If you shop for several days at a time and regularly stock up on frozen food, start by comparing fridge and freezer capacity separately. A fridge freezer can meet both needs, provided each compartment is large enough for your shopping. A multi-door model needs more space, while an under-counter or single-door fridge is best suited to smaller kitchens or households that prioritise fresh food over freezing. Then check access routes, door clearance and the energy label for the model you’re considering.
If you buy lots of frozen food or leave longer gaps between shopping trips, start by checking the freezer compartment’s capacity. The appliance’s total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is set aside for frozen food.
You need room for several days’ worth of fresh food as well as frozen food. A fridge freezer is worth considering if the balance between the two compartments and its dimensions suit your household and kitchen.
If the appliance needs to fit under a worktop or between units, check the space available and the access route before choosing its capacity. Que Choisir also points out that, on some models, the doors need to open beyond 90° to remove the compartments.
First work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. Then rule out any styles that won’t fit your kitchen before comparing energy use and noise levels.
Consider it if: your shopping regularly includes both fresh and frozen food.
Bear in mind: freezer capacity varies by model. A large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room for your frozen food.
Consider it if: fresh food makes up most of your shopping and you only buy frozen food occasionally.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment won’t meet the needs of anyone who stores a lot of frozen food.
Consider it if: you store a lot of food in both compartments and have a suitable space for the appliance.
Bear in mind: the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the doors are crucial.
Consider it if: an under-worktop space or small kitchen limits the size of appliance you can choose.
Bear in mind: choosing a compact appliance won’t meet a high-capacity need for frozen food.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for frozen food | Compare the freezer capacity in litres separately from the fridge capacity. The European Commission says these capacities are shown on the energy label. | If I bring home frozen food when I do a less frequent shop, I want to be able to store it without relying on the total capacity alone; around 34% of consumers would put freezer space first. |
| Space for fresh food | Check the fridge capacity and shelf layout. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, then an additional 50 L per person, as a guide to adapt to your habits. | When my shopping needs to last several days, I mainly want room for fresh food and its packaging; nearly 33% of consumers would make this capacity their priority. |
| Space in the kitchen | Measure the space available and the delivery route; check the manual for ventilation requirements and the clearance needed to remove the drawers. | In a narrow kitchen, the appliance needs to fit and its drawers need to remain accessible; this would be the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Energy, noise and maintenance | For appliances with similar capacities and uses, compare the kWh/year and noise levels shown on the energy label, then check the model’s maintenance information. | Once capacity and installation are sorted, I want to compare appliances by energy use, noise and maintenance options; around 13% of consumers would put these factors first. |
This figure doesn’t show how much space is actually available for frozen food. For example, Whirlpool lists 106 L of freezer capacity in its 355 L WHK 26402 XP4E fridge freezer and 203 L in its 578 L American-style WHG2 6574W XK5E: these two styles meet different storage needs.
Make a note of how much space you need for fresh and frozen food separately, then check the capacity of each compartment.
An appliance might fit the space you’ve chosen but not get through a doorway, or there might not be enough room to remove its drawers. Samsung lists a width of 908 mm for its RF24BB620EB1EF multi-door model, so check this against your access route.
Measure the delivery route and kitchen, then check the model’s manual for the clearance and door-opening angle it requires.
According to the European Commission, the label also shows annual energy consumption, compartment capacities and noise levels. The letter alone won’t tell you whether the appliance has the capacity you need.
Compare kWh/year figures for appliances with a similar style and capacity, and don’t overlook noise if your kitchen opens onto a living area.
In its list dated 8 July 2025, the French Ministry for Ecological Transition names five categories covered by the French repairability index, but fridges aren’t among them. Based on this list, the rating therefore isn’t a way to compare these appliances.
For the model you’re considering, check the documentation, available spare parts and service and warranty terms instead.
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a freestanding fridge freezer with a clearly defined balance between fresh and frozen food.
Models worth comparing if you’re choosing between a freestanding fridge freezer, a built-in model and a large-capacity appliance.
Worth considering for multi-door models when your storage needs and kitchen dimensions make this style a good fit.
This selection includes fridge freezers and multi-door models for storing fresh and frozen food. Compare the capacity of each compartment and the space each model takes up, rather than choosing on total capacity alone.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a three-door appliance.
Listed total capacity: 360 L. The model name indicates Total No Frost and an energy rating of E.
Compare the capacity of each compartment with your shopping needs, and check the manual for door clearance and installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you need plenty of space for your shopping and frozen food, provided this style fits your kitchen.
Listed total capacity: 495 L; energy rating E.
Before choosing this model, check the capacity of each compartment, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the doors.
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Worth considering if you shop less frequently and need space in both the fridge and freezer compartments.
Listed total capacity: 467 L. The model name indicates Total No Frost and an energy rating of E.
Before buying, compare the packaged appliance’s dimensions with your delivery route and check the required clearances in the manual against the space available.
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Worth considering if space is limited widthways but you still want a separate freezer compartment.
The model name indicates 153 L of fridge capacity, 74 L of freezer capacity, a width of 54 cm, an E rating and Low Frost technology.
Check the height, depth and required clearances too. Low Frost doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never need to defrost the appliance.
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Worth considering if you want separate compartments for fresh and frozen food in a fridge freezer.
The product name indicates 182 L of fridge capacity, 71 L of freezer capacity, 39 dB and No Frost.
Check the full dimensions and consult the model’s energy label to compare its annual energy consumption with appliances of a similar capacity.
Compare fridge and freezer capacities, energy consumption in kWh/year and noise levels, as well as the energy rating. The European Commission says this information appears on fridge labels. To make sense of the kWh/year figures, compare appliances with similar capacities and uses.
Measure the space where the appliance will go and the entire delivery route, then compare these measurements with the appliance’s dimensions, both packaged and unpackaged. For everyday use, also check the ventilation clearances and door-opening angle specified in the manual; Que Choisir says some models need to open beyond 90° for their compartments to be removed.
Only if the temperatures in the garage fall within the model’s climate class and installation limits. Check the manual for these details, as well as guidance on ventilation and keeping the appliance away from heat sources.