If you regularly keep prepared meals chilled and portions frozen, start by comparing the usable capacity of both compartments in a fridge freezer. A multi-door model is worth considering if you’ll use the extra space and have room for it; separate appliances let you choose your fridge and freezer capacities independently. If you buy lots of frozen food, UFC-Que Choisir advises against relying on a small freezer compartment alone.
The right balance between fridge and freezer space depends mainly on what you cook, how often you shop and how much room you have.
Containers of food to keep for a few days and portions to freeze need space in different compartments. Make room for both, without overfilling the fridge: Anses recommends leaving space for cold air to circulate.
If your weekly shop includes lots of frozen food, look at the freezer’s usable capacity separately from the appliance’s total capacity. UFC-Que Choisir says a small freezer compartment won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
A multi-door model could suit you if you need plenty of space, provided you check that it can be installed. Samsung’s RF24BB620EB1EF is 90,8 cm wide. The brand advises measuring doorways, corridors and lifts to make sure the appliance will fit while still in its packaging.
First work out how much fridge and freezer space you need, then compare only appliances that will fit in your kitchen.
| What to compare | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity of each compartment | Compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately. Check that there’s room for your containers and dishes, rather than relying on the total capacity alone. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 l for one person, plus 50 l for each additional person, as a starting point to adjust to your needs. | I prepare portions for several days: do I need more fridge space, freezer space or both? If I store lots of frozen food, a small compartment may not be suitable. |
| Keeping prepared meals fresh | Check the temperature settings and controls, and make sure there’s enough room for air to circulate. Anses recommends a temperature of 0 to +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge, and advises against overfilling it. | After cooking several meals, I want to be able to store them without piling up containers or blocking the flow of cold air. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the energy ratings from A to G and the stated annual energy consumption of appliances suited to the same type of use and capacity. If you have a separate fridge and freezer, add together the stated annual consumption for both models. ADEME points out that these appliances run continuously. | I’m only interested in a large capacity if I’ll actually use it; I also want to consider how much energy any extra features I plan to use will consume. |
| Installation and noise | Check the height, width, depth and clearances specified in the manual. Measure the delivery route, especially for a multi-door model, then compare the stated noise levels in dB(A) if your kitchen opens onto a living area. | My appliance needs to fit through the entrances, allow the doors and drawers to open, and fit in the kitchen without getting in the way of everyday use. |
A large stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much room there is for food to freeze. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a small compartment won’t be enough if frozen food makes up a significant part of your shop.
Work out how much fridge and freezer space you need separately, then compare the usable capacity of each compartment with the size of your containers.
An appliance with enough room for your groceries may be too wide to fit through a doorway or corridor. Samsung’s multi-door RF24BB620EB1EF is 90,8 cm wide.
Measure the space where it will go, the clearance needed to open it and the delivery route. Compare these measurements with the dimensions of the packaged appliance, if available.
ADEME says that an appliance’s size and certain extra features can increase the energy consumption of appliances that run continuously.
Compare the annual energy consumption of models that meet your storage needs, then consider whether water, ice or connectivity features would be useful on a regular basis.
An overfilled fridge leaves less room for cold air to circulate. Anses also advises against putting hot food in the appliance and recommends not leaving it for more than two hours before chilling.
Leave enough space between containers and check the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge, where Anses recommends keeping it at 0 to +4 °C.
These examples from different ranges give you an idea of the formats and features to compare. Each figure applies to the model mentioned, not to the brand as a whole.
Bosch offers freestanding fridge freezers, as well as larder fridges with a small freezer compartment.
Samsung offers large-capacity multi-door models, which are worth considering if your kitchen and access routes have enough space.
The Liebherr models mentioned include a fridge freezer and a larder fridge, offering two different ways to organise chilled and frozen food.
This selection includes fridge freezers and a multi-door model, so you can store fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Compare the layout inside each model with your cooking habits, rather than looking at its stated capacity alone.
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If you’re storing prepared meals and frozen food, check the usable capacity of each compartment. The model title lists Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Measure the installation clearances and delivery route.
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If you’re looking for plenty of room for meal prep and groceries, check how much space is allocated to the freezer too. The model title lists Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Before choosing this multi-door model, check the space available, how the doors open and the delivery route.
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If your shopping includes both fresh food and frozen portions, check whether the stated 70/30 split suits the way you store food. The model title lists Low Frost, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Check how much room it needs for the door to open, as well as the defrosting requirements.
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If you prepare meals to store in the fridge and freezer, check the usable capacity of each section before choosing this model. The title lists a C energy rating and NatureFRESH, DoorCooling+ and LinearCooling features. Their names don’t replace checking the temperatures and capacity you need.
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If you only need a modest amount of fridge and freezer space, first check the usable capacity of each compartment in the JR227LSE before planning to batch cook. The title lists Low Frost, a 4-star freezer compartment and an E energy rating. Also check the dimensions of the appliance you’re ordering.
Anses recommends a temperature of 0 to +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Store perishable food in the coldest area and check its temperature, especially when the fridge is full.
Avoid putting a hot dish in the fridge: according to Anses, it can cause condensation and raise the temperature inside. However, the agency advises not to wait more than two hours before chilling it.
Compare the energy ratings from A to G and the annual consumption of appliances with capacities that suit your needs. If you have a separate fridge and freezer, look at the energy consumption of both appliances together. ADEME points out that their size and features affect their energy use, and that they run continuously.
Measure the space where it will go and the room needed to open the doors and drawers, as well as the doorways, corridors and lift along the delivery route. Samsung particularly recommends checking that its multi-door RF24BB620EB1EF will fit through the access route while still in its packaging.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies, among other things, to a new fridge sold by a trader to a private customer. According to information published by economie.gouv.fr in September 2026, the seller must supply goods that conform to the contract and is responsible for any lack of conformity present at the time of delivery. Check that the model and agreed services are listed in your order.