To store the family’s weekly shop, start by comparing the space you need for fresh food and frozen food separately: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee a freezer that’s right for you. A fridge freezer is worth considering if space is tight; a multi-door or American-style model could suit you if its compartments meet your needs and the appliance, packaging and all, can be delivered and installed without obstructing the doors.
If you come home with several days’ worth of fresh and frozen food, check the usable capacity of each compartment. Que Choisir recommends taking into account the size of your household, how often you shop and how much frozen food you buy.
An appliance may fit into its space but still be too large to get through a doorway, along a corridor or into a lift in its packaging. Also check how much room you need to open the doors and follow the installation instructions.
Compare the freezer capacity and drawer layout with the food you usually buy. Two large appliances may divide their space differently between the fridge and freezer.
First decide how you want the space divided between fridge and freezer, then rule out any models that won’t fit along the delivery route or install properly.
Worth considering: if limited width narrows your options and the model’s freezer has enough room for your frozen food.
Things to weigh up: the split may not suit a household that freezes a lot; the Bosch KGV58VLEAS mentioned below has 126 L of freezer space.
Worth considering: if you want separate compartments and have room for a large appliance.
Things to weigh up: check the depth and installation requirements of your chosen model; LG says the water dispenser on the LG GMW765STGJ requires plumbing.
Worth considering: if its two vertical doors and compartment capacities suit the way you organise your shopping.
Things to weigh up: make sure the packaged appliance will fit along the entire delivery route; Samsung stresses the importance of this check for its RS64DG53R3S9EF.
| What to compare | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare fridge and freezer capacities separately, then look at the drawer layout. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L as a starting point for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to suit how often you shop and how much frozen food you buy. | We do one big shop for the week: we need enough room for fresh food without the freezer being too small for the things we usually buy. |
| Access and installation | Measure the appliance and its packaging, as well as doorways, corridors and the lift. Check how far the doors open and the ventilation instructions for the exact model; Samsung specifically recommends checking that its packaged appliance will fit through. | I’m interested in a large model, but it needs to reach the kitchen and be practical to use once it’s in place. I also need to check whether any of its features require a connection. |
| Noise and energy use | Check the stated noise level and energy consumption information on the energy label. Compare appliances of a similar type and capacity rather than looking at their energy rating alone; ADEME describes the label as a way to compare noise and energy use. | If the kitchen opens onto the living area, I want to consider the stated noise level alongside the capacity my household needs. |
The split between fresh and frozen food affects how much storage space you have: Bosch lists 377 L of fridge space and 126 L of freezer space for its KGV58VLEAS, while LG lists 504 L and 246 L respectively for the GMW765STGJ.
Think about what you buy in a typical week, then compare each compartment and its drawers with your habits rather than looking at the total capacity alone.
A large appliance may fit in the space you’ve planned for it but still be too big to get through an access point in its packaging. For its RS64DG53R3S9EF, Samsung recommends measuring doorways, lifts and corridors.
Ask the retailer for the packaged appliance’s dimensions, then measure every access point and the space needed to open the doors.
Ventilation requirements and any connections you need depend on the model. For example, the product information for the LG GMW765STGJ says that its water dispenser requires plumbing.
Before ordering, check the instructions for your exact model to confirm its positioning, ventilation and connection requirements.
An energy rating on its own won’t tell you how much room each compartment offers or how noisy the appliance is. According to ADEME, the energy label also provides information about energy use and noise.
Compare the labels of similar types and sizes of appliance, then check delivery and installation arrangements with the retailer.
These models illustrate different layouts and overall sizes; their specifications won’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Bosch lists its KGV58VLEAS fridge freezer with 503 L of usable capacity, including 377 L of fridge space and 126 L of freezer space. It measures 700 mm wide.
Samsung lists its RS64DG53R3S9EF side-by-side model with a total capacity of 635 L and a width of 912 mm.
LG lists its GMW765STGJ multi-door model with a total capacity of 750 L, split between 504 L of fridge space and 246 L of freezer space.
These Joybuy fridge freezers include three-door and side-by-side layouts for storing fresh and frozen food. For the Samsung RF50C530EB1 and RF48A401EB4, check the exact door layout before choosing based on the format.
Image unavailable
If your weekly shop includes fresh and frozen food, check that the internal layout suits the quantities you store each week.
The model name lists a capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Also measure the delivery route and the space available.
Image unavailable
This style is worth considering if you need plenty of storage space and can confirm the appliance will fit along the route to your kitchen.
The model name lists a capacity of 628 L and a D energy rating. Check the dimensions with the packaging on, as well as the water dispenser’s connection requirements.
Image unavailable
If frozen food makes up a large part of your shop, compare the stated 192 L freezer capacity with your usual needs.
The product name lists a total capacity of 525 L, split between 333 L of fridge space and 192 L of freezer space. It also lists No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the packaged dimensions, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the doors.
Image unavailable
If you do a big weekly shop, check how much space is actually allocated to fresh and frozen food before deciding whether this total capacity is right for you.
The product name lists a capacity of 495 L and an E energy rating. Before buying, check the door layout and whether the dispenser requires any connections.
Image unavailable
If you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate, check this model’s capacities and compartment layout.
The product name lists a capacity of 488 L and an E energy rating. Check the door layout, whether the packaged appliance will fit along the delivery route, and whether any connections are required.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately with the quantities you usually buy. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L as a starting point for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this according to how often you shop and how much frozen food you buy.
Measure the space where it will go, the door clearance and every access point along the delivery route, taking the packaged appliance’s dimensions into account. Samsung specifically recommends checking doorways, corridors and lifts for its RS64DG53R3S9EF side-by-side model.
Follow the clearances and instructions in the manual for your chosen model rather than using a measurement that applies to another fridge. Bosch recommends checking the warnings and installation instructions for its fridge freezer before positioning it.
Compare the energy use and noise information for appliances of a similar type and capacity, rather than relying on the energy rating alone. ADEME describes the energy label as a way to compare, among other things, energy use and noise levels for large domestic appliances.