One person with an under-counter kitchen
You need to fit your fridge into a studio flat or under a worktop. A table-top model is worth considering if your shopping is mostly fresh food, with few frozen items.
Which size is right for you?
Small household that cooks and freezes food
You do a weekly shop and keep prepared meals or frozen food. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately: a large total capacity doesn’t tell you how the space is divided.
Studio flat or open-plan kitchen
If the appliance is near your living or sleeping area, its stated noise level in dB(A) is worth considering. Compare specific models, but don’t treat this figure as a guarantee of how comfortable it will be in your room.
What to look for when shopping for the week
Table-top fridge without a freezer for everyday shopping
Worth considering: if you live alone, have limited space under your worktop and mainly buy fresh food.
Bear in mind: its compact size limits the space available for your shopping and, on its own, won’t meet regular freezing needs.
Table-top fridge with a freezer compartment
Worth considering: if the height under your worktop is a key factor and you only need to keep a small amount of frozen food.
Bear in mind: a small freezer compartment offers less space than the freezer in a fridge freezer. Check that its type suits the food you plan to store and how long you intend to keep it.
Fridge freezer
Worth considering: if your weekly shop regularly includes frozen food or portions of meals to store.
Bear in mind: both compartments need more height. With an integrated model, the housing unit and door system must also be compatible with the appliance.
Once you’ve chosen a size, compare fridge and freezer capacity separately, then check the dimensions and stated noise level against your kitchen. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres of fridge space for one person, plus around 50 litres for each additional person as a starting point. Adjust this to suit your storage habits.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge capacity | Usable fridge capacity in litres and shelf layout after your weekly shop. | If I store a week’s worth of fresh food and prepared meals, I want enough room to leave space between items. Around 33% of consumers make this a priority. |
| Space and installation | Height, width and depth, door clearance and required ventilation; for integrated models, housing unit dimensions and hinges. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to install and open the appliance without obstructing the cupboards. Around 25% of consumers put fitting the available space first. |
| Freezer capacity | Usable freezer capacity in litres and the type of compartment if you plan to store frozen food. | If my shopping regularly includes frozen food or meals to freeze, a small freezer compartment may not offer enough room. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this extra storage. |
| Stated noise level | The noise level in dB(A) and the noise class of the specific model, especially for an open-plan room. | If my fridge is near my desk or bed, I want to keep the noise I can hear in the room to a minimum. Around 17% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on total capacity alone
This figure can hide a freezer compartment that’s too small for your shopping. For example, Beko lists 13 litres of freezer space for the TSE1264FMGN, compared with 84 litres for the integrated Bosch KIV86SFE0 fridge freezer.
Compare usable fridge and freezer capacities separately with the food you usually put away after your shop.
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Measuring only the width and height
An appliance may fit in the space but not leave enough room for the door to open or air to circulate. An integrated model also needs a suitable housing unit and hinges.
Measure the whole space and check the installation plan and manual for the exact model before choosing a freestanding or integrated appliance.
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Taking “quiet” at face value
Que Choisir puts the lowest stated noise levels for fridges below 40 dBA. This figure helps you compare appliances, but on its own it can’t predict whether the noise will bother you in a studio flat.
Check the model’s dB(A) figure and noise class, then follow the levelling and ventilation instructions during installation.
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Filling every shelf after your shop
Anses advises against overfilling your fridge, as cold air needs to circulate between the food. So the stated capacity doesn’t mean you should fill every available space.
Choose a capacity that’s still practical after your weekly shop and check the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge, where Anses recommends keeping it between 0 °C and +4 °C.
Brands to consider by size
Beko
Its compact freestanding models offer useful options to compare if you live alone or have an under-counter kitchen.
- Beko says its table-top models can have either a 4-star or 2-star compartment, depending on the model. For the TSE1264FMGN, the brand lists 101 litres of fridge space, 13 litres of freezer space and a noise level of 36 dB.
- Check the type and capacity of the compartment on the model you’re considering. The TSE1264FMGN’s specifications don’t apply to every Beko table-top fridge.
Bosch
Its integrated models give you options to compare, from an under-counter size to a taller fridge freezer, if your kitchen has a suitable housing unit.
