Choose a format based on how much space you need for fresh food, whether you need a freezer and the dimensions of your kitchen: a table-top fridge suits limited storage needs, a single-door model prioritises fridge space, and a fridge-freezer adds freezer capacity. Whichever format you choose, compare the capacity of each compartment and check that you can keep the coldest area between 0 and +4 °C for foods that need extra care, as recommended by Anses.
If you regularly store prepared meals alongside foods that need extra care, make sure there’s enough room without overfilling the shelves. Anses recommends keeping the coldest point between 0 and +4 °C and allowing cold air to circulate.
To store fresh shopping and large containers, check the fridge compartment’s capacity, then look at the layout of the shelves and drawers. The European Commission lists compartment capacities among the information on the energy label.
The dimensions need to leave enough room for installation and everyday use. Compare annual energy consumption too: ADEME points out that a fridge runs continuously, and its size affects how much energy it uses.
First decide whether you need a freezer compartment. Then compare the usable space for fresh food and the appliance’s dimensions.
Worth considering : if you have a small amount of shopping to keep chilled and limited space.
Bear in mind : there may be limited room for larger dishes.
Worth considering : if fresh shopping and prepared meals make up most of what you need to store.
Bear in mind : this format alone may not meet regular freezer needs.
Worth considering : if you store both fresh food and portions to freeze.
Bear in mind : some of the total capacity is given over to the freezer.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for ? |
|---|---|---|
| Coldest area | Check the manual to find this area and plan to measure its temperature with a thermometer. Anses recommends 0 to +4 °C at this point. | I regularly store foods that need extra care and want to know where to put them. Around 46 % of consumers prioritise being able to monitor the temperature. |
| Fresh-food capacity and storage | Compare the net capacity of the fresh-food compartment and the space on the shelves for containers and dishes. | I need my shopping and containers to fit without piling everything onto one shelf; this is the top priority for around 36 % of consumers. |
| Space and energy use | Check the dimensions and clearances required in the manual, then look at the kWh/an shown on the energy label. | In a small kitchen, I want an appliance that fits without taking up more space than necessary. This is the main consideration for around 18 % of consumers. |
A temperature setting on the display or the name of a freshness feature doesn’t show what temperature is reached where foods that need extra care are stored. Anses recommends checking the coldest point regularly.
Find this area in the manual, set the appliance as instructed and check it with a thermometer.
In a fridge-freezer, capacity is split between the fridge and freezer. If the fresh-food compartment doesn’t suit the containers you use, you could overcrowd the shelves and restrict the circulation of cold air, as Anses warns.
Compare the net capacities of each compartment separately and check there’s room for your usual dishes and containers.
The rating on its own doesn’t tell you the annual energy consumption or how much storage space you need. ADEME points out that the size of an appliance that runs continuously matters too.
For appliances of a similar size and capacity, compare the kWh/an shown, the dimensions and the noise level.
Bosch offers single-door fridges and fridge-freezers, with features that vary from model to model.
Liebherr offers single-door fridges and fridge-freezers, with different layouts across its range.
Beko offers fridge-freezers with cooling and control features that vary between models.
Anses recommends a temperature between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point in the fridge. Store foods that need extra care there and check the temperature regularly, for example with a thermometer.
No : setting the temperature correctly doesn’t replace storing food properly or taking care before chilling it. Anses recommends, in particular, not leaving food at room temperature for more than two hours before putting it in the fridge.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise emissions, taking into account the format you need. The European Commission says these details appear on the energy labels for fridges and freezers; you’ll need to check the installation dimensions separately.