If you shop less often and regularly buy frozen food, start by comparing the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer compartments. A fridge freezer could suit you if both compartments meet your needs. Consider a multi-door model if you need more storage space and have room for it, including along the delivery route. Que Choisir advises against relying on a small freezer compartment if you eat a lot of frozen food.
If you buy most of your food in one go, compare the available litres in each compartment rather than choosing based on total capacity alone. You’ll also need to consider how much space the appliance takes up in your kitchen.
Freezer capacity and easy access to the drawers matter more than a small freezer compartment. Que Choisir recommends distinguishing between these two options if frozen food makes up a significant part of your shopping.
A large fridge freezer or multi-door model needs to fit through doors, corridors and any lifts, then open properly in its final position.
A fridge freezer can meet your regular fresh and frozen food needs if its capacity is divided in a way that suits you. With a multi-door model, you’ll also need to check that it will fit. A fridge with a small freezer compartment, or an under-counter model, is better suited to modest cooling needs than to storing a family’s supply of frozen food.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen capacity | Compare the usable capacity of each compartment, then check the freezer’s layout and number of drawers. A large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room for frozen food. | I shop for several days at a time and want to store fresh food without cutting down on space for frozen items. |
| Size and installation | Note the width, height and depth, and ask the retailer for the packaged dimensions. Measure the delivery route and check the manual for door clearance and ventilation requirements. | I’m interested in a multi-door model for its storage space, but it needs to fit through to the kitchen and open once installed. |
| Energy use and noise | The European Commission says the label includes information such as annual energy consumption, capacity and noise levels. Compare kWh/year and dB between models with similar capacities and formats, rather than looking at the energy rating alone. | In an open-plan kitchen, I consider the stated noise level as well as annual energy consumption. |
| Keeping fresh food chilled | Anses recommends setting your fridge below 4 °C. Check the actual temperature after installation and make sure the model you choose offers suitable temperature controls. | After a big shop, I want to be able to check the temperature in the fridge compartment. |
A spacious appliance may still have too little room for frozen food. The European label shows the capacity of the fresh and frozen compartments separately.
Think about how much frozen food you usually keep, then compare the available litres in each compartment.
Checking the appliance’s width alone won’t tell you whether it will fit, especially when it’s still in its packaging. Samsung specifically advises checking that its RF65A967FSR/EF model will fit through when packaged.
Measure every doorway and access point, then confirm the packaged dimensions and delivery arrangements with the retailer.
Que Choisir says that a small freezer compartment isn’t enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
If frozen food is a regular part of your shop, compare appliances with a freezer compartment that has enough capacity for your usual stock.
The rating doesn’t tell you everything: annual energy consumption, usable capacity and noise levels also matter when choosing an appliance you’ll use every day.
Compare the kWh/year, dB and capacity shown on the labels of models with similar formats.
These examples show formats and dimensions you can compare for the specific model. They don’t represent every range from these brands.
The freestanding KGN492IAF fridge freezer is an example of a large-capacity model that doesn’t necessarily require you to choose a multi-door appliance.
The RF65A967FSR/EF multi-door model is an example of a large-capacity fridge freezer where access to your kitchen needs careful planning.
LG France’s guide provides capacity benchmarks for comparing different large formats.
These options include fridge freezers, a multi-door model and side-by-side models, so you can compare different capacities for fresh and frozen food. Check the compartments and installation requirements against your shopping habits.
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If you shop less often and buy frozen food, compare the space in each compartment with the amount you usually store. This 360 L model features Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Also check that the packaged appliance will fit through and review the installation instructions.
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If you’re considering more storage space for the family shop, check that the 467 L capacity is divided in a way that suits your fresh and frozen food. This model features Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the door clearance and delivery route before choosing it.
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Its stated width of 54 cm could be useful in a small kitchen, as long as the freezer capacity is enough for your usual stock. This 176 cm-high model has a stated 70/30 split. Check what maintenance its Low Frost freezer requires.
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If you buy a lot of frozen food, compare its stated 192 L freezer capacity with your usual stock, and its 333 L fridge capacity with your fresh food needs. The title lists No Frost, 37 dB and an E energy rating. Check the model’s dimensions and kWh/year before making your decision.
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To see how this model would suit a family shop and a stock of frozen food, check how its 444 L capacity is divided between the compartments. The title lists frost-free operation, 40 dB and an E energy rating. Also check the appliance and packaging dimensions.
Anses recommends setting your fridge below 4 °C for chilled food. Check the actual temperature inside the appliance after installation, particularly when you’ve stocked it after a big shop.
No. The European Commission says the label also shows annual energy consumption, storage capacity and noise levels. Compare the kWh/year of appliances with similar capacities and formats, then check how much space each offers for fresh and frozen food.
Measure the space where it will go, the clearance needed to open the doors and the entire delivery route, then ask for the packaged dimensions. Samsung highlights this precaution for its RF65A967FSR/EF, which measures 912 × 1 825 × 723 mm without its packaging.
For a new fridge sold in France by a business to an individual, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies. The seller must supply goods that conform to the contract, as economie.gouv.fr explains. It covers faults that mean the goods don’t conform, rather than a simple change of mind.
In France, the Ministry for Ecological Transition says that the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme applies to electrical appliances when you buy an item of the same type, with no minimum sales-floor area. Before placing your order, confirm with the retailer how collection works, whether from your home or a shop.