- Bosch lists 93 litres of fridge space and an integrated freezer compartment for the KUL22VFD0, and 183 litres of fridge space plus 84 litres of freezer space for the KIV86SFE0.
- These capacities refer to two different appliances. For each one, check the housing unit dimensions, ventilation and hinge system before choosing an integrated installation.
Liebherr
The Rsdci 1620 Plus is an example of a table-top fridge to consider if height is limited but you still need plenty of fridge space.
- Liebherr lists a total capacity of 141 litres, dimensions of 85 × 60 × 60,7 cm and a noise level of 34 dB for this model.
- If you regularly buy frozen food, check whether the model you choose has a freezer compartment and look at its specifications. Don’t assume it’s suitable for freezing based on the total capacity alone.
Fridge freezers available on Joybuy
These fridge freezers suit households that want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food. Two are described as integrated models, so you’ll also need to check that they’re compatible with your kitchen units and installation instructions. For each one, compare the stated capacities with your weekly shop and the space available.
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CHiQ JR227LSE 227 L fridge freezer, silver
Worth considering if you want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food in a model described as compact.
The product name lists 153 L of fridge space, 74 L of freezer space, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and a 4-star freezer.
Before installing it in a small kitchen or open-plan room, check the height, required clearances and noise level in dB(A) in the model documentation.
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Hisense RB3B250SAWC 252 L integrated fridge freezer
Worth considering for a fitted kitchen if you need separate compartments and have compatible units.
The product name lists a capacity of 252 L, No Frost technology and energy efficiency class C.
Before choosing this integrated model, check the housing unit dimensions, door system and ventilation requirements against your kitchen units.
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AEG NSC6M18FES integrated TwinTech No Frost fridge freezer
Worth considering if you’re looking for an integrated fridge freezer for fresh and frozen food, provided you have a suitable housing unit.
The product name lists TwinTech No Frost and energy efficiency class E. To see how much space is available, check the usable capacity of each compartment in the model documentation.
Also check the housing unit dimensions, ventilation and sliding-door compatibility before installation.
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LG GBBSJ1CCSW 333 L fridge freezer, white
Worth comparing if your shopping regularly includes frozen food and your kitchen can accommodate the stated capacity.
The product name lists a capacity of 333 L and energy efficiency class C. Total capacity alone doesn’t show how much space is available for each type of food.
Check the usable capacity of each compartment and the installation dimensions to see whether the appliance suits your habits and the space available.
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Heinrich´s 253 L fridge freezer, stainless steel
Worth comparing if you want separate fridge and freezer compartments for your weekly shop.
The product name lists 182 L of fridge space, 71 L of freezer space, No Frost and a noise level of 39 dB.
Before deciding whether it suits your kitchen, check the full dimensions, type of freezer compartment and noise level in dB(A) in the model documentation.
Frequently asked questions
How much fridge space does one person need?
Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 litres of usable fridge space as a starting point for one person. For weekly shops, adjust this to suit the amount of fresh food and prepared meals you store, then check the freezer capacity separately if you buy frozen food.
Is a table-top fridge with a freezer compartment enough for weekly frozen food?
It may be suitable for a small amount of frozen food, but not necessarily for regular, larger shops. Check the usable capacity and type of compartment on the model: Beko says its table-top fridges can have either a 2-star or 4-star compartment, depending on the appliance.
What stated noise level should I compare for an open-plan kitchen?
Compare the dB(A) figures for specific models. Que Choisir puts the lowest stated noise levels for fridges below 40 dBA. This figure and the noise class can help you choose, but they can’t guarantee that you won’t notice the appliance in your room.
Can you replace a freestanding fridge with an integrated model?
Yes, as long as your kitchen units are suitable for the integrated model you choose. Check the housing unit dimensions, door system and required clearances in the manual. Electrolux also reminds users to leave space for air to circulate around the appliance.
How can you avoid overfilling your fridge after shopping?
Choose a capacity that leaves room for air to circulate between food items, even after your weekly shop. Anses advises against overfilling and recommends a temperature of 0 °C to +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Check this area rather than relying only on the temperature shown on the settings.