Housemates who do a big weekly shop together
If you shop together for the week, work out how much space you need for fresh food and how much for frozen food. The total capacity doesn’t show how space is divided between the two compartments.
Who is this guide for?
Housemates who want to give everyone their own space
Shelves, drawers, door balconies and freezer compartments that are easy to tell apart can make it simpler for everyone to store their food separately. Also check that everyone can reach their allocated space and that the removable parts are easy to clean.
Housemates who are mindful of noise and electricity use
If your kitchen is open-plan or close to living areas, check the noise level listed for the exact model. Compare the kWh/year figures for appliances with similar capacities and layouts, too. As ADEME points out, fridges and freezers run continuously.
What should you check?
A fridge-freezer
Worth considering: if your fresh and frozen shopping will fit into the two compartments of a single appliance.
Bear in mind: even a large total capacity may leave too little space in the compartment your household needs most.
A separate fridge and freezer
Worth considering: if you regularly have more frozen food than the freezer in a fridge-freezer can hold.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for two appliances and should check the energy consumption of each one.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity split | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately with your usual shopping, and measure the space where you plan to put the appliance. | When our shared shop fills the appliance quickly, I want enough space in the right compartment, rather than choosing on total capacity alone. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Shared storage | Check the adjustable shelves, drawers and door balconies, as well as whether you can access the drawers once the appliance is in place. | If everyone keeps some of their shopping separately, I want clearly defined spaces so food doesn’t get moved or forgotten. Around 29% of consumers would put this first. |
| Electricity use and noise | Compare the kWh/year and dB figures for models with similar capacities and layouts. | With an open-plan kitchen, I need an appliance that’s quiet enough for the living space, while keeping an eye on its continuous energy use. Around 24% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Cleaning and food storage | Check that the drawers and door seals are easy to reach for cleaning, look for a temperature display and see whether the appliance has No Frost. | When several people use the appliance, I want to be able to check the temperature and clean the areas we use without any fuss. Around 18% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on total capacity alone
Two fridge-freezers with similar total capacities can have very different amounts of fridge and freezer space. The European Commission says that the energy label shows storage volumes.
Work out how much fresh and frozen food everyone buys, then compare the capacity of each compartment rather than looking at the total alone.
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Going too big or choosing features you won’t use
According to ADEME, choosing an appliance that’s too large or has more features than you need can increase energy consumption, especially as these appliances run continuously.
Start with how much space your household actually uses, then compare the kWh/year figures and decide whether each extra feature is useful to everyone.
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Expecting No Frost to replace regular cleaning
No Frost prevents frost build-up; it doesn’t organise your food or clean the appliance. Anses recommends allowing air to circulate in the fridge and keeping the coldest part between 0 and +4 °C.
Keep airways clear, check the temperature and agree on a regular cleaning schedule for shared storage areas.
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Confusing a brand’s claims with a model’s durability
A stated food-preservation feature doesn’t, on its own, tell you how long a particular model will last or how easy it is to repair.
Before ordering, check the warranty terms, repair options and stated availability of spare parts for the model you’ve chosen.
Brands to consider for their fridge-freezer ranges
Bosch
Some Bosch fridge-freezers are worth considering if the interior layout is important for organising everyone’s shopping.
- Bosch lists the KGN39AIBT as offering 260 L of fridge space, 103 L of freezer space, 33 dB(A), No Frost and Flex Interior.
- These specifications apply to the KGN39AIBT, not every Bosch fridge-freezer, and they don’t prove how long it will last.
LG
LG’s range includes fridge-freezers worth considering if your household is looking for plenty of space in a single appliance.
- LG lists the GBP62DSNCC1 as offering 384 L of capacity and producing 35 dB of noise.
- For the model you’re considering, check the split between fresh and frozen storage, the dimensions and the energy consumption. The figures for one model don’t represent the whole range.
Samsung
Samsung fridge-freezers are worth considering if the available space in your kitchen will influence your choice.
- Samsung lists the RB34T600CSA as offering 340 L of capacity with a stated depth of 600 mm.
- Check the capacities of each compartment, energy consumption, noise level and clearance needed to open the doors for the exact model being sold.
Beko
Some Beko models offer configurations worth considering if your needs for fresh and frozen storage vary.
- Beko describes a Multizone compartment on some models that can switch between freezer and fridge settings.
- This feature depends on the model, so check it’s included and confirm how it works before planning how to share the storage areas.
Fridge-freezers for shared storage
These appliances combine fridge and freezer storage in one unit. For a shared house, compare their capacity and layout with the space you actually have and the way you’d like to share the storage.
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Samsung RB33B612EBN, 344 L, black
Worth considering if your household wants to store fresh and frozen food in one fridge-freezer. Check that each compartment has enough room for everyone’s shopping.
Stated total capacity: 344 L. Energy rating E; compare the kWh/year figure and dimensions before choosing.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, four-door, 467 L, silver
Worth considering if you do a large shop together and your kitchen has room for a four-door appliance.
Stated total capacity: 467 L; energy rating E and Total No Frost. Check the split between compartments and the space needed for installation.
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LG GBBS312CEV, 333 L, black
Worth considering for shared shopping if you need to assess the space for fresh and frozen food separately.
Stated total capacity: 333 L; energy rating C. Check the capacity of each compartment and the clearance needed for installation.
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Bosch KGN33NLEB, bottom freezer, 282 L
Worth considering if a fridge-freezer of this capacity is a better fit for your household’s shopping than a larger appliance. Check the storage layout before dividing up space.
Stated total capacity: 282 L; energy rating E and stainless steel finish. If your kitchen is close to a living area, check the model’s noise level too.
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CHiQ JR525WSE, side-by-side, 525 L
Worth considering if your household stores a lot of fresh and frozen food and has enough space for a side-by-side appliance.
Stated capacity: 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer; energy rating E, 37 dB and No Frost. Check the dimensions, kWh/year and interior layout before deciding how to allocate the storage areas.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should a shared fridge be set to?
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 and +4 °C. Check the temperature regularly, especially if several housemates open the door frequently. A thermometer can help you keep an eye on it.
How can we share storage without affecting food safety?
Give everyone clearly marked areas without overfilling the fridge, so cold air can circulate. Anses also recommends putting perishable foods in the coldest part and keeping leftovers and opened food in sealed containers.
Is the energy rating enough to compare two appliances?
No. Also compare the kWh/year figures, compartment capacities and noise levels for appliances with similar layouts. The European Commission says that the energy label for fridges and freezers shows this information. Even if two appliances have the same rating, check that the capacity suits your household’s shopping.
Do fridges have a repairability index in France?
Fridges aren’t among the product categories covered by the repairability index list published by the French ministry responsible for ecological transition in July 2025. For a specific model, check the warranty terms, repair options and stated availability of spare parts.
How often should you clean a fridge in a shared house?
Clean it whenever it gets dirty and regularly, following Anses advice. Agreeing a rota for the shelves, drawers and clearing out forgotten food can help housemates share the task.