For your weekly shop and a regular supply of frozen food, start by comparing fridge and freezer capacity separately. A fridge freezer is a good choice if both compartments can hold your usual supplies. If you need more freezer space, consider a multi-door model or a separate freezer, provided you have room to install it. Then compare the dimensions, annual energy use in kWh and noise level of the exact model.
The fridge compartment needs to fit all the fresh food you buy in one go. Que Choisir includes a full weekly shop in its fridge-freezer testing. If this matters to you, check the results for the model you’re considering.
Look at the freezer capacity and the layout of its compartments, rather than just the total capacity. Que Choisir advises against relying on a small freezer compartment if you eat a lot of frozen food.
If your kitchen can only accommodate a small fridge, a freezer elsewhere could provide the extra storage you need. Check there’s room in both locations, and make sure the freezer’s climate class is suitable for the room where you plan to install it.
The right format depends on how much space you need for fresh food and frozen food, and how much room you have for the appliance in your kitchen. Once you’ve found models that fit, compare their features.
Consider this if: one appliance can fit your fresh shopping and your usual supply of frozen food.
Things to bear in mind: freezer capacity varies, so check its capacity in litres separately from the total.
Consider this if: your kitchen calls for a small appliance and you don’t store much frozen food.
Things to bear in mind: Que Choisir says a small freezer compartment isn’t enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Consider this if: you’re looking for more storage space and have a wide enough spot for the appliance.
Things to bear in mind: this format doesn’t automatically mean more freezer space. Measure the appliance and compare the capacity of each compartment.
Consider this if: your kitchen is narrow but you have room in another space for your frozen food.
Things to bear in mind: you’ll need space for two appliances, so compare their combined annual energy use. Also check the freezer’s climate class.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge capacity | Compare fridge capacity in litres without including the freezer. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 l as a guide for one person, plus 50 l for each additional person. Adjust this to suit how often you shop. | I want enough room for the fresh food from a full shop, without choosing an appliance that’s too large for the rest of the week. |
| Freezer capacity | Check the freezer capacity in litres separately on the model’s label. Look at the drawers or compartments to see whether they’ll suit the food and packaging you store. | My frozen food needs to fit in the freezer compartment and be easy to find and take out. |
| Installation | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as doorways and the clearance needed. If you’re putting a freezer in another room, check that its climate class is suitable for the room’s temperature. | Space in my kitchen is limited, or I’m thinking of keeping some of my frozen food in a utility room. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the kWh/year figures for appliances with similar formats and capacities, along with their noise emissions in dB(A). The European Commission says these figures and the capacities are shown on the energy label for the relevant refrigeration appliances in the EU. | In an open-plan kitchen, I take noise into account. For an appliance that runs all the time, I also check its annual energy use, not just its energy rating. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity can divide the space between fridge and freezer very differently. A small freezer compartment may not leave enough room for your usual supply of frozen food.
Compare the capacity in litres of each compartment on the model’s label with the amount you usually store.
Que Choisir says American-style or side-by-side appliances can be considerably wider and deeper than standard models. Measuring the space where you plan to put one isn’t enough to make sure it will fit through your doors or can be manoeuvred into place.
Measure the space, access routes, door openings and usable depth before ordering.
Fridges and freezers run continuously. The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you the model’s annual energy use or how much storage space it offers.
Compare the kWh/year figures on the energy labels of models with similar formats and capacities.
A utility room or cellar can be a different temperature from your kitchen. The appliance’s climate class indicates the range of room temperatures it’s designed to operate in.
Compare this range with the room’s usual temperatures, and check how much space you’ll need for installation.
These fridge freezers and multi-door models combine fridge and freezer storage in one appliance. For each one, compare the space for frozen food and the appliance dimensions with your kitchen and usual shopping needs.
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If you do a big shop, check how much of the 467 L is reserved for frozen food and whether the appliance will fit in your kitchen. The model name indicates Total No Frost and an E energy rating.
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This 360 L fridge freezer stores fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Check how the capacity is divided between compartments to make sure it suits your needs. The model name indicates Total No Frost, an E energy rating and Wi-Fi connectivity.
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If you’re looking for one appliance for fresh and frozen food, compare the capacity of each compartment with the stated total of 316 L. The model name indicates Dual No Frost and a D energy rating; check the label for the exact model’s noise level.
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Its stated width of 54 cm is worth checking if space is tight. Also make sure the freezer compartment suits the amount of frozen food you usually store. The model name indicates a height of 176 cm, a 70/30 split and Low Frost.
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This model has 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space, so compare those 74 L with the amount you usually store. The model name indicates Low Frost, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check its full dimensions and kWh/year before you decide.
Compare energy use in kWh/year, fridge and freezer capacities, and noise in dB(A), as well as the energy rating. The European Commission says these figures appear on the energy label for the relevant refrigeration appliances in the EU. You can scan its QR code to view detailed information about the model in EPREL.
Not if you have a lot of frozen food to store: Que Choisir says a small freezer compartment isn’t enough in that case. Compare the capacity actually set aside for freezing with the amount you usually keep.
Measure the exact model, the space where it will go and every access route it needs to pass through during delivery. For American-style or side-by-side models, Que Choisir gives approximate dimensions of 1 m wide and 75 to 80 cm deep. These are only a guide, so check the measurements of the model you’re considering.
Check there’s enough space and that the room’s temperature is compatible with the freezer’s climate class. A chest freezer also needs enough floor space and clearance to open.