If you shop for fresh and frozen food every week, a fridge-freezer is a good place to start: it lets you compare the space available for each separately. A multi-door model is worth considering if you need the extra capacity and have enough room for it; a fridge with a small freezer compartment or a compact tabletop fridge is better suited to more limited storage needs. In every case, compare the capacity of each compartment with the dimensions and annual energy consumption of the model you choose.
If your fresh food takes up a lot of space after you’ve done the shopping, compare fridge and freezer capacity separately. UFC-Que Choisir specifically uses a full weekly shop in its fridge-freezer testing protocol.
The width of the space available isn’t the only thing to consider: check the depth, door clearance and route the appliance will take to its final position, too. This is particularly important before choosing a large model.
Check the capacity of the freezer compartment in litres rather than looking only at the total capacity. The European Commission says that the energy label shows fridge and freezer capacities separately.
Worth considering: if you want to keep fresh food and a regular supply of frozen food between shops.
The trade-off: freezer space varies between models, so check its capacity separately before deciding based on total capacity.
Worth considering: if you don’t need much freezer space and refrigeration is your priority.
The trade-off: the freezer compartment may be too small if you regularly buy frozen food.
Worth considering: if you need plenty of capacity and your kitchen and access routes can accommodate the model you choose.
The trade-off: check the overall dimensions and compare kWh/year rather than assuming energy use from the style alone.
Worth considering: if you have little food to store or shop frequently.
The trade-off: its limited capacity makes it less suitable for a week’s worth of fresh food alongside frozen food.
| Feature | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge capacity | UFC-Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 L for one person as a starting point, then 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to suit your shopping habits and check the fridge compartment capacity. | After doing the shopping, I want enough room for my fresh food, without relying on the appliance’s total capacity alone. |
| Freezer capacity | Compare the freezer compartment capacities in litres separately. According to the European Commission, these are shown on the energy label. Make sure they suit the amount of frozen food you store. | If I buy frozen food every week, I need enough freezer space, not just a large fridge. |
| Overall dimensions | Measure the width, height and depth, along with the clearance needed and the delivery route. UFC-Que Choisir says large American-style fridges are around 1 m wide, compared with 70 cm for a standard model. | The appliance needs to fit in my kitchen and pass through the doors and corridors on the way there. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare kWh/year for models with similar capacity; the European Commission says this annual consumption figure is shown on the energy label. Check the stated noise level, too, if your kitchen is open-plan. | I’m looking for the right capacity without overlooking electricity use or noise where the appliance will be installed. |
| Room where it will be installed | Check the model’s climate class and operating temperature range. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a class N appliance is not designed to operate below 16 °C or above 32 °C. | If the room is unheated or gets very warm, I need to check that the model is suitable for its ambient temperature. |
| Temperature after shopping | Check the model’s temperature settings and any available temperature-holding test results. UFC-Que Choisir simulates a full weekly shop in its testing protocol; Anses recommends keeping the coldest point between 0 and +4 °C. | I want to be able to check the temperature after putting away a full shop of fresh food. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity can allocate space differently between fresh and frozen food. The total figure doesn’t tell you how much freezer space you’ll have.
Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately on the label, then compare them with your usual shopping.
A large appliance may fit in its allocated space but still not make it through a doorway or corridor. UFC-Que Choisir puts large American-style fridges at around 1 m wide.
Before ordering, check the packaged dimensions, access routes and the clearance needed for installation.
The letter is no substitute for comparing annual energy use and the capacities you need.
Check the kWh/year and compartment capacities on the labels of the models you’re considering.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a fridge with climate class N is not designed to operate below 16 °C or above 32 °C.
If you’re installing it in a garage or a room subject to big temperature changes, check the temperature range specified for the exact model.
These examples show different capacities and styles to compare; their specifications don’t apply to every appliance from each brand.
For its KGN36VLED fridge-freezer, Bosch Electroménager France lists a 237 L fridge compartment and an 89 L freezer compartment.
Liebherr lists a total capacity of 423 L for its CBNsdc 765i Prime BioFresh NoFrost fridge-freezer.
Samsung France lists a capacity of 674 L and a width of 908 mm for its RF24BB620EB1EF multi-door model.
Beko France features fridge-freezers with capacities of over 500 L in its French range.
These models include fridge-freezers that divide space between fresh and frozen food, as well as a multi-door model for households needing more capacity. Compare their stated capacities with your available space and shopping habits.
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A fridge-freezer worth considering if your weekly shop includes fresh and frozen food. The title lists a total capacity of 344 L and an energy rating of E. Compare the capacity of each compartment and check the dimensions for your kitchen.
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If your weekly shop regularly includes frozen food, compare the freezer space with that of other fridge-freezers. This three-door model is listed at 360 L, with an E energy rating and Total No Frost. Check the overall dimensions and delivery route, too.
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This four-door model is for households looking for more space for their shopping. The title lists a capacity of 467 L, an E energy rating and Total No Frost. Before choosing this style, check how the capacity is split between compartments, as well as the dimensions and access routes.
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This 390 L fridge-freezer can be compared with other styles based on how much space you need after doing the shopping. Its stated energy rating is C. Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, along with the height available where you plan to install it.
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This 333 L fridge-freezer is another option for splitting your weekly shop between fresh and frozen food. The title lists a C energy rating and NatureFRESH, DoorCooling+ and LinearCooling technologies. Check the compartment capacities, installation clearances and temperature range suitable for your room.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person as a starting point, then around 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to suit your shopping habits, and compare the space you need for fresh and frozen food separately.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh and the fridge and freezer capacities of appliances suited to your household. The European Commission says these details are shown on the label, helping you look beyond total capacity or the energy rating letter alone.
Not necessarily. Choose one if the extra capacity suits your shopping habits and it can be delivered and installed in your home. UFC-Que Choisir says large American-style fridges are around 1 m wide, compared with 70 cm for a standard model. Compare the dimensions and kWh/year for the specific models you’re considering.
Only if the temperature range specified for the model is suitable for the garage. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an appliance with climate class N is not designed to operate below 16 °C or above 32 °C. Check the climate class and the requirements for the exact model you choose.
Check the fridge temperature, particularly after loading it with a large shop. Anses recommends that the coldest point should be between 0 and +4 °C; a large capacity is no substitute for setting and checking the temperature correctly.