If you live alone and shop regularly, a table-top fridge or small single-door model may be enough, provided its usable capacity and dimensions suit your kitchen. In a shared house where frozen food takes up a lot of space, compare the separate fridge and freezer capacities of a compact fridge freezer instead. If you’re replacing a built-in appliance, check the niche, door panel and ventilation first: a similar-sized appliance won’t necessarily be compatible.
If your kitchen and living area are combined, choose a capacity that suits your shopping habits, then measure the available space, including room for the door to open. The stated noise level and the clearance needed for ventilation also matter in this space.
If several people share the food shop and use the freezer regularly, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. A fridge freezer could meet your needs, provided its height and installation requirements suit your kitchen.
If you’re replacing a built-in fridge, measure the niche and check the door-panel fitting system and the ventilation requirements set out in the appliance manual and kitchen design. Total capacity alone won’t tell you whether a model can be installed.
Start with the available space and how much room you want for fresh and frozen food. In a fitted kitchen, confirm that the niche is compatible before comparing capacities.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and freezing | Compare the usable capacities of the fridge and freezer rather than looking at the total alone. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres for one person, which you can adjust to suit your shopping habits and how often you buy frozen food. | If I share my food shop or regularly stock frozen food, I want enough room in each compartment without taking up unnecessary kitchen space; around 29% of consumers would prioritise this capacity requirement. |
| Size | Measure the height, width and depth, then check the door swing and delivery route. Allow for the ventilation clearances specified in the manual. | In a narrow kitchenette, I need to be able to get the appliance in, open its door and still move around; available space would be the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Noise | Check the noise level and class on the energy label, then compare models with similar sizes and capacities. UFC-Que Choisir classifies fridges rated below 40 dB(A) among the quietest. | If my kitchen is close to where I sleep or work, I pay attention to everyday noise; around 24% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Fitting | For a built-in model, check the niche dimensions, door panel and ventilation system against the appliance manual. | If I’m replacing an appliance in a fitted kitchen, I want to avoid choosing a model that won’t fit the existing unit; around 18% of consumers would put this first. |
Two 85 cm-high Liebherr table-top fridges show why it pays to compare models carefully: the KTe551 is 55 cm wide and has a capacity of 111 litres, while the Rdi 1620 Plus is 60 cm wide and holds 141 litres, according to their manufacturer specifications.
Compare the overall dimensions and the space needed to open the door with your measurements at home, and don’t forget the required ventilation clearance.
A limited freezer capacity can restrict how much frozen food you can store, even if the fridge’s total capacity seems sufficient.
If frozen food is a regular part of your shop, check the compartment’s capacity and specifications. Compare them with those of a compact fridge freezer before deciding.
Bosch says that the fridges covered by its manual need clear space behind and beneath them for ventilation. A built-in niche may require a different arrangement, particularly around the plinth.
Follow the requirements for the specific model you choose rather than copying the clearances for another appliance.
Old fridges need to be disposed of through the appropriate route. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition notes that electrical equipment can contain substances or components that are hazardous to the environment.
Ask the retailer when you place your order how to arrange collection, and whether it can be done at the time of delivery if needed.
The brand’s freestanding table-top fridges are worth considering for a small kitchen. Beko lists the TSE1264FMGN as 54 cm wide, for example.
The specifications for its table-top fridges make it easy to compare models of the same height without assuming they’ll take up the same space.
Bosch’s installation guidance is useful when deciding between a built-under fridge and a freestanding appliance.
This selection includes a freestanding fridge freezer, two built-in models and a small single-door fridge. Start by considering what type of installation is possible and how much room you need for frozen food.
Image unavailable
For a small kitchen where you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate. The product listing states a 153 L fridge capacity, a 74 L freezer capacity, a width of 54 cm and a reversible door. Remember to measure the height and depth, check the door swing and allow for ventilation clearance.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for a fitted kitchen if the niche can accommodate this model. The product listing states a capacity of 252 L, No Frost and an energy rating of C. Before choosing, check the manual against the niche dimensions, door panel and ventilation requirements of the unit.
Image unavailable
For replacing a built-in appliance if you mainly need space for fresh food. This single-door model has a top-mounted freezer and an energy rating of E; check that it has enough room for your frozen food. The door panel is listed as not included, so confirm that it’s compatible and check the niche dimensions before ordering.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for a kitchenette if a small capacity is enough for your shopping. The product listing mentions a compact freezer compartment and a footprint of 0,22 m². At 92 L, its capacity is below UFC-Que Choisir’s suggested 100 to 150 L for one person. Check the capacity of each compartment and the full dimensions.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity for one person, plus 50 litres for each additional person. Use this as a starting point, then adjust it to suit how often you shop and how much space you need for frozen food.
Not if you plan to store more than it can hold on a regular basis. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between a substantial need for frozen food and the capacity of a small freezer compartment. Compare its capacity and specifications with those of a fridge freezer with a separate freezer section.
Compare the dimensions of the niche and appliance, the door swing, the door-panel fixing system and the ventilation requirements in the manual. Bosch specifies plinth ventilation for some built-under models, but you should check the installation requirements for the model you choose.
According to the European Commission, fridge energy labels show details including the energy efficiency class, energy consumption, storage capacities and noise emissions. Use this information to compare appliances that meet the same capacity and installation requirements.
Before ordering, ask the retailer what collection options are available, particularly if you’d like your old appliance collected at the time of delivery. If it can’t be collected then, find out about a suitable collection service for electrical equipment.