If you have an existing housing unit, start by checking the space and the type of door you need: a fully integrated fridge must fit the unit and accommodate the kitchen door, while a built-in model keeps its own door visible. In an open-plan kitchen, compare the fresh-food and freezer capacities, energy use and noise levels shown on the energy label. Bear in mind that the declared noise level cannot guarantee how loud the appliance will seem in your room.
If your kitchen already has a furniture door fitted to the fridge, measure the housing unit and identify its hinges. Bosch points out that hinge compatibility matters when replacing a fully integrated fridge.
If your fridge is near your living or working area, compare its declared noise level and noise class. The European Commission lists these among the details shown on the energy label.
If your shopping includes both, look at the space available in each compartment separately. The total capacity alone will not tell you how much room there is for fresh food.
To choose the right installation type, first distinguish between the three ways of fitting an appliance. You can then consider a fridge freezer based on the balance of capacity you need.
Consider this if: there is no kitchen unit designed to have a furniture door attached to the appliance.
Bear in mind: its door will remain visible. Check the installation and door-opening clearances in the model’s instructions.
Consider this if: a kitchen door needs to be attached to the fridge, particularly when replacing an existing appliance.
Bear in mind: the housing unit, kitchen door and hinge system must be compatible with your chosen model, as Bosch points out.
Consider this if: the appliance needs to fit into a housing unit while keeping its own door visible.
Bear in mind: fitting into a housing unit does not remove the need to check the dimensions, door opening and required clearances.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Housing unit and kitchen door | Measure the housing unit in all three dimensions and compare it with the installation diagram. If you have an existing kitchen door, also identify its fixing system and how far it swings open. | I’m replacing an integrated appliance and want to keep my existing kitchen door without finding out after purchase that its hinges aren’t compatible; around 33% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Noise in an open-plan kitchen | Compare the declared noise emissions and noise class on the energy labels for the models you’re considering, and take installation conditions into account too. | With my kitchen opening onto the living area, I want to be able to compare appliance noise before choosing; this would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Fresh-food and freezer capacity | Check the capacity in litres for each compartment and compare it with your shopping and how much frozen food you use. | I store both fresh and frozen food, so an unbalanced split would be inconvenient even if the total capacity were sufficient. Around 27% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Energy use | Compare the energy class and annual consumption in kWh on the energy label, taking the appliances’ capacities into account. | Before choosing between formats that suit me, I want to compare their declared energy use; around 13% of consumers would make this their top criterion. |
A built-in model keeps its own door visible, while a fully integrated fridge can have a kitchen door fitted to it. Confusing the two could prevent the appliance from fitting into your kitchen as planned.
Check whether the current door is a kitchen door attached to the appliance, then confirm what type of fixing system you need.
Height, depth, door opening and ventilation matter too. Bosch’s instructions state that the ventilation openings in the appliance or its housing must be kept clear.
Before ordering, compare all your measurements with the installation diagram and the instructions for the exact model.
Two fridge freezers may have different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. The total capacity could therefore hide a compartment that is too small for your needs.
Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately on the energy label or product specification.
France’s consumer protection authority, the DGCCRF, distinguishes between commercial guarantees and statutory obligations. The services and terms of a commercial guarantee depend on the contract offered.
Read the written terms and check what the guarantee actually adds to your statutory rights before signing up.
Bosch offers fully integrated single-door fridges and fridge freezers.
Siemens offers compact integrated fridges, as well as fridge freezers in various heights.
Whirlpool offers single-door fridges and fully integrated fridge freezers, among other models.
Electrolux offers fully integrated fridge freezers, with specifications and installation documents that vary by model.
These fridge freezers include fully integrated models for fitted kitchens and freestanding models with a visible door. For each one, check that the format suits your space before comparing the listed features.
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Worth considering if you want to fit a fridge freezer behind a kitchen door.
The product name specifies No Frost, an energy class of C and an Inverter compressor. Check the instructions for the housing unit dimensions, ventilation and compatibility with your kitchen door’s fixing system.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fully integrated fridge freezer with a top freezer.
The product name specifies a single door and an energy class of E. Check the space allocated to the freezer, as well as the housing unit dimensions, ventilation and kitchen door fixing system.
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Worth considering for a fitted kitchen where the fridge and freezer need to share an integrated space.
The product name specifies TwinTech No Frost and an energy class of E. Before choosing it, check that the instructions match your housing unit, ventilation requirements and kitchen door fixing system.
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Worth considering if you don’t need to attach a kitchen door to your fridge.
The product name specifies No Frost and an energy class of A. Check the installation clearances and the space needed to open the door in your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a four-door freestanding fridge freezer and have a space that can accommodate this format.
The product name specifies Total No Frost, Smart Inverter and an energy class of E. Check the available width, clearances and door-opening space before choosing this model.
Check the energy class, annual consumption, compartment capacities and noise information. ADEME says that energy labels for fridges are available online and in shops; the European Commission explains the information shown for the appliances covered.
No. The height alone won’t confirm that the housing unit’s depth and width are right, or that the kitchen door is compatible. Bosch also recommends checking the new appliance’s hinge type when replacing an existing model.
Compare the declared noise emissions and noise class on the energy labels for the models you’re considering. These details help you compare appliances, but can’t guarantee that they’ll sound the same in every room. You should also follow the model’s installation requirements.
No. The ventilation openings required for the appliance or its housing must be kept clear, as stated in Bosch’s instructions. Check your model’s installation instructions to find out which clearances and airflow paths need to be maintained.
No. France’s consumer protection authority, the DGCCRF, reminds consumers that a commercial guarantee is separate from the statutory guarantee of conformity. In France, the Ministry of the Economy says you have two years to request the application of this statutory guarantee on a new or second-hand product. Check the services and terms of any commercial guarantee separately.