For shared food shops, with regular supplies of fresh and frozen food, a fridge-freezer is a good place to start. Compare the usable capacity of each compartment and the appliance’s dimensions. A compact model may suit you if you keep smaller stocks; a multi-door model is worth considering if you genuinely need the extra capacity and your kitchen has room for it and for the doors to open.
You need to store several people’s fresh food and a supply of frozen food at the same time, so the layout and organisation of the compartments matter just as much as the total capacity. UFC-Que Choisir suggests allowing 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to suit your household’s shopping habits.
The available height and width, as well as the door swing, may limit your options. Also check that the interior has enough room for shared supplies; a smaller appliance won’t necessarily meet this need.
If the appliance is near a living space or you’re thinking ahead to maintenance, compare each model’s specifications, annual energy consumption and information about spare parts. A brand’s guidance won’t necessarily apply to every model it sells.
Choose this if: several people need to store both fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Check: the capacity in litres of each compartment, then the dimensions and space needed for the doors to open.
Choose this if: the space is low or narrow and your shared shopping needs are modest.
Check: the capacity of each compartment; a compact model may not have enough room for your household’s supplies.
Choose this if: most of your shopping is fresh food and you only keep a modest supply of frozen food; for an integrated model, the housing unit must be the right size.
Check: the freezer compartment’s capacity and the stated capacity of each compartment.
Choose this if: several people need to store enough food at the same time to justify a genuinely large capacity.
Check: the width and depth, delivery access and clearance for the doors to open; these appliances can take up a lot of space.
UFC-Que Choisir offers a guide to capacity per person, but how often you shop and how much frozen food you store also matter. The EU energy label shows, among other things, annual consumption in kWh and the capacity of each compartment. Compare appliances that offer similar storage capacity for your needs.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Storing fresh food | Capacity of the fresh-food compartment and the layout of the shelves and drawers. | If several people need to store fresh food together, the internal layout matters just as much as the stated capacity; around 28% of consumers prioritise storage for fresh food. |
| Freezer capacity | Freezer capacity, type of compartment and number of drawers. | If you buy frozen food for several people, check you can store it all without treating a small freezer compartment as a large supply; around 22% of consumers prioritise freezer capacity. |
| Kitchen space | Height, width, depth, delivery access and the clearance needed to open the doors, as specified in the manual. | If the space or a nearby wall could affect installation, also measure the room needed to open the door and remove the drawers; around 22% of consumers prioritise these space requirements. |
| Energy use and noise | kWh/year on the label and stated noise level, comparing models with similar capacities and features. | If the appliance is near living areas or runs continuously, these figures can help you compare models, but they don’t guarantee a particular bill or that the appliance won’t be a nuisance; around 17% of consumers prioritise quiet operation and energy use. |
| Spare parts and aftercare | Information for the exact model, stated availability of spare parts and warranty terms. | If several people rely on the same appliance, you may want to prioritise support for your specific model and the options available if something goes wrong; around 11% of consumers prioritise these factors. |
The French Ministry for Ecological Transition does not list fridges among the product categories covered by France’s repairability index. For spare parts or after-sales service, check the information for the specific model and seller.
A large stated capacity doesn’t guarantee the right balance between fresh and frozen food. The Whirlpool ARG7342FR product information gives different total-capacity figures in different sections, so don’t compare them without checking the individual compartments.
Check the separate capacities on the energy label, then look at the drawers and shelves before choosing between models.
A table-top model can free up kitchen space, but may not have enough room for several people’s supplies.
Measure the space and estimate the maximum amount of food you’ll need to store between shops. Check that the compartments can accommodate it before choosing a compact model.
Energy use also depends on the model and its size. ADEME points out that a larger or feature-packed appliance can use more energy; the label alone won’t tell you how much it will cost your household to run.
Compare the kWh/year figures on the labels of appliances with similar capacities and features. If you want to work out the cost, factor in your electricity tariff too.
The KGN39VLCT is an example of a freestanding fridge-freezer whose fresh and frozen capacities can be considered separately for shared shopping.
The CBNsfc 5223 is an example of a fridge-freezer with a stated total capacity of 320 L. Consider it if that capacity suits your household’s needs.
The B1RCNA344W and TSE1284N are examples of a freestanding fridge-freezer and a table-top model, respectively, to compare depending on the space available.
The ARG7342FR is an example of an integrated larder fridge with a small freezer compartment. Consider it if the space and your frozen-food needs make it a suitable option.
The GBBS322APY is an example of a fridge-freezer with a stated capacity of 375 L. Consider it if this capacity and the available height suit your kitchen.
This selection includes fridge-freezers and multi-door or side-by-side models for sharing fresh and frozen food. Check the usable capacity, dimensions and door clearance for each model.
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This fridge-freezer gives you one appliance for storing both fresh and frozen food.
The title lists a capacity of 360 L, No Frost, Wi-Fi and My Zone.
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This fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want one appliance for both fresh and frozen food.
The title lists No Frost, an Inverter compressor, Multi Air Flow, energy class B and 35 dB.
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This multi-door model is worth considering if your household needs a large capacity and your kitchen has room for the appliance.
The title lists No Frost, Wi-Fi, My Fresh Choice, Triple Zone, a water dispenser and energy class E. The description lists two 2-star compartments of 108 L and 13 L, as well as a 95 L freezer compartment.
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Consider this French-door model if its capacity suits your shared food supplies and there’s enough room in your kitchen.
The title lists No Frost, an Inverter compressor, Multi Air Flow, a water dispenser, energy class E and 38 dB.
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Consider a side-by-side model if you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate and have enough width for the appliance.
The title lists a width of 83 cm, No Frost, a 276 L fridge, a 168 L freezer, 40 dB and energy class E.
Start by thinking about the maximum amount of food you have between shops, then separate fresh food from frozen. UFC-Que Choisir suggests allowing 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person. How often you shop and how much frozen food you store can change what you need.
Check whether the model is freestanding or integrated, measure the space and consult the manual for the required clearances. Also check that the door can open and the drawers can be removed. For the LG GBBS322APY, LG requires at least 4 mm of clearance at the side next to a wall; this applies to this model, not all fridges.
No. This feature means you don’t need to manually defrost the relevant compartment on models that have it, but you should still follow the maintenance instructions in the manual. Check which compartments actually have the feature.
Compare the kWh/year figures on the labels of appliances with similar capacities and features, and check whether delivery or installation services cost extra. In France, if a consumer buys from a professional seller, the right to bring a claim under the statutory guarantee of conformity expires two years from the date the goods are delivered. An optional commercial warranty does not replace this statutory guarantee.
No. Fridges are not among the product categories covered by the repairability index published by the French Ministry for Ecological Transition. This does not remove the rules on spare parts: for the household refrigeration appliances concerned, the DGCCRF states minimum availability periods of 7 years for certain parts and 10 years for seals, starting from the date the last unit of the model is placed on the market. Check the information that applies to the model in question.