To store your shopping and prepared meals in one appliance, start by comparing the fridge and freezer space you need separately: a fridge-freezer is suitable if both compartments meet your needs. Consider a multi-door fridge if you need more capacity and have room to install one, or a separate freezer if your current fridge has enough space for fresh food. Then check the dimensions, installation requirements and annual energy consumption of models with similar capacities.
If you prepare several portions to freeze, you need a proper freezer compartment, not just an ice box for storing food that is already frozen. The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between these two uses, so check the type and capacity of the compartment before choosing.
If you buy food for several days at a time, look at the usable capacity in litres for fresh and frozen food rather than just the total capacity. UFC-Que Choisir links the choice of appliance format to how often you shop and how much frozen food you store.
A larger appliance is only an option if you can get it through to the kitchen and have enough room for the doors to open and for ventilation. Electrolux recommends following the installation instructions and checking the model’s climate class.
Choose the format based on what you need to store: a fridge-freezer combines fresh and frozen food, while a separate freezer can supplement a fridge that already has enough capacity for fresh food. A multi-door fridge needs more space; a single-door fridge with an ice box doesn’t offer the same freezing capacity.
Consider this if: you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance with a separate freezer compartment.
Bear in mind: the space allocated to each of the two compartments is fixed for the model you choose.
Consider this if: fresh food is your priority and you don’t plan to freeze prepared meals regularly.
Bear in mind: according to the Ministry of Agriculture, an ice box cannot replace a freezer for freezing fresh food.
Consider this if: you want a large capacity in one appliance and have a suitable space for it.
Bear in mind: check the route into your home, door clearance and the amount of space actually allocated to freezing.
Consider this if: your fridge already holds enough fresh food, but its freezer no longer has room for the portions you’ve prepared.
Bear in mind: this second appliance needs a well-ventilated space and runs continuously too.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezing meals | The type and usable capacity of the compartment; if you want to freeze freshly prepared meals, check that it is a proper freezer. | If I prepare portions to freeze, an ice box designed for food that is already frozen won’t meet my needs. Around 31% of consumers prioritise freezing their meals. |
| Space for fresh food | The fridge’s usable capacity in litres, followed by the space on the shelves and in the drawers for your containers. | I shop for several days at a time and want room for my meal-prep containers too. Around 31% of consumers prioritise fresh food capacity. |
| Installation | The dimensions, route into the kitchen, door clearance and the gaps specified in the instructions. | A large appliance won’t be any use if it won’t fit through the door or the doors can’t open where it’s installed. Around 23% of consumers prioritise installation requirements. |
| Energy consumption | The kWh/year shown on the energy label, comparing appliances of a similar type and capacity. | I want enough storage space without overlooking the energy consumption of an appliance that runs continuously. This is the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
Two appliances with the same total capacity may divide their space differently between the fridge and freezer. So a high overall figure doesn’t guarantee enough room for the portions you want to freeze.
Work out the usable capacity you need for fresh and frozen food, then compare the two compartments separately.
The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between an ice box, which is used to store food that is already frozen, and a freezer, which can freeze food.
If you freeze your own meals, check the compartment’s specifications and usable capacity rather than relying on the word ‘freezing’ alone.
The width and depth of a multi-door fridge can make delivery and installation more difficult. For example, Whirlpool lists its WQ9IMO1L model as 90.8 cm wide and 71.6 cm deep; these dimensions don’t apply to other models.
Measure the delivery route and the space where the appliance will go, then check the instructions for door clearance, ventilation and climate class.
ADEME points out that an appliance’s size and features can affect its energy consumption. The energy rating letter doesn’t replace checking the kWh/year shown on the energy label.
Compare the kWh/year figures for models of a similar type and capacity, after checking that their usable capacities match your needs.
The French range includes fridge-freezers and multi-door fridges: two formats to consider depending on how you want to divide the space between fresh and frozen food.
The range includes single-door fridges, fridge-freezers and freezers, making it worth considering if you want to size your fresh-food and freezing capacity separately.
The range includes built-in and freestanding fridge-freezers, which are worth considering when installation requirements influence your choice.
These appliances suit three different situations: keeping fresh and frozen food together in a fridge-freezer, adding a freezer to an existing fridge, or choosing a multi-door fridge if you have enough space. Compare their specifications with your storage needs and available space.
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A fridge-freezer to consider if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Advertised total capacity: 344 L; energy rating E. Check the capacity of each compartment and the clearance needed for installation.
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A model with a bottom freezer to consider if you need two compartments in one appliance.
Advertised total capacity: 282 L; energy rating E. Check how much space is allocated to each compartment and whether it will fit through to your kitchen.
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This fridge-freezer lets you compare the space available for fresh shopping with the space for frozen food.
Advertised capacity: 211 L for the fridge and 99 L for the freezer; 60 cm wide, with a reversible door and energy rating E. Check the other dimensions, clearances and kWh/year before comparing it with another model.
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A separate freezer to consider if your fridge already has enough room for fresh food but you need more space for food you want to freeze.
Advertised capacity: 161 L; energy rating C. This appliance won’t add chilled storage, so check its dimensions, installation requirements and kWh/year.
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A multi-door fridge to consider if you want a large capacity in one appliance and have enough space for it.
Advertised total capacity: 495 L; energy rating E. Check how the capacity is divided, the route into your home, door clearance and the freezing specifications if you prepare portions to freeze.
No. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, an ice box is for storing food that is already frozen, while a freezer can freeze food. If you prepare meals to freeze, check the specifications and capacity of the freezer compartment in the model you’re considering.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends +4 °C for the fridge and −18 °C for the freezer. Also follow the food storage instructions and the guidance for your appliance.
Start by checking the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer, then compare the kWh/year on the energy label for appliances of a similar type and capacity. ADEME points out that size and features can affect energy consumption, so the rating letter alone isn’t enough to compare different formats.
Measure the route into your kitchen, the space where the appliance will go and the clearance needed for the doors to open. Then check the model’s instructions for ventilation and climate class. Electrolux recommends allowing air to circulate around the appliance and keeping it away from heat sources.