When you’re sharing food shopping across several days, compare the space you need for fresh food and frozen food separately. The number of housemates alone won’t tell you what capacity to choose. A fridge-freezer may suit your needs across both compartments. A multi-door fridge or a fridge with a separate freezer is also worth considering if the extra storage justifies the space it takes up in your kitchen.
If several people bring home their shopping on the same day, check the space available in the fridge compartment, along with the layout of the shelves and drawers. UFC-Que Choisir recommends choosing the capacity to suit the number of people and how often they shop.
If you need to store prepared portions and frozen food, look at the freezer’s capacity and drawers separately from the appliance’s total capacity. A large fridge doesn’t necessarily have a freezer compartment that’s suitable for this use.
The width of the space isn’t the only thing to consider: the delivery route, depth, door clearance and noise matter too. A larger appliance is only useful if it can be installed and used in the room you have in mind.
First, decide how much fridge and freezer space you need, then check that the appliance will fit in your home. Interior features can help you choose between models with suitable capacities.
Consider this: if your shared shopping needs space for both fresh and frozen food in a single appliance.
Bear in mind: the capacity split depends on the model you choose. A sufficient total capacity may still hide an undersized compartment.
Consider this: if your shared shopping genuinely fills a large appliance and having several access zones would be useful.
Bear in mind: you’ll need enough room for the appliance and its doors, as well as a clear route into the kitchen.
Consider this: if cooked portions or frozen food regularly take up more space than the freezer compartment of a fridge-freezer you’re considering can offer.
Bear in mind: two appliances need two spaces, and you’ll need to check the installation requirements for each separately.
| Factor | What to check | What shoppers say |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh food capacity | Compare the fridge’s usable capacity with the number of people in your household and the amount you need to store after a shop. | When everyone brings home fresh food for several days, I want to be able to put everything away without squashing it. Around 33% of consumers would put this capacity at the top of their list. |
| Freezer space | Check the freezer’s usable capacity and drawer layout against the amount of food you need to store. | If we freeze prepared meals or regularly buy frozen food, the freezer compartment becomes a deciding factor. Around 27% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Interior layout | Look at the size of the drawers and whether the shelves are adjustable; these features don’t make up for a lack of capacity. | When everyone’s individual shopping has to fit together, I need to be able to find and reach food easily every day. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise this layout. |
| Installation and use in the room | Measure the space, delivery route and door clearance. Also compare the noise level and energy consumption of the exact model. | In a narrow kitchen or one that opens onto the living room, I don’t want an appliance that’s difficult to install or awkward to use. These practical considerations would come first for around 13% of consumers. |
Two appliances with similar total capacities may split the space differently between fresh and frozen food. The compartment you use most could end up being too small.
Compare the usable capacity of each compartment with the shopping and meals your housemates plan to store in it.
An appliance may fit the space but still be too wide to get through a door, hallway or staircase, or may not have enough clearance once installed.
Measure the route to the kitchen and the space needed to open the doors. If the packaged dimensions are listed, check those too.
Adjustable shelves and drawers can make it easier to share food, but they don’t increase the available capacity.
First check the fridge and freezer capacities, then compare the layouts of models that meet your needs.
In an open-plan kitchen, you may be able to hear the fridge from the living area. Energy consumption also matters for an appliance that runs continuously.
Compare the stated noise level and energy information on the label for the exact model, rather than assuming these features based on its size alone.
These ranges offer some starting points for comparing formats and layouts; features vary by model.
Bosch Home Appliances offers fridge-freezers and single-door fridges, some with separate temperature settings or flexible storage features.
Samsung France offers a range of large-capacity multi-door fridges, for kitchens with room for this format.
Haier France offers fridge-freezers and multi-door appliances. According to the brand, the S+ 7 HSPR79F18EWMB model has a selectable zone for either refrigeration or freezing.
Liebherr offers fridge-freezers that, depending on the model, feature dedicated fresh-food zones and NoFrost functions.
Whirlpool France offers fridge-freezers with a range of No Frost configurations, worth comparing when your choice is limited by the available width.
This selection includes large-capacity fridge-freezers, including multi-door models and one fridge-freezer. For a shared house, compare the space allocated to fresh and frozen food, then check the dimensions. This selection doesn’t include an option with a separate freezer.
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Worth considering if several housemates want to store their shopping in a four-door appliance. The title lists a total capacity of 467 L and Total No Frost. Compare the capacity of each compartment separately with your needs.
Before choosing this format, check the dimensions, delivery route and space needed to open the doors.
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Consider this for shared shopping that calls for a large appliance combining fridge and freezer space. The title lists a total capacity of 488 L and energy rating E. Check the usable capacity of each compartment and the energy label details for this model.
Check access to your home, the space available and door clearance.
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Compare this with multi-door appliances if a fridge-freezer would suit your kitchen for storing fresh and frozen food. The title lists a total capacity of 390 L and energy rating D. Make sure each compartment meets your household’s needs.
Also check the available height, clearance and delivery route into the kitchen.
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Worth considering if your shared shopping needs a high total capacity. The title lists 495 L and energy rating E. Compare the space for fresh and frozen food rather than looking at the total capacity alone.
Check the layout of the doors and compartments for this model, then measure the delivery route and the space where it will go.
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Consider this if your housemates are looking for a four-door appliance for their shared shopping. The title lists a total capacity of 474 L and energy rating E. Check the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer compartments to see if they suit your household.
Measure the delivery route, the available space and the clearance needed for the doors.
Start with the number of people who actually use the appliance, then think about how much needs putting away straight after a shop and how much room frozen food takes up. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit your household’s habits and compare the usable capacity of both compartments.
A fridge-freezer with drawers in the bottom freezer is worth comparing if your housemates regularly store frozen food or cooked portions; Darty recommends this format for that use. If fresh food is your main priority, compare models with a top freezer too, and check the usable capacity of each compartment in every case.
Measure the space where it will go and the entire delivery route, then allow enough room to open the doors. UFC-Que Choisir highlights how much space large American-style appliances take up. As an example for one specific model, Samsung France lists a width of 912 mm for the RF65DG960ESL.
Compare the energy label details for the specific models, including their annual energy consumption, while also considering the capacities they offer. The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition states that refrigeration appliances are subject to energy labelling. The same brand or format doesn’t guarantee identical figures from one model to another.