First, measure the available space, check how the door will open and allow for the ventilation clearances required. Then choose a capacity to suit your shopping habits and freezer needs. Que Choisir suggests 100–150 litres of usable capacity as a general guide for one person. A table-top fridge may suit a very tight space if you shop frequently, while a compact fridge freezer is worth considering if you regularly store frozen food. If your living space is nearby, compare the stated noise levels too, and be sure to follow the installation instructions for your chosen model.
If space under the worktop or on the floor is limited, check that a table-top fridge will fit in the space without obstructing the door. As a starting point for capacity, Que Choisir suggests 100–150 litres of usable space for one person. Adjust this to suit your shopping habits.
Compare the capacities for fresh and frozen food separately. A small integrated freezer compartment may not suit your habits, so it’s worth considering a fridge freezer with a separate freezer section.
In a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, the stated noise level matters just as much as the space the appliance takes up. Que Choisir counts models rated below 40 dBA among the quietest, so compare the figure given for each model.
If space means you need a low appliance, look at table-top fridges or single-door models with a freezer compartment. If you often store frozen food, compare compact fridge freezers and models with a suitable capacity. Make sure their dimensions will genuinely work in your kitchen.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | External dimensions, door opening and the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. | When every centimetre counts in my kitchen, I need to be able to install and open the appliance without blocking the way; around 36% of consumers put this first. |
| Space for frozen food | The capacity and type of freezer compartment, separate from the total capacity. | If I regularly buy frozen food, a small compartment may limit what I can store; for around 29% of consumers, freezing is the top priority. |
| Capacity for groceries | Usable capacity for fresh food, taking into account how often you shop and the meals you prepare. | I cook or keep meals for several days and don’t want to run out of space between shops; this capacity comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Noise and energy use | Noise level in dB and annual consumption in kWh, comparing appliances that meet similar needs. | If my kitchen opens onto my living space, I want to take noise and electricity use into account; around 14% of consumers prioritise these two criteria. |
Two fridges with a similar total capacity may have very different amounts of space for frozen food. A small freezer compartment could limit your shopping if you regularly buy frozen food.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then consider them alongside what you usually store.
An appliance may fit in the space but leave too little room to open the door or allow for ventilation. Beko’s documentation states that blocked ventilation can increase energy use and damage the appliance.
Measure the depth and door-opening space too, then check the ventilation requirements in the instructions for your chosen model.
In a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, the fridge is still close to your living space. Que Choisir counts models rated below 40 dBA among the quietest.
Compare the stated noise level and acoustic class of models with a capacity and format that suit your needs.
The letter alone doesn’t tell you the annual energy use or storage capacity. The European Commission says that fridge labels include this information, as well as noise emissions.
Compare annual consumption in kWh, usable capacities and noise levels as well as the energy efficiency class. Make sure you’re comparing appliances that suit the same space and freezer needs.
Liebherr’s product information lets you compare a table-top fridge and a compact fridge freezer by their stated dimensions, capacities and noise levels.
The WHC18T132FR is an example of a built-in fridge freezer to consider only if your home has a compatible housing space.
Bosch’s instructions are useful for checking the installation requirements and the permitted ambient temperature range for a particular model.
These models cover two possible needs for your first home: mainly keeping fresh food in a compact appliance, or having an integrated freezer. Before choosing, compare their dimensions and compartments with your available space and habits.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Its total capacity is above the general guide Que Choisir gives for one person.
This freestanding model stands 150 cm tall and features a 4-star freezer, reversible door, Low Frost technology, a stated noise level of 39 dB and energy efficiency class E. Check the annual energy consumption and installation clearances on the product page and in the model’s instructions.
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Consider this model if you need a separate freezer and your shopping habits call for more capacity than the general guide for one person.
The model has a stated capacity of 153 L for refrigeration and 74 L for freezing, is 54 cm wide, and features a reversible door and energy efficiency class E. Check the height, depth, annual energy consumption and installation instructions before buying.
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Worth considering if you mainly store fresh food and are happy with a capacity below the general guide for one person. This model isn’t suitable if you need to store frozen food.
Its name indicates energy efficiency class E. Check its external dimensions and the ventilation requirements for your chosen space.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact fridge with an integrated freezer compartment. Check that it has enough space for the frozen food you need to store.
The model has a reversible door and energy efficiency class E. Before choosing, check the freezer compartment capacity, full dimensions, noise level, annual energy consumption and installation instructions.
Que Choisir generally recommends 100–150 litres of usable capacity for one person. Adjust this guide to how often you shop, the meals you prepare and how much space you need for frozen food.
A table-top fridge is worth considering if space is very limited and you shop frequently. A compact fridge freezer is better suited to regular freezing needs. In either case, check the capacity of each compartment separately and make sure the dimensions work for your installation space.
Yes, particularly if the fridge will be installed in a room that isn’t heated or gets very warm. Bosch’s instructions state that the appliance operates within the ambient temperature range permitted for its climate class. Check that the class of your chosen model suits the place where you plan to install it.
Compare the energy efficiency class, annual energy consumption, storage capacities and noise emissions. The European Commission states that this information appears on fridge labels. To make your choice, compare models that all fit your space and meet your freezer needs.