Households that freeze home-cooked portions
If you prepare several meals in advance, check the freezer capacity separately and see how its drawers accommodate your containers. Darty recommends a bottom freezer for storing frozen food regularly.
Who is this type of fridge freezer for?
Households that mainly store fresh food
If you only freeze food occasionally, pay more attention to the fridge capacity. A large overall capacity doesn’t tell you how much room there’ll be for fresh meals and groceries.
People whose kitchen has a specific space for an appliance
If you’re replacing an integrated appliance or need to fit a fridge freezer into a narrow space, measure the housing or available space, then check the door opening and ventilation requirements in the instructions for your chosen model.
Which criteria should you compare first?
Start by checking how much space you need in each compartment. Then make sure the appliance will fit in your kitchen and its features suit the way you’ll use it.
Freezer at the bottom
Worth considering if: you regularly freeze portions and want to organise them in drawers.
What to compare: Darty highlights the benefits of this layout for frozen food, but check the fresh-food capacity of each model too.
Freezer at the top
Worth considering if: you mainly keep food and meals chilled, and only freeze food occasionally.
What to compare: check the capacity and layout of the freezer compartment if you plan to store several portions in it.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Separate capacities | Compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer in litres, not just the total. Allow for the space taken up by the containers you usually use. | I keep meals chilled as well as freezing portions, so both compartments need enough space for the way I use them. |
| Frozen food storage | Check the number and size of the drawers, as well as the freezer layout. Darty associates the drawers in a bottom freezer with storing frozen food regularly. | I want to spread my portions across the available storage space so I can find them without stacking them. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, and check the route through doorways. For an integrated model, also check the housing, door mounting and ventilation requirements in the model’s instructions. | My kitchen has a specific space for the appliance, so I need to be able to install it there and open the doors properly. |
| Cooling system | Check the stated operation of the fridge and freezer compartments separately. Consult the instructions to find out what maintenance is required. | If I freeze food regularly, I want to know what maintenance the compartment where I’ll store my meals needs. |
| Energy and noise | Check the annual energy consumption in kWh/year and the capacities shown on the energy label; compare models with capacities suited to your needs. Also check the stated noise level if the appliance will be near a living area. | I want to compare the practical information without choosing an overall capacity that doesn’t suit my storage habits. |
What should you avoid before placing your order?
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Choosing based only on the number of people in your household
Two appliances with a similar overall capacity can offer different amounts of space for frozen food. This is especially important if you prepare several portions to freeze.
Make a note of what you store during a typical week, then compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, along with the drawer layout.
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Ordering an integrated model after checking only its height
Depth, housing width, the door and ventilation can all affect installation. For example, Electrolux specifies a housing measuring 1780 × 560 × 550 mm for its KNT6ME18S4 model. These dimensions don’t apply to other models.
Compare all your kitchen measurements with the installation diagram and instructions for the model you’re considering.
If the housing or door system isn’t suitable, you may need to adapt the unit or arrange an installation visit.
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Assuming “No Frost” applies to both compartments
The feature may only apply to one compartment. A label on the appliance or in its product title doesn’t replace the details of how the specific model works.
Check the information for the fridge and freezer separately, then consult the instructions for details of any required maintenance.
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Leaving it until delivery to think about your old appliance
A fridge freezer can be awkward to move, so arranging for it to be taken away may affect which delivery option you choose.
Before completing your order, check the options for having your old appliance taken away and confirm a suitable appointment or drop-off point.
Which brands can you use as a guide?
These brand examples show features to look out for on specific models; they don’t represent every model in each range.
Liebherr
A brand to explore when comparing fridge freezers with a separate freezer against fridges with a small freezer compartment.
- Liebherr says its BluPerformance technology provides more usable capacity in the same dimensions on selected appliances. Check the capacities of the model you’re considering.
- A one-star compartment and a separate freezer may not meet the same storage needs, so check the classification and stated capacity.
Electrolux
The KNT6ME18S4 integrated model is a useful example of the measurements to check against your fitted kitchen.
- For this model, Electrolux specifies a housing measuring 1780 × 560 × 550 mm, with a 186 L fridge and a 62 L freezer.
- These dimensions and capacities are specific to the KNT6ME18S4. Check the product details and instructions for any other model.
Whirlpool
The freestanding WHK26494X6E lets you look at the large fridge capacity and freezer capacity separately.
- For this model, Whirlpool states a 340 L fridge capacity, a 150 L freezer capacity and a noise level of 36 dB.
- These figures apply to the WHK26494X6E, not all Whirlpool fridge freezers. Check its dimensions and energy label too.
Fridge freezers to explore on Joybuy
These models give you a chance to compare fresh and frozen food capacities, freestanding designs and different cooling features. Check their dimensions and layouts against the space you have for storing your ready meals.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3 doors, 360 L
If you’re storing frozen portions, check that the drawers fit your containers and that the appliance will suit your space. The product title lists Total No Frost, energy class E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the product details for the capacity split and installation clearances.
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CHiQ JR263LGE, 262 L, black
If space is limited, compare its stated width of 54 cm and height of 176 cm with your kitchen measurements. The product title specifies a 70/30 split and Low Frost cooling. Check the capacity of each compartment, the required clearances and the maintenance instructions.
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Sonlu CD‑400RW, 355 L
The stated capacities of 252 L for the fridge and 103 L for the freezer help you assess the space available for fresh meals and frozen portions. The product title also lists a width of 60 cm, a reversible door and energy class E. Check the height, depth and interior layout before choosing this model.
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Heinrich´s, 253 L, stainless steel finish
The product title gives separate capacities of 182 L for the fridge and 71 L for the freezer, making it easier to compare the space available for your meals. It also lists No Frost and a noise level of 39 dB. Check the width, depth and drawer dimensions if you use specific containers.
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Comfee' by Midea RCB230BL2EU(E), 174 L, black
This freestanding model may suit you if space is limited. Compare the dimensions in the product details with the space you have available. The product title lists Low Frost and a reversible door. Check the separate capacities, freezer storage and defrosting instructions to see if they suit your needs.
Frequently asked questions
Should you compare the overall capacity or the capacity of each compartment?
Compare the usable capacity of each compartment if you store both fresh meals and frozen portions. The overall capacity doesn’t show how much space is available in each section, so check the drawers and the containers you plan to store as well.
Is a bottom freezer suitable for every household?
No. Darty recommends this layout mainly for households that regularly store more frozen food and want the convenience of storage drawers. If you don’t freeze much, compare the fridge and freezer capacity of the models you’re interested in, including those with the freezer at the top.
What should you measure before ordering an integrated fridge freezer?
Measure the height, width and depth of the housing, then check the door system and ventilation requirements in the instructions for your chosen model. As an example for one specific model, Electrolux specifies a housing measuring 1780 × 560 × 550 mm for the KNT6ME18S4.