People who prepare meals for the week
If you need to fit several dishes, containers and fresh ingredients inside, check the space available on the shelves and in the drawers. Leave enough room for cold air to circulate, as recommended by Anses.
Who is this option for?
Households sharing a full fridge
When several people’s shopping and meal prep share the same fridge, storage that’s easy to organise matters just as much as the stated capacity. In particular, check whether your usual containers will fit without having to stack them too high.
People who freeze portions
If you also prepare meals to keep frozen for longer, compare the freezer’s capacity and layout separately. This need may matter more when choosing than having extra space in the fridge compartment.
What should you look for?
First, choose the right balance between fresh food and portions to freeze. Temperature display or control is then something to check on each type of appliance, rather than a storage solution in its own right.
Fridge with a freezer compartment
Worth considering: if fresh meals are your priority and you only freeze food occasionally.
Check: the freezer compartment’s capacity before relying on it to store lots of portions.
Fridge-freezer
Worth considering: if you want to keep pre-prepared meals chilled while storing frozen portions in the same appliance.
Check: how the capacity is split between the two compartments. The total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room is left for fresh meals.
Separate freezer
Worth considering: if you regularly stock up on frozen food and mainly need more space for it.
Bear in mind: it’s an extra appliance to install, and it runs continuously too, as ADEME points out.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh food | Compare the fridge capacity, then look at the layout and flexibility of the shelves and drawers. | If my containers and ingredients need to be easy to reach without being crammed in, usable space matters more than total capacity; around 34% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Temperature and monitoring | Check the temperature controls and plan to monitor the temperature at the coldest point, without overfilling the appliance. | When I store several dishes after cooking, I want to be able to check their storage conditions; around 33% of consumers would prioritise monitoring the temperature. |
| Freezer space | Check its capacity and whether the drawers can accommodate your usual portions. | I regularly freeze portions for the coming weeks and need to store them separately; around 20% of consumers would prioritise this capacity. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the kWh/year and noise levels of appliances with similar types and capacities. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to consider the noise and energy use of an appliance that stays on all the time; around 13% of consumers would make this their main criterion. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Looking only at the total capacity
A fridge-freezer’s capacity is split between several compartments. According to their respective product specifications, the LG GBV22NCDPY has a 233 L fridge compartment, 44 L of drawers and a 110 L freezer, while the Bosch KGN36VLED offers 237 L of fridge space and 89 L of freezer space.
Measure your dishes and containers, then check the capacity of each compartment and the shelf positions before you choose.
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Filling every available space after cooking
Packing food in too tightly can restrict the circulation of cold air. Anses recommends not overfilling your fridge and keeping an eye on its temperature.
Leave space around food and store your meals in sealed containers. Don’t rely on the stated capacity alone.
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Choosing more capacity without considering the whole appliance
A larger model takes up more room. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously, and that a larger size or unnecessary extra features can increase energy use.
Check the space available for installation, then compare the kWh/year and noise levels of models with similar capacities and configurations.
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Relying on a display to guarantee safe storage
A control or connected feature can help you adjust the settings, but it doesn’t replace checking the actual temperature or arranging food so that air can circulate. Anses recommends a temperature between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point.
Check this point once the appliance is installed and follow the guidance for cooling and storing your meals.
Brands to consider
These examples let you compare specific configurations; their features don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Bosch
The range includes a freestanding fridge-freezer and a separate freezer, making it useful for comparing fresh and frozen food storage needs.
- Bosch lists 237 L of fridge space and 89 L of freezer space for the KGN36VLED, compared with 242 L of freezer space for the GSN36CWEP.
- A separate freezer needs its own space, and its capacity can’t replace fridge space for meals you want to keep chilled.
LG
The GBV22NCDPY fridge-freezer lets you compare how capacity is split between the fridge compartment, drawers and freezer.
- LG lists a total capacity of 387 L for this model, including 233 L of fridge space, 44 L of drawers and 110 L of freezer space.
- Check that your containers will fit in each area: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how the interior is arranged.
Samsung
Some fridge-freezers from the brand combine generous interior capacity with app-based monitoring features.
- Samsung describes the RB34C671ESA/EF as a 344 L fridge-freezer with Wi-Fi connectivity and SmartThings.
- A connected feature doesn’t remove the need to check the temperature and interior layout of the model you choose.
Electrolux
The built-in ENC8MC18S fridge-freezer suits a different installation setup from a freestanding appliance.
- Electrolux lists 186 L of fridge space and 62 L of freezer space for this model.
- Before comparing its layout with a freestanding model, check that your cabinet space matches the built-in dimensions specified by Electrolux: 1780 × 560 × 550 mm.
Fridge-freezers on Joybuy
These models combine a fridge and freezer compartment, so you can keep fresh meals and frozen portions in one appliance. When choosing between them, look beyond total capacity and check the space for your containers as well as any installation requirements.
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Hisense RB3K330SAFC, 330 L freestanding fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you want to keep chilled meals and frozen portions in one freestanding appliance. The model name indicates a total capacity of 330 L, a No Frost system and a noise level of 35 dB.
Check the space for your containers in the fridge compartment and the clearance needed for installation.
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Samsung RB38C603CS9, 390 L fridge-freezer, C energy rating
Worth considering if you store fresh meals and frozen portions in a fridge-freezer. The stated total capacity is 390 L; this version is silver and has a C energy rating.
Before buying, check how the capacity is split between compartments, the available height and the ventilation clearance.
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Hotpoint HPK26363XBR5E, 316 L fridge-freezer, Dual No Frost
An option to consider if you want to keep some meals chilled and freeze others. This model is listed with a total capacity of 316 L, a Dual No Frost system and a D energy rating.
If the appliance will be in a living area, check its noise level on the energy label. Also make sure its dimensions suit your installation space.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1, 495 L multi-door fridge-freezer, E energy rating
Worth considering if you’re looking for a multi-door appliance to store both fresh meals and frozen portions. Its stated total capacity is 495 L and it has an E energy rating.
Measure the space available and check that the interior layout suits your dishes. If you plan to use the dispenser, confirm the connection requirements for this specific model.
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Samsung RB38C600EWW, white 390 L fridge-freezer, E energy rating
A fridge-freezer to consider if you want to keep fresh meals and frozen portions in the same appliance. This white version is listed with a total capacity of 390 L and an E energy rating.
Check that the shelves can accommodate your containers, that the height suits your kitchen and that the care instructions meet your needs.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should you set your fridge to for homemade meals?
Anses recommends a temperature between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point. Check it regularly, store food in the appropriate area and avoid overfilling the appliance.
Do you need a separate freezer to prepare meals in advance?
Not if the freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer is large enough for your usual portions. If you often prepare larger stocks, compare its capacity with a separate appliance: Bosch, for example, lists 89 L of freezer space for the KGN36VLED fridge-freezer and 242 L for the GSN36CWEP freezer.
What should you look for on a fridge’s energy label?
Look at the A to G energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, capacity and noise information. According to the European Commission, this scale has applied to domestic fridges and freezers since March 2021. Compare kWh/year figures for appliances with similar types and capacities.
How should you store meals after cooking?
Leave space for cold air to circulate and don’t put a dish in the fridge while it’s still hot. For homemade meals, Anses recommends refrigerating them within two hours.