To choose a fridge, start with how many people will use it, what you’ll actually store and how much space you have. Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. A table-top fridge may suit someone who shops frequently and rarely freezes food. If several people regularly buy frozen food, compare the separate capacities of fridge-freezers instead. Before ordering, also check which way the door opens, the ventilation requirements and, for a built-in model, whether it fits your unit exactly.
You may need to fit several people’s shopping in the fridge at the same time. Start with the number of people, then check the space set aside for fresh and frozen food separately: a large total capacity doesn’t tell you how that space is divided. Que Choisir’s recommended capacity is a useful starting point, which you can adjust to suit your shopping habits.
If your kitchen is small, you shop frequently and don’t freeze much food, it’s worth comparing a compact model with a fridge-freezer. Check its usable capacity and whether it has a freezer compartment, rather than choosing based on its external dimensions alone.
A built-in fridge must fit the housing unit and its door system. Check the dimensions, door opening and ventilation instructions for the exact model. Electrolux reminds customers that air must be able to circulate around the appliance.
The right style depends first on what you need to store and where the appliance will go. It only makes sense to compare the features of two models once you’ve established what you need.
Worth considering : for one person in a small kitchen, if you shop frequently and don’t often buy frozen food.
The trade-off : there may not be enough room to store several people’s shopping at once.
Worth considering : if you mainly store fresh food and only freeze food occasionally.
The trade-off : according to Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment won’t meet the needs of anyone who eats a lot of frozen food.
Worth considering : if several people share the shopping and use the freezer regularly.
The trade-off : you’ll need space for the appliance and to open its door. And don’t assume that a large total capacity means there’s enough room in each compartment.
| What to consider | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the total capacity with the litres available in each compartment. Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. | If we store several people’s shopping at once, I need room for fresh food, drinks and leftovers—not just a particular total capacity. |
| Freezer space | Check whether the appliance has a freezer compartment or a separate freezer, and check its capacity. Look at the defrosting instructions for the specific model. | Do we regularly buy frozen food? If so, I want to know how much space is actually available for it. |
| Where it will go | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the access route and door clearance. For a built-in model, also check the housing unit, fitting system and ventilation instructions in the model’s manual. | I need to be able to open the door without blocking the units or getting in the way, and install the appliance in line with its instructions. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise level in dB(A). Que Choisir considers fridges below 40 dBA to be among the quietest, while noting that this figure alone can’t predict how noticeable the noise will be. | In a studio or open-plan kitchen, I’ll also look for product tests or detailed reviews that describe the model’s noise levels. |
| Energy use | Check the energy label recommended by ADEME and the model’s stated annual energy consumption. Where possible, compare appliances of a similar size and capacity. | The fridge will be running all the time, so I want to weigh its energy use against the capacity we actually need. |
Two appliances can divide their capacity differently between the fridge and freezer. If you regularly buy frozen food, an integrated freezer compartment won’t offer the same experience as a separate freezer.
Think about what everyone actually buys, then compare the capacity of each compartment.
An incompatible housing unit or door system could make installation impossible. The clearances you need will also depend on the manufacturer’s instructions.
Measure the housing unit’s height, width and depth, then check the fitting system, door opening, clearance and ventilation instructions for the exact model.
Que Choisir says that the stated noise level alone doesn’t tell you whether it will be disruptive in a living space. How noticeable it is also depends on the characteristics of the sound.
If the kitchen is near a sleeping area, use the stated noise level as an initial guide and, if possible, check product tests or detailed reviews of the model.
A small table-top fridge and a large fridge-freezer don’t offer the same amount of storage. So the energy rating letter alone won’t tell you whether the appliance is the right size for your home.
First decide on the style and capacity you need, then compare the energy labels and annual consumption of similar appliances.
These examples highlight the features to compare for each style. A particular model’s specifications don’t represent an entire brand.
The TSE1284N table-top fridge is one option to consider for a small kitchen.
The freestanding KGN33NSDB and KGV33VLEAS fridge-freezers show why it’s worth comparing the two compartments separately.
The built-in KNS3SE18S fridge-freezer shows why the installation information matters just as much as the capacity.
Whirlpool’s product information lets you compare a large single-door fridge with a large fridge-freezer.
These models are worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge-freezer with separate spaces for fresh and frozen food. If this style would take up too much room in a studio, start by checking your measurements and freezer needs before choosing one.
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If you share the shopping and store both fresh and frozen food, check that the way the 344 L is divided between the two compartments suits what you buy. Also measure the space available and the clearance needed to open the door.
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Its stated width of 54 cm could be useful in a narrow kitchen. The product name lists 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space, along with a reversible door and a Class E rating. Check the height, depth and door clearance before ordering too.
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This 467 L model, listed as Class E, is worth considering if several people store a large weekly shop. Measure the access route and the space needed to open all four doors. Also compare the fridge and freezer capacities with what you need.
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The bottom freezer makes it easy to consider fresh and frozen food storage separately. To decide whether this 282 L model suits a shared kitchen, check the capacity of each compartment, the dimensions, noise level and which way the door opens.
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If you’re sharing fridge and freezer space, compare how the 344 L is divided with what everyone buys. Check the full dimensions, especially the depth, as well as the noise level and annual energy consumption if these matter for where you plan to put it.
Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. That works out at 150 to 200 L for two people and 200 to 250 L for three. Adjust this starting point to suit what you actually store, and compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
A small freezer compartment may be fine if you only freeze a little food, but Que Choisir says it won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. If you regularly buy frozen food for your house share, look at the capacity of a separate freezer in a fridge-freezer.
No. Que Choisir recommends looking for a noise level below 40 dBA as a starting point when comparing the quietest fridges, but notes that the stated level alone can’t predict how noticeable the noise will be. If the appliance is near a sleeping area, look for product tests or detailed reviews of the model too.
Measure the height, width and depth of the housing unit, then check the fitting system, door opening and ventilation requirements for the model. For example, Electrolux specifies a housing unit size of 1780 × 560 × 550 mm for the KNS3SE18S. These measurements won’t apply to other built-in models.
First decide on the style and capacity you need, then compare similar appliances using their energy labels and stated annual consumption. ADEME describes the energy label as a tool to help you choose. An energy rating on its own won’t tell you whether two appliances offer the same amount of storage.