People with a narrow kitchen
If you’re replacing an appliance in a narrow passage or tight recess, check the installation requirements, ventilation and access to drawers before choosing a capacity.
Who is this choice for?
People with an open-plan kitchen
Your fridge shares your living space, so compare the stated noise levels and bear vibrations and intermittent sounds in mind.
Households that store fresh and frozen food
Whether you choose a compact appliance or a fridge-freezer depends on your shopping habits, the usable capacity of each compartment and the space available.
What to compare before you buy
Compact freestanding fridge
Consider this if: your food fits in a smaller capacity and you don’t need a large freezer compartment.
Check: some models have a small freezer compartment, while others have none; a compact footprint also limits storage capacity.
Fridge-freezer
Consider this if: you regularly store fresh and frozen food and need two compartments.
Check: a fridge-freezer isn’t necessarily narrow; check its width, height and depth, as well as the door clearance.
Built-in appliance behind a cabinet door
Consider this if: you have a cabinet designed to accommodate a built-in appliance.
Check: the internal dimensions, ventilation and cabinet door fittings must match the model’s installation diagram.
Freestanding appliance in a recess
Consider this if: you want to place a freestanding appliance between cabinets, without a cabinet door attached to its own door.
Check: permitted clearances vary by model; placing an appliance between cabinets doesn’t make it a built-in model.
| Consideration | What to check | Who should prioritise it? |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and door clearance | Measure the width, height and depth; check clearances, ventilation, and that the doors and drawers can open. | If your recess or passage is narrow, the appliance needs to fit and the drawers must remain accessible. Around 36% of consumers put installation suitability first. |
| Acoustic comfort | Compare the stated noise levels and, if available, listening tests for the exact model. | In an open-plan kitchen, you may want to limit the noise you hear in your living space without compromising on a suitable size. Around 29% of consumers prioritise acoustic comfort. |
| Storage capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately, as well as the layout and cooling type. | If your shopping includes fresh and frozen food, the capacity of each compartment matters more than the total capacity alone. Around 21% of consumers prioritise suitable storage. |
| Energy consumption | Once you’ve found a suitable size and capacity, compare the kWh/year shown on the energy label. | Among appliances that suit your space and needs, you can compare the stated annual energy consumption. Around 14% of consumers make this their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing only the width of the front
The depth, ventilation, cabinet door fittings and space needed to remove the drawers can all prevent an appliance from fitting.
Compare the internal dimensions of the space with the installation diagram for the exact model, including the required clearances.
You may then need to adapt the cabinet or arrange installation work.
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Confusing a freestanding fridge in a recess with a built-in appliance
A built-in appliance is designed for a suitable cabinet and cabinet door; a freestanding appliance placed between cabinets may not have the same features.
Check the permitted installation method and, for a built-in appliance, the door fixing type, such as sliding rails or fixed hinges.
An incompatible cabinet or cabinet door may need adapting.
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Assuming a low decibel figure means no disturbance
The stated noise level doesn’t fully describe how different sounds or vibrations will be perceived.
Use the energy label to narrow down your options, then look for listening tests of the exact model, if available.
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Assuming a compact fridge has a large freezer compartment
Two compact models can differ in whether they have a freezer compartment and how much it holds.
Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately and compare them with your storage habits.
Brands to consider by installation type
Beko
Worth considering for compact, tabletop-style freestanding fridges.
- Beko France’s product information distinguishes between the TSE1284N, which is 54 cm wide and has a freezer compartment, and the TSE1504FN, which has no freezer.
- These features apply to these specific models. Check the dimensions, capacity and installation instructions for the model you choose.
Bosch
Worth considering for some freestanding fridge-freezers placed next to cabinets.
- Bosch describes the KGN33NWDA as a freestanding fridge-freezer with Perfect Fit.
- For this model, the brand states a width of 614 mm and a declared noise level of 40 dB. Perfect Fit isn’t a feature of every Bosch appliance, so check the instructions for the exact model.
Liebherr
Worth considering when you know the recess dimensions for a built-in appliance.
- For the IRe 3900 Pure, Liebherr specifies a niche of 87,4–89 × 56–57 × 55,0 cm and a total capacity of 136 l.
- These dimensions and this capacity apply to this specific model. Check the capacity and installation requirements for your cabinet.
Electrolux
Worth considering for a built-in fridge-freezer with separate fridge and freezer compartments.
- For the KNS3SE18S, Electrolux specifies a niche of 1780 × 560 × 550 mm, 179 l of fridge capacity and 70 l of freezer capacity.
- The product information states that both compartments use static cooling. Check the dimensions, ventilation and door compatibility for your installation.
Whirlpool
Worth considering when replacing a built-in appliance with a sliding-rail cabinet door.
- Whirlpool’s product information for the ARG7342FR describes a sliding-rail door fixing and a total capacity of 189 l.
- The 18 l freezer compartment specified for this model needs to be defrosted manually. Check that this configuration suits your cabinet door and frozen-food needs.
Fridges available on Joybuy
These models include built-in, freestanding and fridge-freezer options, so you can compare how they fit, their storage capacity and the space they take up.
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AEG NSC6M18FES, built-in fridge-freezer, 249 l, TwinTech No Frost, white, class E
Consider this if you’re looking for a built-in appliance with both fridge and freezer compartments.
Stated capacity: 249 l. TwinTech No Frost. Class E.
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Comfee’ RCB169WH2(E), freestanding fridge-freezer, 174 l, Low Frost, class E
Consider this if you’re looking for a freestanding fridge-freezer with a stated height of 150 cm.
Stated capacity: 174 l, comprising 115 l for the fridge and 59 l for the freezer. 4-star freezer, reversible door.
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SMEG S4L120E, built-in one-door fridge, 188 l, class E
Consider this if you’re looking for a built-in one-door appliance for refrigeration.
Stated capacity: 188 l. Class E.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, freestanding fridge-freezer, 227 l, Low Frost, class E
Consider this if you need a freestanding fridge-freezer with a stated compact width of 54 cm.
Stated capacity: 227 l, comprising 153 l for the fridge and 74 l for the freezer. 4-star freezer, reversible door.
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SMEG S4C122E, built-in one-door fridge-freezer, 188 l, class E
Consider this if you’re looking for a built-in one-door fridge-freezer for a suitable cabinet.
Stated capacity: 188 l. Class E.
Frequently asked questions
What should I measure before ordering for a recess or corner?
Measure the internal dimensions of the space and compare them with the model’s instructions, including the required clearances and ventilation. Also check the direction and angle the doors need to open so you can remove the drawers and trays. For a built-in appliance, check how the cabinet door is fitted.
Is the noise label enough to choose a fridge for an open-plan kitchen?
No. It doesn’t fully describe vibrations or how different sounds will be perceived. It lets you compare the stated noise emissions; also look for listening tests of the exact model, if available. UFC-Que Choisir points out that noise perception is subjective.
How do I choose between a compact model and a fridge-freezer?
Choose based on the capacity you need and the space available. A compact model may suit you if a smaller capacity is enough, while a fridge-freezer combines refrigeration and freezing. Check the capacity of each compartment, as compact models don’t all have a freezer of the same size.
What should I look for on a fridge’s energy label?
Compare the annual energy consumption in kWh, capacities and noise emissions of models that already suit your installation. According to the European Commission, the label for relevant domestic refrigerators has included this information on an energy scale from class A to G since 1 March 2021. The label alone can’t tell you whether an appliance will fit your recess.