Households that buy frozen food every week
An appliance that combines refrigeration and freezing may suit you if both compartments can hold your usual shop. Compare their capacities separately rather than focusing on the total capacity.
Which households are they for?
Households that freeze food in bulk
If the freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer isn’t big enough, a separate appliance could give you the extra space you need. Make sure you have somewhere to put it, and choose between the easy-access drawers of an upright freezer and the storage layout of a chest freezer.
Smaller households that freeze very little
If you shop often and have few frozen items to store, a fridge with a small freezer compartment may do the job. Check the capacity of that compartment before choosing it over a fridge-freezer.
What should you check before choosing?
Start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then compare appliances that will genuinely fit in your home.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the capacity in litres for fresh and frozen food separately. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L as a starting point for one person, then around 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit how often you shop. | I shop less often, so I need room for everything after a big shop, without choosing a capacity I won’t use. |
| Configuration | According to UFC-Que Choisir, the small freezer compartment in a single-door fridge won’t meet the same needs as a fridge-freezer with separate compartments. If you need more frozen storage, compare upright and chest freezers too. | If frozen food is a regular part of my shop, I’ll check there’s enough room in a fridge-freezer. If I freeze food in bulk, I’ll consider whether a separate appliance is an option. |
| Energy and noise | The European Commission says the energy label for household refrigeration appliances shows details including the A to G rating, annual energy consumption, compartment volumes and noise emissions. Compare these figures across formats and capacities that meet the same needs. | My appliance will run continuously, so I’ll check its kWh/year. I’ll also look at the noise level if it’s going near a living space. |
| Installation | Measure the appliance’s height, width and depth, as well as the access route and the space where it will go. Check the manual for the clearance required for ventilation, then make sure the doors and drawers can open fully. | In a narrow kitchen or with an integrated model, I need to be able to install the appliance and access all its storage space. |
Which mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing the biggest capacity without thinking about your shopping habits
An appliance that’s bigger than you need takes up more space. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously, so it’s worth considering annual energy consumption alongside capacity.
Estimate how many litres you need for fresh and frozen food based on what you usually buy, then compare the kWh/year figures for models with a suitable capacity.
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Confusing a small freezer compartment with the freezer section of a fridge-freezer
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these configurations: a small freezer compartment may not be enough if frozen food regularly makes up a significant part of your shop.
Check the freezer capacity of the model you’re considering and compare it with what you usually store.
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Measuring the kitchen but not the route into your home
An appliance may fit in the space you’ve set aside but still get in the way when you open the doors, or lack the recommended ventilation clearance. Samsung notes that the space required varies by model.
Measure the delivery route and the installation space, then check the manual for the exact model to find out about ventilation and the clearance needed for doors and drawers to open.
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Comparing energy ratings alone
The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you the available capacity or the annual energy consumption shown on the EU label.
First choose the right configuration and capacity, then compare the energy rating and kWh/year figures for the models you’ve shortlisted.
Brands worth comparing
Bosch
Bosch product specifications let you check the dimensions and capacities of selected fridge-freezers, including integrated models.
- For the integrated KIV865SE0 fridge-freezer, Bosch lists a 183 L fridge compartment, an 84 L freezer compartment and a noise level of 35 dB(A).
- These specifications apply to this model only. Check the product details and niche dimensions for the model you’re considering.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s range includes fridge-freezers in different configurations, so you can compare them with the space you have and the layout you want.
- Whirlpool describes the W7X83AW as a freestanding Total No Frost fridge-freezer, measuring 59.6 cm wide, 191.2 cm high and 67.8 cm deep.
- Check the capacity of each compartment, the energy label and the installation requirements for the model you choose.
Samsung
A Samsung single-door fridge may be worth considering if fresh food storage is more important to you than freezer space.
- Samsung describes the RR35H6500WW as a 348 L single-door fridge with fan-assisted cooling.
- The clearances in Samsung’s installation advice may vary, so follow the manual for the model you choose.
Models that keep fresh and frozen food together
These Joybuy models combine refrigeration and freezing in one appliance, in a range of formats: integrated, multi-door, bottom-freezer and side-by-side. Compare the space given to each compartment before making your choice.
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Hisense RB3B250SAWC, 252 L integrated fridge-freezer
This integrated fridge-freezer combines fresh and frozen storage in one space. The product title lists a 252 L capacity, a C energy rating, No Frost and an Inverter compressor. Before choosing it, check the niche dimensions, access route and ventilation requirements in the manual.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L four-door fridge-freezer
This four-door model is designed for households looking to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance. The product title lists a 467 L capacity, an E energy rating and Total No Frost. Check the capacity of each compartment, the access route and the space needed to open the doors.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 L three-door fridge-freezer
This three-door model is an option for keeping fresh and frozen food in one appliance on a regular basis. The product title lists a 360 L capacity, an E energy rating, Total No Frost, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Compare the capacity of both compartments with your shopping needs, and check that the doors can open and there’s enough clearance.
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Bosch KGN33NLEB, 282 L fridge-freezer with bottom freezer
This fridge-freezer keeps the freezer compartment at the bottom, combining fresh and frozen storage in one appliance. The product title lists a 282 L capacity and an E energy rating. Check the capacity of each compartment and the model’s noise level if you plan to install it near a living space.
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CHiQ JR525WSE, 525 L side-by-side fridge-freezer
This side-by-side model is worth considering if your shopping needs justify its stated capacities of 333 L for fresh food and 192 L for frozen food. The product title lists an E energy rating, No Frost and a noise level of 37 dB. Check its annual energy consumption, dimensions and door clearance before opting for this larger format.
Frequently asked questions
What should I compare on a fridge or freezer’s energy label?
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh with the capacity you need in each compartment. The European Commission says the label for relevant household refrigeration appliances also shows an A to G rating and noise emissions. The rating alone doesn’t tell you everything you need to know.
Is a small freezer compartment enough if I buy frozen food every week?
Not necessarily: it depends on how much freezer space you need for your usual shopping. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this configuration from a fridge-freezer with a separate freezer compartment. If you regularly store frozen food, compare the capacity in litres listed for each option.
How much space should I leave around a fridge?
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for the model you choose. For some fridges, Samsung gives the example of 50 mm at the sides and back and 100 mm above, while noting that these measurements can vary by model. Also make sure the doors and drawers can open fully.
What should I do with my old appliance when replacing it?
In France, the ministry responsible for ecological transition says that electrical appliances can be taken to a collection point or recycling centre, returned to a retailer or given to a social and solidarity economy organisation. If you’d rather not transport it yourself, ask the retailer about the collection options available with delivery.