Choose a fridge-freezer if you store fresh food and frozen portions each week and want to keep them in one appliance. Compare the usable capacity of each compartment. A separate freezer is better suited to regularly storing batches of meals, provided you also have a fridge; a fridge on its own works if fresh food is your priority and you already have somewhere else to freeze food. In every case, check the dimensions and the energy label for the specific model.
If you regularly freeze several portions, start by considering how much space they take up and how easily you need to access the containers. A separate freezer also needs its own space, and you’ll need another way to store fresh food.
If you keep fresh food, leftovers and a few frozen portions, look at how the capacity is divided in a fridge-freezer rather than focusing on its total capacity alone.
Fridges and freezers run continuously, as ADEME points out. Compare the annual energy consumption shown on the energy labels of models that suit your storage needs.
Consider it : if you mainly store food in the fridge and another appliance already meets your freezing needs.
Trade-off : on its own, it won’t provide space for storing frozen meals.
Consider it : alongside a fridge if you often batch-cook and freeze meals.
Trade-off : you’ll need to make room for it without losing the space you need for fresh food.
Consider it : if you need to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Trade-off : its total capacity may sound generous, but the freezer compartment could still be too small for your portions.
To choose, work out how much space you need for fresh food and frozen portions, then compare suitable appliances with the space available and their energy labels.
| Consideration | What to check | What consumers say |
|---|---|---|
| Balance of fresh and frozen storage | Usable capacity of each compartment in litres; shelf and drawer layout. | If I want to keep the week’s meals chilled while freezing a few portions, each compartment needs to suit its purpose. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Space for frozen meals | Usable freezer capacity in litres; space for containers and easy access to portions. | When I batch-cook, I need enough room to find stored portions easily. This freezing capacity is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Energy use and space | Annual consumption in kWh/year on the energy label; installation dimensions and noise level. | I don’t want to choose a capacity I won’t use, especially if the appliance needs to run continuously in a limited space. Around 25% of consumers prioritise energy use and installation requirements over extra capacity. |
The two compartments aren’t interchangeable: a total capacity that looks sufficient may leave too little room for frozen portions or fresh food.
Take stock of what you typically store in a week, then compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately.
ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously, and that their size and certain features can affect energy consumption.
Compare the kWh/year figures on the labels of models with a capacity and installation type that suit your needs.
For food storage, Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 and +4 °C and allowing air to circulate inside the appliance.
Find the coldest area, check its temperature and store food that needs extra care there without blocking the airflow.
Bosch Home Appliances offers fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers, with freestanding and built-in options available depending on the model.
Samsung France offers fridge-freezers with different interior layouts and options for fan-assisted cooling, depending on the model.
Beko France offers built-in fridge-freezers, which are worth considering when your kitchen requires a specific housing unit and fixing system.
These Joybuy models include fridge-freezers for storing fresh and frozen food in one appliance, as well as a convertible chest freezer to consider if you have a separate solution for fresh food. Compare the actual space available for each type of storage before choosing.
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Consider this fridge-freezer if you want to store fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance. The product title gives a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each compartment and allow enough room to open the doors; the listed width is 83.3 cm.
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This fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want to store a mix of fresh and frozen food in one appliance. The product title gives a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, an energy rating of E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Before choosing it, check the capacity of each compartment and the clearance needed for installation.
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This model combines refrigeration and freezing if you want both in one appliance. The product title gives a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. The freezer compartment is listed as 101 L; compare this with the amount you typically store, and check that the dimensions fit your chosen space.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 54 cm-wide fridge-freezer and its capacity suits your usual food shop. The product title lists 153 L of fridge capacity and 74 L of freezer capacity. It also mentions a reversible door, Low Frost and an energy rating of E. Low Frost doesn’t mean frost-free. Check the full dimensions and the model’s annual energy consumption on its label.
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Consider it for storing frozen portions if you already have a solution for fresh food. The product title lists a capacity of 291 L, an energy rating of E, a five-level digital control, a removable basket and a defrost drain. It switches between freezer and fridge modes, but can’t do both at the same time. Also check where it will go and whether you’ll have easy access from above.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge between 0 and +4 °C. Find this area for food that needs extra care, and avoid overfilling the appliance so that cold air can circulate.
Don’t judge by capacity alone: compare the annual energy consumption shown on the labels of the models you’re considering. ADEME points out that the size and certain features can affect the energy use of fridges and freezers, which run continuously.
This feature is worth considering if you want to reduce the need for defrosting, but it doesn’t replace choosing compartments with enough space for your meals. Check that it’s included on the specific model, then compare its energy consumption and dimensions too.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a trader to a private individual in France, whether they’re new, second-hand or refurbished. Keep your proof of purchase and a record of the agreed specifications so you can report any lack of conformity to the seller.
For the product categories listed by the French Ministry of the Economy, the durability index has applied to televisions and the specified washing machines since January 2025. When choosing a fridge or freezer, it’s more useful to check the energy label, the model’s specifications and the information provided about spare parts and after-sales service.