Start by deciding how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then check that the appliance and its door swing will suit your kitchen. Total capacity alone won’t tell you whether your containers and supplies will fit. A fridge-freezer could be a good choice if you use both compartments every week; a compact model is better for more modest needs, while a multi-door fridge or separate freezer requires more space. Que Choisir Ensemble recommends taking your shopping routine and home into account, and Anses advises against overfilling your fridge so that air can circulate.
If you shop less often, compare the fridge capacity and shelf layout to make room for fresh food and containers without blocking airflow. Que Choisir Ensemble discusses choosing an appliance to suit your shopping routine; Anses reminds users not to overfill the fridge.
How much you need to freeze, how easy the food is to reach and how much space you have will help you decide between a fridge-freezer and a separate freezer. Que Choisir Ensemble highlights the differences between upright and chest freezers, including their layout and the space they take up.
Compare the appliance’s dimensions and door swing with the space you actually have, while keeping in mind the capacity you need for your shopping and meals. Que Choisir Ensemble explains how to choose a format based on kitchen size and storage needs.
If you shop less often and prepare meals in advance, compare the usable capacity of each compartment with your needs and the space available, rather than relying on total capacity alone.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh food and meals | Usable fridge capacity, shelf height and space around containers. | If I prepare meals and shop in advance, I want to store containers without overfilling the fridge. Around 28% of consumers prioritise space for fresh food and prepared meals. |
| Freezer capacity and access | Usable freezer capacity, drawer layout and whether there is room for a separate appliance. | If I regularly keep frozen food, I want to be able to store it and find it easily. Around 22% of consumers put freezer capacity first. |
| Size and installation | Appliance dimensions, delivery access and the space needed to open the doors. | If my kitchen is small, I need to balance storage for my shopping with the appliance’s dimensions and accessibility. Around 22% of consumers prioritise finding an appliance that fits the available space. |
| Cold-storage layout | Cooling system, location of different zones and temperature control options. | When storing prepared meals, I want to organise food properly and leave room for air to circulate. Around 17% of consumers prioritise the layout of the cold-storage areas for keeping meals. |
| Energy use and noise level | Annual energy use in kWh and noise level in dB shown on the label for the exact model. | If the appliance is near a living area, I compare its stated energy use and noise level. Around 11% of consumers put these two features first. |
For household fridges and freezers covered by EU energy labelling, the European Commission states that the A to G energy scale has been in use since 1 March 2021. The label includes details such as annual energy use, compartment volumes and noise level. Compare the information for the exact models you are considering.
Two appliances with similar total capacities may divide the space differently between fridge and freezer compartments. Overpacking can also restrict the circulation of cold air.
Compare the capacity in litres of each compartment, the drawers and the space you can actually use for your containers.
A compartment built into a fridge-only appliance won’t necessarily offer the capacity of a separate freezer.
Think about how much frozen food you usually keep before choosing between a compact model, a fridge-freezer and a separate appliance.
The appliance’s width, the delivery route and the doors’ opening range can all affect where it can go. A chest freezer also takes up more floor space than an upright model.
Measure the space and the route to your kitchen, then check the model’s installation instructions.
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer with separate fresh and frozen food compartments.
Consider comparing a fridge-freezer with a fridge-only model, depending on how much space you want for fresh and frozen food.
Worth considering if you need a multi-door model to organise a larger amount of food and have room for a wider appliance.
Worth comparing if you’re deciding between a fridge-freezer and a separate upright freezer.
Worth looking at if an integrated under-counter fridge suits your kitchen layout.
This selection includes fridges with freezer compartments, from compact models to larger-capacity appliances. Check the capacity split and dimensions of each model against your shopping needs and the space available.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an American-style fridge. Check the capacity of each compartment and the dimensions for this specific model.
Stated energy rating: E.
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To divide your shopping between fresh and frozen food, compare the capacity of each compartment with your needs and the space available.
311 l of fridge capacity and 129 l of freezer capacity; five shelves, a meat and fish zone and Multi Airflow technology.
Listed dimensions: 70 × 203 × 66.7 cm. Freestanding.
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Worth comparing if you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate in a three-door appliance.
235 l of fridge capacity and 125 l of freezer capacity; three freezer drawers, Total No Frost, My Zone and Humidity Zone.
Listed dimensions: 185 × 59.5 × 66.7 cm. Freestanding.
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Worth comparing if you want a large fridge compartment alongside a freezer compartment.
322 l of fridge capacity and 115 l of freezer capacity; four shelves, a crisper drawer and fan cooling.
Listed dimensions: 70 × 65.5 × 185 cm. Manual-defrost freezer.
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Worth considering for a narrow kitchen and modest needs for both fresh and frozen food. Check that its capacity suits your shopping.
60 l of fridge capacity and 46 l of freezer capacity; seven temperature settings and adjustable shelves.
Listed dimensions: 42.4 × 44.5 × 102 cm. Stated noise level: 45 dB.
No. Compare fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check that the layout suits your containers. Also check where the appliance will go and how far the doors open. The energy label for covered appliances shows the capacity of each compartment.
No. No Frost mainly helps manage frost, but it doesn’t replace temperature control or storage that allows air to circulate. Anses advises against overfilling the fridge and recommends following its guidance on the coldest area for the relevant prepared foods.
Check the model’s climate class against the room temperature, its dimensions and access to the drawers or chest. A chest freezer may take up more floor space than an upright model.
For household fridges and freezers covered by current EU energy labelling, compare the A to G scale, kWh/year, capacity and noise level listed for each model. The European Commission states that this scale has applied since 1 March 2021; the old A+, A++ and A+++ ratings are no longer used on these labels.
The French Ministry of the Economy and Finance explains that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a consumer, subject to the conditions set out by law. The DGCCRF also states that when you buy a new appliance, the seller must offer free take-back of an equivalent used appliance on a « one-for-one » basis. Ask the seller how collection and delivery work in practice.