When planning your meals, first decide how much space you need for fresh food and frozen portions, then check that leftovers are easy to see and reach. A fridge freezer suits you if you regularly need both compartments; a small freezer compartment is better for occasional freezing, while a separate freezer means you need extra storage space, room for another appliance and an appliance that runs continuously. Compare the capacity of each compartment and annual kWh consumption, not just the energy rating.
If you keep fresh ingredients and freeze portions, consider the available space in each compartment separately. The energy label, as presented by the European Commission, shows these capacities; the layout should also work for your containers.
If opened products disappear at the back of the shelves, easy access and visibility may matter more than a larger overall capacity. ADEME recommends checking what you have before shopping and regularly organising your fridge.
If you’re considering an additional appliance, check its annual energy consumption against the capacity you need. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously; the European Commission says the label also shows capacity and noise levels.
Consider this if: you regularly keep fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: for a similar-sized appliance, the space given to the freezer is no longer available for fresh food.
Consider this if: refrigeration is your main priority and you only freeze food occasionally.
Bear in mind: the compartment may feel restrictive if you regularly prepare portions to freeze.
Consider this if: your usual meals and shopping require more frozen storage than you currently have.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for a second appliance and should factor in its own annual energy consumption, as cold appliances run continuously, as ADEME reminds us.
To compare these options, start with what you buy and the containers you use, rather than the number of people in your household alone. Capacity, annual energy consumption and noise are among the details shown on the energy label described by the European Commission.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh and frozen food | Compare the net capacity of each compartment with your usual containers and portions, then check the appliance dimensions. | When my meals include both fresh ingredients and portions to freeze, I want enough room for both without sacrificing space for chilled leftovers; around 31% of consumers rank this balance as their top priority. |
| How easy it is to see what you have | Check how easy it is to reach the shelves, drawers and products at the back, as well as whether there’s room for your containers. | If I forget about opened products behind newer shopping, I look for storage that makes them easier to spot; visibility is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Energy consumption and noise | Check the annual kWh consumption, capacity and noise level on the label of each appliance you’re considering. | With an appliance that runs continuously, I want to weigh its energy use against the space it offers; around 23% of consumers prioritise this trade-off. |
| Temperature settings and maintenance | Check the temperature settings and defrosting type for each compartment in the product details and manual. | When I store chilled leftovers and use the freezer often, I mainly want to control the temperature and know what maintenance is needed; around 15% of consumers make this their top criterion. |
The same total capacity can leave too little room for frozen portions or fresh ingredients. The European Commission says the energy label lists the capacity of each compartment separately.
Take stock of what you need for a typical meal-planning cycle, then compare the net capacities and layout with what you actually store.
The letter alone doesn’t tell you how much an appliance uses over a year or how much it holds. The European energy label also shows annual kWh consumption, capacity and noise levels.
Compare these details together, and check the label for the freezer itself if you’re considering a second appliance.
Cooling and defrosting systems vary between models: Electrolux, for example, offers a TwinTech No Frost fridge freezer and another model with a Low Frost freezer that requires manual defrosting.
Check the features of each compartment in the details and manual for the exact model, along with its installation dimensions.
Easy-to-reach shelves help you keep track of food, but they’re no substitute for checking what you have, as ADEME recommends, or setting the right temperature. Anses advises setting your fridge below 4 °C.
Get into the habit of checking your supplies before shopping, and check the appliance’s actual temperature, following the manual and the instructions on food packaging.
The range includes fridges and fridge freezers, with layouts that vary from model to model.
Depending on the model, the brand’s fridge freezers and fridges feature EasyFresh or NoFrost functions.
The range includes integrated fridge freezers, with cooling configurations that vary by model.
The brand’s built-in fridge freezers have different cooling systems and maintenance requirements.
These Joybuy models combine refrigeration and freezing in a single appliance. For meal planning and leftovers, compare the capacity of each compartment, the layout and the dimensions. If you’re considering a small freezer compartment or a separate freezer instead, make the same checks for that configuration.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance.
The model name lists a total capacity of 440 L and a D energy rating; compare the capacity of each compartment with your needs.
Before installation, check the dimensions, door opening and required ventilation clearances.
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The four-door design may suit you if you want to divide fresh shopping and frozen portions between several zones.
The model name lists a capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost, an E energy rating and a silver finish; check the net capacity of each zone before choosing.
Also check the appliance’s width and the route to its intended position.
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Consider this fridge freezer if you want to store fresh food and frozen portions together without adding a second appliance.
The model name lists a total capacity of 344 L and an E energy rating; check the space in each compartment and the interior layout.
Measure the space and check the ventilation clearances specified in the manual.
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This configuration is designed for those who need a fridge freezer to fit into a kitchen cabinet space.
The model name lists TwinTech No Frost and an E energy rating. Confirm the net capacity of each compartment before assessing the available space: the listed individual capacities don’t add up to the stated total.
Also check the annual energy consumption on the energy label and the cabinet dimensions in the installation instructions.
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The four-door design is worth considering if you want to separate different types of food in your everyday storage.
The model name lists a capacity of 474 L, a Vario box, a three-temperature crisper drawer and an E energy rating; check that the layout works with your containers.
Check the net capacity for fresh and frozen food, the annual kWh consumption on the energy label and the dimensions before deciding.
Compare the annual kWh consumption, taking into account how much fresh and frozen storage you need. According to the European Commission, the energy label also shows storage capacity and noise levels, so the A to G rating doesn’t tell you everything. This is especially important if the appliances have different capacities.
For a domestic refrigeration appliance covered by European energy labelling, check the energy rating, annual energy consumption, capacity and noise level. The European Commission lists this information for fridges and freezers; check the label for the exact model and for any separate freezer you’re considering.
Anses advises setting your fridge below 4 °C. Check the actual temperature with a thermometer, and also follow the storage instructions on food packaging and in the appliance manual.
No. A commercial warranty is separate from the statutory guarantee of conformity. In France, the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control says you have two years to claim under this statutory guarantee for a new or second-hand item bought from a professional seller. Check the terms of any extended warranty separately.