To store both fresh ingredients and prepared portions, start by considering how much space you need in each compartment. A fridge-freezer combines both uses in one appliance. A small freezer compartment is better suited to occasional freezing; if your prepared portions make up a regular stock that’s too large for the fridge-freezer you’re considering, a separate freezer could be a good fit – provided you have room for a second appliance.
If you keep fresh ingredients as well as freezing meals in portions, compare the space available for each and how easy it is to reach your containers. The room you have in your kitchen matters just as much as the stated capacity.
A larger-capacity fridge-freezer or an additional freezer could suit your needs. Check the capacity of each compartment, the external dimensions and the noise level of every model you’re considering.
If keeping food chilled is your main priority and you only freeze a few portions now and then, a fridge with a freezer compartment may be enough. Check how much space is actually available for frozen food.
Worth considering: you regularly need space for fresh and frozen food, but want both in one appliance.
The trade-off: a high total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough freezer space for your portions.
Worth considering: you mainly store fresh food and only freeze a few portions occasionally.
The trade-off: if you prepare several batches at once, check that the compartment can actually fit your containers.
Worth considering: your prepared portions and frozen shopping make up a regular stock that needs dedicated space.
The trade-off: you’ll need to make room for a second appliance and account for its electricity use.
| What to consider | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh and frozen food | Compare the capacity of each compartment separately, then look at the layout of the drawers, bins and shelves. Check that your containers will fit and be easy to reach. | I want to store the week’s ingredients without having to move all my frozen portions to get one out. |
| Temperature control | For the exact model, look for independent tests of temperature settings and stability, if available. Que Choisir’s test protocol, for example, measures the effectiveness of the recommended setting at an ambient temperature of 23 °C. | When I add groceries or prepared meals, I’d like to be able to judge how the model performs based on more than just its advertised features. |
| Size and noise | Note the height, width and depth, as well as the clearance required. Compare the noise level in dB of the models you’ve shortlisted, and check delivery access and door-opening space. | My kitchen is open-plan, or space is limited: the appliance needs to fit, and its noise level matters to me. |
| Energy use | Compare the energy information for models with a suitable capacity. In France, the Ministry for Ecological Transition describes an energy rating scale from A to G; if you’re considering a separate freezer, remember to factor in the second appliance too. | I want to choose a capacity I’ll actually use and consider the energy consumption of the appliances that will stay plugged in. |
| Ice build-up and maintenance | Check whether the model lists NoFrost, Total No Frost or Low Frost, then read its care instructions. This feature alone doesn’t tell you how much storage space is available. | I open the freezer often to take out or add portions, so I want to know what maintenance the model I choose will need. |
A high stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much room is set aside for frozen portions or whether the drawers will fit your containers.
Compare the fresh and freezer capacities separately, then check the shape and accessibility of the storage in the model.
According to Whirlpool, its Total No Frost function prevents ice from forming inside the compartments of certain models. This feature doesn’t tell you how much room there is for portions or how noisy the appliance is.
Consider the maintenance features alongside the capacity, dimensions and other specifications of the exact model.
The capacity in litres won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit through the delivery access, whether its doors will open or whether its noise level will suit your open-plan kitchen.
Measure the space and access routes, then compare the dimensions and stated dB levels for each model you’ve shortlisted.
If you’re replacing a fridge, arrange for the old one to be removed when the new one arrives so it doesn’t get in the way of the space you’ve set aside.
Ask the retailer how to arrange for your old appliance to be taken away at delivery.
These ranges give you examples of configurations to compare; specifications vary by model.
Bosch offers fridge-freezers that combine refrigeration and freezing, including freestanding and built-in models.
A brand worth looking at if the dimensions and noise level of a fridge-freezer will determine where it can go in your kitchen.
Whirlpool offers fridge-freezers with No Frost features to consider if freezer maintenance is an important factor in your choice.
Haier’s range of separate freezers may suit households that regularly build up a stock of frozen portions.
These models combine refrigeration and freezing in one appliance. Focus on the space available for portions, the layout and installation requirements. This selection doesn’t replace the choice between a fridge-freezer, a small freezer compartment and a separate freezer.
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This four-door fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want to store fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance. The product listing states a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check how the capacity is divided, how much room there is in the drawers and what clearance is needed for installation.
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This three-door model is worth considering if you want to keep fresh groceries separate from portions for the freezer. The product listing states a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Before choosing, compare the capacity of each compartment and check that the drawers suit your containers.
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This built-in fridge-freezer is designed for kitchens with a compatible housing unit. The product listing states a total capacity of 249 L, TwinTech No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the niche dimensions and door system, then confirm the capacity of each compartment before working out how much room there is for your portions.
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With its bottom-freezer layout, this model is worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance. The product listing states a total capacity of 282 L and an energy rating of E. Compare the actual freezer capacity, dimensions and noise level with what will suit your space.
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This fridge-freezer is worth considering if space is limited and you freeze a modest number of portions. The product listing states 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, as well as Low Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the installation clearances and maintenance requirements: Low Frost doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it.
Compare the energy ratings of models with the capacity you need, while also considering their storage space, noise levels and dimensions. In France, the Ministry for Ecological Transition describes a scale from A to G based on the amount of energy used.
No. Start by choosing a capacity and storage layout that suit your portions. According to Whirlpool, its Total No Frost function prevents ice from forming inside the compartments of the models that include it; it doesn’t tell you how much room the drawers offer for your containers.
Check the model’s height, width and depth, then measure the space, delivery access and clearance needed to open the doors. The capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit in your kitchen.