Households doing a weekly shop
You need to balance the space allocated to fresh food, leftover containers and meals or purchases to be frozen. Guides from Gifam and UFC-Que Choisir recommend matching capacity to household size and shopping habits.
Which households is it for?
Small households that prioritise fresh food
An appliance focused on refrigeration may be suitable if frozen food is only an occasional purchase. In this case, the genuinely usable fresh-food capacity and the shelf layout matter more than the advertised total capacity.
Households whose freezer is often full
An additional appliance may be worth considering when prepared portions, bulk purchases or bulky products regularly exceed the capacity of your existing freezer, provided you have a suitable space for it.
Buying priorities
The right format depends on the balance between fresh food, freezing and available space, rather than total capacity alone.
Fridge only
Consider it: if meals are mainly based on fresh food and frozen products are uncommon.
Check: there is no genuine integrated freezing capacity for regular use.
Fridge freezer
Consider it: if you keep fresh food, leftovers and frozen products in one place.
Keep in mind: the total capacity is divided between the two compartments.
Additional freezer
Consider it: when your freezing needs consistently exceed those of your existing fridge freezer.
Constraints: you need a suitable space and convenient access to the food.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity split | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately in litres. Relate them to the number of people, shopping frequency and the proportion of frozen food. | I want enough space for meals and fresh food without allocating unnecessary capacity to the freezer. |
| Internal storage | Check the drawers, adjustable shelves, bins and door balconies against the usual dimensions of your containers and dishes. | After shopping, I want to find portions and leftovers easily without wasting space in impractical compartments. |
| Size and installation | Measure the width, height, depth, door opening and required clearances. For a freezer, also check the climate class. | My appliance must be easy to install and use comfortably in the kitchen, utility room or another suitable space. |
| Convenience features | Compare circulating air cooling, fan-assisted cooling or No Frost, alarms and dedicated compartments only after confirming the usable capacity. | I may look for less frost or easier storage, but these features cannot replace the right capacity. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Relying on total capacity without distinguishing fresh and frozen storage
A fridge freezer may show a generous capacity while leaving too little room for prepared meals or, conversely, for the frozen products your household uses.
Make a note of the capacity you need for fresh and frozen food separately, then check the internal layout of the exact model.
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Adding a freezer without confirming the available space
A chest freezer needs floor space and access from above; an installation outside the kitchen must also be suitable for the appliance’s climate class.
Measure the space, the clearance needed to open it and how you will access the food before choosing an upright or chest freezer.
An additional appliance runs continuously, so also check the delivery, installation and removal services offered by the seller.
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Choosing No Frost or a fresh-food compartment to increase capacity
Fan-assisted cooling, alarms and specialised compartments can make an appliance more convenient to use, but they do not add usable capacity.
Choose the right capacity and storage layout first, then compare convenience features between appliances with similar capacities.
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Confusing the statutory guarantee with a commercial extended warranty
A commercial warranty is optional and may partly overlap with rights that already apply when buying from a professional seller.
Ask for the extension’s terms in writing, compare them with the statutory guarantee of conformity, and keep your invoice, delivery note and warranty documents.
Assess the cost of any extended warranty separately from your statutory rights.
Brand guide
Bosch
Bosch’s range includes single-door fridges, fridge freezers, multi-door models and freezers, making it easier to compare several formats.
- On some models, Bosch lists VitaFresh compartments, No Frost or separate cooling circuits.
- Check the compartments included, their capacity and the dimensions of your chosen model: these features do not apply across the entire range.
Liebherr
Liebherr may be a useful reference for households looking for a fridge freezer with separate fresh and frozen capacities or dedicated fresh-food compartments.
- The brand offers BioFresh and NoFrost fridge freezers, among others; for the CBNsfc 5223, it states a total capacity of 320 L and a noise level of 35 dB.
- Claims about extended freshness are the brand’s own statements; check the usable capacity and budget for the specific model.
Beko
Beko offers fridges and fridge freezers that, depending on the model, may include generous capacity or a fresh-food compartment.
- The brand highlights AeroFlow, HarvestFresh and fresh-food compartments on selected models.
- Claims about food preservation or vitamins relate to specific conditions; check the equipment and capacity of the model.
Joybuy products
Joybuy fridge freezer options for keeping fresh food, leftovers and regular frozen items in one appliance.
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LG GBBSJ1CCSW 333 L fridge freezer, class C
For weekly shops, leftovers and regular freezer use in one appliance.
Stated capacities: 183 L fridge, 37 L cooling compartment and 113 L freezer; two salad drawers and LED lighting listed.
Confirm that the 37 L compartment is included in the usable fresh-food capacity for your meals, and allow at least 5 cm of clearance around the appliance.
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Samsung RB34C704DB1 344 L fridge freezer, class D
Suitable for households wanting to keep fresh food, prepared meals and frozen products in one appliance.
Stated capacities: 230 L fridge and 114 L freezer; three shelves, two fresh-food drawers and three freezer drawers listed.
Check the total depth and ventilation clearances before confirming its position.
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Samsung RB33B612EBN 344 L fridge freezer, class E
An option for organising fresh meals and frozen products with separate storage spaces.
Stated capacities: 230 L fridge and 114 L freezer; four shelves, a bottle rack, three door balconies and three freezer drawers listed.
Ventilation clearances are not specified: check them before installation.
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Samsung RL38C602CSA 390 L fridge freezer, class C
Worth considering if your household needs plenty of fresh-food space while retaining separate freezer capacity.
Stated capacities: 276 L fridge and 114 L freezer; five shelves, four door balconies, a salad drawer and three freezer drawers listed.
Its stated height of 203 cm means you must check the delivery route, overhead cupboards and clearance above the appliance.
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CHiQ JR263LGE 262 L fridge freezer, Low Frost
For a household with more modest fresh and frozen-food needs, in a 54 cm-wide format.
Stated capacities: 187 L fridge and 75 L freezer; three adjustable shelves, a full-width salad drawer and three freezer drawers listed.
The 75 L freezer may be limiting for bulk purchases; the product information states an N-ST climate class from 16 °C to 38 °C.
Frequently asked questions
How can I estimate the fridge capacity my household needs?
Start with the number of people, then adjust for shopping frequency, the space needed for leftovers and the proportion of frozen food. Gifam suggests under 250 L for one person, 250 to 330 L for 2 to 3 people and over 330 L for 4 or more people; UFC-Que Choisir also gives a guide of 100 to 150 L for one person, followed by 50 L for each additional person. Always check the actual split between fridge and freezer capacity.
When is a fridge freezer more suitable than a fridge on its own?
A fridge freezer is a good choice when you need to keep fresh food, leftovers and a regular quantity of frozen products in one appliance. If frozen food is rare, a single-door fridge may provide more fresh-food space; if freezing is important, check the actual capacity of the dedicated compartment.
Should I choose an upright or chest freezer?
Choose an upright freezer if you prioritise drawers and organising portions; a chest freezer is better suited to very large capacities and bulky food. Before buying, check the floor space, access to the contents and the climate class if the appliance is to be installed in a cellar, utility room or garage.
What should I look for on the energy label beyond the A to G rating?
Compare appliances of the same type by looking at the capacities in litres of the fridge and freezer compartments, annual consumption in kWh and the airborne acoustical noise emission class. The European Commission states that the EPREL database allows you to view and compare information for labelled products.
Does an extended warranty replace the statutory guarantee in France?
No. A commercial warranty is optional and is additional to statutory guarantees; it does not replace them. According to the DGCCRF, for a new or second-hand product bought from a professional seller, the period for requesting the statutory guarantee of conformity is two years.