One person with a small kitchen
If you buy fresh food often and keep few frozen foods, a compact model is worth considering. Compare its usable capacity with your usual shop: Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person as a guide.
Which size is right for you?
A couple or small household shopping weekly
A fridge freezer gives you separate spaces for fresh and frozen food. Check the stated capacity of each compartment rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
A larger household with a spacious kitchen
A multi-door fridge may suit your storage needs, provided you measure the space, check that the doors can open fully and make sure it will fit along the delivery route. Also compare its annual energy consumption with models suited to your needs.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the space available and what you actually store, then compare the features of models that meet both requirements.
Table-top or under-counter fridge
Worth considering: for one person with a very small kitchen, who shops frequently and keeps few frozen foods.
Bear in mind: capacity is limited and, depending on the model, there may be no separate freezer compartment.
One-door fridge with a freezer compartment
Worth considering: if you mainly store fresh food and only need a small space for frozen food.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir says a small freezer compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Fridge freezer
Worth considering: for a weekly shop that regularly includes fresh and frozen food.
Bear in mind: make sure there’s room for its dimensions and check the capacity of each compartment.
Multi-door fridge
Worth considering: if a larger household will genuinely use the extra capacity and has a kitchen big enough to accommodate it.
Bear in mind: check the width, depth, door clearance, delivery access and energy consumption of the model you choose.
| Factor | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare usable 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 as a starting point, then 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit what you actually store. | I shop little and often, or I need room to put away a whole week’s shopping. |
| Frozen food | Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately. According to Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. | Will my frozen food fit in a small compartment, or do I need a separate freezer? |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, check the space needed with the doors open, and measure the delivery route. Follow the clearances in the manual: Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind freestanding fridges in its guidance, but these measurements do not replace those specified for the model you choose. | Can I fit the appliance in my kitchen and leave enough room for air to circulate? |
| Energy and noise | Compare kWh/year, noise level in dB(A), capacity and features across similar models. ADEME points out that fridges run continuously, and a larger model or extra features can increase energy consumption. | If my kitchen is next to my living room, noise matters too. I want to know the annual energy consumption of the model I’m considering. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Looking only at the total capacity
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may offer different amounts of space for frozen food. If you buy a lot of it, a small integrated compartment may not be big enough.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, based on what you usually buy.
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Measuring the space but not the whole installation route
An appliance may fit in the space you’ve set aside but still lack the required clearance or be too big to get through a doorway.
Also check the space needed with the doors open and measure the delivery route. For ventilation, follow the instructions for your model: Whirlpool’s guidance for freestanding appliances does not apply universally.
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Choosing a multi-door fridge just for its capacity
Its generous storage space is only useful if you’ll fill it. Que Choisir also highlights that large American-style models take up more space and use more energy than the conventional models it describes.
Before choosing a multi-door model, compare it with a fridge freezer that has enough room for your fresh and frozen food.
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Comparing energy ratings alone
The energy rating doesn’t tell you the specific model’s annual energy consumption. As ADEME points out, fridges run continuously.
Check the kWh/year and compare models with similar capacities and features that meet the same needs.
A guide to the brands
There are no brand profiles to display.
Fridge freezers and multi-door fridges on Joybuy
These fridge freezers and multi-door fridges are mainly suited to shops that need room for fresh and frozen food. Their total capacity doesn’t mean you can overlook the space in each compartment or the dimensions needed for installation.
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LG GBBSJ1CCSW NatureFRESH DoorCooling+ LinearCooling, 333 L, white
This fridge freezer is worth considering if your shopping includes fresh and frozen food. The product title states a total capacity of 333 L and an energy rating of C. Check the capacity of each compartment, along with the dimensions and clearances required in the manual.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3 doors, 360 L, Total No Frost
This fridge freezer may suit a weekly shop that includes fresh and frozen food. The product title lists an energy rating of E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the capacity of each compartment, the dimensions and the clearances required for this model.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4 doors, 467 L, silver
This multi-door model is worth considering if you need plenty of storage space and have room for it in your kitchen. The product title mentions Total No Frost, Smart Inverter and an energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each section, how far the doors open and whether it will fit along the delivery route.
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Hisense RQ768N4GBE, 591 L American-style fridge freezer, black
This large model may suit a household that buys a lot of food, provided there’s enough room for it. The product title lists an energy rating of E. Before choosing, check how the capacity is divided between compartments, the available settings and the installation requirements.
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Samsung RF48A401EB4, 488 L American-style fridge freezer, black
This model is worth considering if you want to store a large shop and have a spacious kitchen. The product title states a total capacity of 488 L and an energy rating of E. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities, then measure the space and delivery route.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity fridge should one person choose?
Que Choisir recommends an average usable capacity of 100 to 150 L for one person. Use this as a starting point, then adjust it to suit how often you shop and how much room you need for frozen food.
Is a small freezer compartment enough if I buy frozen food?
Not if you store a lot of it: Que Choisir says a small freezer compartment may not be enough in that case. Check the freezer capacity listed for the model and consider a fridge freezer if you need a separate compartment.
How much space should you leave around a fridge?
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for your model. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind freestanding fridges in its guidance; a built-in appliance has its own installation requirements for the specific model.
Should you wait before plugging in a delivered fridge?
Always check the appliance manual first, as manufacturers’ instructions vary. Electrolux recommends waiting at least 4 hours before plugging in the appliance, while Whirlpool advises waiting 24 hours. If the instructions aren’t clear, ask the manufacturer or retailer to confirm.
Where can you check a model’s dimensions, capacity and energy consumption?
Check the product information for the exact model and look it up in the European Commission’s public EPREL database. It includes details such as the dimensions, annual energy consumption and declared capacity of the model’s compartments.