Households of two to four people
If you do a big weekly shop and cook regularly, consider how much room you need for fresh food, prepared meals and frozen food. The total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how that space is divided.
Who is this type of fridge-freezer for?
Smaller households with limited kitchen space
If space is tight and you don’t keep much frozen food, compare the usable capacity with the appliance’s external dimensions. A compact model should still have enough room for your shopping without being packed to the brim all the time.
Larger families with a spacious kitchen
A large fridge-freezer or multi-door model may suit your needs if you store a lot of fresh food, prepared meals and frozen food. Measure the space and access routes too, then compare the noise levels and energy consumption of the models you’re considering.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with how much food you need to store after your shop, then compare the capacity you need with the space available and each model’s features.
| What to check | Points to consider | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and compartments | As a guide, UFC-Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, as well as the layout inside. | I want room for my shopping, prepared meals and usual amount of frozen food, rather than choosing based on the total capacity alone. |
| Keeping food cold | Check the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge and leave room for air to circulate after putting your shopping away. Anses recommends 4 °C in this area; UFC-Que Choisir’s testing also looks at how appliances cope with a weekly shop. | After my shop, I need enough room to store perishable food without overfilling the fridge. |
| Installation and noise | Compare the height, width and depth with the space available and your access routes. Check that the doors can open fully, allow for the clearances specified by the manufacturer and look at the stated noise level in dB. | The appliance needs to be delivered and used in my kitchen without getting in the way. If the kitchen is open-plan, noise matters too. |
| Energy consumption | For appliances of a similar size and capacity, compare the energy rating with the kWh/year, capacities and noise levels. ADEME describes the energy label as information for shoppers; the rating letter alone doesn’t tell you the annual energy consumption. | I want to compare the energy consumption of models that meet my storage needs, while taking their differences in size into account. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing based on total capacity alone
Two models with similar total capacities may have different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. This matters if you freeze portions of meals or regularly buy frozen food.
Compare the usable capacity of each compartment on the product page for the exact model, then check whether the shelves, drawers and bins suit your shopping.
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Underestimating how much space a big shop needs
An appliance that’s regularly overfilled leaves less room for air to circulate. Anses recommends not overfilling the fridge.
Allow enough room for your biggest shop, rather than choosing a model based on how full it is at the end of the week.
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Measuring the width only
If the depth or height isn’t right, you may not be able to install the appliance, even if it fits across. UFC-Que Choisir points out that very large models need a sufficiently spacious kitchen.
Measure the space, doors, corridors and stairs, then check that the doors can open fully and allow for the clearances specified for your chosen model.
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Comparing energy ratings alone
The rating letter doesn’t replace the annual energy consumption figure in kWh. On its own, it’s less useful when the appliances you’re comparing have different capacities or sizes.
Compare the kWh/year figures for models that suit your household, along with their capacity and noise levels. You can also look up the model in EPREL, the European Commission’s database for products covered by energy labelling.
Which brands and models should you consider?
The specifications below apply to the models listed, not to every appliance from each brand.
Bosch
On its product page for the KGN39AIAU fridge-freezer, Bosch lists an A energy rating and an A noise rating, with a noise level below 29 dB.
- Worth considering if noise and the energy label are important factors in your decision.
- Check the capacity of each compartment, the dimensions and the installation requirements for the KGN39AIAU before comparing it with another model.
LG
LG France lists the GBB72BM9CQ1 fridge-freezer as having a total capacity of 387 L, consuming 174 kWh/year and producing 35 dB of noise.
- These figures let you compare capacity, stated energy consumption and noise for this model.
- At a stated height of 2 030 mm, you’ll need to check the space available and the delivery route.
Samsung
Samsung France lists the RB38T602CSA fridge-freezer as having a capacity of 385 L, a depth of 600 mm and a stated noise level of 35 dB.
- Check the stated depth against the space you have available.
- These figures are for the RB38T602CSA. Check its height, width and the capacity of each compartment too.
Beko
Beko’s HarvestFresh range includes fridges designed to store fresh food, vegetables and prepared meals.
- Take a look at the layouts available if you want to keep different types of food separate.
- The features and benefits highlighted for this range don’t necessarily apply to every Beko appliance. Compare the capacity, dimensions, kWh/year and noise level for the exact model you’re considering.
Which fridge-freezers can you find on Joybuy?
This selection includes fridge-freezers for storing fresh and frozen food, plus a multi-door model for those who need more storage space. Start by choosing according to the capacity you need and the space in your kitchen.
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Bosch KGN497LDF, 440 L fridge-freezer, D energy rating
If you do a large shop that includes plenty of frozen food, compare how much space you need in each of the two compartments. Also check that this fridge-freezer’s dimensions suit your space and access routes.
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LG GBBS312AEV, 333 L No Frost fridge-freezer, A energy rating
If you’re looking for a fridge-freezer for several days’ worth of shopping, compare its 333 L capacity with the amount of fresh and frozen food you store. Check the separate compartment capacities, dimensions and noise level for this model.
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Samsung RL38C602CSA, 390 L fridge-freezer, C energy rating
If you want to store prepared meals and frozen food, check how the 390 L capacity is divided between the compartments. Measure the space available too before choosing this model.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L multi-door fridge-freezer, E energy rating
This four-door model offers plenty of storage, provided your kitchen has room for it. Check the width, door clearance and annual energy consumption before choosing an appliance of this size.
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CHiQ JR263LGE, 262 L Low Frost fridge-freezer, 54 cm wide
Its stated width of 54 cm could be useful in a narrow kitchen, but check its height of 176 cm and the clearances required too. If you store lots of frozen food, check the freezer capacity before choosing this 70/30 model. The freezer needs manual defrosting.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity do you need for a weekly shop?
As a starting point, UFC-Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit the prepared meals you store and the size of your shop, then work out separately how much space you need for frozen food.
Is the freezer compartment in a fridge with a single door enough?
It may be suitable if you only need to store a small amount of frozen food. If you regularly buy frozen food or freeze portions of meals, check the type and capacity of the compartment. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a simple ice box isn’t enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
How should you organise your fridge after a big shop?
Avoid overfilling it and check the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge. Anses recommends 4 °C in this area, where you should store perishable foods. Leave space between products so air can circulate too.
Which figures should you compare on the energy label?
Compare the energy rating, kWh/year, capacities and noise levels, ideally between models of a similar size and capacity that suit your needs. ADEME describes the label as a tool to inform shoppers; the European Commission’s EPREL database lets you look up information for the models it covers.