If you shop less often and regularly buy frozen food, a fridge-freezer is a good place to start, with separate spaces for fresh and frozen food. A multi-door model is worth considering if you need more capacity and have room for one. In either case, compare the capacity of both compartments, the clearance needed to open the doors and the annual energy consumption, rather than looking at total capacity alone.
The space set aside for frozen food matters just as much as total capacity. To check whether it suits your shopping habits, compare the freezer capacity separately from the fridge capacity, as shown on the European Commission’s EPREL product fiche.
If you want fresh food to last until your next shop, check how much space is actually available for it. Que Choisir lists shopping frequency and storage habits among the factors that can help you choose the right format.
Your appliance needs to fit through the route to its final position, fit in place once installed and have enough room for the doors to open properly. Overall dimensions are listed in EPREL; check the chosen model’s manual for clearance and installation requirements.
First, work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. Then check that it fits your available space and compare the appliance’s annual energy consumption.
Consider this if: you shop less often and regularly buy both fresh and frozen food.
Bear in mind: the split between the two compartments needs to suit your shopping habits, even if the total capacity looks sufficient.
Consider this if: keeping fresh food takes priority and you only buy frozen food occasionally.
Bear in mind: check the actual freezer capacity before planning to store several weeks’ worth of frozen food.
Consider this if: a compact appliance is a priority in a small kitchen; Que Choisir, for example, recommends table-top models for studio flats.
Bear in mind: make sure the available capacity will cover the time between your shops.
Consider this if: your storage needs call for larger compartments and your kitchen can accommodate this style of appliance.
Bear in mind: unused capacity still takes up space, so check the kWh/year figure before choosing.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for frozen food | Freezer capacity in litres, separate from fridge capacity; check the drawer layout too if it matters for the way you shop. | If frozen food is a regular part of my shop, I want enough room for it without relying on the appliance’s total capacity. Around 36% of consumers put freezer space first. |
| Fresh food storage | Capacity of the non-freezer compartments in litres, and room for the containers you usually use. | Between less frequent shops, I need enough room for the fresh food I plan to keep. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Fitting it in the kitchen | Overall dimensions, delivery access, door clearance and the clearances specified in the manual. | In a kitchen with limited space, a large appliance is no use if I can’t install it or open the doors. Around 21% of consumers put space constraints first. |
| Energy consumption | The kWh/year figure on the energy label, compared with appliances of a similar capacity and configuration. | As an appliance stays plugged in all the time, I want to factor in its energy consumption before deciding how much capacity to buy. This comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
Two appliances with similar total capacities may offer different amounts of freezer space. The European Commission’s EPREL product fiches list freezer and non-freezer capacities separately.
Work out how much room you need for fresh and frozen food separately, then compare both figures for each appliance.
Overall dimensions and installation requirements vary between models. An appliance may fit in its allocated space, but its doors might not open as far as you need them to.
Measure the route into the kitchen and the final space, then check the manual for door clearance and the space needed around the appliance.
A fridge-freezer runs continuously. The energy rating doesn’t replace the annual consumption figure in kWh or the need to consider capacity. ADEME also highlights how choosing the right size can affect energy consumption.
Compare the kWh/year figures for appliances of a similar capacity and configuration, then factor in your electricity tariff.
Filling the appliance without considering its layout can make it harder to organise food and control the temperature, especially if the door is opened frequently.
Keep food within easy reach and check the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge: Anses recommends keeping it between 0 °C and 4 °C.
These Joybuy models include fridge-freezers, including a built-in model, as well as a multi-door option. If you shop less often, compare each format with your fresh and frozen food storage needs and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you store both fresh and frozen food between shops. Check how the 344 L is split between the compartments, as well as the door clearance and ventilation requirements in the manual, before deciding where to install it.
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This four-door model is worth considering if your shopping habits call for plenty of fresh and frozen food storage. The product description states Total No Frost. Before choosing this format, check the capacity of each compartment, the delivery access and the space needed to open the doors.
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This three-door fridge-freezer could suit you if you shop less often for fresh and frozen food. The product description mentions Total No Frost. Compare the capacity of each compartment with your shopping needs and check the installation requirements in the manual.
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Consider this fridge-freezer if you want to split your shopping between chilled and frozen food. To check whether it suits your kitchen and energy needs, look at the capacity of each compartment, the clearances in the manual and the kWh/year figure on the energy label.
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This built-in model is designed for kitchens set up for this type of installation, provided its compartments suit your shopping habits. Check the separate compartment capacities and total capacity, the dimensions of the housing, the specified clearances and the model’s annual energy consumption on the label.
Check the annual energy consumption in kWh and the separate fridge and freezer capacities. The energy rating is a useful guide, but compare the kWh/year figures for appliances of a similar capacity and configuration. You can also find these details in EPREL, the European Commission’s product register.
Follow the clearance and ventilation instructions in the manual for your exact model, rather than relying on a distance that may not apply to every appliance. Also measure the space where it will go and the area needed to open the doors.
Anses recommends a temperature between 0 °C and 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Check it in particular if the appliance is very full, the kitchen is warm or the door is opened frequently.
In France, an old fridge should go through the national waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling scheme, as outlined by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition. Before your new appliance is delivered, ask the retailer about collection options or find a convenient recycling point.