For a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, start by working out how much space you need for your shopping, then check the fridge’s overall dimensions, ventilation clearances and stated noise level. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 l for one person. A table-top fridge could work if you don’t keep many frozen foods, while a model with a freezer compartment calls for a separate check of how much space is left for fresh food.
If you shop in small amounts, compare the usable capacity with your habits rather than simply choosing the shortest appliance. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 l as a starting point for one person and describes the table-top format as suitable for studio flats.
If the fridge is near your bed, sofa or desk, compare the stated noise levels of the exact models you’re considering. Que Choisir classes appliances rated below 40 dBA among the quietest, but that doesn’t guarantee you won’t hear them running at home.
An integrated compartment means you don’t need a second appliance for a small amount of frozen food. However, check its type and capacity, as well as the space left for fresh food. Que Choisir points out that a simple freezer compartment won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
First decide whether you need an integrated freezer; then compare the available space and noise level of each model, whatever its format.
Worth considering: if you buy a small amount of food and don’t need to store frozen food.
The trade-off: check the product details for the model you’ve chosen to confirm there’s no compartment. Otherwise, you’ll need to do without frozen-food storage or have another appliance.
Worth considering: if you keep a small amount of frozen food and want to avoid having a separate freezer.
The trade-off: check the fridge capacity separately from the freezer capacity. The total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room is available for fresh food.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and dimensions | Compare the usable capacity for fresh food with Que Choisir’s suggested 100 to 150 l for one person. Also measure the height, width and depth, and allow enough room to open the door. | I want to put my shopping away without a low appliance taking up too much of the walkway or worktop space. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise levels in dB(A) on the product details for the exact models. Que Choisir suggests less than 40 dBA as a guide to the quietest appliances; a stated figure alone doesn’t tell you how noisy it will seem in your room. | The fridge will be near where I sleep, work or relax, so its operating cycles matter when I’m choosing. |
| Freezing | Check the type and capacity of the compartment, as well as the fridge capacity separately. Que Choisir says a simple freezer compartment won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. | I need enough room for a small amount of frozen food without taking up too much of the shelf space I use for fresh food. |
| Ventilation | Check the model’s manual for the required clearances and installation type. For its freestanding appliances, Whirlpool France specifies 5 cm above and 10 cm behind; these clearances don’t apply to every model. | I need to be able to fit the appliance in my kitchenette without blocking the ventilation required by its manufacturer. |
A low appliance can still be deep: the stated dimensions for the Liebherr Rdi 1620 Plus and KTe550 include a depth of 60,7 cm, before allowing for the necessary clearances around the appliance.
Measure the space and access route, then check the manual for the room needed for ventilation and to open the door.
The stated noise level helps you compare models, but it doesn’t guarantee that you won’t notice the fridge’s operating cycles in a quiet room.
For a living space, compare the dB(A) figures for each model. Que Choisir suggests values below 40 dBA as a guide to the quietest appliances.
Que Choisir says that a simple freezer compartment won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. An integrated compartment also takes up some of the appliance’s total capacity.
Think about how much you usually store, then check the compartment type and the separate capacities for fresh and frozen food.
Clearances allow heat to escape. For its freestanding fridges, Whirlpool France specifies 5 cm above and 10 cm behind; another model may have different requirements.
Follow the manual for the model you’ve chosen. For a built-in appliance, check the niche dimensions and the ventilation requirements specified for that model.
These specifications apply to the models listed, not to every fridge from each brand.
If you’re comparing table-top fridges for an open-plan kitchen, Liebherr France lists the Rdi 1620 Plus at 141 l and 34 dB, and the KTe550 at 125 l and 35 dB.
Bosch Electroménager France describes the KTL15NWEB as a freestanding table-top fridge with an integrated freezer compartment, 106 l of fridge capacity and a stated noise level of 39 dB.
Beko France describes the TSE1264FMGN as a 54 cm-wide freestanding table-top fridge with a 4-star compartment.
These two CHiQ models are fridge freezers for a kitchen where width is a key consideration. The first is shorter; the second needs more vertical space. Compare them with the space you actually have rather than with a table-top fridge.
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Worth a look if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a narrow kitchen: the product name lists 153 l for the fridge, 74 l for the freezer and a width of 54 cm. It also mentions a 4-star freezer compartment, Low Frost technology and a reversible door. Measure the overall height and depth, then check the clearances in the manual before deciding where to put it.
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Consider this model if a width of 54 cm suits your kitchen and you have enough height: the product name lists a height of 176 cm, a 70/30 split and Low Frost technology. Its total capacity of 262 l doesn’t show how much space is set aside for fresh food, so check the separate capacities, depth and ventilation clearances before choosing.
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 l of usable capacity as a starting point for one person. Adjust this to how often you shop and, if the appliance has a freezer, check the space available for fresh food separately.
Compare the stated dB(A) levels for the exact models. Que Choisir classes appliances rated below 40 dBA among the quietest, but this figure doesn’t guarantee that you won’t hear the fridge in your home.
First check the clearances in the model’s manual and allow enough room to open the door. Whirlpool France specifies 5 cm above and 10 cm behind for its freestanding appliances; these clearances don’t automatically apply to other models or built-in appliances.
It may suit you if you only need to store a small amount, depending on its type and capacity. If you eat a lot of frozen food, Que Choisir says a simple freezer compartment won’t be enough. In that case, compare a suitable freezer compartment or a fridge freezer, taking its overall size into account.