For your first studio flat, start by choosing a fridge that can be brought in, installed and ventilated in the space you have in mind. A table-top fridge without a freezer compartment is a good fit if you mainly shop for fresh food. If you buy frozen food, check the freezer compartment’s capacity or consider a compact fridge-freezer, provided it will fit.
You’ll need to get the appliance through doors and corridors, then fit it into a kitchenette or under a worktop. Darty recommends measuring the delivery route; ventilation requirements will depend on the model’s instructions.
You want to use most of the space for everyday food rather than frozen items. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a starting point for one person, which you can adjust to suit your shopping habits.
You’ll need to look at the capacity set aside for freezing, not just the total capacity. Compare it with what you buy, while also checking that the appliance will fit and can be installed in your kitchen.
Choose this if: you mainly shop for fresh food and want an appliance that can fit under a suitable worktop.
Bear in mind: this format doesn’t include a compartment for freezing food.
Choose this if: you want to keep a few frozen items or freeze food occasionally, while sticking to a table-top format.
Bear in mind: the compartment takes up some of the internal space, and its size and star rating vary by model.
Choose this if: frozen food is a regular part of your shop and a small compartment wouldn’t be enough.
Bear in mind: check the full dimensions and the two capacities separately before deciding where to put it.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the appliance, the route to the room and the space needed to open the door. Check the ventilation clearances specified for the model. | If the entrance or kitchenette is narrow, I want to be sure I can get the fridge through and open it without compromising its installation; around 42% of consumers prioritise its footprint and access. |
| Fresh food and freezer capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. If you want to freeze fresh food, check that it has a 4-star compartment. | When my shopping includes frozen food, I need to set aside enough space for it without sacrificing the fresh-food capacity I need; capacity is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Noise and energy use | Compare the stated dB(A) levels and annual energy consumption in kWh on the energy label of appliances suited to your needs. | If the fridge is near where I sleep, its noise level matters too, along with its electricity consumption; around 25% of consumers put these features first. |
An appliance may fit in the space but leave too little room to open the door or allow air to circulate. Getting it through to the room can also be a problem.
Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the delivery access. Then check the door-opening direction and installation instructions for the model you’ve chosen.
A compartment intended for a few frozen items may not meet your needs for freezing fresh food or storing frozen food regularly.
Check its capacity and star rating. If you want to freeze fresh food, look specifically for a 4-star compartment.
In a studio flat, the fridge may be close to your living area or bed. Its small size doesn’t tell you how noisy it will be.
Compare the stated dB(A) levels of models with a suitable capacity, but don’t take them as a guarantee that the appliance will be quiet in your room.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual. A commercial guarantee is separate and optional, as the Ministry of the Economy points out.
Keep your proof of purchase and read what any extended warranty covers before deciding whether it’s useful to you.
Beko’s French range includes table-top fridges with and without a freezer compartment, making it easy to compare the two options.
The Bosch KTR15NWEB table-top fridge offers a useful comparison for fresh-food capacity and under-worktop dimensions.
The Liebherr KTe551 table-top fridge is a compact option with a freezer compartment to consider.
These two appliances suit different needs in a small kitchen: a fridge-freezer with a stated freezer capacity, and a 92 L one-door model with a freezer section. Check their full dimensions and installation requirements before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want a separate space for frozen food in a small kitchen. The product name lists 153 L of fridge capacity and 74 L of freezer capacity, a width of 54 cm, a 4-star compartment, Low Frost technology and a reversible door. Also measure the height, door clearance and the space needed for ventilation at your chosen location.
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Consider this model if you’d prefer a smaller capacity and your shopping fits within 92 L. The product name mentions a freezer section but doesn’t specify its capacity, so check that it suits the frozen food you buy. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a starting point for one person. Also check the full dimensions and stated noise level if the appliance will be near where you sleep.
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a starting point for one person. Adjust this to how often you shop, and compare the space for fresh and frozen food separately.
No. You’ll need to follow the instructions for the model you choose. Electrolux requires air to circulate around the appliance, while Bosch describes close-to-wall installation for certain Perfect Fit models. This option isn’t available for every fridge.
Follow the instructions for the model delivered before plugging it in or putting food inside. For appliances covered by its guidance, Electrolux recommends waiting at least 4 hours before plugging them in and leaving them to run empty for 8 hours before loading them. These timings don’t replace the instructions for your model.
Measure the doors, corridors, stairs and turns along the route, then ask the retailer whether delivery includes taking the appliance into the room. Darty recommends checking access before placing your order to make sure the appliance can be brought in.
In France, goods sold by a business to an individual are covered by the statutory legal guarantee of conformity, including when they don’t match their description, according to the Ministry of the Economy. This guarantee is separate from a commercial extended warranty. Report the problem to the seller and keep the documents relating to your purchase and delivery.