In a small kitchen, a table-top fridge or a single-door model may be enough if you shop frequently and don’t keep many frozen foods. If you shop less often or regularly stock up on frozen food, consider a fridge freezer instead. A larger model is only worthwhile if you’ll use the extra space and have room to install it. Measure the space and access routes, then compare the fridge and freezer capacities as well as annual energy consumption.
A table-top fridge or a single-door model is worth considering if you buy fresh food often and store few frozen items. Check the usable capacity rather than choosing based solely on the size of your household.
A fridge freezer lets you assess separately how much space you need for fresh and frozen food between shopping trips. Compare the two capacities with what you usually store.
A multi-door fridge freezer or a larger-capacity model is worth considering if you’ll use the extra compartments. Also check the space in your kitchen, the delivery access routes and annual energy consumption.
Start with the space available and what you need to store between shopping trips. Then compare the features of models that meet both requirements.
| Criteria | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge and freezer capacity | Compare the separate usable capacities with the food you store between shopping trips. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres as a general guide for one person, plus 50 litres for each additional person. Adjust this to suit how you use your fridge. | If I shop for several days at a time or regularly store frozen food, a small freezer compartment may not meet my needs. |
| Installation | Measure the space and the delivery access routes. Check the model’s manual for ventilation requirements, door clearance and, for a built-in model, the dimensions of the cabinet space. | In my small kitchen, I need to be able to open the door and use the compartments without blocking the way. |
| Energy consumption and noise | For appliances with similar capacities and features, compare the kWh/year figures and noise levels, not just the energy rating. The European Commission says this information is shown on the energy label. | I keep an eye on the energy use of an appliance that runs continuously. If it’s near a living area, noise matters too. |
| Food storage | Make sure there’s enough room to avoid overfilling the fridge. Anses recommends checking that the temperature is 4 °C in the coldest part and allowing air to circulate. | I need to be able to store perishable food in the right area without filling every available space. |
If you shop less often or keep a stock of frozen food, a table-top fridge or an integrated freezer compartment can fill up quickly.
Use Que Choisir’s guide of 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity for one person as a starting point, then work out separately how much space you need for fresh and frozen food.
An appliance may fit in your kitchen but not through a doorway, or there may not be enough room to open it properly once it’s in place.
Measure doorways, corridors, stairs and lifts, then check the model’s manual for door clearance, ventilation and any cabinet-space dimensions you may need.
As ADEME points out, the size and certain features can affect the energy consumption of a fridge that runs continuously.
Compare the kWh/year figures on the energy labels of appliances with similar capacities and features. Check their noise levels too if the location makes this important.
An integrated freezer compartment may not be enough if frozen food is a regular part of your shopping. Overfilling the fridge also restricts airflow.
Check the freezer capacity separately from the fridge capacity, and consider a fridge freezer if its freezer compartment better suits what you usually store.
These models include fridge freezers and larger-capacity formats. For each one, compare the fridge and freezer space you need with the dimensions and installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you need plenty of storage and have room for a three-door appliance. The model name indicates a total capacity of 360 L, an E energy rating, Total No Frost and Wi-Fi. Check the dimensions, access routes and required clearances before choosing.
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Consider this fridge freezer if you want to divide your shopping between chilled and frozen food. Its model name indicates a total capacity of 333 L and a C energy rating. Measure the access routes and check the manual for the space needed to install it.
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If width is limited in your kitchen, this fridge freezer is listed as 54 cm wide and 176 cm tall. It is described as Low Frost; check the clearance needed to open the door and the maintenance requirements in its manual.
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This 467 L multi-door model is worth considering if you’ll use all that storage space. Its model name indicates four doors, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check its dimensions, delivery access routes and the space needed to open the doors.
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If you need to store frozen food in a narrow kitchen, this model has a listed fridge capacity of 153 L and freezer capacity of 74 L. It is 54 cm wide and has a reversible door. Check its full dimensions, clearances and kWh/year figure before comparing its energy use with other fridge freezers.
Measure the space where the appliance will go, as well as any doors, corridors, stairs or lifts it needs to pass through. Compare these measurements with the model’s dimensions, then check its manual for ventilation, door clearance and, if needed, the built-in cabinet space.
Yes. Follow the clearances specified in the manual for the model you choose. Bosch gives ventilation guidance for installing its appliances, but this shouldn’t be treated as a universal measurement for every fridge.
For the household fridges covered by the rules in the European Union, the European Commission says the label shows information including the energy rating, annual energy consumption, storage capacities and noise. Compare the kWh/year figures of models with similar capacity and features.
Anses recommends checking that the temperature is 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Store perishable food there according to the instructions in the manual, and avoid overfilling the appliance so air can circulate.