First, choose an appliance that will fit into your home and can be installed in line with its instructions. Then compare the capacity for fresh and frozen food separately. A table-top fridge is best suited to smaller spaces and limited freezing needs; a fridge freezer gives you a separate freezer compartment, while a multi-door model requires both sufficient storage needs and a kitchen that can accommodate its dimensions. Finally, check the noise level and energy consumption of your chosen model, rather than judging it by the number of doors alone.
If your kitchen is small and you shop often, start by checking the available space and how much capacity you really need. Que Choisir describes a table-top fridge as suitable for studio flats and suggests 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity for one person.
If you need to store more between shopping trips, work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. A fridge freezer gives you a separate freezer compartment. Compare its capacity with the fridge compartment rather than looking at the total capacity alone.
A multi-door fridge may suit your storage needs if your kitchen and delivery route can accommodate it. Measure the access points before choosing a larger model: extra capacity won’t solve the problem of a doorway that’s too narrow or not enough room to open the appliance.
Consider it: for a studio flat, or if you live alone, shop often and freeze very little.
Bear in mind: its limited capacity; a small freezer compartment inside the fridge may not be a substitute for a separate freezer.
Consider it: if shopping less often means you need a separate freezer compartment.
Bear in mind: two fridge freezers with the same total capacity may offer very different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food.
Consider it: if you need to store a large amount of fresh and frozen food and have a spacious kitchen.
Bear in mind: the greater width and more challenging delivery route; Que Choisir also notes that large American-style models use more energy than conventional fridges.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the space, the delivery route and the room needed to open the doors. For a kitchen unit, also check the dimensions, hinges and clearances specified for the model. | In a small kitchen or where access is narrow, I need to be able to get the appliance in and use it without the doors getting in the way; around 36% of consumers put this constraint first. |
| Space for fresh and frozen food | Compare the usable capacity of each compartment and the type of freezer with how often you shop. | If I shop less often or buy lots of frozen food, a large total capacity isn’t enough: I need sufficient freezer space. This comes ahead of other considerations for around 29% of consumers. |
| Household capacity needs | Check the capacity of each compartment, then make sure the dimensions of a larger model will suit your kitchen and delivery route. | If several people share a large stock of food, I want plenty of storage without choosing an appliance that won’t fit; around 21% of consumers make capacity their priority. |
| Noise, energy and maintenance | For models with a similar format and capacity, check the annual kWh consumption and noise level on the energy label. See whether No Frost applies to the compartment you’d like to avoid defrosting. | If the kitchen is near my living space, or defrosting is a chore, I check these features after working out how much space I need; they’re the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A spacious fridge may have a freezer that’s too small for all your frozen food. Que Choisir recommends taking into account how much frozen food you buy and how often you shop.
Compare the usable capacity of each compartment separately with the amount of food you usually store.
A multi-door fridge may fit in its final position but still not make it through the doors, corridors or lift. Samsung recommends checking the access route against the dimensions of the packaged appliance.
Check every access point and the manoeuvring space before ordering; ask for the package dimensions if necessary.
A blocked route may mean extra handling or another delivery.
Installation requirements vary. Beko’s instructions specify clearances for the model in question, while Bosch describes some appliances designed to sit against a wall or in a kitchen unit.
Read the instructions for the exact model before planning a built-in or wall-mounted installation.
The rating alone doesn’t tell you the annual energy consumption, the capacity of each compartment or the noise level. The European Commission notes that this information is also shown on the energy label.
Compare the full energy label for appliances with a similar capacity and format.
Freestanding and built-in fridge freezers to compare with your kitchen layout in mind.
Fridge freezers to consider if you’re looking for particular food storage features or a built-in installation.
Freestanding and built-in fridge freezers, some with dedicated fresh food compartments.
Multi-door fridges to consider if their generous storage capacity suits your available kitchen space.
This selection includes a built-in fridge freezer, freestanding fridge freezers and a multi-door model. Compare their format and capacity with your available space and how you like to store fresh and frozen food.
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Worth considering if your kitchen has a suitably sized unit and you need both fridge and freezer space in one appliance.
No Frost and energy rating C are listed for this model. Before buying, check the instructions for the dimensions of the kitchen unit, required clearances and door panel installation.
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Worth comparing if your household buys in bulk and has space for a large appliance.
Total No Frost and energy rating E are included in the model description. Check the delivery route and installation clearances before choosing this format.
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Worth considering if you shop less often and want a separate freezer in a freestanding appliance.
The model description lists Total No Frost, energy rating E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the package dimensions and installation instructions for your home.
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Worth comparing if you want separate compartments for fresh and frozen food in a fridge freezer with a bottom freezer.
Energy rating E and a stainless steel finish are listed in the model description. Measure the access route for delivery and follow the transport and installation guidance in the product information, which notes that it contains flammable R600a refrigerant.
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Worth considering for a small household that wants a separate freezer without choosing a high-capacity appliance.
The model description lists a height of 150 cm, a 70/30 split, Low Frost, a reversible door and energy rating E. Low Frost doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it: check the instructions for maintenance and the energy label to compare annual consumption.
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity for one person as a starting point, plus 50 litres for each additional person. Adjust this guide to how often you shop, and compare the freezer capacity separately if you store frozen food.
No. The dimensions, hinges and required clearances depend on the model. Beko’s instructions specify clearances for the appliance in question, while Bosch describes some models designed to sit against a wall or in a kitchen unit; always follow the instructions for your chosen model.
Measure the space where it will go, how far the appliance doors open and the whole delivery route, including doorways, corridors and lifts. Samsung recommends checking that the packaged appliance will fit through these access points.
For relevant household appliances in the European Union, compare the A to G rating, annual energy consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise level. The European Commission notes that the label’s QR code links to model information in EPREL; where possible, compare appliances with a similar format and capacity.
No. It’s mainly worth considering if you want to avoid manually defrosting the relevant compartment. Check which parts of your chosen model it applies to, then compare capacity, noise level and energy consumption too.