fridge capacity and 114 L of freezer capacity.
Stated features include a C rating, 169 kWh/year, 35 dB, five shelves, three freezer drawers, a reversible door and a width of 59,5 cm.
Before buying, check the height of 203 cm, depth of 65,8 cm, ventilation clearances and the layout of the coldest zone.
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This model offers 183 L of fridge capacity, a 37 L cold compartment and 113 L of freezer capacity, keeping fresh and frozen shopping separate.
Stated features include a C rating, 169 kWh/year, 34 dB, Total No Frost, two salad drawers, Fresh Zone/FRESHConverter and Multi-Air Flow.
Check the cold-zone settings in the instructions and allow for the stated 5 cm clearances, as well as the depth of 67,4 cm.
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For a week's shopping including frozen food, this fridge freezer offers 230 L of fridge capacity and 114 L of freezer capacity, with three freezer drawers.
Stated features include No Frost, three shelves, two fresh-food drawers, an Optimal Fresh+ drawer, Humidity Fresh+, a reversible door and a D rating.
Before choosing this model for an open-plan kitchen, check the energy label, noise emissions and the intended temperature for the Optimal Fresh+ drawer.
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This 375 L fridge freezer with a bottom freezer may suit a household looking for extra capacity for a large shop.
Stated features include Total No Frost, DoorCooling+, LinearCooling, SN-T climate class, a B rating, a width of 59,5 cm and a height of 203 cm.
Before installation, check how the capacity is divided between the two compartments, the noise level, kWh/year and the required clearances.
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For several days' shopping in a standard-width kitchen, this model offers 211 L of fridge capacity and 99 L of freezer capacity within a 60 cm-wide appliance.
Stated features include a Full Frost-Free system, inverter compressor, electronic controls, Quick-Freeze function, reversible door and an E rating.
Before buying, check the height, depth, clearances, kWh/year, noise level and the layout of the cold zone.
Anses recommends 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge, where you should keep meat, fish and prepared meals in particular. Make sure this area is accessible and not overloaded.
No. Capacity also depends on the size of your household, how often you shop, the amount of frozen food you buy and the space available. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, followed by an additional 50 L per person, adjusted according to shopping habits.
Compare the energy label: it shows the A to G rating, annual energy consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise emissions. The European Commission recommends comparing appliances with similar formats and capacities rather than looking only at the rating letter.
No. Manufacturers present No Frost as a way to reduce the need for manual defrosting, but it does not replace setting the coldest zone correctly, storing food appropriately or avoiding overfilling the fridge.
Domestic fridges covered by European regulations have carried an energy label using the A to G scale since 1 March 2021. According to the European Commission and EUR-Lex, it shows information including annual energy consumption, storage capacities and noise emissions.