For your first studio flat, start by choosing a fridge that will fit in the space and whose door can open fully. Then decide how much room you need for fresh and frozen food, based on your habits. A tabletop fridge without a freezer prioritises fresh food; an integrated compartment suits small amounts for freezing, while a compact fridge-freezer has separate compartments but needs more height. Que Choisir Ensemble presents tabletop fridges as an option for studio flats. Examples from Liebherr France show that dimensions and capacities vary by model, so also check the installation instructions and energy label.
Check that the appliance will fit in the space and that its door can open. Also measure the clearance needed for installation, as set out in the instructions. Que Choisir Ensemble presents tabletop fridges as an option for studio flats.
If you freeze little or no food, compare the capacity actually available for chilled items. Models featured by Liebherr France show how total capacity varies from one model to another.
If you want to freeze portions, distinguish between a small integrated compartment and a separate freezer compartment. Check the model’s stated classification and freezing capacity; Que Choisir Ensemble’s glossary explains the intended use of a four-star compartment.
Choose this if: you’re short on height and mainly store fresh food.
Bear in mind: this configuration won’t meet your needs if you want to freeze food. For the KTe550, Liebherr France lists dimensions of 85 × 55 × 60.7 cm and a total capacity of 125 L. These are the appliance’s dimensions, not the clearance required for installation.
Choose this if: you prioritise fresh food but also want to freeze small quantities, subject to the compartment’s specifications.
Bear in mind: the compartment takes up some of the available space. Liebherr France lists a total capacity of 111 L for the KTe551, compared with 125 L for the KTe550; both models have the same stated external dimensions of 85 × 55 × 60.7 cm.
Choose this if: you freeze food regularly and have enough height for two separate compartments.
Bear in mind: the CTPe211-26 featured by Liebherr France measures 124.1 × 55 × 63 cm and has a stated total capacity of 196 L. Check the available space, as well as the separate capacities for fresh and frozen food.
For your first fridge in a French studio flat, each row below reflects a different main priority. Compare the specifications of your shortlisted models with the space available and the way you store food.
| What matters | What to check before you buy | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and door opening | Measure the space and check the clearances specified in the instructions, the door swing and which way the door opens. | If space is tight, I want to be sure the appliance will fit and its door will open without blocking the way. Consumers who prioritise installation are estimated to account for around 36 %. |
| Capacity for fresh food | Compare the fridge compartment capacity and internal layout, not just the total capacity. | If I mainly buy fresh food, I want enough room to store it without wasting space on freezing. This is thought to be a priority for around 29 % of consumers. |
| Freezing | Check the compartment’s classification and capacity, along with the model’s stated freezing capacity. | When I prepare portions to freeze, I want to know whether the compartment is suitable and how much it can hold. Consumers who prioritise freezing are estimated to account for around 21 %. |
| Noise and energy use | Check the stated noise level, annual consumption in kWh and energy label rating; compare models designed for the same use. | In a living space, I pay attention to noise and energy use once I’ve worked out what I need to store. Around 14 % of consumers are thought to make these their main priorities. |
The appliance’s dimensions alone won’t tell you whether it can operate properly or whether the door will open fully in its intended space. Air circulation and access to the door matter too.
Measure the space and access route, then check the clearances set out in the instructions and how the exact model’s door opens.
An unsuitable space could mean moving the appliance or reconsidering your choice of model.
Some of that capacity may be taken up by a freezer compartment. Two appliances of the same size can therefore have different amounts of room for fresh food; the figures published by Liebherr France for the KTe550 and KTe551 are one example.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, as well as the internal layout.
The presence of a compartment doesn’t necessarily mean it’s suitable for freezing fresh food. Que Choisir Ensemble associates a four-star classification with this use and with storing frozen food.
If you freeze meals or portions, check the classification, stated capacity and instructions for the model.
The KTe550, KTe551 and CTPe211-26 models featured by Liebherr France illustrate a tabletop fridge without a freezer, a tabletop fridge with a freezer compartment and a compact fridge-freezer.
Information from Electrolux France can help you explore the option of a fridge with an integrated freezer compartment, as well as the installation instructions for the models concerned.
Bosch France’s installation advice can help you distinguish between a built-in appliance and a freestanding model when furnishing a space with limited room.
This selection offers options for different studio flat needs: prioritising fresh food, adding a small freezer compartment or choosing an appliance with separate fridge and freezer compartments. Check the dimensions and installation instructions for the model you’re considering.
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This option is for those who prioritise storing fresh food in a format described as compact. The product description states that it has no freezer compartment.
Stated capacity: 82 L. Energy rating: E.
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This configuration lets you store fresh and frozen food in one appliance; check that its dimensions suit the space you have in mind.
Stated capacities: 115 L for the fridge and 59 L for the freezer. The product title also lists 39 dB and energy rating E.
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This could suit you if you’re looking for a compact fridge with an integrated freezer compartment; check its capacity against your intended use.
Stated capacity: 92 L. Energy rating: E.
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This model may appeal if you want separate compartments and freeze fresh food; compare its width with the space available.
Stated capacities: 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer. The product title lists a four-star compartment and a width of 54 cm.
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Its tabletop format could suit you if you need a compact appliance with an integrated freezer compartment. The stated freezer capacity is 3 L, so check whether it will hold the quantities you want to store.
Stated total capacity: 45 L. Energy rating: E.
Measure the space and access route, then compare them with the appliance’s dimensions and the instructions in its manual. In particular, check air circulation, the installation environment and how the door opens; clearance requirements vary by model.
Not necessarily: check the model’s stated classification and freezing capacity. Que Choisir Ensemble describes a four-star compartment as suitable for freezing fresh food and storing frozen food; limited capacity may restrict how many portions you can store.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 and +4 °C. Check the temperature and store food in the zones specified for your appliance; the temperature shown on the controls doesn’t replace this check.
Under the legal guarantee of conformity, you can make a claim to the professional seller for two years for a new or second-hand item, subject to the conditions set out by law. An optional commercial guarantee does not replace it.
For a distance contract between a business and a consumer in France, the right to cancel generally provides at least 14 days, subject to applicable exceptions and terms. This right is separate from remedies for a faulty product.