For a large household, start by working out how much usable space you need for fresh and frozen food, then check which style will fit and work in your kitchen. A fridge freezer is a good choice if space is limited; a multi-door or American-style model is worth considering if its layout and capacity suit your habits, provided you check the route into your home, the dimensions and the energy label. Separate fridge and freezer appliances let you choose the right size for each independently, but you’ll need space for both.
If you need to fit several days’ worth of shopping in your appliance, compare the usable capacity of each compartment rather than looking at the total capacity alone. UFC-Que Choisir suggests starting with the number of people in your household, then adjusting the capacity to suit your needs.
If you want to store prepared portions or lots of frozen food, freezer capacity, drawer size and how food is separated matter just as much as the space for fresh food.
Your storage needs must work with the available space, door clearance and delivery route. For large appliances, Samsung France recommends measuring doorways, lifts and hallways before you buy.
First, work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. Then check which styles will fit through your kitchen access points and compare the energy label details.
Consider it if: you want one appliance for fresh and frozen food, but the available width rules out a larger model.
Bear in mind: the space allocated to the freezer may not be enough for a household that freezes a lot, so check its capacity separately.
Consider it if: you want separate compartments in one appliance and food organisation is a priority.
Bear in mind: a wide model means you’ll need to check it can get through your home and that there’s enough room to open the doors.
Consider it if: you want a large appliance with two vertical doors and its layout and capacity suit your habits.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir notes that an American-style fridge freezer can be nearly 1 m wide. Depending on the model, a water dispenser may also add installation requirements.
Consider it if: you want to size your fridge and freezer independently and have space for both.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to check the installation route for both appliances and compare their energy and noise details separately.
| Criteria | What to check | Households this applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Usable fridge and freezer capacity, listed separately; how often you shop. | Between big shops, I want enough room for the whole family’s food, rather than choosing an appliance based on total capacity alone. Around 33% of consumers put sufficient usable capacity first. |
| Internal layout | Number and size of freezer drawers; arrangement of shelves and storage areas. | If I prepare portions to freeze, I need to be able to keep them separate from other frozen food and find them easily. Around 27% of consumers prioritise how fresh and frozen food is organised. |
| Installation | Packaged appliance dimensions and every access point; door clearance and type of water dispenser, if applicable. | A large appliance is no use if it won’t fit up the stairs or its doors can’t open in the kitchen. Around 20% of consumers put getting their chosen style into the home and installed ahead of other criteria. |
| Energy and noise | Energy rating, kWh/year and noise level for the exact model, compared with appliances of a similar capacity and usage. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to check the stated noise level and energy use before opting for even more capacity. Around 20% of consumers put these practical considerations first. |
A high total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room in the compartment your household uses most: frozen and fresh food need different spaces.
Compare the usable capacity of each compartment with your shopping and the food you prepare for freezing.
An appliance may fit in its final position but still be too large to get through a doorway or lift while packaged. You’ll also need to be able to open the doors once it’s in place.
Measure every access point, then check the packaged dimensions and required clearances in the model’s instructions.
If access is too restricted, you may need to rearrange the delivery or make changes to the access route.
A plumbed-in system and a water-tank system have different installation requirements. Some plumbed-in models also use a filter that needs replacing.
Check the type of dispenser on the exact model, whether it needs a water supply and the manufacturer’s maintenance guidance.
For the plumbed-in LG GSLC40SWPE, LG recommends replacing the filter every six months or every 760 l; this guidance doesn’t apply to all its models.
Comparing a large American-style model with a fridge freezer of a different capacity won’t show you how the style itself affects energy use.
Compare the energy rating, kWh/year and noise levels of models that genuinely meet the same storage needs.
These examples show configurations worth looking at. The features mentioned apply to the specific models listed, not every appliance from each brand.
The KFN96APEA multi-door model is an example of a single appliance with a bottom freezer.
The RH69CG895DS9 is an example of a large-capacity American-style side-by-side fridge freezer.
LG’s American-style fridge freezers include water dispensers with different installation requirements depending on the model.
The range presented by Liebherr lets you consider a fridge freezer, a separate freezer or a side-by-side set-up.
These Joybuy models let you compare a fridge freezer with multi-door models for family food storage. For each one, check the space available for frozen food against your kitchen dimensions before choosing a style.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want to organise the family shop across several compartments in one appliance. The model name indicates four doors, 467 l total capacity, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately, as well as the route into your home.
Image unavailable
Consider this if you’re looking for one appliance for fresh and frozen food, without opting for the total capacity of the multi-door models featured here. The model name indicates 360 l, three doors, Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check that the freezer capacity suits the food you prepare and freeze.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want a large total capacity with storage organised into zones. The model name indicates four doors, 474 l, Vario Box and Flip Tray. Before choosing, check how the capacity is split between the fridge and freezer, then review the energy, noise and installation details for the exact model.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 l for one person, then adding 50 l for each additional person. Adjust this as needed based on how often you shop and how much frozen food you store. Always compare the usable capacity of the two compartments separately.
Not necessarily: it depends on the model. LG offers Eau’tonome models that don’t need a water supply, while its GSLC40SWPE uses a plumbed-in system and a filter. Check the instructions for the model you’re considering before deciding where to put it.
Measure the space where the appliance will go and every doorway, hallway, staircase or lift along the route, taking the packaged dimensions into account. Also check the clearances specified in the instructions and make sure there’s enough room to open the doors.
Compare the energy rating, kWh/year and noise level of appliances with a similar capacity and usage. ADEME notes that large household appliances must display an energy label. For purchases from a retailer, France’s Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory for new, second-hand and refurbished goods; a commercial warranty does not replace it.