For a weekly shop that includes plenty of frozen food, start by choosing a fridge with enough space in both the fresh-food and freezer compartments, rather than focusing on the total capacity alone. A fridge freezer may be suitable if both compartments can hold your usual shopping; if the freezer fills up before your next shop, consider a multi-door model or a separate freezer, provided you have room for one and have compared its energy consumption.
If frozen vegetables, ready meals and portions take up a lot of space after your weekly shop, compare the freezer capacity in litres separately from the fridge capacity. The total capacity doesn’t tell you how the space is divided.
If you mainly cook with fresh ingredients and keep a smaller supply of frozen food, start with the fresh-food capacity your household needs, then check that the freezer can still hold your usual purchases.
If space is tight, measure the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the doors, too. The ventilation clearances specified in the manual may affect your choice, even if the appliance is small enough to fit in the available space.
If frozen food makes up a significant part of your weekly shop, start by comparing the freezer capacity of each style. Then check the fresh-food capacity, installation requirements and energy label details of the models you’re considering.
Consider it if: both the fridge and freezer compartments can hold your weekly shop in one appliance.
The trade-off: a generous total capacity won’t make up for a freezer compartment that’s too small.
Consider it if: you mainly store fresh food and only buy a few frozen items from time to time, as Darty suggests for this style.
The trade-off: this option is less suitable if you need to keep a large supply of frozen food between shops.
Consider it if: you need plenty of room for both fresh and frozen food in one appliance, and have enough space for it.
The trade-off: dimensions and energy consumption vary by model, so capacity alone won’t help you decide.
Consider it if: you regularly need more freezer space than the fridge freezers you can fit at home provide.
The trade-off: the second appliance needs a suitable space, particularly in terms of its climate class requirements.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen food storage | Compare the freezer capacity in litres with the amount you store after a shop, then check how easy the drawers are to access. The European Commission lists fridge and freezer capacities separately in its EPREL database. | If the freezer fills up before your next shop, freezer space becomes my top priority; around 33% of shoppers prioritise this storage. |
| Fresh-food capacity | Check the fridge compartment capacity in litres. UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average of 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to suit your household’s habits. | When I’m preparing a week’s meals with plenty of fresh ingredients, I want enough room to store everything without overloading the shelves; this is the top priority for around 27% of shoppers. |
| Installation | Measure the space, access route and door clearance; follow the clearances specified in the manual. If you’re buying a separate freezer, also check the room’s climate class suitability. | In a kitchen where every centimetre counts, I need to be able to install the appliance properly and open it fully; around 27% of shoppers rank this above other factors. |
| Energy use and noise | For models with similar capacities and usage, check the kWh/year and dB(A) figures on the energy label, which ADEME recommends using as a guide when choosing an appliance. | If energy use or noise could help me choose between two appliances that are big enough for my shopping, I check these details before deciding; around 13% of shoppers make them their top priority. |
A large fridge may have too little of its total capacity dedicated to frozen food. The European Commission’s EPREL database lists fresh-food and freezer capacities separately.
Think about what you store after a shop, then compare each requirement separately with the model’s stated capacities in litres.
A multi-door fridge freezer may fit in its space but not through a hallway, or there may not be enough room to open its doors. For example, LG lists the GML844PZ6F as 83.5 cm wide and 73.4 cm deep; these dimensions won’t apply to other models.
Before ordering, measure the delivery access, the space where the appliance will go and the clearance needed to open its doors.
LG says that insufficient ventilation can make it harder for heat to escape and reduce cooling performance.
Follow the clearances set out in the manual for the exact model you’re buying, rather than using measurements intended for another appliance.
The rating doesn’t replace checking annual energy consumption, noise and usable capacity, especially when the appliances you’re comparing have different capacities.
For models that meet the same storage needs, compare their kWh/year and dB(A) figures on the energy labels. ADEME recommends using the energy label as a guide when choosing an appliance.
These ranges give you examples of different styles. Your choice depends on the features of the specific model, not just the brand name.
Bosch fridge freezers combine fresh-food and freezer storage in one appliance. Bosch Home Appliances offers both freestanding and integrated models.
A multi-door model to consider if you want generous fresh-food and freezer capacity in a single appliance.
Its multi-door and side-by-side ranges are worth considering if your storage needs and available width justify a larger appliance.
These multi-door fridge freezers and fridge freezers let you compare fresh and frozen food storage in a single appliance. For your weekly shop, start by checking the space available in each compartment, then consider the appliance’s dimensions and usage details.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a multi-door appliance; compare the space in each compartment with your weekly shop.
Listed total capacity: 495 L; energy rating: E. Measure the space needed for the appliance, ventilation and door clearance. If you plan to use the water and ice dispenser, check its configuration too.
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Consider this fridge freezer if you want fresh-food and freezer storage in one appliance without opting for a multi-door model. If you buy a lot of frozen food, compare the freezer capacity with the amount you store after a shop before choosing it.
Listed total capacity: 282 L; energy rating: E. Check the installation clearances in the manual and the noise level on the model’s energy label.
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Worth considering if your kitchen is short on width, provided its 74 L freezer capacity is enough for your frozen food shopping.
The product name lists a 153 L fridge, a 74 L freezer, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door, Low Frost and an E energy rating. Also check the model’s height, depth, ventilation clearances and kWh/year.
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If you keep a large supply of frozen food, compare its 71 L freezer capacity with the contents of your weekly shop before choosing this fridge freezer.
The product name lists 182 L of fridge space, 71 L of freezer space, No Frost and a noise level of 39 dB. Check the noise level on the label, along with the full dimensions, clearances and annual energy consumption for the model.
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This four-door model is worth considering if you want one appliance for both fresh and frozen food. To check whether it has enough freezer space, look at the freezer capacity rather than focusing on the total capacity.
The product name lists a total capacity of 474 L, a silver finish and an E energy rating. Check the capacity of each compartment, kWh/year and ventilation clearances for the model before deciding.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average starting point of 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this guide to suit your cooking habits and the time between shops. It applies to fresh-food storage, not the capacity you’ll need for frozen food.
It may be suitable if you only buy a few frozen items from time to time. If you need to store a larger amount, compare the capacity of a fridge freezer, multi-door model or separate freezer. Check the freezer capacity in litres and the compartment layout against your usual shopping.
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for the model you choose; there isn’t one measurement that applies to every style. LG says that insufficient space can make it harder for heat to escape and affect cooling. Measure the space before you buy.
Compare the kWh/year and noise figures on the energy labels of models that can hold similar amounts of fresh and frozen food. ADEME recommends using the energy label to help you choose. You can also look up information on models registered in EPREL through the European Commission.
The Ministry for Ecological Transition says you can take it to a collection point or recycling centre, return it to a retailer, or give it to a social and solidarity economy organisation. If you’re expecting your old appliance to be taken away when you buy a similar one, confirm the arrangements with the retailer before delivery.