Housemates who share the shopping
If several people use the same appliance, work out how much room you need for shared and individual shopping. Storage areas that are easy to divide up are also useful when kitchen space is limited.
Who is this guide for?
Families and households that shop for the week
Choose a capacity to suit the people who actually use the fridge and how often you shop. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends taking frozen food consumption into account: the total capacity alone won’t tell you how the space is divided.
Households with limited kitchen space
An existing housing unit, limited width or narrow delivery access may determine which type of appliance will fit. Also measure the clearance needed to open the doors. For a built-in model, follow the ventilation requirements in the manual.
What should you prioritise?
Think about what you buy in a typical week before choosing a style, then check the space you need for fresh food, frozen food and the appliance itself in your kitchen. The points below are for shoppers looking for a fridge for a shared household’s weekly shop.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh food | Compare the usable capacity of each compartment. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide is 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person, adjusted to suit your actual shopping habits. | When several people put their shopping away at the same time, I want everyone to have enough room without relying on the total capacity alone. Around 33% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Amount of frozen food | Check the freezer capacity and drawer layout against the frozen food you buy for the week. | If frozen food makes up a large part of our shop, I don’t want more fridge space at the expense of the freezer. Around 33% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Installation and access | Measure the space, door clearance and delivery route. For a built-in model, check the housing, hinges and ventilation requirements in the manual. | In a narrow kitchen or one with a dedicated housing unit, I need to be able to get the appliance in and open its doors once it’s installed. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this constraint. |
| Energy use and noise | When comparing appliances with similar capacity, check the energy rating, stated annual energy consumption and noise level. | If the kitchen opens onto the living area, I want to keep noise to a minimum while also considering the energy use of an appliance that runs continuously. Around 14% of consumers would make this their main consideration. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Looking only at the total capacity
A spacious appliance may still leave too little room for the frozen food your household usually buys. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering both how often you shop and how much frozen food you use.
Make a note of what you keep in each compartment over a typical week, then compare their usable capacities separately.
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Confusing the appliance’s dimensions with the space it needs
The stated width alone won’t tell you whether a multi-door model will fit through the access route or whether its doors will open fully. For a built-in appliance, the housing dimensions and ventilation requirements matter too.
Measure the delivery route and the space where the appliance will go, then check the hinges and ventilation openings in the manual for the model you’re considering.
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Comparing energy labels without comparing what each appliance offers
A small appliance and a large multi-door model won’t necessarily suit the same shopping needs. The energy label helps you compare energy use, but capacity and noise are separate considerations.
First decide on the capacity and style that suit you, then compare the energy rating, annual consumption and stated dB levels of those models.
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Waiting until delivery to arrange removal of your old appliance
Replacing your fridge also means arranging for the old one to be taken away through an appropriate electrical-appliance recycling scheme.
Find out whether collection is offered when you place your order, and check the practical instructions for disconnecting the appliance and providing access to your home.
Brands to consider
Bosch
If you’re considering a built-in fridge freezer, Bosch France’s product details for the KIN86SDD0 list its dimensions as 1 772 × 558 × 548 mm, with 184 L of fridge capacity and 76 L of freezer capacity.
- This model is listed with No Frost and SoftClose flat hinges.
- Check that the housing, cabinet door and ventilation are compatible with the model you choose; these features aren’t available across every Bosch model.
Liebherr
The Liebherr France catalogue includes built-in fridge freezers designed for housings measuring 178, 194 or 203 cm high.
- These heights give you useful points of comparison if your kitchen already has a dedicated housing unit for a fridge.
- The manual for your chosen model sets out the dimensions and ventilation openings you need to allow for; the housing height alone won’t confirm that it’s compatible.
Samsung
Samsung France lists the multi-door RF65DG960ESL with a capacity of 646 L. It measures 912 mm wide, 1 830 mm high and 723 mm deep.
- This model gives you a practical example of how much space to allow for a high-capacity multi-door fridge freezer.
- Also measure delivery access and the clearance needed to open the doors. Samsung says its AI Energy mode requires SmartThings, a Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account; how useful it is will depend on how you use it.
Haier
The Cube 83 Series 3 HCR3818DWMM listed by Haier France measures 833 mm wide, 650 mm deep and 1 815 mm high, offering another multi-door model to compare for size.
- Its product details let you compare its footprint with the space available in your kitchen.
- Check the capacity of each compartment, door clearance, energy use and noise level for the model you’re considering rather than assuming it will suit you based on its style alone.
Fridges to compare on Joybuy
This selection includes fridge freezers, multi-door appliances and a side-by-side model. For a shared household’s shopping, compare their stated capacity with the fresh-to-frozen split you need and the space you have available.
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Hisense RB3K330SAFC, 330 L freestanding fridge freezer
This fridge freezer offers 330 L of capacity and a noise level of 35 dB, with room for shared shopping in both the fridge and freezer. Check the capacity of each compartment and the space needed for installation.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L multi-door fridge freezer
Its four doors may appeal to a household that wants to organise shared shopping into separate areas. It has a stated total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Measure door clearance and the delivery route before choosing this style.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 L three-door fridge freezer
This three-door model is worth considering if you want to separate the storage areas for shared shopping. It offers 360 L of capacity, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the layout of the compartments and the clearance needed to open the doors.
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COMFEE' RCF470LS2EU(E), 474 L four-door fridge freezer
This four-door style may suit you if shared shopping calls for a large total capacity. It offers 474 L and an E energy rating. Check the separate fridge and freezer capacities before deciding whether the layout suits your shopping.
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Sonlu CC-520WE, 444 L side-by-side model
If your shared shopping calls for a large appliance, this model offers 444 L of capacity, an E energy rating and a noise level of 40 dB. Check the dimensions, door clearance and fridge and freezer capacities before choosing a side-by-side model.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity do you need for a week’s shopping for several people?
Start with the number of people who will actually use the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to suit your household’s shopping and compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
Could a table-top fridge be enough for a shared house?
It may be enough if you have little to share or another appliance already provides most of your storage. UFC-Que Choisir describes this style as suitable for studio flats. If several people shop for the week, pay particular attention to the space available for frozen food.
What should you measure before ordering a multi-door or built-in fridge?
Measure the space, how far the doors can open and the entire delivery route. For a built-in appliance, also check the internal dimensions of the housing, the door fitting and the ventilation openings specified in the model’s manual. For the appliance it covers, a Liebherr manual specifies ventilation openings of at least 200 cm² at the plinth and at the top of the cabinet.
How do you compare energy use and noise levels?
First compare fridges with similar capacities, then check their energy ratings, stated annual energy consumption and noise levels in dB. ADEME describes the energy label as a useful guide when choosing an appliance; these details don’t replace checking the usable capacities.
What should you do with your old fridge when replacing it?
In France, the Ministry for Ecological Transition says retailers must offer to take back a used appliance when you buy a new one of the same type. Ask about collection arrangements when you place your order, and prepare access to the old appliance according to the instructions provided.