First, choose a fridge that leaves enough room for the door to open and for the appliance to ventilate in its intended spot. Then match the capacity to your shopping habits and how much freezer space you need. A table-top fridge suits limited storage needs, a larder fridge prioritises fresh food, and a compact fridge freezer is better for regular use of frozen food. Only choose an integrated model if the housing, door fixing and ventilation are compatible with it.
You need to be able to install the appliance without blocking the door or restricting ventilation. UFC-Que Choisir describes table-top fridges as a suitable option for studio flats. Remember to measure the space needed to pull out the bins and drawers, too.
You want enough room for several days’ shopping without choosing an appliance that’s too large. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a guide for one person, which you can adjust to suit your habits.
A small freezer compartment inside the fridge may not offer enough storage. Check the capacity and type of freezer compartment, then make sure the appliance will fit in your kitchen.
Consider it: if space is very limited and you don’t need to store many provisions.
Bear in mind: storage capacity is limited; check separately whether it has a freezer compartment.
Consider it: if fresh food makes up most of your shopping.
Bear in mind: depending on the model, a small freezer compartment inside the fridge may not be enough for frozen food you buy regularly.
Consider it: if you want a separate freezer for frozen food.
Bear in mind: at similar dimensions, the freezer takes up space that could otherwise be used for fresh food.
Consider it: if your kitchen already has a housing that fits the model you’ve chosen.
Bear in mind: dimensions, door fixing and cabinet ventilation limit which models will fit.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and door opening | Measure the space and the door swing. Follow the instructions for ventilation clearances and, if necessary, the housing. | In a narrow kitchen, I need to be able to open the door and pull out the bins without blocking the way. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this when choosing where to place their appliance. |
| Fridge capacity | Compare the usable capacity for fresh food. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L as a guide for one person; adjust this to suit your shopping habits. | If I’m storing several days’ worth of meals and fresh food, a very small appliance could limit what I can buy. For around 29% of consumers, fresh-food capacity comes before other factors. |
| Freezer space | Check the compartment’s capacity, star rating and whether it is separate from the fridge. | I often buy frozen food and don’t want to rely on a small freezer compartment inside the fridge. Freezer space is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Noise and energy use | Compare the dB(A) and kWh/year ratings of appliances with similar formats and capacities. | In a studio flat, I can hear the appliance from my living space, and I keep an eye on its ongoing energy use. Around 14% of consumers put this everyday comfort first. |
A fridge may fit in its intended space but still leave too little room to open the door, remove the drawers or allow for ventilation.
Measure nearby obstacles and check the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. The guidance for a freestanding appliance won’t necessarily apply to an integrated one.
If you regularly buy frozen food, a small compartment inside the fridge may not have enough room or offer the type of storage you need.
Before choosing a format, check the freezer capacity, star rating and stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
Housing height and door-fixing systems vary between models, so a similar width isn’t enough to guarantee compatibility.
If you’re replacing an appliance, note down the old model’s reference number, measure the inside of the housing and check the hinges and cabinet ventilation.
An incompatible door panel or installation may need adapting before the appliance can be used.
Extra capacity is only useful if it suits your shopping habits. ADEME reminds us that fridges run continuously.
Work out how much capacity you need, then compare the kWh/year figures for appliances with similar capacities and formats.
A brand to consider if your kitchen already has a housing and door panel you want to keep.
An option for low-level, under-counter installation when the cabinet is designed for this purpose.
A brand with integrated models that vary in their housing requirements and compartments.
These models offer several ways to equip a small kitchen: a table-top fridge for limited storage, two compact larder fridges and a fridge freezer for storing frozen food too. Check the installation dimensions and capacity of each model against your available space and shopping habits.
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Worth considering if you need to store both fresh and frozen food in a compact kitchen.
The product name lists 153 L of fridge capacity, 74 L of freezer capacity, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door, Low Frost, a 4-star compartment and an E energy rating.
Check the height, installation clearances and door-opening space. Make sure the capacity also suits your shopping habits.
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Consider this if you prioritise fresh food and your shopping habits suit an 82 L capacity.
The product name lists an E energy rating. Before ordering, check the dimensions, door-opening direction and specifications of any freezer compartment you might need.
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Worth considering for modest storage needs if you’d also like to look at a small freezer compartment.
The product name mentions a compact freezer section, a floor area of 0.22 m² and an E energy rating. Check the full dimensions, as well as the compartment’s capacity and type, before relying on it for frozen food.
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Worth considering when space and storage needs are very limited, rather than for storing several days’ worth of large shops.
The product name mentions adjustable feet, a tempered glass shelf and an E energy rating. Measure the space and check the installation clearances, as well as whether it has a freezer compartment.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a starting point for one person. Adjust this guide to how often you shop and how much space your meals take up. If you buy frozen food, compare freezer capacity separately.
Yes, as long as the space meets the clearances required for the model and allows the door to open far enough to remove the bins. For a freestanding appliance, UFC-Que Choisir recommends leaving at least 5 cm at the sides and behind it. The model’s instructions take precedence, particularly for an integrated fridge.
Measure the inside of the housing and check the door fixing, door opening and ventilation provided by the cabinet. Bosch recommends checking, in particular, that the new appliance’s hinge system matches the old one.
Compare the kWh/year and dB(A) ratings of appliances with similar capacities and formats, rather than looking at the energy rating alone. ADEME reminds us that fridges run continuously. In a small living space, check the stated noise level of each model, too.