For your first fridge in a studio or small flat, start by measuring the space, access route and door swing. Then choose the fridge and freezer capacities to suit your shopping habits. A tabletop model takes up less floor space, while a compact fridge freezer gives you a separate freezer compartment if you regularly buy frozen food. An integrated model is only suitable if the housing, door panel and fixings are compatible. If it will be near your living space, also check the stated noise level.
Check that the appliance can fit through the access route, be installed and have its door opened in the space available. The Que Choisir Ensemble guide identifies tabletop models as a good fit for studios. For an integrated model, also check the housing and specified fixings.
Compare the freezer layout and capacity rather than relying on the total capacity or number of doors alone. Candy, Liebherr and Hisense product specifications show that layouts vary between models.
If your fridge will be near your living or sleeping area, compare the stated noise levels of different models and make sure the size suits your shopping habits.
Worth considering: if you have limited height and don’t buy much at a time, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Candy lists dimensions of 500 × 570 × 840 mm (W × D × H) for its COT1S45EW.
Bear in mind: capacity is limited. The manufacturer states that this model has manual defrost for the freezer compartment and a noise level of 39 dB.
Worth considering: if you mainly store fresh food and have enough height, compare the fridge capacity and freezer layout. Some larder fridges have a four-star freezer compartment.
Bear in mind: a taller appliance may not fit through the access route or in the space available. According to the manufacturer, the Liebherr KPsle290-26 measures 140.2 × 55 × 63 cm (H × W × D).
Worth considering: if you regularly buy frozen food and have enough height, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Hisense describes the HCN255WDE as a freestanding 255 l fridge freezer, 550 mm wide and 1,797 mm high.
Bear in mind: a stated width of 550 mm alone doesn’t guarantee it will fit through the access route, allow the door to open or provide the necessary ventilation clearance.
Worth considering: if your kitchen already has a suitable housing and door panel, check the housing dimensions and the model’s fixing method. Liebherr specifies housing dimensions of 177.2–178.8 × 56–57 × 55 cm (H × W × D) for the ICSd 5102.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s external dimensions alone aren’t enough to confirm that the housing, door panel and ventilation are compatible.
When choosing your first fridge for a studio or small flat in France, prioritise the factor most likely to make an appliance unsuitable: installation, freezer space, fridge capacity, noise or energy use.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who should pay attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the height, width and depth, access route and door swing. Check the clearances specified in the manual. | If the appliance needs to fit through a narrow entrance and open without getting in the way in the kitchen, start with the measurements. Around 33% of consumers prioritise installation compatibility. |
| Freezing | Check the freezer capacity, whether it has a four-star compartment and its defrosting method. | If frozen food is a regular part of your shopping, compare its storage space separately from the total capacity. Around 27% of consumers prioritise freezer capacity that suits their needs. |
| Fridge capacity | Compare the fridge compartment’s capacity and layout, as well as the appliance’s external dimensions. | If you often buy small amounts of fresh food or prepare several meals in advance, look at the space you’ll actually have available. Around 20% of consumers make fresh-food storage their priority. |
| Noise level | Compare the models’ stated noise levels in dB and consider where you plan to put the appliance. | If your kitchen opens onto the area where you live or sleep, consider the stated noise level alongside the intended location. Around 13% of consumers prioritise keeping noise down near their living space. |
| Energy use | Compare the annual consumption in kWh, energy class and capacities on the energy label. | If you want to compare energy use without sacrificing the space you need, consider the figures alongside the capacities. Around 7% of consumers put energy use first. |
A compatible width doesn’t confirm that the appliance will fit through the access route, that the door will open or that there will be enough ventilation clearance. The wall-side opening solutions Bosch describes for some Perfect Fit models don’t apply to every fridge.
Take all the necessary measurements and check the model’s installation manual, especially for clearance requirements and the direction the door opens.
Product specifications distinguish between a four-star compartment, the freezer layout and its defrosting method. These details can affect the space available and the maintenance required.
Check the exact layout, freezer capacity and care instructions before comparing a tabletop, larder or fridge-freezer model.
The energy class doesn’t replace the annual consumption in kWh or tell you how much storage space there is. The French Ministry of the Economy’s guide to energy labels states that fridges are required to carry one.
Compare annual energy consumption and capacities between models that already suit your installation and shopping habits.
The COT1S45EW is an example of a freestanding tabletop fridge.
The models featured include tabletop, larder and integrated fridges.
The HCN255WDE is an example of a freestanding fridge freezer with a separate freezer compartment.
The WHSD18A041B1 FR is an example of an integrated larder fridge.
The Perfect Fit range is designed for installations where opening the door next to a wall is a consideration.
This selection includes integrated fridges, fridge freezers and a countertop model. Check that the type and installation are right for your home.
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Worth considering if your kitchen is designed for an integrated appliance with separate fridge and freezer compartments.
The title lists a total capacity of 249 L and energy class E. This product’s specification gives a capacity of 186 L for the fridge and 62 L for the four-star freezer.
Stated noise level: 37 dB(A). Listed dimensions: 59,2 × 58,5 × 186,2 cm; sliding-door installation. Check that the housing and door panel are compatible.
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Worth considering if your kitchen has a compatible housing and you want separate fridge and freezer compartments.
Listed capacity: 252 L, including 176 L for the fridge and 76 L for the four-star freezer. Energy class C.
Stated noise level: 34 dB(A). Listed dimensions: 540 × 545 × 1772 mm; reversible door. Check the installation manual for housing and clearance requirements.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge freezer with a reversible door and separate capacities for fresh and frozen food.
The title lists a 211 L fridge and 99 L freezer, a width of 60 cm and an inverter compressor.
Reversible door and energy class E, according to the product title. Check the space dimensions and installation instructions before choosing.
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Worth considering if a countertop model suits the space available and the amount you buy.
The title lists an interior light, removable shelves and an adjustable thermostat.
Reversible door and energy class E, according to the product title. Check the model’s dimensions and installation instructions.
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Worth considering if you want a freestanding appliance with separate compartments for fresh and frozen food.
Listed capacities: 115 L for the fridge and 59 L for the four-star freezer. The title gives a height of 150 cm.
Low Frost technology, LED lighting and a reversible door, according to the product information. Check the width, depth and access route before installation.
No. The fact that an appliance fits in the housing doesn’t confirm that it will have adequate ventilation or that its door can open. Check the installation manual and, for an integrated model, confirm the housing dimensions and door-panel fixings. Bosch’s Perfect Fit feature applies only to the relevant models, not to other fridges.
Anses recommends keeping the temperature at the coldest point in the fridge between 0 and +4 °C and checking it regularly, for example with a thermometer. It also advises against overfilling the appliance and recommends cleaning it regularly.
The energy label required for fridges sold in shops or online lets you check details including the model reference, its energy class and its annual consumption in kWh. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that this labelling requirement doesn’t set a minimum class for every household to choose.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new and second-hand goods sold by a professional to an individual. The French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to exercise this right. For a distance purchase between a professional and a consumer, the right to cancel is generally at least 14 days, subject to the applicable exceptions and conditions. Check the relevant terms before placing your order.