Households that prepare meals
If you store fresh shopping as well as several prepared meals, make sure you have enough room to put everything away without blocking the airflow. Anses recommends keeping perishable food in the coldest zone.
Who is this choice for?
Households that freeze food for later
If you regularly freeze portions or shopping, compare the usable capacity of a fridge-freezer’s freezer compartment with that of a separate appliance. Product information from Whirlpool France and Liebherr France shows the different formats and capacities available.
Households with limited kitchen space
If space is limited, check the dimensions, installation type, and fridge and freezer capacities rather than relying on the total capacity alone. The European Commission says that the label on fridges and freezers includes details such as capacity and energy consumption.
What should you compare?
Fridge-freezer
A good choice if: you need to store fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the freezer capacity is only part of the total. Check that it’s enough for the food you plan to store.
Fridge with freezer compartment
A good choice if: most of your shopping is fresh and you only freeze food occasionally.
Bear in mind: a small compartment may not fit several batches of prepared meals. Check its capacity and specifications.
Upright or chest freezer
A good choice if: your fridge already meets your fresh food storage needs and you want more room for frozen food.
Bear in mind: a separate appliance needs its own space and won’t keep fresh food chilled.
Separate fridge and freezer
A good choice if: you need plenty of space for both fresh and frozen food and have two suitable places for the appliances.
Bear in mind: add together the declared annual energy consumption figures and check how much space both appliances will take up.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge space | Fridge capacity in litres; shelves and storage; position of the coldest zone. | If I prepare several meals, I want to be able to store containers without taking up useful fridge space. Around 31% of consumers prioritise fridge space. |
| Freezer capacity | Freezer capacity in litres; drawer or chest storage; freezing capacity in kg/24 h, if listed. | When I freeze several portions or items from my shopping, I check that the compartment can fit them. Around 25% of consumers prioritise freezer space. |
| Space and installation | External dimensions; housing dimensions and installation type for an integrated model; space for each appliance. | If my kitchen has specific size constraints, I want to check the installation requirements before choosing a format. Around 25% of consumers put fitting the appliance into their kitchen first. |
| Energy consumption | Declared consumption in kWh/year; combined figures for two appliances. | If the appliance runs continuously, I compare its energy consumption with that of models that meet my storage needs. Around 19% of consumers make energy consumption their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on total capacity alone
Two appliances can divide their capacity differently between fridge and freezer space. A small freezer compartment may not be suitable for storing several batches of prepared meals.
Check the capacity of each compartment separately and compare it with the containers you usually store.
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Overfilling the fridge and making it hard to organise
Anses recommends not overfilling the appliance, so that air can circulate, and keeping perishable food in the coldest zone.
Check the manual to find this zone and make sure your usual containers fit there without blocking the available space.
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Comparing an energy rating rather than the whole setup
The label shows each appliance’s annual energy consumption in kWh. If you add a separate freezer, its consumption will be on top of the fridge’s.
Compare the kWh/year figures for the models you’re considering and add them together if you choose two appliances.
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Assuming reduced frost means you’ll never need to defrost
Manufacturers use different systems across their models. Reduced frost doesn’t necessarily mean that defrosting will never be needed.
Check the cooling system and care instructions for the exact model number.
Brands and models to know
Bosch
Freestanding fridge-freezers are worth considering if you want both functions in one appliance. For the KGN39VLEB, Bosch lists 279 l of fridge capacity and 89 l of freezer capacity.
- Bosch lists No Frost, VitaFresh, a noise level of 39 dB and dimensions of 203 × 60 × 66 cm for this model.
- VitaFresh is a feature described by Bosch, not a measure of performance. Check that the height and freezer capacity suit your kitchen and habits.
Whirlpool
There are two formats to consider: the integrated ARG7342FR fridge with a small freezer compartment, and the freestanding WHFF6403W4E upright freezer.
- Whirlpool lists an 18 l 4-star compartment for the ARG7342FR and, for the WHFF6403W4E, a capacity of 404 l, six drawers and energy consumption of 292 kWh/year.
- The ARG7342FR requires a compatible housing; the upright freezer won’t keep fresh food chilled. Check the total capacity of the ARG7342FR in the information for the model you buy.
Liebherr
The CUe231-26 fridge-freezer and CFe 2500 chest freezer suit different capacity and space requirements.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 210 l and a width of 55 cm for the fridge-freezer, compared with 497 l, a width of 167 cm and energy consumption of 295 kWh/year for the chest freezer.
