In a studio flat or small kitchen, measure the space and the delivery route before choosing between an under-counter fridge, a model with an integrated freezer compartment or a fridge-freezer. Then choose the right balance of storage capacity to suit your shopping habits, and check the door clearance and installation gaps specified in the model’s instructions. A compact appliance won’t necessarily fit in a niche.
You need to fit the appliance in without getting in the way of the room’s other uses. If the fridge is near your bed, noise may also be a consideration. A discussion on the Darty After-Sales Community illustrates this concern, although it doesn’t show how common it is.
Choose the freezer capacity to suit your habits, rather than relying on the total capacity alone. Product information from Bosch Electroménager France and Candy France, for example, lists the fridge and freezer capacities separately for some models.
Compare the fridge capacity with the appliance’s external dimensions. An integrated freezer compartment can reduce the space available for fresh food, even when the overall dimensions are similar.
Start by checking the dimensions, delivery route and installation clearances. Then choose the balance of fridge and freezer space to suit your shopping habits. If the appliance will be in a living area, also consider noise, energy consumption and maintenance.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and positioning | Measure the width, height and depth, the delivery route and the space needed for the door to open. Check the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. | When space is limited, I want to know whether the appliance will fit and whether its door can open without getting in the way. Around 31% of consumers prioritise the space available. |
| Fresh food capacity | Compare the fridge capacity in litres and the interior layout with your usual shopping. | If I mainly shop for fresh food, I want to avoid losing storage space to a compartment I’m unlikely to use. Around 25% of consumers prioritise space for fresh food. |
| Freezer capacity | Check the freezer capacity, star rating and defrosting method for the exact model. | If I regularly store frozen food, the capacity and layout of the freezer matter more than the total capacity alone. Around 25% of consumers make freezer space their top priority. |
| Noise, electricity and maintenance | Compare the noise figures and annual energy consumption on the energy label; check the defrosting method too. | In a studio flat or living area, I want to limit disruption and consider what the appliance will be like to use day to day. Around 19% of consumers prioritise comfort, energy consumption or maintenance. |
For ventilation, Que Choisir generally recommends leaving at least 10 cm above and behind the appliance. This general guidance doesn’t replace the instructions for the specific model you choose.
You also need enough room for the door to open and must allow for the clearances required for installation.
Measure the space and the delivery route, then check them against the exact model’s instructions. Don’t assume that general ventilation guidance is suitable for every model.
An integrated freezer compartment can reduce the space available for fresh food, while a fridge-freezer may need more height.
Compare the capacity of each compartment separately and choose to suit your shopping habits.
How noisy an appliance seems also depends on the type of sound and its surroundings. Reviews on the Darty After-Sales Community about living with an appliance in a studio flat give different opinions; they can’t predict how comfortable it will be for everyone.
Use the noise figures as a first filter. If you sleep near the appliance, look for relevant acoustic assessments, but don’t draw broad conclusions from one person’s review.
These configurations offer different storage capacities and require different levels of maintenance. Some compartments need to be defrosted manually.
Check the freezer capacity, star rating and defrosting method for the exact model.
The KTR15NWEB and KTL15NWEB models are two examples of under-counter fridges with the same stated external dimensions but different configurations.
The CCTOS 544WHN is an example of a single-door fridge with a small integrated freezer compartment.
The KTe550 and CTPe231-26 models are examples of an under-counter fridge designed for fresh food and a freestanding fridge-freezer respectively.
The RB343D4CWF is an example of a freestanding fridge-freezer where the stated width alone doesn’t tell you how much space it takes up.
The products below are examples of compact fridges with freezer compartments, including freestanding and built-in models. Check the dimensions and installation requirements for each model before choosing one.
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Its under-counter size and small freezer compartment may suit a limited space and modest frozen food needs.
The product information lists 42 L for the fridge and 3 L for the freezer, as well as a glass shelf.
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This built-in model may suit a fitted kitchen if the niche and fixing system are compatible.
The product information lists 174 L for the fridge and 14 L for the freezer, a niche size of 56 × 122.5 × 55 cm and a sliding rail installation. The freezer needs to be defrosted manually, and the furniture door isn’t included.
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The balance of fridge and freezer space may suit you if you need two separate storage areas in a freestanding appliance.
The product information lists 115 L for the fridge and 59 L for the freezer, with dimensions of 470 × 511 × 1 500 mm and a reversible door. Low Frost technology doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it.
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This compact design may appeal if you’re looking for a single-door appliance for a small space. Check that its freezer compartment meets your needs.
The product information lists a capacity of 92 L and a stated footprint of 0.22 m², along with adjustable shelves, a chill drawer and a salad drawer. The freezer compartment capacity isn’t specified here.
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This freestanding fridge-freezer may suit you if you need more space for frozen food and have enough height available.
The product information lists 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and a four-star freezer. Low Frost technology reduces frost build-up, but doesn’t eliminate the need to defrost.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, the delivery route, and the room needed to open the door and remove the drawers. Check the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. Que Choisir gives 10 cm above and behind the appliance as general advice for air circulation, but this alone doesn’t confirm that a particular installation is suitable.
Don’t judge by noise alone: check whether it has a freezer compartment and what its features are. Que Choisir notes that some absorption or thermoelectric mini fridges can’t freeze food.
Anses recommends checking that the coldest part of the fridge stays between 0 °C and 4 °C, and not packing food too tightly so that air can circulate. This advice relates to how you use the appliance; it doesn’t guarantee that a particular model will reach this temperature in all conditions.
Compare the annual energy consumption in kWh and the capacity of each compartment, among other things. According to Your Europe, the current energy rating scale runs from A to G; the former A+, A++ and A+++ ratings have not been used for this category since 2021.
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer. The DGCCRF states that you have two years from delivery to make a claim. Any optional commercial guarantee is in addition to your statutory rights and doesn’t replace them.