Start by separating the food you want to keep chilled from the portions intended for freezing, then compare the usable capacity of each compartment. A fridge-freezer is ideal for combining both uses in one appliance. An upright or chest freezer becomes worthwhile when your frozen stock consistently exceeds the available capacity, balancing accessibility, space and annual energy consumption.
You regularly prepare meals or ingredients in advance and need to work out whether your main requirement is chilled storage, frozen storage or both. Fridge capacity does not automatically correspond to freezer capacity: Anses and Gifam recommend considering these uses separately.
An upright or chest freezer can solve an ongoing capacity problem, provided you have enough space, the room’s climate class is suitable and the running costs of an additional appliance are acceptable. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers operate continuously.
Prioritise the right balance between the compartments you will genuinely use and the space available. A small freezer compartment is only suitable when you freeze very little, according to Gifam’s guidance.
Start by comparing your actual stock over a typical week, then check the organisation, installation requirements and energy consumption of the exact model.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity split | Compare the usable litres of the fridge and freezer separately. Also check the drawers, compartments or open space according to how often you need to access your portions. | I want to store fresh ingredients, containers and a typical week’s frozen portions, without relying on the total capacity alone. |
| Heavy use | Look for information on temperature stability, recovery after loading, freezing capacity, alarms and power-failure storage time. UFC-Que Choisir assesses daily additions, frequent door opening and freezing in particular. | I regularly add meals or ingredients and want to store them properly while keeping the appliance’s operating conditions in mind. |
| Electricity and installation | Check the kWh/year, energy rating, dimensions and climate class. Compare appliances with similar functions and capacity; ADEME states that size and unnecessary extra capacity can increase your bill. | I want an appliance suited to the intended room and my actual stock, without unnecessarily adding equipment that runs continuously. |
| Cold storage organisation | Check the temperature setting, air circulation and storage options without overloading the appliance. Anses recommends 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. | I want to organise cooked meals and perishable food without overcrowding the fridge or obstructing the circulation of cold air. |
Fridges and freezers operate continuously. ADEME highlights that size and unnecessary extra capacity can increase your electricity bill.
Track your chilled volume, frozen volume and periods of overcrowding for several weeks, then compare usable capacity, dimensions and kWh/year before adding another appliance.
An appliance may advertise a large total capacity while offering little freezer space, or the other way round. The split between the two compartments determines how useful it will be every day.
Compare the fridge and freezer litres separately with the contents of a representative week.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a chest freezer generally takes up more floor space than an upright freezer, and its operation depends on the temperature range permitted by its climate class.
Measure the width, depth, access routes and lid-opening area, then check the model’s climate class and the temperatures expected in the room.
A large appliance alone does not guarantee good food storage if the fridge is too full or incorrectly set. Anses recommends monitoring the coldest area and avoiding overloading the appliance.
Choose a format you can organise easily, check the temperature and follow Anses guidance on storage and defrosting.
An example of a large-capacity freestanding fridge-freezer range, with chilled and frozen capacities listed separately on the brand’s French website.
A range that includes built-in freezers, with Low Frost or No Frost options and energy-label information.
A range covering chest freezers and fridge-freezers, useful when comparing a large frozen stock with a mixed fresh-and-frozen storage requirement.
Joybuy options for storing fresh and frozen meals in one fridge-freezer, or increasing frozen-food storage with an upright or chest freezer.
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A fridge-freezer that combines fresh and frozen food storage in a single appliance.
187 L of fridge space and 75 L of freezer space; three drawers, a stated freezing capacity of 3.5 kg/24 h, 215 kWh/year and energy class E.
The stated ambient temperature range is 16 to 38 °C. If you regularly freeze portions, compare the 75 L of freezer space with your weekly inventory.
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A compact option for a combination of fresh and frozen storage.
153 L of fridge space, 74 L of freezer space, 54 cm width, four-star compartment, reversible door and energy class E.
Check the kWh/year and climate class on the energy label, as well as the conditions in the intended room.
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A dedicated upright freezer for frozen food when the freezer compartment of your fridge-freezer remains consistently full.
161 L of freezer space, three drawers, two shelves, Fast Freeze function, alarm and energy class C.
This model does not add any fridge capacity. Check the dimensions, kWh/year, noise level and climate class before choosing where to place it.
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An additional chest freezer for frozen portions, without adding fridge capacity.
99 L, stated freezing capacity of 4.5 kg/24 h, removable basket, castors and four-star rating.
Defrosting is manual when the frost exceeds 5 mm, according to the product details. Check the kWh/year and climate class for the installation room.
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A large-capacity fridge-freezer for households storing plenty of ingredients and meals in one appliance.
Stated total net capacity of 444 L, Total No Frost, rapid cooling, 289 kWh/year, energy class E and SN-T climate range from 10 to 43 °C.
Before buying, check the split between fridge and freezer space, the external dimensions, door clearance and delivery access.
There is no universal capacity for meal preparation. Gifam provides general guidance on fridge capacity according to household size, while pointing out that freezer capacity depends on your lifestyle: make a note of your portions, fresh ingredients, containers and existing stock, then compare the usable litres of each compartment.
Yes, but only if you freeze food rarely and in small quantities. Table-top models and some single-door fridges may offer only a small freezer compartment: check the freezer capacity and stated freezing capacity for the exact reference before planning to store several portions.
Choose an upright freezer if easy access, drawers and separating portions are your priorities. A chest freezer is better suited to storing large quantities in an appropriate room; UFC-Que Choisir states that it can hold up to 600 L, but requires more floor space and careful organisation to reach food at the bottom.
Check the energy class, annual consumption in kWh, usable compartment capacities and noise level. Above all, compare appliances with similar functions, formats and capacities: a larger appliance may use more energy while meeting a different storage requirement.
Anses recommends 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. Store cooked meals and perishable food there, avoid overloading the appliance and follow the relevant storage and defrosting instructions for each food.