First, choose according to the amount of fresh food and frozen produce you need to store. Then check the appliance’s full footprint, including its depth, door opening and ventilation requirements. A narrow table-top fridge is enough for limited fresh-food storage, while a table-top model with a freezer compartment or a compact fridge freezer is more suitable if you regularly keep frozen food. An integrated model is only suitable if the housing unit and door system are compatible.
When every centimetre of width, depth or worktop space matters, compare a narrow table-top fridge with a standard table-top model based on your actual freezing needs. The specifications of the models reviewed show that the format has a direct impact on the available capacity.
If the appliance is in the same room as your bed, workspace or living area, compare the stated noise level in dB and the airborne acoustical noise emission class, without overlooking the fresh-food capacity you need. The European Commission states that this information appears on the energy label.
A small freezer compartment may not be enough if you regularly store prepared dishes or frozen food. Compare the freezer capacity, star rating, freezing capacity and the maximum acceptable height for the room separately.
Start by measuring the available space and the route through the doorway, then compare fresh-food and freezer capacities separately. Finally, read the energy label and the instructions for your chosen model before installation.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint and door | Measure the width, height and depth. Check the required clearance, door-opening direction and access to drawers and shelves. Distinguish between freestanding and integrated installation. | I want to install the appliance without blocking a walkway, drawer or neighbouring unit. |
| Fresh-food and freezer capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately. If you want to freeze fresh food, check the star rating and the freezing capacity of the exact model. | Most of my shopping consists of fresh food, but I want to know whether a small freezer compartment will genuinely be enough for my habits. |
| Noise | Compare noise emissions in dB between appliances of a similar size and check the noise class on the energy label. | In an open-plan living space, I would prefer to keep appliance noise to a minimum while sleeping or working from home. |
| Energy consumption | Read the A to G energy class alongside the annual consumption in kWh. Also compare the capacities and noise level shown on the same label. | I want to compare appliances that run continuously using standardised information, rather than choosing based on the energy class alone. |
| Installation | Follow the ventilation clearances stated in the instructions and check the climate class. After transport, follow the recommended waiting time before switching on the model. | I need to be able to put the fridge into operation after moving home without installing it in a confined space. |
An appliance may fit in its space while preventing the door from opening fully or restricting access to the drawers. On the Frigelux RTT89BE reviewed, the door and its overhang require clearance from the wall.
Measure the available space, door swing and delivery route. Also check whether the door opening direction can be reversed before ordering.
Fridges of a similar size can offer very different freezer storage: the table-top models reviewed provide 13 to 16 L, compared with 41 L for the Listo fridge freezer reviewed.
Compare fridge and freezer capacities in separate lines. If you freeze fresh preparations, also check the star rating and freezing capacity.
Electrolux France recommends waiting at least four hours before switching the appliance on after transport and allowing air to circulate around it.
Allow for this waiting time on moving day, keep the appliance away from heat sources and follow the clearances specified in its instructions.
An integrated fridge is designed to fit into an existing kitchen unit. The housing dimensions, ventilation and door system all form part of the compatibility requirements.
Check the housing dimensions, door system, ventilation requirements and whether a furniture door is needed before choosing a model.
The unit, furniture door or installation may need adapting if the housing dimensions, hinges or ventilation do not match.
The RTT89BE is worth considering when width is particularly limited: its specifications state that it is 45 cm wide, 49 cm deep and offers 88 L of fridge capacity.
The ERT85-55mib6 is a table-top model with a freezer compartment, suited to someone looking for both refrigeration and limited freezing capacity in an appliance around 85 cm high.
The brand lets you compare a table-top model with a small freezer compartment with taller fridge freezers offering more freezer space, depending on the vertical space available.
Beko is worth considering when the kitchen already has a space designed for an integrated appliance, particularly under the worktop.
These Joybuy options include mini table-top fridges, single-door models, compact fridge freezers and an integrated model for storage needs in a studio flat or kitchenette.
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Worth considering if you regularly buy fresh and frozen food but have limited width available.
115 L of fridge capacity and 59 L of freezer capacity; 4-star freezer, Low Frost, reversible door, adjustable thermostat and LED lighting. Stated dimensions: 47 × 51,1 × 150 cm; check the required ventilation and available height.
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This fridge freezer suits a small household that wants more frozen-food storage than a table-top freezer compartment can provide.
153 L of fridge capacity and 74 L of 4-star freezer capacity; Low Frost, LED lighting, adjustable shelves, reversible door and adjustable feet. Stated width: 54 cm; confirm the height, depth and installation clearances.
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This model is aimed at a kitchenette that already has a compatible housing unit and where fresh-food storage is the main priority.
174 L of fridge capacity, 14 L freezer compartment, stated noise level of 35 dB and stated annual consumption of 146 kWh. Required housing dimensions: 56 × 122,5 × 55 cm; sliding door system and furniture door to be provided separately.
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Worth considering for one person who prioritises fresh food in a very narrow kitchenette.
Stated capacity of 92 L, width of 47 cm, reversible door, adjustable feet, adjustable glass shelves and salad drawer. Check the freezer compartment specifications if you store or freeze fresh food.
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This mini fridge is suitable for very limited storage of drinks, snacks and fresh food in a restricted space.
Stated dimensions: 44,9 × 48,5 × 51,2 cm; toughened glass shelf, adjustable feet, adjustable temperature, energy class E and stated noise level of 40 dB. Its 3 L compartment is not a substitute for a 4-star freezer.
Measure the width, height and depth of the available space, as well as the clearance needed to open the door and remove drawers and shelves. Then check the installation type: an integrated model requires a compatible housing unit and door, while a freestanding appliance may need extra space near the wall.
Yes. Electrolux France states that air must circulate around the appliance. Check the model’s instructions for the required clearances, particularly when installing it under a worktop or inside a housing unit.
Electrolux France recommends waiting at least four hours before switching the appliance on after transport. Keep it upright whenever possible and follow any specific instructions in the manual.
Compare the separate freezer capacity, star rating and freezing capacity. In the models reviewed, table-top fridges offer 13 to 16 L of freezer space, whereas the compact Listo fridge freezer reaches 41 L. The right choice depends on how often you buy frozen food and how many fresh dishes you freeze.
For covered refrigeration appliances, the energy label shows the A to G scale, annual consumption in kWh, storage capacities and airborne acoustical noise emissions together with their class. The European Commission recommends considering this information as a whole rather than choosing based on the energy class alone.