To go a week or longer between shops, choose your fridge and freezer capacities separately: a fridge freezer is suitable when your fresh and frozen food needs remain balanced, while a separate freezer becomes worthwhile if you keep a large frozen stock. Also measure the space available, door-opening clearance and the gaps specified in the instructions, then compare kWh/year, compartment capacities and noise levels between like-for-like appliances.
Make sure you have genuinely usable space for fresh food, with room for planned meals and bulk purchases. According to UFC-Que Choisir, the right capacity depends on the size and make-up of your household; the space needed for fresh food and frozen food should be assessed separately.
If you prepare meals in advance or regularly store frozen food, check the freezer compartment capacity first. UFC-Que Choisir says that a standard freezer can meet the needs of larger families when their frozen storage requirements exceed those of a fridge freezer.
Check the appliance or housing dimensions, door opening and ventilation. A larger model is only useful if it can be installed in line with the model’s instructions.
Start by working out how much storage you need for fresh and frozen food, then check that the appliance will fit your kitchen before comparing the energy use of models in the same size category.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity and layout | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. UFC-Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 l for one person, then adding around 50 l per additional person for the fridge compartment. | I want to keep fresh food until my next shop without sacrificing the space needed for portions and frozen food. A large total capacity does not guarantee that the freezer compartment will suit my usual stock levels. |
| Size and installation | Measure the height, width, depth, delivery access and door-opening clearance. Check the housing dimensions for a built-in model and the ventilation gaps specified in the instructions. | My appliance must fit into the kitchen, open without hitting a wall or unit, and retain the ventilation specified by the manufacturer. |
| Annual energy use | Compare kWh/year between models with similar capacities and dimensions, as well as their energy rating and noise level. The European Commission lists this information in EPREL for registered models. | As refrigeration runs continuously, I want to choose a suitable capacity without adding space or features that I will not genuinely use. |
| Cold-air circulation | Check the temperature controls, storage zones and air circulation. Anses recommends a temperature of between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point. | After a big shop, I want to be able to put food away without completely filling the fridge or blocking the flow of cold air. |
A fridge freezer may look spacious while leaving too little room for frozen food. Your fresh and frozen food requirements do not necessarily increase in the same proportions.
Note what you store immediately after shopping, then compare this split with the stated usable capacities of each compartment.
The gaps around the appliance help dissipate heat. Larger models can also cause problems in hallways, doorways and delivery access routes.
Measure the space, access routes, door-opening clearance and the gaps required in the instructions. For a freestanding model, Beko recommends at least 5 cm on each side and at the back; this guidance does not replace the instructions for your chosen model.
Insufficient ventilation can increase electricity consumption and put extra strain on the motor.
Fridges and freezers run continuously. ADEME points out that the size of the appliance and certain additional features can increase energy consumption.
Compare kWh/year between appliances with similar dimensions and capacities, and only choose water or ice features if they meet a regular need.
When cold air cannot circulate properly, storage becomes less even. Anses recommends not overfilling the fridge to help air circulate.
Leave some room for storage, use the appropriate zones and check that the coldest point remains between 0 and +4 °C.
Worth considering when comparing a compact built-in fridge with freezer compartment against larger formats, depending on your kitchen constraints.
A useful reference for households comparing freestanding and built-in models while taking account of the space genuinely available around the appliance.
Worth exploring for built-in fridge freezers with freshness compartments or substantial fridge capacity, when food organisation matters as much as overall space.
Joybuy options for less frequent shopping, including built-in and freestanding fridge freezers, as well as larger formats where space allows.
Image unavailable
A built-in fridge freezer for comparing fresh and frozen storage separately in a fitted kitchen.
176 l of fridge space and 76 l of freezer space; No Frost, Multi Air Flow, reversible door and stated consumption of 150 kWh/year.
Check the housing, ventilation, fixing method and door clearance before installation. Compare the 76 l freezer capacity with the amount of portions and frozen food you actually keep.
Image unavailable
A freestanding fridge freezer for a household that divides its shopping between fresh and frozen food in a compact kitchen.
187 l of fridge space, 75 l of freezer space, width of 54 cm, height of 176 cm, three freezer drawers and stated consumption of 215 kWh/year.
The Low Frost freezer requires manual defrosting approximately once or twice a year. Also check the ventilation gaps and suitability for an ambient temperature of 16 to 38 °C.
Image unavailable
A built-in fridge freezer for keeping fresh food and a supply of frozen items without installing two separate appliances.
186 l of fridge space and 62 l of freezer space; TwinTech Total No Frost, MultiFlow, three freezer drawers, reversible doors and sliding-hinge installation.
Check the model’s product page for its kWh/year consumption, housing dimensions, ventilation requirements and compatibility with your units. The 62 l freezer capacity should match the amount you usually store.
Image unavailable
A large side-by-side model to consider when both the total capacity and kitchen space are genuinely sufficient.
Stated total capacity of 444 l, Total No Frost, rapid cooling, energy rating E and stated consumption of 289 kWh/year.
Check the exact split between fridge and freezer, along with the width, depth, ventilation, door opening and delivery access.
Image unavailable
A four-door fridge freezer for households that need plenty of space and flexible fresh-food storage.
Stated total capacity of 474 l, dimensions of 838 × 653 × 1775 mm, Vario Box, a three-temperature vegetable drawer and flexible freezer drawers.
Compare the exact capacity of each compartment and check the energy label. Also check the opening of all four doors, ventilation gaps and delivery access.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 l for one person, then adding around 50 l per additional person. Increase this baseline if you keep lots of prepared meals, bulky fresh food or drinks, and assess your freezer needs separately.
A separate freezer becomes worthwhile when frozen food and frozen portions make up a substantial stock distinct from your fresh food. According to UFC-Que Choisir, standard freezers can be useful for larger families; then choose an upright or chest freezer based on the available floor space and how you organise your food.
Measure the height, width, depth, depth with the doors open, delivery access routes and the position of the socket. For a freestanding model, Beko recommends at least 5 cm on each side and at the back; for a built-in model, the housing dimensions and ventilation specified in the model’s instructions take priority.
Compare kWh/year, the usable capacity of each compartment, noise level and energy rating between like-for-like appliances. European regulations govern the labelling of refrigeration appliances, and the European Commission’s EPREL database brings together data for registered models.
No. It must meet a genuine need for capacity while remaining compatible with your kitchen and access routes. UFC-Que Choisir states that an American-style or multi-door model can offer around 400 l, compared with around 300 l for a standard fridge freezer, but its size and energy consumption should be compared with those of appliances offering a similar capacity.