Start by measuring the space and the delivery route, then choose a usable capacity that suits your shopping habits, taking into account how much room you need for fresh food and frozen food. A freestanding model gives you the flexibility to place it outside your kitchen units; an integrated model needs a compatible housing unit and door fixing system. If you mainly buy fresh food, consider models with a bottom freezer. If you reach for frozen food more often, compare top-freezer models too.
Choose a capacity based on what you actually store in each compartment. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a usable capacity of 100 to 150 l for one person, plus 50 l for each additional person. The freezer capacity you need will depend on your habits.
Check the available space, how the doors open and the delivery route. For an integrated model, also compare the housing unit dimensions and door fixing system with those of your existing kitchen unit.
Compare the compartment layout and cooling system of the specific model. If manual defrosting or noise in an open-plan kitchen matters to you, check these features individually rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
Start with the food you need to store and the space available, then compare compatible appliances by their installation requirements and features.
| Feature | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Also check the space available for large containers and frozen food. | I do a big shop less often: the space for fresh food and the freezer drawers need to suit what I store. |
| Size and installation | Measure the height, width and depth, check how far the doors open and measure the delivery route. For an integrated model, check the housing unit, ventilation and door fixing system in the model's instructions. | My appliance needs to fit in the kitchen and be able to open properly. If I’m keeping an existing kitchen unit, making sure it’s compatible with the integrated model matters more than the appearance of the door. |
| Access to food | Check where the freezer is and how the shelves and drawers are arranged. Compare the capacity of each compartment, not just its position. | I mainly reach for fresh food every day, so a bottom freezer may put the fridge at a more convenient height. If I open the freezer more often, I’ll also look at models with the freezer at the top. |
| Cooling and maintenance | Find out what type of cooling each compartment uses and how defrosting works. Check the storage features of the exact model. | Manual defrosting is a drawback for me, so I want to know what the freezer I choose offers. I won’t assume that a feature on one model is included across the whole range. |
| Energy, noise and room | The European Commission says the energy label provides information including the energy class, consumption, capacity and noise level. Compare similar sizes and capacities; also check the climate class for the room temperature, as recommended by ADEME. | In an open-plan kitchen, noise matters as much as capacity. If the appliance will go in a garage or another room where the temperature varies, I’ll check the recommended ambient temperature range. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. The overall figure won’t tell you whether your shopping will fit in the right compartment.
Think about what your current appliance doesn’t have enough room for, then compare the usable fridge and freezer capacities separately.
The housing unit, its depth and the door fitting can prevent installation, even if the appliance appears to be the right width.
Compare the kitchen unit’s measurements and fixing system with the requirements in the instructions for the model you’re considering.
Installation requirements vary by model. ADEME also recommends checking that the climate class is suitable for the room’s ambient temperature.
Check the instructions for ventilation and the recommended temperature range before choosing a location, particularly outside a temperature-controlled kitchen.
A breakdown alone doesn’t tell you whether repair or replacement is the right option. However, the appliance must still be fit for its intended use while you look into your options.
Ask a professional to assess whether it can be repaired. If you replace it, arrange a suitable take-back or collection option for the old appliance.
These examples can help you compare models with clearly documented specifications. The features mentioned apply to the specific models, not to every appliance from each brand.
Freestanding fridge freezers worth comparing for their dimensions, capacity split and noise level.
Worth considering if the fit of an integrated model in your kitchen unit is a key factor.
The B3BCNA294HS is an integrated bottom-freezer configuration to consider.
Samsung France’s buying guide includes bottom-freezer fridge freezers among the available layouts.
These options include freestanding fridge freezers, an integrated model and a fridge with a small freezer compartment. Compare their size and capacity with the space available and the amount of frozen food you keep.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding appliance with separate spaces for fresh and frozen food. The product title lists Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the space needed to open the doors and the installation instructions.
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Compare this model if you want to prioritise fridge space in a bottom-freezer fridge freezer. The product title specifies a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Low Frost doesn’t mean you can skip checking the defrosting requirements and installation clearances.
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Consider this model if your kitchen housing unit and door are compatible with it. The product title lists TwinTech No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the housing unit dimensions and door fitting in the instructions before ordering.
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This freestanding model is worth considering if the space available calls for a capacity of 174 L. The product title lists Low Frost, an adjustable thermostat, LED lighting and a reversible door. Check the capacity of each compartment and the installation requirements against your shopping habits.
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Compare this model if you mainly want a fridge with a small freezer compartment for occasional use. The stated total capacity is 179 L. Check the freezer compartment’s capacity before choosing it to store a supply of frozen food.
Start with the number of people in your household, how often you shop and how much frozen food you store. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 l for one person, plus 50 l for each additional person. Then compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
Measure the housing unit and check its depth, as well as the door fixing system specified in the model’s instructions. Also check how far the doors can open, the ventilation requirements and the delivery route.
Consider No Frost if manually defrosting the freezer would be a significant drawback for you. Still compare the capacity, noise and energy consumption of the specific model: the cooling system alone won’t meet these other needs.
According to the European Commission, the label for fridges and freezers includes information such as the energy class, consumption, compartment capacities and noise emissions. Compare these details across appliances of similar sizes and capacities, then check separately that the climate class is suitable for the room where you plan to keep it.
No. First find out whether it can be repaired, and don’t keep using an appliance that no longer does its job. If you replace it, arrange a suitable take-back or collection option for the old appliance.