For weekly or less frequent shops, consider a fridge freezer if most of your storage is for fresh food and a separate freezer compartment will be enough for frozen food. If you need more room for frozen food, compare a fridge freezer with a larger freezer compartment, a multi-door fridge freezer or a separate freezer, provided you can install and ventilate it in line with the instructions. Que Choisir recommends taking your frozen food consumption into account when choosing an appliance format: total capacity alone won’t answer that question.
Your fridge freezer needs to accommodate both fresh and frozen food at the same time. When comparing appliances, start by looking at how much space each type of food usually takes up after a shop, rather than focusing only on total capacity. Que Choisir includes a weekly shop in its fridge freezer testing protocol.
Start by checking the capacity of the freezer compartment. Que Choisir points out that a small ice box won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
A multi-door fridge freezer or a separate freezer may be an option if the appliance will fit through your delivery access points and there’s enough room for the doors to open and for ventilation as set out in the instructions.
First, work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then compare the available appliance formats with the space you have and their stated energy consumption.
Consider one if: fresh food makes up most of your shop, but you still need a separate freezer compartment.
Keep in mind: compare the freezer compartment with the amount of frozen food you usually store; total capacity won’t tell you enough.
Consider one if: you only keep a small amount of frozen food.
Keep in mind: according to Que Choisir, a small ice box isn’t suitable if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Consider one if: its compartment layout suits your bulk shopping and it will fit in your kitchen.
Keep in mind: measure the delivery route and the space needed to open the doors, not just the appliance recess.
Consider one if: your frozen food takes up more space than you want to allocate to the freezer compartment of a fridge freezer.
Keep in mind: you’ll need to install, ventilate and power a second appliance; ADEME notes that a freezer runs continuously.
| Consideration | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space for frozen food | Check the freezer capacity in litres separately from the total capacity. Look at the type of compartment and whether it has enough room for the food you usually buy. | After a big shop, I want enough room to put away my frozen food without relying on a small ice box if I buy a lot. |
| How the capacity is divided | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately, then look at the layout of the drawers and storage areas. | My shopping is mostly fresh food, or it includes a lot of frozen food. I need a layout that suits what I buy. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, delivery access points and door clearance. Check the model’s instructions for ventilation requirements. | I need to be able to get the appliance into my home, open its doors and leave the required clearance in the chosen location. |
| Energy | Compare the energy labels and annual consumption in kWh for models with a similar type and capacity. If you choose two appliances, check each one separately. | The stated energy consumption matters to me, especially if I add a freezer that will run continuously. |
A large capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is available for frozen food. This is particularly important if you need your food to last until your next shop.
Estimate how much fresh and frozen food you store separately, then compare the capacity of both compartments in the specifications for the model you’re considering.
An appliance might fit in its intended location but not through a doorway, or there might not be enough room for its doors to open fully. For example, Samsung France lists a width of 912 mm for the multi-door RM70F63NER.
Measure your delivery access points, the space for the appliance and the clearance in front of it before placing your order.
A recess with the right external dimensions doesn’t guarantee that the appliance will be installed in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. Bosch, for example, requires space behind and beneath some fridge freezers for ventilation.
Check the instructions for the appliance you choose, and distinguish between the requirements for freestanding and built-in models.
The energy rating, capacity and annual consumption each tell you something different. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously.
When choosing between models of a similar type and capacity, also check their annual consumption in kWh and consider whether you’ll actually use the features they offer.
These examples of ranges and models can help you identify features to compare; they don’t represent every appliance made by each brand.
Bosch offers freestanding fridge freezers, including models with a separate freezer compartment.
Liebherr describes its fridge freezers as having a separate freezer compartment.
The range includes multi-door models, so check their dimensions before buying.
Haier offers multi-door models in a range of sizes.
These fridge freezers and multi-door models offer a range of capacities for storing fresh and frozen food between shops. Before choosing, compare how much space is actually available in each compartment.
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If you buy a lot in one go, compare the space for fresh and frozen food in this 467 L multi-door model. The product title lists four doors, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Measure the access route and the clearance needed to open the doors.
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If you shop less frequently and buy a mix of fresh and frozen food, check how the stated 360 L is divided between the compartments. The product title lists three doors, Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the instructions for installation requirements.
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If fresh food makes up most of your shopping, check whether the stated 70/30 split leaves enough room for your frozen food. The product title lists a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Also check access points and the clearance required for installation.
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If you need to store fresh and frozen food between big shops, compare the capacity of each compartment rather than relying on the stated 333 L total. The product title lists No Frost and an A energy rating. Check the space available and read the instructions before installation.
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If you plan to store a lot between shops, compare the stated 538 L with the space you need in each of the two compartments. Check the dimensions and energy label for the exact model before choosing: the energy rating information given for this model is contradictory.
Compare the freezer capacity in litres, separately from the fridge capacity, with the space your frozen food takes up after a big shop. If you store a lot, don’t assume an internal ice box will be enough: Que Choisir highlights this limitation and recommends taking your frozen food consumption into account when choosing an appliance format.
Not necessarily. Choose one only if its capacity split suits your shopping and its dimensions work for your access points and kitchen. Check the width, depth and space in front of the doors in particular. The dimensions published by Samsung France for two of its multi-door models show why it’s important to check the specific model.
Measure the space and access points, then follow the instructions for the exact model to allow for ventilation. Bosch’s installation guidance requires space behind and beneath some fridge freezers. Don’t assume the same clearance applies to every appliance, particularly when comparing freestanding and built-in models.
Check the energy rating and annual consumption in kWh for the exact model, then compare appliances of a similar type and capacity. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition states that fridges and freezers must carry an energy label. The rating letter alone doesn’t tell you how much storage space is available or how the compartments are arranged.