A fridge freezer is a good starting point if you store both fresh ingredients and frozen portions but don’t have room for two appliances. Choose the capacity of each compartment to suit your portions, then compare annual energy consumption in kWh, noise levels and installation requirements: total capacity alone won’t help you decide between models.
The space you need depends as much on how many portions you freeze as on the food you keep in the fridge.
If you cook meals for the days ahead, work out which portions need to be chilled and which need to be frozen. Then check that your containers will fit in the drawers, rather than choosing based on total capacity alone.
If you prepare several batches of meals or buy frozen food, check the freezer capacity and how easy it is to access the drawers. If your current fridge already meets your needs for fresh food, you could also consider a separate freezer, provided you have room for a second appliance.
Width isn’t everything: check the depth, door clearance and noise level. Que Choisir rates the quietest fridges in its guide at under 40 dBA; always check the stated figure for the model you’re considering.
First, decide what you’ll keep chilled and what you’ll freeze. This will help you choose between a fridge freezer, a fridge with a small freezer compartment, and a separate appliance.
Consider this if: you store fresh ingredients and frozen portions every week but don’t have space for two appliances.
The trade-off: two fridge freezers with similar total capacities can have very different amounts of space for the fridge and freezer compartments.
Consider this if: most of your prepared meals stay in the fridge and you only freeze the occasional portion.
The limitation: Que Choisir notes that a small freezer compartment isn’t enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Consider this if: your fridge already meets your everyday needs and you only need more space for frozen food.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for a second appliance, which will use energy continuously, as ADEME points out.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check the number of drawers and whether there’s room for your containers. For the fridge compartment alone, Que Choisir suggests using 100 to 150 L for one person and around 50 L for each additional person as a starting point. | I want enough room for my fresh meals without running out of space for the portions I regularly freeze. |
| Energy consumption | Look at the energy efficiency class, kWh/year and storage capacities together on the EU energy label. If you’re considering a separate freezer, factor in the kWh/year for both appliances; ADEME points out that they run continuously. | Extra capacity is only useful if it suits the portions I plan to store and how long I intend to keep them. |
| Space and noise | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the delivery route. Check the door clearance and ventilation gaps in the manual for the exact model, and look at its stated noise level in dBA. | In a narrow or open-plan kitchen, the appliance needs to fit in the space and be quiet enough for the living area. |
| Loading prepared meals | Check how easy it is to access the drawers and whether there’s room for your containers. If you freeze several portions at once, freezing and cooling performance after loading will tell you more than a general claim: Que Choisir’s testing protocol measures these situations. | After a cooking session or a big shop, I need to be able to store everything and close the doors without difficulty. |
Two appliances with similar total capacities can offer very different amounts of room for frozen portions. A small compartment can quickly become restrictive if you freeze several batches.
Count the portions you’ll store in each compartment, then check how they’ll fit in terms of capacity, drawers and usable width.
ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously, and that a larger size or unnecessary features can increase energy consumption.
Choose a capacity that suits your portions and storage habits, then compare the kWh/year of appliances that meet similar needs.
The EU energy label also shows annual energy consumption, storage capacities and noise levels. The letter alone won’t tell you whether the balance between fridge and freezer space suits your needs.
Compare all these figures before choosing between different formats.
Even if an appliance’s external dimensions fit the space, that doesn’t guarantee it will fit through the delivery route or that the doors will open once it’s in place.
Measure the route and the space, then check the manual for the chosen model’s door clearance and ventilation requirements.
These examples show different formats and features to compare model by model; the specifications listed don’t apply to every product from a brand.
The freestanding fridge freezer range includes wider formats for households that need more room in both compartments.
The range includes fridge freezers with different compartments and storage features, depending on the model.
The refrigeration range also includes compact fridge freezers.
The fridge freezer range covers several capacities, with connected features available on selected models.
These five fridge freezers offer two compartments for storing prepared meals. Compare their capacities with the portions you plan to store, and check the installation requirements for each model before choosing.
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Separate fridge and freezer spaces make it possible to store fresh meals and frozen portions apart. The model name lists a capacity of 360 L, an E energy efficiency class, Total No Frost, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Compare the space in each compartment with your containers, and check the delivery route, door clearance and ventilation requirements in the manual.
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This multi-door format is worth considering if you plan to store lots of prepared meals and fresh food, as long as each compartment meets your actual needs. The model name lists a capacity of 467 L, four doors, an E energy efficiency class and Total No Frost. Measure the space and delivery route, then check the door clearance in the model’s manual.
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The stated split of 182 L for the fridge and 71 L for the freezer makes it easy to compare this model with the amount of fresh and frozen food you plan to store. The model name also lists 39 dB, No Frost and a reversible door. Before comparing its energy consumption or confirming it will fit, check the energy label and full dimensions.
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The stated width of 54 cm offers an initial guide for a narrow kitchen, but it isn’t enough to confirm that the appliance will fit. The model name lists a total capacity of 227 L, split between 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer; it also states that the model has a reversible door, Low Frost and an E energy efficiency class. Check the height, depth, ventilation gaps and kWh/year for the exact model.
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Its stated total capacity of 174 L could suit smaller quantities of prepared meals, but check how much room is available for frozen portions. The model name lists Low Frost and a reversible door. Check the energy label for kWh/year and noise level, and the manual for the order of the dimensions and installation clearances.
First, work out how much fridge space you need, then choose the freezer capacity based on how many portions you plan to store. Que Choisir suggests using 100 to 150 L of fridge space for one person, then around 50 L for each additional person as a starting point; after that, check how your containers will fit in the freezer drawers and available space.
No: the EU energy label also shows kWh/year, storage capacities and noise levels. Compare these figures between appliances with a balance of fridge and freezer space that suits your needs; ADEME points out that a larger size or unnecessary features can increase energy consumption.
Multiply the kWh/year shown on the energy label by the price per kWh, including tax, on your electricity tariff. This gives you an estimate to compare appliances with a suitable capacity, rather than a guaranteed figure for your usage.
Check the stated noise level for the exact model. Que Choisir rates the quietest fridges in its guide at under 40 dBA; this can help you narrow down your options, but you should still check the appliance’s energy label.
Measure the route to the kitchen, the available height, width and depth, and the space needed to open the doors. The manual for your chosen model sets out the ventilation and installation requirements you’ll need to check before confirming where it will go.