First, check that the fridge will fit into your home, has space where you plan to put it and can be ventilated as specified in its instructions. Then choose the fridge and freezer capacities to suit your household and shopping habits: a table-top fridge is ideal when space is tight, a fridge freezer keeps the two compartments separate, while a multi-door model generally needs more width. Finally, compare the energy consumption and noise levels of models that will genuinely fit your kitchen.
You need to balance the space available with the room you need for your shopping. A table-top fridge can work when space is limited, but measure the access route too and check the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions.
You need to divide your groceries between fresh and frozen food. Compare the net capacity of each compartment separately: the total capacity won’t tell you how much space you’ll have in each one.
You may notice the fridge working more in a living space. Check the noise level of the exact model alongside its energy consumption, dimensions and usable capacity.
Whether you’re buying your first fridge or replacing an old one, choose the size based on access and installation requirements first, then on how much room you need for fresh and frozen food.
Consider this: when space is limited and the capacity suits your shopping habits.
Bear in mind: there’s less room for groceries than with a larger model. Check separately whether it has a freezer compartment and, if so, its capacity.
Consider this: if you want separate compartments for fresh and frozen food.
Check: how the capacity is divided between the two compartments, as this varies by model.
Consider this: if you need plenty of storage space and your kitchen can accommodate a wide appliance.
Check: the access route to your kitchen. For example, the Samsung France RF24BB620EB1EF multi-door fridge measures 908 mm wide when unpacked.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access and installation | Measure the packaged appliance, access route and space where it will go. Follow the instructions for ventilation; for a built-in model, check the housing too. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to get the appliance in and leave enough room for it to work properly. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the net fridge and freezer capacities separately, based on how often you shop and how much room you need for frozen food. | When I shop for several days at a time, I want enough space for fresh food without running short of freezer space. Around 33% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Noise and energy consumption | Check the annual energy consumption, noise level in dB(A) and the ratings shown on the exact model’s label. ADEME presents the energy label as a useful point of comparison. | With an open-plan kitchen, I pay attention to everyday noise while comparing the energy consumption of models that suit my space. This would be a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Fit and features | For a built-in model, check the housing and ventilation. For a water or ice dispenser, confirm any connection and maintenance requirements. | If my kitchen needs a built-in appliance or a particular feature will determine my choice, I want to know what installation and use involve. Around 20% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may divide the space differently between the fridge and freezer. The compartment you use most could end up being too small.
Compare the net capacity of each compartment with how often you shop and how much frozen food you use.
A fridge may fit in your kitchen but still not make it through a doorway, up the stairs or into a lift on the delivery route.
Measure the entire route, taking the packaged dimensions into account, and flag any access issues before delivery.
If access is impossible, you may need to make new delivery arrangements or find another way to organise the installation.
According to Electrolux France, a built-in fridge needs a suitable housing and ventilation. An empty space on its own won’t meet these requirements.
Check the model’s instructions against your existing kitchen and confirm what installation work is planned before ordering.
Adapting the housing or cabinetry may require work separate from the appliance delivery.
Some water or ice-making features may need a water supply connection; this depends on the model.
Check the product details and instructions to see whether a connection is needed and whether the filter requires maintenance.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding fridge freezer with separate capacities for fresh and frozen food.
A brand to look at for large-capacity freestanding fridges.
Worth considering if you’re looking at a large-capacity multi-door fridge.
A brand to look at when your appliance needs to fit into a kitchen housing.
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, then around 50 L for each additional person. Use this as a starting point and adjust it to how often you shop. If you store frozen food, compare the freezer’s net capacity separately.
No. Compare the annual energy consumption listed, as well as the capacity and features, on the product details for the exact models. The energy rating doesn’t replace checking the dimensions and noise level for your kitchen.
Measure the space where it will go and the entire route to the kitchen, including doors, corridors, stairs and lifts. Check the dimensions of the packaged appliance and let the retailer know about any access issues before the delivery appointment.
In France, an old fridge must go through the collection scheme for electrical and electronic equipment outlined by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, rather than being disposed of with ordinary household waste. When buying a new appliance, ask the retailer how to arrange the take-back of an old appliance of the same type; using an appropriate collection service is another option.