- Frost-reduction features don’t guarantee that defrosting won’t be needed. A chest freezer takes up a lot of floor space.
Beko
Beko fridge-freezers can be compared by looking at the features listed for each model, including air distribution and dedicated storage zones.
- Beko describes AeroFlow on the B5RCNE615ZXP as a system that distributes temperature more evenly, and lists a fresh-food compartment operating at 0 to 3 °C.
- These features apply to the model described by Beko. Check the product information and manual for the model you choose.
Electrolux
Integrated fridge-freezers are worth considering when the dimensions of the housing determine your choice.
- For the ENV9GB18S, Electrolux lists 188 l of fridge capacity, 62 l of freezer capacity, energy consumption of 125 kWh/year and housing dimensions of 1780 × 560 × 550 mm.
- These specifications apply to this integrated model and not to the entire Electrolux range.
Joybuy products to suit these needs
These products cover the need to keep food chilled and frozen in a fridge-freezer, as well as the option of a standalone upright freezer for storing frozen food.
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Hisense RB440N4CCB, freestanding fridge-freezer
For storing fresh shopping and frozen portions in one fridge-freezer.
336 l total capacity: 238 l for the fridge and 98 l for the freezer. 135 kWh/year, energy class B, No Frost and Multi Air Flow.
The product information lists a noise level of 35 dB.
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LG GBBS312CEV, fridge-freezer
For keeping fresh and frozen food in separate compartments in one appliance.
183 l of fridge capacity, 113 l of freezer capacity and a 37 l fresh-food compartment. Listed energy consumption: 169 kWh/year, energy class C.
The product information lists a Fresh Converter drawer and Total No Frost.
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Hisense RQ758N4SWSE, four-door fridge-freezer
For plenty of fridge space and an adjustable zone, provided you have enough room for a four-door model.
The product information lists 390 l of fridge capacity, 95 l of freezer capacity and an adjustable My Fresh Choice zone of approximately −20 °C to +5 °C.
It also lists 2-star compartments of 108 l and 13 l. Check how these are intended to be used in the model information. The freezer has drawers, and a water dispenser with a tank is listed.
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Hisense RB3B250SAWC, integrated fridge-freezer
For fitting refrigeration and freezing into a fitted kitchen, with a compatible housing.
252 l total capacity: 176 l for the fridge and 76 l for the freezer. 150 kWh/year, energy class C and a listed freezing capacity of 6 kg/24 h.
The product information lists three freezer drawers and states that the appliance must be installed and secured inside a unit.
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Heinrich´s, 161 l upright freezer
For extra frozen food storage when your fresh food is already being kept chilled.
Listed capacity: 161 l, with three drawers and two shelves. Energy class C; the description mentions No Frost and Fast Freeze.
The listed temperature range is −14 °C to −22 °C. This appliance on its own won’t replace a fridge.
Frequently asked questions
How can I estimate the capacity my household needs?
Make a list of the shopping and meals you store at the same time, then compare fridge and freezer capacities separately. UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average guide of 100 to 150 l for one person, plus 50 l for each additional person. This isn’t a universal threshold: how often you shop, the meals you prepare and the space available all matter too.
Where should I store prepared meals, and how can I check the temperature?
According to Anses, keep perishable food, including prepared meals, in the coldest zone and check that the temperature there is 4 °C. Avoid overfilling the appliance. Check the manual to find this zone, as its position depends on the fridge design.
Does a No Frost model mean I can ignore all storage instructions?
No. No Frost relates to frost management on models with this feature, but it doesn’t remove the need to check the temperature or allow air to circulate. Follow the manual for your chosen model for advice on settings and loading.
How do I compare a fridge-freezer’s energy consumption with that of two separate appliances?
Check the kWh/year figure for each model and add together the figures for the separate fridge and freezer. Then compare the total with that of a fridge-freezer that meets your capacity needs. Declared energy consumption figures don’t guarantee your actual consumption at home.
What statutory guarantee applies in France?
In France, when a private individual buys an appliance from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity is mandatory and can be claimed for two years. The Ministry of the Economy and Finance explains that claims are made through the seller and that this guarantee is separate from an optional commercial guarantee. The DGCCRF also states that an energy label is mandatory for relevant new household refrigeration appliances.