For one person in a studio flat who shops often and stores very little frozen food, a table-top fridge may be enough. If you share shopping and regularly need freezer space, consider a fridge freezer instead. In either case, start with the usable capacity, then check the route into the kitchen, the door opening and the model’s installation instructions. To work out how much capacity you need, Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 L for one person, then adding 50 L for each additional person.
If the kitchen is small and you shop often, a table-top fridge may meet your needs for fresh food. However, check its usable capacity and the space available for frozen food: two appliances of similar dimensions can have very different compartment layouts.
Choose a fridge based on the number of people in your household, the shopping you share and the space needed in each compartment. A fridge freezer keeps fresh and frozen food in one appliance, but its capacity still needs to suit your kitchen.
Before replacing an appliance, check the available space, the delivery route and the installation instructions. For a built-in model, also check the door-panel fixing and ventilation requirements for the specific model.
First decide how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. Then check that the format you’ve chosen will fit in your kitchen and along the delivery route.
Consider this if: you live alone, shop often and need little freezer space.
The trade-off: its low height leaves less room for shared shopping, so check the actual capacity of the compartments.
Consider this if: you mainly store fresh food and already have a separate freezer, or buy very little frozen food.
The trade-off: check whether the model has a freezer compartment and whether it suits your habits.
Consider this if: you share shopping or shop regularly, and need separate spaces for fresh and frozen food.
The trade-off: measure the available height and the access route before choosing a model.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person; adjust this to how often you shop. | If we share shopping or prepare several meals in advance, there needs to be enough room for everyone’s food—not just an appliance that fits in the kitchen. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, then check the doors, turns and space where the appliance will go. Check how the door opens and the clearances specified in the instructions; for a built-in model, also measure the housing and check the door-panel fixing. | I want to be able to get the fridge into place and open its door without obstructing the furniture or access through the room. |
| Frozen food | Check whether there is a freezer compartment and how much usable space it offers. Don’t choose a table-top fridge or a fridge based on its total capacity if freezer space is important. | We buy frozen food regularly, so freezer space matters just as much as room for fresh food. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise levels on a like-for-like basis. Que Choisir classifies the quietest fridges as those rated below 40 dBA. | In a studio flat or near a living area, I’d rather consider the noise level before choosing the largest capacity. |
| Electricity | Check the energy rating and annual consumption in kWh alongside the usable capacity. ADEME recommends checking the energy label; compare appliances of a similar format and capacity. | As the appliance will stay plugged in all the time, I want to compare its energy use without losing sight of the space we need for our shopping. |
A capacity designed for one person may not leave enough room when several people share their shopping. Rearranging the shelves won’t create any extra space.
First estimate the capacity you need based on your household and shopping habits. Que Choisir’s guideline—100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person—can help you shortlist models before comparing their individual compartments.
An appliance may fit in the space available but still not make it through a doorway, up the stairs or around a corner. The door opening and required clearances can also make installation impractical.
Measure the delivery route and the space where the appliance will go, then check the model’s instructions. In a fitted kitchen, also check the housing and door-panel fixing before ordering a built-in model.
If people in your household buy frozen food regularly, freezer space could become the limiting factor—even if the fridge’s total capacity seems sufficient.
Compare the freezer capacity of the models you’re considering and choose a format that suits your household’s actual shopping habits.
These ranges include examples of different formats. Compare the specifications of the exact model rather than assuming it’s right for you based on the brand alone.
The French range includes table-top fridges, fridges and fridge freezers, with freestanding and built-in options depending on the model.
The Beko France B5RCNE416HG and B1RCNA344W models are examples of freestanding fridge freezers with the freezer at the bottom.
Liebherr’s freestanding range includes under-counter sizes and fridge freezers designed to keep fresh and frozen food.
These models combine fridge and freezer compartments. Four are freestanding, while one is designed for a fitted kitchen. Compare both compartments and check the installation requirements for each model.
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For shared shopping that includes frozen food, the product details list 230 L of fridge capacity and 114 L of freezer capacity in this freestanding model.
Listed dimensions: 59,5 × 185,3 × 65,8 cm; stated noise level: 35 dB; stated annual consumption: 254 kWh; energy rating E. The door is listed as reversible.
Before choosing, check the delivery route, the door opening and the clearances required for installation.
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Worth considering if your kitchen is designed for a built-in fridge freezer: the product details list 186 L of fridge capacity and 62 L of freezer capacity.
Listed dimensions: 59,2 × 58,5 × 186,2 cm; stated noise level: 37 dB; energy rating E. The model name indicates TwinTech No Frost.
Before replacing your appliance, confirm the housing dimensions, door-panel fixing and ventilation requirements for the model.
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If width is a priority in your kitchen, this fridge freezer is listed as 54 cm wide, with 153 L of fridge capacity and 74 L of freezer capacity.
The product details state 39 dB, an E energy rating, a reversible door and Low Frost technology. Low Frost does not mean you’ll never need to defrost it.
Also check the height, depth, delivery route and installation clearances.
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To compare how much space is available for shared shopping, the product details list 252 L of fridge capacity and 103 L of freezer capacity in this freestanding fridge freezer.
Listed width: 60 cm; energy rating E. The door is listed as reversible.
Width alone won’t tell you whether it will fit: check the height, depth, access route and ventilation. Also check the model’s noise level and annual energy consumption.
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For a household that stores both fresh and frozen food, the product details list 211 L of fridge capacity and 99 L of freezer capacity in this freestanding fridge freezer.
Listed width: 60 cm; energy rating E. The door is listed as reversible.
Before ordering, check the height, depth, access route and clearances. Also check the model’s noise level and annual energy consumption to compare it with other options.
Que Choisir recommends starting with 100 to 150 L for one person, then adding 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guideline to how often you shop, and compare fridge and freezer capacities separately.
It depends on how much space you need in its freezer compartment. If you buy frozen food regularly or share shopping, compare its capacity with that of a fridge freezer rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
Measure the space and the entire route into the kitchen, including any relevant doors, corners, stairs or lifts. Then check that the fridge door can open and that there is enough clearance, as set out in the appliance’s instructions.
No. The housing dimensions, ventilation and door-panel fixing system must all be suitable for the new model. Bosch highlights the complexity of built-in installation, so check the instructions for the specific model before choosing it.
Consider the energy rating, annual consumption, usable capacity and noise level together. Ideally, compare appliances with similar capacities and formats. The French National Consumer Institute states that the A to G energy label has applied to fridges and freezers, among other appliances, since 1 March 2021.