Before replacing your fridge, take stock of your food and see whether making it easier to see everything inside could solve the problem. If you still need more space, compare fridge and freezer capacity separately, then check the layout, dimensions and annual energy consumption of appliances that will fit your kitchen.
If you find half-used food or sometimes buy the same things twice, start by making the contents of your fridge easier to see. ADEME recommends checking what you already have before you go shopping.
If you keep ready meals or frozen shopping in your freezer, compare its capacity in litres separately from the fridge capacity. Que Choisir Ensemble and the EU energy label show these capacities separately.
If you need to store several days’ worth of fresh food and prepared meals, compare the fridge capacity and layout with the space available in your kitchen. Que Choisir Ensemble recommends considering how often you shop and how you use frozen food.
Start by checking whether the issue is keeping track of what you have, the amount of space you need or the space available in your kitchen. When comparing appliances, check the capacities and energy consumption shown on their labels separately.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping track of opened food | How easy it is to see and reach items on the shelves; space left for air to circulate. | If I find half-used products or buy things twice, I want to spot what’s already there easily. Around 28 % of consumers prioritise keeping track of what they have. |
| Freezer capacity | Freezer capacity in litres and drawer layout. | If I freeze meals or shopping, I look at the space available in the freezer rather than just the total capacity. Around 22 % of consumers prioritise freezer space. |
| Fridge capacity | Fridge capacity in litres and the space you can actually use with your usual containers. | If I shop less often or prepare several meals, I check the space available for fresh food. Around 22 % of consumers prioritise fridge capacity. |
| Size | Height, width and depth; access for delivery and room to open the doors. | If space is limited in my kitchen, I measure the available space and access route before comparing capacity. Around 17 % of consumers prioritise the appliance’s size. |
| Energy consumption | Energy rating and kWh/year, while also comparing compartment capacities. | If I want to compare the energy consumption of several appliances that meet my needs, I check the annual figure on their labels. Around 11 % of consumers put energy consumption at the top of their list of criteria. |
More capacity on its own won’t help you keep track of what you have. ADEME recommends taking stock, planning meals and organising your fridge regularly.
First, make food easier to see and check what you have before writing your shopping list.
Total capacity can hide an unsuitable split between fridge and freezer space. The energy label lists these capacities separately.
Compare the capacity of each compartment in litres, then check the layout inside the exact model you’re considering.
The use-by date printed on a product doesn’t remain valid as it is once the product has been opened. Follow the storage instructions for after opening.
Keep the packaging instructions where you can see them and cover or seal any food you’ve opened.
The KGN367LDF fridge-freezer is an example of a model with separate fridge and freezer capacities.
The CNgbc 5723 fridge-freezer is one example of a model with an EasyFresh compartment.
The RL38C602DSA/EF is an example of a fridge-freezer listed with a capacity of 390 l and a width of 60 cm.
This selection features fridges and fridge-freezers for households storing both fresh and frozen food, with a range of capacities and layouts.
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For households looking to store both fresh and frozen food.
Listed total capacity: 488 l; energy class E.
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For households looking for a side-by-side layout to store fresh and frozen food.
Listed total capacity: 544 l; No Frost and water dispenser are mentioned in the product name.
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For households looking for an appliance that combines fridge and freezer storage in a three-door layout.
Listed capacity: 360 l; energy class E, Total No Frost, Wi-Fi and My Zone are mentioned in the product name.
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For households looking for a freestanding fridge-freezer to store fresh and frozen food at the same time.
Listed capacity: 336 l; energy class B, Total No Frost, Inverter Compressor and Multi Air Flow are mentioned in the product name.
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For households that need a large stated capacity and an appliance combining fridge and freezer space.
Listed capacity: 606 l; energy class E, Total No Frost, Wi-Fi, My Fresh Choice and water dispenser are mentioned in the product name. The product description states that the door is not reversible.
Start by checking what you have, planning meals and organising your fridge regularly. ADEME recommends these steps. If the problem is still a lack of space or an unsuitable split between fridge and freezer capacity, compare appliances.
Cover or seal partially eaten food, avoid overfilling the appliance and follow the storage instructions on packaging after opening. Anses also recommends keeping perishable food in the coldest part of the fridge, checking the temperature regularly and cleaning the fridge regularly.
Measure the appliance and the space where it will go, then check the selected model’s instructions for installation guidance. The external dimensions alone don’t tell you how much usable space there is inside.
In France, the statutory warranty of conformity is compulsory for new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. The Ministry of the Economy explains that you claim it from the seller under the legal conditions, and that it is separate from an optional commercial warranty extension.
For household fridges and freezers covered by EU energy-labelling rules, the label shows information including the energy class from A to G, annual consumption in kWh, the capacities of the fridge and freezer compartments, and noise levels. The European Commission recommends comparing appliances that meet your actual needs.