First, choose an appliance that will fit through to your kitchen, into the space available and with enough room for the door to open properly. A freestanding model doesn’t need a housing unit, while an integrated one requires a compatible kitchen cabinet. Next, compare the capacity for fresh and frozen food. A small freezer compartment may be enough if you only freeze a little, while a separate freezer is worth considering if you plan to store more frozen food for longer and have the space for it. To narrow down the models that suit your needs, check their annual energy consumption, noise level and cooling technology.
The space available and how much frozen food you store will help you decide which format to choose when you move in.
If there’s already a cabinet housing unit and a matching door panel in place, measure the space and check the fixing system, clearances and door opening before choosing an integrated model. Bosch advises that an integrated appliance must be installed in a suitable housing unit.
If you mainly keep fresh food in the fridge and buy few frozen items, you could consider a single-door fridge with a freezer compartment. Check the capacity and specifications of the compartment rather than judging by the appliance’s external dimensions alone.
Compare the freezer’s capacity in litres separately from the fridge’s. If you have the space and the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer isn’t enough for your needs, a second appliance is another option. Which? lists larger families among those who use separate freezers.
Start with the installation requirements, then compare how the capacity is divided and check the specifications for the exact model.
| Priority | What to check | To suit my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and doors | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the delivery route. For an integrated model, check the space, door panel, fixings and ventilation against the model’s instructions. Also check how far the door opens. Bosch explains that an integrated appliance needs a suitable housing unit. | My kitchen already has a housing unit, so I need to confirm that everything is compatible, not just check the appliance’s width. Without a dedicated space, I can compare freestanding models that fit where I plan to put them. |
| Fresh and frozen food | Compare the usable capacity in litres of each compartment, not just the total capacity. Consider a fridge freezer, a single-door fridge with a freezer compartment and, if space allows, two separate appliances. | I rarely buy frozen food, so a small compartment may be enough. If I regularly buy lots of frozen food, I’d look at the freezer capacity of a fridge freezer or a separate freezer instead. |
| Energy and noise | On the EU energy label, compare the A to G rating, kWh per year, capacities and noise emissions of models that suit your needs. The European Commission says this scale has applied to household refrigerating appliances since March 2021; EPREL provides information for individual models. | If the appliance is close to my living area, I want to be able to check its stated noise level. I’ll also compare the annual energy consumption of appliances with capacities that genuinely meet my needs. |
| Cooling technology | Check the model’s specifications to find out which type of cooling it uses and which compartments it applies to. Which? distinguishes between static, fan-assisted and ventilated cooling, among other types. The name No Frost alone doesn’t tell you which compartments it covers. | I’d prefer to spend less time defrosting, but I need to know whether the advertised feature applies to the fridge, freezer or both. |
An appliance may fit into the space but still be incompatible with the cabinet because of its door panel, sliding hinges or the clearance it needs.
Take photos and measurements of the housing unit, then compare its layout with the installation instructions for the exact model before ordering.
Two appliances with a similar total capacity can offer very different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food.
Start by working out how much freezer space you need, then compare the usable capacity of each section and how easy the compartments are to access.
The product name alone doesn’t tell you which compartments have this feature.
Check the model’s specifications and look for clear details about whether it applies to the fridge, freezer or both.
If you’re replacing an appliance, you’ll need to plan for the space and arrangements required to remove the old fridge from your home.
Tell the retailer before delivery that you’d like to arrange collection of your old appliance, and check the options available.
These examples show why it’s more important to check the specific model’s details than to rely on the brand name when assessing installation requirements.
For a fitted kitchen with a housing unit, Bosch offers the KIL42NSE0 single-door integrated fridge, which has a freezer compartment. Its specifications list dimensions of 122.1 × 54.1 cm and sliding hinges.
Whirlpool offers both integrated and freestanding fridge freezers. The integrated WHC20T573P is designed for a 54 cm-wide housing unit and uses sliding hinges, while the WFNF82EOXFR is a freestanding model.
Beko offers integrated fridge freezers, with installation requirements varying by model. The BCNA254E43SN specifications mention sliding hinges and fan-assisted cooling.
These three freestanding fridge freezers offer a range of total capacities to consider for a home without a dedicated space for an integrated appliance. Check their dimensions and the clearance needed to open the doors against your kitchen layout.
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Consider this freestanding fridge freezer if you’d like to keep fresh and frozen food in one three-door appliance. The product details list a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check how the capacity is divided, the delivery route and the clearance needed for the doors in your home.
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This freestanding four-door fridge freezer is worth considering if your household needs a total capacity of 467 L. The product details list Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Its doors aren’t reversible, so check how they open, as well as the delivery route and the clearance required.
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This freestanding fridge freezer has a listed total capacity of 444 L, an E energy rating and a noise level of 40 dB. To check whether it suits your shopping habits and kitchen, look at the capacity of each compartment, its dimensions and how far the door opens before buying.
Measure the inside of the space in terms of height, width and depth, then check how the door panel is fixed, which way the door opens and how much room there is in front of neighbouring cabinets. Bosch explains that an integrated appliance needs to fit in a suitable housing unit. For installation clearances, follow the instructions for your chosen model rather than relying on a general rule of thumb.
Compare how far the door opens according to the model specifications with the distance to walls, drawers and worktops, taking the handle or door panel into account. Also check whether the door can be reversed. For example, Beko lists a reversible door for the BCHA275K4SN, but you should confirm this feature for each appliance.
For a fridge freezer sold in the European Union, compare the A to G rating, annual energy consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise information. The European Commission explains that the label provides these details, while the EPREL database lets you look up specifications for the model in question.
Not necessarily. Consider the cooling technology in relation to how much maintenance you’re happy to do and how you store your food. Which? distinguishes between static, fan-assisted and ventilated cooling. If a model is described as No Frost, check its specifications to see which compartments the feature applies to.