When choosing a fridge for a studio flat, first make sure it fits the space, with the door open and the clearances specified in the manual. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. A small model without a freezer may be enough if you mainly buy fresh food, while regular frozen food shopping makes it worth checking the capacity of a separate freezer compartment. A built-in model is only an option if it’s compatible with the existing cabinet space and installation requirements.
Your need for freezer space and the layout of your kitchen will help determine the right format before you choose a model.
A small fridge without a freezer may be suitable if frozen food isn’t part of your regular shop. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person; adjust this according to how often you shop.
It’s worth comparing models with a separate freezer compartment against the space available. Check its capacity, as well as the appliance’s height, stated noise level and defrosting requirements.
With a built-in model, check the dimensions of the cabinet space, ventilation, hinges and door-panel fixing. The appliance’s width alone isn’t enough to establish whether it will fit.
Start with your shopping habits and need for freezer space, then compare suitable formats with your room measurements and installation requirements.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh food capacity | Compare the fridge’s usable capacity with your shopping needs. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L for one person; make sure you distinguish this from the freezer capacity. | If I shop little and often, I may not need as much fridge space as I would if I cooked several days’ meals in advance. |
| Freezer space | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment, its usable capacity and the specifications on the product page. A table-top fridge without a freezer, such as the Beko TSE1504FN featured by Beko, can’t store frozen food. | Do I regularly buy frozen food, or is fridge space more important to me? |
| Size | Measure the height, width and depth, the space needed to open the door, and the delivery route. Follow the clearances in the manual; Bosch recommends leaving 5 to 10 cm around and behind the mini fridges covered in its guide. | I want to be able to open the door and use the drawers without blocking the way, even if the appliance fits into the space with the door closed. |
| Installation | For a built-in model, check that the cabinet-space dimensions, hinge system, door panel and ventilation match the instructions for the exact model. | If my kitchen already has a cabinet space, I need to know what type of installation it supports before choosing a built-in appliance. |
| Everyday use | Compare dB(A), defrosting requirements and stated annual energy consumption across appliances of a similar format. The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you how noisy an appliance is or how much maintenance it needs. | If I sleep or work close to the fridge, its stated noise level and how often it needs defrosting matter too. |
An appliance may be narrow enough but still too tall or too deep; it also needs room for the door to open and for ventilation. For example, Candy lists the City Fresco 300 CNCQ2T518DW as measuring 545 × 602 × 1 825 mm.
Measure the space, delivery route and room needed with the door open, then compare them with the dimensions and clearances specified for your chosen model.
A model without a freezer can’t store frozen food. On the other hand, an appliance with a separate freezer compartment may be too tall to fit under a worktop.
Think about how much frozen food you keep at once, then check the freezer capacity and the appliance’s dimensions.
It doesn’t tell you how noisy the appliance is or how it needs to be defrosted. For example, Candy lists 41 dB(A) and manual defrosting for both compartments on the CDG1S514EW.
Also compare dB(A), the defrosting method, usable capacities and stated annual energy consumption across similar formats.
Your fridge needs to make it all the way to its final position. Delivery, installation if required, and collection of an old appliance all need to be arranged in advance.
Before ordering, check access to your home, the services on offer and the practical arrangements for collecting your old appliance with the retailer.
These models show some of the configurations you can compare; their specifications don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Bosch offers table-top and built-in models, making it possible to compare under-worktop options with the requirements of a fitted cabinet space.
The Candy models mentioned here are two examples of freestanding fridge-freezers with a relatively narrow width, though you’ll still need to check their height.
The Beko TSE1504FN is an example of a freestanding table-top fridge for everyday cooling, without a freezer compartment.
These two freestanding CHiQ fridge-freezers combine fridge space with a separate freezer compartment for anyone who keeps frozen food. They’re listed as 54 cm wide; check their other dimensions and the space needed for installation before choosing.
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This fridge-freezer is worth considering if you keep frozen food and have enough height. Its product page lists a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Check the space needed to open the door and the ventilation clearances; also make sure its capacity suits your shopping habits.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for separate compartments in a kitchen where width is limited. The model name indicates 153 L of fridge capacity, 74 L of freezer capacity, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and an energy rating of E. Check its height, depth, ventilation clearances and door opening space against your available space; according to the product page, the freezer needs to be defrosted manually.
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. Adjust this according to how often you shop and how much space your pre-prepared meals take up. If you buy frozen food, check the freezer capacity separately.
Only if it has a freezer compartment that suits your needs. The Beko TSE1504FN, which Beko describes as a table-top fridge without a freezer, doesn’t have one; check the compartment and its capacity on the model you’re considering.
Measure the height, width and depth of the space, the route into the kitchen and the room needed to open the door. Allow for the clearances specified in the manual too: Bosch recommends leaving 5 to 10 cm around and behind the mini fridges in its guide, but the instructions for your chosen model take priority.
Always check the manual for your appliance first. For the fridge-freezers covered by its installation instructions, Electrolux recommends waiting at least four hours before plugging them in and leaving space for air to circulate around the appliance. This guidance doesn’t replace the instructions from another manufacturer.
Anses recommends keeping food between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Monitor the temperature and avoid overfilling the appliance so that cold air can circulate.