Start by assessing your fresh and frozen food needs separately, then compare kWh/year between appliances with similar capacities, types and uses: an A to G rating alone is not enough to judge the running cost of an appliance that is too large. A fridge freezer is suitable when both compartments are used regularly; a single-door fridge, chest freezer or upright freezer should mainly be chosen according to your actual storage needs, available space and the temperature of the room where it will be installed.
Compare kWh/year, usable capacity, noise and storage type rather than relying on an old label or the class letter alone. The European Commission specifies that the current energy label for refrigeration appliances uses a scale from A to G.
If you mainly store fresh food, a large freezer may be unnecessary. Gifam suggests less than 250 L of refrigeration capacity for one person, to be adjusted according to your shopping habits and prepared meals.
When frozen storage is important, choose the format and capacity you need separately: a fridge freezer, upright freezer or chest freezer may be suitable depending on the access you want and the temperature of the room where it will be installed.
Compare appliances designed for the same use before looking at convenience features. The information on the energy label can help you compare annual consumption, capacity and noise levels.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Comparable energy consumption | Compare kWh/year, refrigeration and freezing capacity in litres, format and noise. The EU label shows these details alongside the A to G rating. | I want to estimate the running cost of appliances offering similar capacity and functions, without confusing an energy rating with my household’s actual consumption. |
| Suitable capacity | Assess fresh and frozen capacity separately. Gifam suggests less than 250 L of refrigeration capacity for one person, 250 to 330 L for two to three people and more than 330 L for four or more people. | My shopping habits, prepared meals and frozen-food supplies should determine the capacity. I would rather not pay for space that will rarely be used. |
| Frozen-food organisation | Check how easily you can access food, the drawers or baskets, the amount of space required and the total capacity. Then compare kWh/year between specific models. | I want to find everyday foods easily, or alternatively store bulky products and large supplies in a suitable space. |
| Maintenance and installation | Check the type of frost management, climate class, permitted ambient temperature and required ventilation clearances. | A No Frost or Low Frost system may be useful if defrosting is a chore. For a garage or cold utility room, I check the conditions specified for the exact model. |
Two appliances with different capacities or formats can show very different annual consumption figures and storage capacities. The rating does not replace checking the kWh/year and litre figures.
Compare the kWh/year, fresh capacity, frozen capacity and noise levels of models that meet the same storage needs side by side.
An oversized appliance can take up more space and provide capacity that does not match the food you actually store.
List your fresh and frozen food needs separately; use the litre guidelines as a starting point, then adjust them to your shopping and meal habits.
Whether an appliance is suitable for a cold room depends on the model. A stated operating temperature cannot be assumed to apply to another appliance.
Check the climate class, the stated minimum ambient temperature and the manufacturer’s instructions before choosing where to install it.
No Frost, Low Frost and similar technologies can make maintenance easier, but they are not enough to compare the annual consumption of two appliances.
Choose the cooling technology according to how much defrosting you are prepared to do, then compare models by their kWh/year and usable capacity.
Worth considering for a large freestanding fridge freezer when your household needs fresh and frozen storage in one appliance.
Worth considering for a very large chest freezer, particularly if the appliance will be installed in a cold room under verified conditions.
Worth looking at for fridge freezers suited to smaller kitchens, or ranges featuring frost and temperature management functions.
Worth considering for an upright freezer when drawer organisation matters, with a choice of Low Frost or No Frost depending on the maintenance you prefer.
These Joybuy options include fridge freezers, a single-door fridge and a chest freezer, allowing you to compare fresh-food storage, frozen-food storage and stated energy consumption information.
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This fridge freezer combines fresh and frozen compartments for everyday use.
Stated specifications: 169 kWh/year, 183 L of refrigeration capacity, 37 L fresh-food compartment, 113 L of freezing capacity and 34 dB.
Stated to feature Total No Frost. Check that the fresh-food capacity suits your shopping habits and allow at least 5 cm of clearance at the back, above and on the sides.
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This fridge freezer is suitable for households that regularly use both fresh and frozen food.
Stated specifications: 264 kWh/year, 276 L of refrigeration capacity, 114 L of freezing capacity and 35 dB.
Check the 203 cm height, delivery access and ensure that the ambient installation temperature will not fall below 10 °C.
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This compact fridge freezer may suit a small household that needs both compartments.
Stated specifications: 215 kWh/year, 187 L of refrigeration capacity, 75 L of freezing capacity and 39 dB; width of 54 cm.
The Low Frost system requires manual defrosting. Its stated operating range is 16 to 38 °C, which rules out use in a cold outbuilding.
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This fridge without a freezer is designed for very limited fresh-food needs, with few or no frozen foods.
Stated specifications: 82 L, 84 kWh/year and 40 dB.
It is not suitable for regularly storing frozen food or batch cooking; compare its 84 kWh/year with fridges offering a similar fresh-food capacity.
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This chest freezer is suitable for storing large quantities of frozen food or bulky items.
Stated specifications: 291 L, 226 kWh/year, 38 dB, removable basket and five-level digital control.
The top-opening design requires clear space above; allow 10 cm of ventilation around the appliance and check the installation conditions before placing it in a cold garage.
Compare kWh/year alongside fresh and frozen capacities, appliance type and noise level. The European Commission states that the A to G label is useful, but it does not replace comparing annual consumption when capacities or formats differ.
No. This is annual consumption measured under standardised conditions to compare models. To estimate the cost, multiply the stated kWh/year by your price per kWh including VAT, bearing in mind that actual use also depends on the surroundings, door openings, how full the appliance is and its installation.
Gifam suggests less than 250 L of refrigeration capacity for one person, 250 to 330 L for two to three people and more than 330 L for four or more people. Adjust this starting point if you stock up for long periods, often have guests, cook infrequently or mainly store frozen food.
Only if the climate class or the model documentation confirms the expected ambient temperatures. For example, Liebherr states that its CFe 2500 Pure with FrostProtect operates down to -15 °C; this feature should not be assumed to apply to another freezer.
No. These technologies are primarily designed to limit frost and maintenance; on their own, they do not prove that one appliance will use less energy than another. Always compare the kWh/year, capacities and rating of the exact model.