After moving home, first choose a fridge that will fit along the access route and into your kitchen. Then compare the fresh-food capacity and the space set aside for frozen food separately. A compact model may suit you if you shop little and often, while a fridge-freezer or multi-door model offers different storage options. Just make sure its dimensions, ventilation requirements and energy use are right for your home.
Your first priority is finding an appliance that fits in your home and has doors that can open without obstruction. Check whether the model has a freezer compartment, too: not all compact fridges do. Que Choisir Ensemble looks at kitchen size and frozen-food storage needs, among other factors.
You want to divide your storage between fresh and frozen food to suit how often you shop. Compare the freezer compartment and its capacity rather than relying on the appliance’s total capacity alone. This is another factor considered by Que Choisir Ensemble.
You want to organise more fresh food, and possibly frozen food too, while taking the available space and how often you shop into account. Que Choisir Ensemble highlights the importance of these storage needs and your shopping habits.
Que Choisir Ensemble recommends considering your kitchen layout, how much frozen food you store and how often you shop. Start with the installation requirements, then compare the compartments and practical features.
Choose this if: space is limited and you shop little and often, after checking the usable capacity and whether it has a freezer compartment.
Bear in mind: some models, such as the Beko TSE1504FN, do not have a freezer.
Choose this if: you prioritise fresh-food storage and keep little frozen food; compare models with and without a freezer compartment.
Bear in mind: the total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much space there is for frozen food.
Choose this if: you regularly store both fresh and frozen food in separate compartments; compare the capacity of each.
Bear in mind: check the height, depth and delivery access, even if the width suits your kitchen.
Choose this if: you store large quantities and have enough space in your kitchen and along the delivery route.
Bear in mind: a large capacity may not be the best fit if you shop little and often; check the width and depth, too.
| Priority | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Measure the width, height and depth of the space and the access route. Check the clearances and door-opening requirements in the model’s manual. | If my kitchen is narrow, I also check the access route and door clearance before settling on a model; around 28% of consumers put size and installation first. |
| Freezer space | Check whether there is a freezer and what type it is, then compare its capacity separately from the fridge’s. | If I regularly store frozen food, I want to know how much space will actually be available for it; around 22% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Fresh-food capacity | Think about what you store between shops and compare the usable capacity, shelves and drawers. | If I shop less often or keep lots of fresh food, the way the fridge is organised really matters; around 22% of consumers put this factor first. |
| Energy use and noise | For the exact model, check the stated energy use in kWh/year and noise level in dB. Actual energy use depends on how and where you use the appliance. | If my kitchen is close to a living area, I compare noise and energy use once I’ve settled on a size; around 17% of consumers prioritise these factors. |
| Delivery and installation | Check the delivery arrangements and date, access to your home, the services on offer and, if needed, collection of an old equivalent appliance. | When I’m furnishing a new home, I want to plan for the appliance’s arrival and know what’s included in setting it up; around 11% of consumers prioritise delivery and related services. |
The outside dimensions don’t tell you whether an appliance has a freezer. The Beko TSE1504FN, for example, is a table-top fridge with no freezer.
Check the details for the exact model and choose a compartment that suits how much frozen food you buy.
Height, depth, the delivery route, door clearance and ventilation requirements all matter when installing your appliance.
Note down the appliance’s three dimensions and measure the route into your kitchen. Then follow the clearances specified in the manual for your chosen model.
Delivery, installation and other services may each have different terms and arrangements.
Before you order, check what’s included, which services are available and the seller’s terms for collecting an old equivalent appliance.
The ranking published by Bien Équipé is based on declared characteristics used for energy labelling; it doesn’t show the results of a test in a home.
Use this information to shortlist models, then check the details of the exact model and make sure it’s suitable for your home.
Worth considering for a small space: the TSE1504FN is a freestanding table-top fridge.
The KPsle290-26 is an example of a larder fridge with a freezer compartment.
The KGN392XCF is an example of a freestanding fridge-freezer listed for the French market.
The HCR3818EWMM is an example of a freestanding four-door fridge to consider if your storage needs justify a multi-door model.
The GBBS322APY is an example of a fridge-freezer included in a fridge ranking published by Bien Équipé.
This selection includes table-top fridges, larder fridges, fridge-freezers and multi-door models to suit different fresh and frozen food storage needs.
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A fridge-freezer to consider if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
The model title lists Total No Frost, Multi Air Flow, an Inverter compressor, energy class B and a noise level of 35 dB.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a multi-door model and have enough space for the appliance and its installation.
The model title lists Total No Frost, Multi Air Flow, Wi-Fi, My Fresh Choice, Triple Zone, a water dispenser and energy class E.
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Worth considering if you mainly need to keep fresh food in a compact appliance.
The title lists a capacity of 82 L and energy class E. This model is described as having no freezer compartment.
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A compact table-top model to consider if you need a little extra storage space.
The title lists a capacity of 45 L and energy class E. The stated freezer compartment capacity is 3 L.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a fridge-freezer with a stated width of 54 cm.
The title lists 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, Low Frost, a four-star freezer rating, a reversible door and energy class E.
Measure the space and access route, then check the model’s dimensions, door clearance and installation manual. For the models concerned, Bosch Électroménager sets out ventilation requirements and notes that the floor or cabinet must be level. Follow the manual for your chosen model rather than applying these instructions to every brand.
Anses recommends a temperature of 0 to +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. It also advises checking the temperature regularly, storing sensitive foods in the coldest area and not overfilling the appliance.
In France, if an individual buys a product from a professional seller, they can claim under the legal guarantee of conformity through the seller. This is separate from any commercial guarantee; check the terms of the latter separately.
For take-back under the applicable like-for-like obligation, the DGCCRF states that the retailer must take back an equivalent used product free of charge when a new product is sold. Check the practical collection arrangements with the seller, and distinguish this take-back service from any other services on offer.