Studio flat renter with an open space
You’re looking for a compact appliance without a cabinet door and need to leave enough space around it for ventilation.
Who is this guide for?
Someone who stores frozen food
In a small kitchen, simply having a freezer compartment isn’t enough to make your choice: its capacity and stated temperature need to suit the way you use it.
Occupant of a fitted kitchenette
If you’re replacing an integrated appliance, the housing dimensions, ventilation and door fixing matter more than the stated capacity alone.
What should you check?
Measure the space before comparing capacities: capacity only helps you choose between appliances that you can install correctly.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Measure the appliance and the space it will go in, then check the clearances in the manual. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding fridges; these measurements don’t automatically apply to integrated models. | If the space is already defined, I need to be able to install the appliance and open its door without blocking access. Around 36% of consumers would make this physical fit their priority. |
| Freezing | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity and freezing features, not just the total capacity. | To space out my shopping while keeping frozen food to hand, I need a suitable freezer compartment in a compact appliance. This would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Fresh food capacity | Check the fridge capacity in litres separately, as well as the interior layout. If it’s going in a living space, also check the noise level on the energy label. | If I mainly store fresh food, the space actually available for it matters more than the ‘mini’ label. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this capacity. |
| Fitting with kitchen units | If you’re keeping an existing cabinet door, compare the housing dimensions, door fixing and opening direction with the manual. Bosch, for example, distinguishes between sliding hinges and fixed-door hinges. | I want to keep my kitchenette’s cabinet door when replacing the integrated fridge. Around 14% of consumers would make integration their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘under-counter’ means ‘integrated’
An appliance placed under a worktop needs to be able to release heat. An integrated model must also fit the housing and, where required, the cabinet door fixing.
Choose the installation type before picking an appliance, then check the ventilation, housing and door requirements in the manual. Whirlpool says that a small fridge placed under a worktop needs a ventilation grille at the back.
If the unit isn’t suitable, its ventilation or cabinet door may need to be modified.
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Looking only at the total capacity
If there’s a freezer compartment, the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room is available for fresh food.
Compare the capacity of each compartment separately, based on how much of your shopping is fresh or frozen. The European Commission says these capacities are shown on the energy label.
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Forgetting the clearance needed for a freestanding appliance
A fridge that just fits in the space may not have enough room to release heat.
Check the model’s manual before setting the maximum appliance dimensions. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding fridges.
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Assuming every mini fridge is suitable for frozen food
A small freezer compartment on its own doesn’t tell you how much food it can hold or what temperature it reaches.
If you need a freezer, check the capacity, stated temperature and star rating of the compartment for the model you’re considering.
Brands to consider
These ranges give you a starting point for comparing installation types; always check whether the specific model is suitable.
Bosch
Integrated larder fridges with freezer compartments, worth considering if you have an existing housing.
- Bosch lists appliance dimensions of 874 × 541 × 548 mm for the KIL22NSE0 and 1221 × 541 × 548 mm for the KIL42VFE0.
- For a replacement, Bosch advises checking the dimensions and hinge type: sliding hinges or fixed-door hinges.
Whirlpool
Compact freestanding fridges and under-counter integrated models, depending on your kitchenette layout.
- Whirlpool features the ARZ0051, an under-counter integrated model measuring 81,9 cm in height.
- A freestanding under-counter model and an integrated model have different installation requirements: check the ventilation needed for each.
Electrolux
Under-counter integrated models to consider when your kitchen units include a suitable housing.
- Electrolux specifies a housing height of 820 mm and a total net capacity of 111 L for the ELB3AE82YY.
- Check the requirements in the manual for the exact model, particularly if you plan to install it beneath a hob.
Liebherr
Under-counter integrated fridges for kitchens with a housing that’s already been defined.
- Liebherr specifies a housing measuring 82 to 88 cm high, 60 cm wide and 56 cm deep for the URd 3600 Pure.
- These housing dimensions and the fixed-door mounting don’t make this model interchangeable with a freestanding appliance.
Fridges available on Joybuy
These models suit a range of needs in a small kitchen: a freestanding appliance, a larder fridge, an integrated model and a fridge freezer with more freezer space. Check their dimensions and installation type against the space you have available.
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SMEG S4C122E, 188 L integrated fridge freezer
Worth considering if you have a compatible housing and cabinet door. This integrated one-door model has a freezer compartment at the top; check the installation dimensions and door fixing before choosing it.
Stated total capacity: 188 L. Stated energy rating: E.
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TCL RF60DWE0FR, 45 L freestanding mini fridge
Worth considering for an open space rather than an integrated housing. Allow for the ventilation clearances specified for installation.
Stated capacity: 45 L. The Joybuy listing gives it an energy rating of E, adjustable feet and a toughened glass shelf.
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SMEG S4L120E, integrated one-door fridge
Worth considering for a kitchenette with a compatible cabinet. Check the housing dimensions, cabinet door fixing and usable capacity in the model’s specification sheet.
Stated energy rating: E.
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CHiQ JR92DSE, 92 L one-door fridge
Worth comparing if width is limited and you’d like a freezer compartment. Check the height, depth and compartment specifications too before making your decision.
Stated capacity: 92 L. The Joybuy listing gives a width of 47 cm and notes that it has a freezer compartment.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L fridge freezer
Worth considering if you need more space for fresh and frozen food and have room for it. Its width isn’t the only dimension to check: be sure to check the height and installation clearances too.
The product title lists 153 L for the fridge, 74 L for the freezer, a width of 54 cm and a 4-star freezer rating.
Frequently asked questions
What should I measure before buying a small freestanding fridge?
Measure the available width, height and depth, as well as the delivery route and the space needed to open the door. Allow for the clearances in the manual too: Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding fridges. Don’t automatically apply these measurements to integrated models.
Can any mini fridge be installed under a worktop?
No. Check that the model’s installation and ventilation requirements are suitable for that space. Whirlpool says that a small fridge placed under a worktop needs a ventilation grille at the back; an integrated appliance also needs housing that meets the requirements in its manual.
How do I replace an integrated fridge in a kitchenette?
Start by measuring the housing and identifying how the existing cabinet door is fixed. Bosch recommends checking the dimensions and keeping the same type of hinge, whether sliding or fixed-door. Also check the opening direction and ventilation requirements of the new model.
How do I compare the energy use and noise levels of two small fridges?
Compare their energy labels using the same indicators: the European Commission lists the energy rating, annual energy consumption, compartment capacities and noise emissions, among other details. Check fresh and frozen capacities separately so you don’t choose based on total capacity alone.