If your weekly shop includes frozen food, start by comparing fridge freezers with a separate freezer compartment. You can assess the fridge and freezer capacities against your habits without assuming you need a very large appliance. Then check the available space, delivery access, annual energy consumption and noise level. A large side-by-side or multi-door model may be worth considering if you need more storage and have room to install it.
If you bring home both fresh and frozen food, consider the space in each compartment and how the appliance performs after a large shop. UFC-Que Choisir includes a full weekly shop in its fridge-freezer testing protocol.
A fridge freezer lets you consider a separate freezer compartment without immediately opting for a large model. However, its width alone won’t guarantee that it will fit in your kitchen: also measure its depth and the delivery route.
If you shop less often or keep substantial reserves, you may want to consider a side-by-side or multi-door model. With these larger appliances, check the kitchen width and access to your home particularly carefully; UFC-Que Choisir also highlights their weight and the space they take up.
Start with what you actually store in each compartment, then rule out appliances that won’t fit in your kitchen or along the delivery route. Finally, compare energy consumption and noise levels between models with capacities that suit your needs.
| Consideration | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Compartment capacity | Compare the usable litres in the fridge and freezer separately, then look at the drawer layout. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person as a starting point, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit the amount you store. | I want enough room for a week’s worth of fresh and frozen food without choosing a total capacity that leaves too little space in the compartment I use most. |
| After a big shop | If comparable test results are available, check how the temperature rises and how quickly the appliance returns to the right temperature after being loaded. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol includes a simulated full weekly shop; the name of a cooling technology is no substitute for these results. | After a big shop, I want to know how the appliance copes when food is added, beyond what the product specifications claim. |
| Installation and delivery | Measure the appliance, the space where it will go and the narrowest point on the delivery route, using the packaged dimensions. For a built-in model, check the housing dimensions, door fixing and ventilation requirements in the model’s instructions. | My kitchen may have a housing unit or narrow access, so the fridge freezer needs to be deliverable and installable as specified. |
| Energy consumption | Check the energy rating and kWh/year on the label, then compare similar appliances of a similar type and capacity. Also allow for the clearances specified by the manufacturer. | As the appliance runs all year round, I want to compare its energy consumption without confusing differences in size with differences in efficiency. |
| Noise | Check the noise level in dB on the label or product information, and consider where the appliance will be placed. Separately, make sure its dimensions and capacity suit your needs. | In an open-plan kitchen or a small home, the stated noise level matters as much as storage capacity. |
A large total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room is set aside for fresh food or how much is left for frozen food.
Compare the capacity of both compartments and check the drawer layout against what you usually buy.
A large fridge may fit in its final position but not through a doorway, along a corridor or into a lift. For its RF65DG960ESLEF multi-door model, Samsung specifically advises checking that the packaged appliance can get through.
Compare the packaged dimensions with the narrowest point on the route, and flag any access issues before arranging delivery.
A built-in model comes with specific requirements for its housing, ventilation and door fixing system.
Check the housing dimensions and installation instructions for the exact model. Only replace a built-in model with a freestanding one if your kitchen layout allows it.
The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you the annual consumption in kWh, the capacity or how noisy the appliance will be where you plan to put it.
Compare the kWh/year, usable litres, dimensions and noise level of similar models, then check their installation requirements.
These examples show different formats and installation requirements. The specifications apply to the models mentioned, not to every model in each brand’s range.
The freestanding GBF3102EEV fridge freezer is an example of how capacity can be divided for a shop that includes frozen food.
The B7BCNA296HS is a built-in fridge freezer to consider if your kitchen has a housing unit.
The freestanding CBNsdc 765i Prime fridge freezer is aimed at shoppers looking for more capacity.
The RF65DG960ESLEF is an example of a large multi-door model for storing substantial quantities.
These options include freestanding fridge freezers, a built-in fridge freezer and a side-by-side model. Compare the capacity split with what you buy, then check the installation requirements for each format.
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For a shop that includes both fresh and frozen food, this three-door fridge freezer has a stated capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the packaged dimensions, the space available and the required installation clearances.
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This 316 L fridge freezer gives you separate compartments for fresh and frozen food. Its product title lists Dual No Frost and an energy rating of D. If noise matters in your kitchen, check the noise level as well as the packaged dimensions before delivery.
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With a stated width of 54 cm, this model may suit a household with limited space, but remember to check its depth and the delivery route too. This 262 L fridge freezer has a stated 70/30 split and a Low Frost system, so don’t confuse it with a No Frost model.
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This 249 L built-in fridge freezer is designed for a fitted kitchen, rather than a space intended for a freestanding appliance. Its product title lists TwinTech No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the instructions for the required housing, door front and ventilation, and check the kWh/year on the energy label.
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For larger reserves, this side-by-side model has a stated 333 L fridge compartment and 192 L freezer compartment, giving 525 L in total. Its product title lists No Frost, 37 dB and an energy rating of E. Confirm the appliance and packaged dimensions, then check the kWh/year on the energy label.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person as a starting point, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide if you shop less often or store a lot of frozen food, and compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
If frozen food makes up a significant part of your weekly shop, consider an appliance with a separate freezer compartment instead. Check its usable capacity and drawer layout: the appliance’s total capacity alone won’t tell you how much room is available for freezing.
Check the exact housing dimensions, door fixing and ventilation requirements in the model’s instructions. Bosch notes that the required housing height for its built-in appliances varies by model, so a stated housing width alone isn’t enough to confirm compatibility.
Measure the final space and the entire route to it: doorways, corridors, lifts or stairs, using the dimensions of the packaged appliance. Tell the seller or delivery company about any access issues before the delivery appointment; UFC-Que Choisir notes that some large fridges can weigh over 100 kg.
Compare the kWh/year shown on the EU energy label for models of a similar type and capacity, rather than looking only at their A to G rating. Usable capacity and noise level will also help you weigh up what each appliance offers for your shopping and kitchen.