For a shared household storing both fresh food and frozen meals, a fridge freezer is a good format to consider first. However, compare the capacity in litres of each compartment, not just the total capacity. A compact model is best suited to limited space and a low demand for frozen food; a multi-door fridge is worth considering if you’ll make use of the extra capacity and your kitchen and access routes can accommodate it. Finally, check how the doors open, the ventilation requirements, the stated noise level and the model’s annual energy consumption.
If several people share the shopping, you’ll need to store fresh food where everyone can reach it without automatically opting for a very large freezer. Start with the number of people in your household and look at the interior layout: Que Choisir links the choice of format to shopping habits and the amount of space you need.
If prepared meals and frozen food regularly take up space, freezer capacity matters just as much as fridge capacity. A fridge freezer combines both, but the balance between the two compartments varies by model.
If the appliance needs to fit into an alcove, pass through narrow access points or run close to your living area, measure the space it takes up with the door open and compare the stated noise levels. The ventilation clearances must meet the requirements in the manual for your chosen model.
For shared shopping or trips to the shops that are less frequent, first decide how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then rule out formats that won’t fit in your kitchen. Noise and kWh/year can then help you choose between models that meet those needs.
Consider it: when there’s only room for a very small appliance and people in the household store little frozen food.
The trade-off: its limited capacity can make it difficult to store food from shared shops made less often.
Consider it: if you mainly buy fresh food, shop frequently and don’t have room for a fridge freezer.
The trade-off: its small freezer compartment won’t suit you if you need to store a lot of frozen meals.
Consider it: if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance without choosing a multi-door format.
The trade-off: two fridge freezers with a similar total capacity can offer very different amounts of freezer space.
Consider it: if your household will genuinely use the extra capacity and you have room for the appliance and its doors.
The trade-off: its size means you’ll need to check your access routes carefully. Before choosing the extra capacity, compare the kWh/year for the specific model.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food capacity | Compare the fridge compartment’s capacity in litres with the number of people in your household and how often you shop. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person as a starting point; adjust this to suit what you actually need to store. | When shared shopping needs to last for several days, running short of fresh-food storage can make it difficult to share the space; around 33% of consumers prioritise this capacity. |
| Freezer space | Check the freezer’s capacity in litres separately, as well as the layout of its drawers. A small freezer compartment won’t meet the same needs as the freezer in a fridge freezer. | If you’re keeping pre-prepared portions, you want to be able to separate them and find them easily; freezer capacity comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Installation and dimensions | Measure the space and access routes, then check the depth with the door open, which way the door opens and the ventilation clearances specified for the model. | In a narrow kitchen, an appliance is no use if it won’t fit through the door or gets in the way once installed; around 25% of consumers prioritise whether it will fit. |
| Noise and energy consumption | Compare the dB(A) and kWh/year figures given for each model, ideally between appliances with a similar format and capacity. | If your kitchen opens onto your living area, you’ll want to keep noise down without overlooking the energy use of an appliance that runs all the time; around 17% of consumers put these criteria first. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity can offer very different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. In particular, a small freezer may not be suitable if you regularly buy frozen food.
Work out how many litres you need in each compartment separately, then compare how that capacity is divided in the specifications for the models you’re considering.
A fridge might fit in its space with the door closed but block the way when it’s open, or leave too little room for the ventilation specified by the manufacturer.
Measure the delivery route and how far the doors will swing, too. Check the installation diagram for the exact model: the specified clearances aren’t the same for every appliance.
The extra capacity is only useful if your household will actually fill it and your kitchen can accommodate the format. Que Choisir notes that American-style fridges in particular need to be considered in light of their energy consumption compared with standard formats. Check the figures for the specific model rather than applying this comparison to every multi-door fridge.
First compare the storage space you need, the dimensions and the kWh/year with those of fridge freezers suited to your shopping habits.
In an open-plan kitchen, the stated noise level is more useful for comparing appliances than a marketing claim. Que Choisir classifies models rated below 40 dB(A) among the quietest.
Check the dB(A) rating for the exact model on its product information or label and compare it with other models before deciding where to put it.
These ranges give you a starting point for comparing formats. Always check the capacity, features and installation requirements for the specific model.
Bosch offers freestanding and built-in fridge freezers, as well as other configurations to compare for your kitchen.
Samsung’s fridge freezer range may appeal to households comparing stated capacity with the depth available in their kitchen.
Haier offers single-door and double-door models, fridge freezers and side-by-side fridges, making it useful to compare different storage formats.
LG’s multi-door range is worth looking at if a large amount of storage space suits your household’s shopping habits.
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this if you shop less often or store a lot of fresh food, and check the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
Not if you need to keep a significant proportion of your meals frozen: Que Choisir says that a small icebox isn’t enough for a household that eats a lot of frozen food. Compare the fridge freezer’s capacity in litres and drawer layout with the amount you want to store between shops.
Check that it will pass through the access routes, measure the space where it will go, and check how the doors open and the ventilation requirements in the manual for the exact model. For certain fridges covered by its guidance, Bosch specifies at least 200 cm² of ventilation space behind and beneath the appliance; don’t apply this figure to another model without checking its documentation.
Check the dB(A) and kWh/year figures for each model, ideally comparing appliances with a similar capacity and format. The below-40 dB(A) threshold cited by Que Choisir can help you identify models rated among the quietest, but you should still check the other installation requirements.
In France, ADEME says you can hand your old refrigeration appliance to the retailer or delivery driver when it’s replaced, or take it to the area for electrical and electronic equipment at a recycling centre. Arrange for it to be collected or dropped off rather than leaving it in a public place.