Studio flat dweller with limited space
You need to fit the appliance into a kitchenette or under a worktop. Compare its dimensions, door opening and installation instructions for the model you choose, as recommended by UFC-Que Choisir’s guide.
Who is this choice for?
Regular buyer of frozen food
You need to choose between a small freezer compartment and a separate freezer, checking their capacities separately from the fridge capacity. Bosch and Liebherr product specifications show how configurations vary by model.
Someone living alone who mainly buys fresh food
You shop in small quantities and want to make the most of the space available for fresh food. A model without a freezer compartment may suit you if you don’t need to store frozen food. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering how often you shop and your freezing needs.
What to compare
Table-top fridge without a freezer compartment
Consider this if: you mainly buy fresh food and have a suitable low-level space for the model’s dimensions.
Bear in mind: you won’t be able to store frozen food in an integrated compartment.
Single-door fridge with freezer compartment
Consider this if: you want to freeze or store a small amount of frozen food without setting aside space for a separate freezer.
Check: the capacity and features of the compartment on the model you choose; this smaller space reduces the room available for fresh food.
Compact fridge-freezer
Consider this if: you regularly store frozen food and have enough height available.
Check: the height, depth, route to the kitchen and capacity of each compartment.
Built-in model
Consider this if: your kitchen already has a housing and door front designed for the model you choose.
Check: the housing dimensions, type of door fitting and ventilation requirements in the instructions.
| Criterion | What to check | Who should prioritise it? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Overall dimensions, access route, door opening, installation type and instructions. | If I live in a studio flat, I want to make sure the appliance will fit through the access points and can be installed in the space available. Around 36 % of consumers prioritise size and installation. |
| Freezing | Whether there is a freezer compartment, its capacity and the features listed for the model. | If I regularly buy frozen food, I look for enough capacity for my shopping without confusing the total capacity with the freezer capacity. Around 29 % of consumers put freezing at the top of their list. |
| Space for fresh food | Usable fridge capacity and interior layout, compared with the size of your usual shop. | To store my fresh shopping without choosing an appliance that’s bigger than I need, I look at the capacity actually dedicated to the fridge. Around 21 % of consumers prioritise space for fresh food. |
| Noise and energy use | Noise level in dB and annual consumption in kWh on the model’s label. | If the fridge is close to where I live or sleep, noise is an important factor in my choice. I also compare the energy use of appliances suited to the same needs. Around 14 % of consumers put noise and energy use first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming every table-top fridge has a freezer compartment
Bosch France’s product specifications distinguish between the KTR15NWEB, which has no freezer compartment and offers 134 l of fridge capacity, and the KTL15NWEB, which has a compartment and offers 106 l of fridge capacity. The format alone doesn’t tell you about the interior layout.
Check whether the model has a compartment and the stated capacity of each section for the exact model you’re considering.
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Measuring the width only
Depth, height, delivery access, door opening and installation requirements can all affect whether the appliance is suitable. Bosch manuals specify the requirements for each appliance.
Measure the space and access route, then compare them with the model’s dimensions and instructions. Also check what delivery and installation services are available.
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Assuming “compact” means “suitable under a worktop”
According to Candy France, the Candy CHCS 514EX is 151 cm tall. Its 55 cm width alone doesn’t mean it will fit into a low-level space.
Compare all three dimensions and the installation type with your available space, rather than relying on the marketing name.
Brands and models to consider by format
Bosch
The KTR15NWEB and KTL15NWEB models show two different table-top configurations.
- Bosch Home Appliances France lists dimensions of 850 × 560 × 580 mm for both models. The KTR15NWEB offers 134 l of fridge capacity with no freezer, while the KTL15NWEB has a freezer compartment and offers 106 l of fridge capacity.
- These specifications apply to these models and don’t describe the entire Bosch range.
Liebherr
The KTe551 is an example of a table-top fridge with a four-star compartment, while the IRSe 3900 is designed for built-in installation.
- According to Liebherr France, the KTe551 measures 85 × 55 × 60,7 cm and has a total capacity of 111 l. The IRSe 3900 requires a housing 87,4 to 89 cm high, 56 to 57 cm wide and 55 cm deep, with a sliding door fitting.
- The KTe551’s 111 l is its total capacity, not just its fridge capacity. For the IRSe 3900, the housing and door fitting must suit your kitchen.
Candy
The CHCS 514EX is an example of a slim fridge-freezer with a bottom freezer.
- Candy France lists dimensions of 550 × 580 × 1510 mm and three drawers in the freezer section.
- The manufacturer’s product information states that the freezer section needs to be defrosted manually. These specifications apply to the CHCS 514EX.
TCL
TCL France describes the RF207TSE1 as a 55 cm-wide fridge with an adjustable shelf, worth considering for a narrow kitchen.
- The manufacturer’s product information confirms the model and its 55 cm width.
- Width alone doesn’t confirm whether the appliance will fit or tell you the usable capacity of each compartment; check these details for the model you choose.
Compact fridges on Joybuy
These models offer several options for a small kitchen: space for fresh food, a freezer compartment, or a built-in design if it fits your housing.
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Sonlu CS-100L, 82 L single-door fridge
Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact space for mainly fresh food, without an integrated freezer.
82 l; adjustable shelves, salad drawer and adjustable feet; energy rating E.
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Retro compact fridge, 92 L
Consider this if you want to store both fresh food and a small amount of frozen food in a compact space.
92 l total: 64 l for the fridge and 28 l for the four-star freezer compartment; adjustable shelves and LED lighting.
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CHiQ JR92DSE, 92 L single-door fridge
Worth a look if you want a compact model with a freezer section for a small space.
Stated width of 47 cm; seven-position mechanical control, adjustable shelves, fresh-food drawer and salad drawer; energy rating E.
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SMEG S4C122E, 188 L built-in fridge-freezer
Consider this only if your kitchen has a housing and sliding door fitting that suit this model.
188 l total: 174 l for the fridge and 14 l for the freezer; housing dimensions of 56 × 122,5 × 55 cm; automatic fridge defrosting and manual freezer defrosting; energy rating E. Furniture door not included.
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TCL RF60DWE0FR, 45 L table-top fridge
Worth considering for a very small space if you need a little freezer capacity as well as room for fresh food.
45 l total: 42 l for the fridge and 3 l for the freezer compartment; adjustable feet and removable shelf. The stated 3 l capacity means freezer space is limited.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a table-top fridge in any cabinet under a worktop?
No. “Table-top” describes a format, not whether an appliance can be built in. Compare the appliance’s dimensions with the available space and follow its instructions, especially those on ventilation. If you’re fitting a kitchen door front, also check the required door fitting.
How do you compare two fridges with the same total capacity?
Compare the capacity for the fridge and freezer sections separately. Total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room there is for your fresh shopping.
Which energy label should you check for a fridge in France?
For household fridges covered by the rules, the EU energy label has used a scale from A to G since 1 March 2021, according to the European Commission. It shows annual consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise level, among other information. An old A+++ rating cannot be compared directly with a current rating.
What should you check before having a fridge delivered to a studio flat?
Check the access route to your home, delivery conditions, and the arrangements for installation and setting up the appliance. If you’re replacing an old appliance, also find out about the terms for having it taken away.
What temperature should you set the fridge to after installation?
Anses recommends a temperature between 0 °C and 4 °C at the coldest point. It advises checking the temperature, for example with a thermometer, and not overfilling the fridge so that air can circulate.