For a small kitchen, first choose a fridge that leaves enough room for the door to open and for ventilation, then match its capacity to your shopping habits. A table-top fridge may be enough for one person who freezes very little; if frozen food takes up a lot of space, compare the separate capacities of fridge freezers instead. An integrated model is only suitable if the housing and installation meet the instructions supplied with the appliance.
If the appliance needs to fit into a narrow space or beneath a worktop, check its dimensions and the clearance needed around it. Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 l of usable capacity as a general guide for one person, which you can adjust depending on your shopping habits and how much room you need for frozen food.
If you want to keep fresh and frozen food between shops, compare the capacities of the two compartments separately. A small freezer compartment and a separate freezer won’t offer the same amount of storage.
If your fridge is close to your living or sleeping area, its stated noise level matters just as much as its capacity. Compare the dB(A) figures for the models you’re considering.
In a small kitchen, a table-top fridge is first and foremost a space-saving choice; a model with a freezer compartment or a fridge freezer is better suited to households that need more room for frozen food. If you’re considering an integrated model, you’ll also need to check that it fits the housing.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the height, width and depth, then check that the door can open and that the clearances specified in the instructions are met. For an integrated model, also check the housing and door system. | If space is very limited, I need to be able to open the door and install the appliance in line with its instructions; around 33% of consumers prioritise this compatibility. |
| Capacity and freezing | Compare the usable capacities of the fridge and freezer separately. Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 l for one person as a general guide, then 50 l for each additional person. | If I shop less often or regularly buy frozen food, I need enough room in each compartment; around 27% of consumers prioritise this storage capacity. |
| Noise | Compare the stated dB(A) level and noise class of the models that suit your space. | In an open-plan kitchen close to a living or sleeping area, I want to take the appliance’s everyday noise into account; around 20% of consumers make it their top criterion. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Check the energy rating and annual energy consumption for the exact model. Also check the instructions for setting the temperature and defrosting its compartments. | If I’m thinking about long-term use, I want to compare electricity consumption and maintain the appliance in line with its instructions; around 20% of consumers put these factors first. |
A fridge may fit in the space but leave too little room to open the door or allow for ventilation. The instructions vary by model and by whether it’s freestanding or integrated.
Measure the space, the door swing and the clearances specified in the instructions for your chosen model.
An unsuitable installation may mean you have to move the appliance or rethink your kitchen layout.
A small compartment may not have enough room if frozen food makes up a large part of your shopping.
Work out what you want to store, then compare the stated freezer capacity with that of a fridge freezer that fits your kitchen.
In a studio flat, your fridge may be very close to your living area. Two models with similar capacities won’t necessarily have the same stated noise levels.
Check the dB(A) figures and noise classes for the models you’re considering, but don’t take a quoted figure as a guarantee that the appliance will be silent.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual, as the Ministry of the Economy explains. A commercial guarantee does not replace it.
Before taking out an extended warranty, check its duration, exclusions and the extra services it offers on top of your applicable legal rights.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a narrow table-top fridge, particularly if a freezer compartment is on your list of must-haves.
A range that lets you compare a table-top fridge without a freezer with an integrated fridge freezer, provided you have a suitable housing.
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a table-top fridge of around 125 l and need to choose between widths of 55 and 60 cm.
An option to consider if your fitted kitchen has a housing that’s compatible with an integrated fridge.
These models suit two small-kitchen needs: two fridge freezers with separate fridge and freezer capacities, and a 92 l single-door fridge with a freezer compartment. Check their dimensions and installation requirements against your available space.
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Worth considering if you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate while looking for a narrower model. It has a stated fridge capacity of 153 l, a freezer capacity of 74 l and a width of 54 cm. The door is reversible and it has an E energy rating. Check its height, the space needed to open the door and the ventilation clearances before choosing it.
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Worth a look if your small household needs separate capacities for fresh and frozen food. It has a stated fridge capacity of 182 l, a freezer capacity of 71 l, a noise level of 39 dB and No Frost technology. Measure the available width and depth, and check the clearances required in the instructions.
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Worth considering when space matters more than storage capacity. This 92 l single-door model has a freezer compartment and an E energy rating. Its total capacity is below Que Choisir’s general guide of 100 to 150 l for one person. Compare it with your shopping needs, and check the freezer compartment’s capacity, the full dimensions and the stated noise level.
Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 l of usable capacity as a general guide for one person, then 50 l for each additional person. Use this as a starting point and adjust it to how often you shop. Compare the space available for frozen food separately.
Check the clearances in the instructions for your model before deciding where to put it. Manufacturers’ guidance varies: Beko recommends at least 5 cm at the sides and back, while Whirlpool specifies 5 cm above and 10 cm behind freestanding fridges. These examples don’t replace the instructions for your appliance.
Anses recommends keeping food between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point in the fridge. Check this after installation and follow the instructions for setting the appliance and arranging food.
To compare models that suit your space and needs, check their energy rating, annual energy consumption, capacities and noise levels. The European energy-labelling framework for refrigeration appliances includes Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016. Compare the details for the exact model, not just its size.