People replacing an appliance
You’re looking for a capacity that suits your everyday needs without adding unnecessary appliances. ADEME points out that a fridge runs continuously, and that its size and features can affect its energy consumption.
Who is this choice for ?
People who shop frequently
If you only store a small amount of food at a time, a mini fridge may be enough. However, check how much frozen food you need to store before choosing a model with a small freezer compartment or no freezer compartment at all.
Households that prepare meals in advance
If you do a weekly shop or batch-cook meals for the freezer, how the capacity is divided between the two compartments matters just as much as the total capacity.
Which format and features should you prioritise ?
First work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. The energy consumption figure is then more useful when comparing appliances that meet the same storage needs.
Mini fridge
Consider it : if you shop often and don’t need to store much frozen food.
Bear in mind : a small freezer compartment is no substitute for a freezer designed for regular frozen-food storage, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Fridge freezer
Consider it : if you store both fresh and frozen food every week.
Bear in mind : two fridge freezers with the same total capacity may divide the space differently between the fridge and freezer compartments.
Separate freezer
Consider it : alongside a fridge if you need to store a substantial amount of frozen food long term.
Bear in mind : this second appliance takes up space and also uses electricity continuously.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Energy consumption | Compare the kWh per year shown on the energy label for appliances of the same type and with similar capacities. Check the A to G rating too, but don’t rely on it alone : UFC-Que Choisir points out that the label shows annual energy consumption. | I want to know the stated energy consumption of formats that can genuinely hold my shopping, rather than choosing based on the energy rating alone. |
| Usable capacity | Check the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately, along with access to the drawers and shelves. UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average of 100 to 150 litres for one person, plus 50 litres for each additional person, adjusted to suit your habits. | My weekly shop should fit without me having to choose a large capacity for something I only need occasionally. |
| Frozen-food storage | Check whether there’s a proper freezer compartment and how much space it offers. If you need to store a lot of food long term, compare the capacity of a fridge freezer with that of a separate freezer, and take the energy consumption of both appliances into account. | If I regularly freeze meals or buy in bulk, a small freezer compartment may not meet my needs. |
| Everyday use | Check the storage layout, the stated noise level and any test results available for adding food and opening the door. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol takes these situations into account, among other things. | Noise matters to me in an open-plan kitchen ; after a big shop, I also want to be able to put food away and find it easily. |
| Care and installation | Check which compartments have No Frost, the dimensions, how the doors open and the clearances specified in the manual. A convenient feature doesn’t replace comparing capacity and kWh per year. | I’d prefer to minimise manual defrosting, but the appliance must also fit through to its intended spot and have enough ventilation once it’s there. |
What should you watch out for ?
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Choosing based on the energy rating alone
The A to G rating doesn’t tell you whether two appliances offer the same capacity or do the same job. The stated annual energy consumption makes it easier to compare models that could meet your needs.
Before choosing between models, compare their kWh per year with the usable capacity of each compartment and the appliance format.
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Choosing a large capacity for occasional use
ADEME says that an appliance’s size and extra features can increase the energy consumption of a fridge that runs continuously.
Assess how much fresh and frozen food you usually store separately, then choose the features you expect to use.
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Forgetting to leave space around the appliance for ventilation
Placing an appliance too close to a heat source or in a poorly ventilated spot can increase the energy needed to keep it cold.
Measure the route into your home and the space where the appliance will go, then follow the model’s instructions. UFC-Que Choisir suggests leaving at least 10 cm above and behind the appliance, unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise.
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Confusing a commercial warranty with your legal rights
For eligible goods bought by an individual from a business in France, the Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between the mandatory legal guarantee of conformity and an optional commercial warranty.
Before taking out a commercial warranty, compare its cover, exclusions and duration with the legal rights that already apply.
Which brand ranges should you consider ?
These range examples can help you find appliances to consider ; always check the capacity, energy consumption and dimensions of the specific model.
Bosch
Bosch offers fridges and fridge freezers across several energy classes, including models with VitaFresh compartments.
- Bosch’s product page for the KGN39AIAU fridge freezer lists features including NoFrost and VitaFresh : these apply to this model, not the entire range.
- Check the capacity of each compartment in litres, the dimensions, noise level and kWh per year for the model you’re considering.
Beko
The Beko range includes fridge freezers with different features, depending on the model.
- Beko describes NeoFrost Dual Cooling on the B3BCNA294HS as separate air circulation between the two compartments.
- Features such as NeoFrost or HarvestFresh don’t tell you the usable capacity or annual energy consumption of a model on their own.
Liebherr
Liebherr offers fridge freezers with BioFresh and NoFrost, among other features, depending on the model.
- Liebherr’s product page for the CBNsfc 5223 Plus BioFresh NoFrost lists a total capacity of 320 l and a noise level of 35 dB.
- Compare these features with the appliance’s dimensions, how its capacity is divided and the kWh per year for the model you’re interested in.
Appliances to consider on Joybuy
This selection includes fridge freezers in a range of capacities, as well as a small one-door fridge. To compare them, check the energy label and make sure there’s enough room for the fresh and frozen food you actually need to store.
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Samsung RB33B612EBN, black fridge freezer, 344 l, energy class E
Worth considering if you regularly store both fresh and frozen food in a fridge freezer. The model name lists a capacity of 344 l and an E rating : check the energy label for its kWh per year, and confirm the capacity of each compartment and the clearances needed for installation.
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LG GBBSJ1CCSW, white fridge freezer, 333 l, energy class C
Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge freezer for fresh and frozen food. The model name lists a capacity of 333 l and a C rating : check the energy label for its kWh per year, then confirm the usable capacity of each compartment and the space needed to open the doors.
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Sonlu CS-100L, one-door fridge, 82 l, energy class E
Worth considering if you only need to store a small amount of fresh food and shop frequently. The model name lists a capacity of 82 l and an E rating ; if you store frozen food, check carefully whether it has a suitable freezer compartment and what its specifications are before choosing this format.
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Bosch KGN33NLEB, fridge freezer, 282 l, energy class E
Worth considering if you’d like a freezer below the fridge. The model name lists a capacity of 282 l and an E rating ; compare the usable capacity of both compartments, the kWh per year on the energy label and the clearances required in the manual.
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Sonlu CC-520WE, fridge freezer, 444 l, energy class E
Worth considering if you need plenty of space for fresh and frozen food. The model name lists a capacity of 444 l, an E rating and a frost-free design ; check how the capacity is divided between the compartments, the annual energy consumption and the dimensions before choosing this format.
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare the energy consumption of two fridges ?
Compare the kWh per year shown on the energy label for appliances of the same type and with a similar usable capacity. The A to G rating offers another point of reference, but doesn’t replace this comparison ; you can also look up energy information for listed models in the European EPREL database.
Is a fridge freezer a better choice than a one-door fridge ?
A fridge freezer is a good choice if you regularly need freezer space as well as a fridge. If you don’t buy much frozen food and shop often, a one-door appliance may suit your needs ; if so, check whether it has a freezer compartment that’s suitable for what you need to store.
What capacity do I need for my shopping ?
Think about how often you shop and how much fresh and frozen food you usually keep. UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average of 100 to 150 litres for one person, then 50 litres for each additional person : adjust this to suit the amount you actually store, and check the capacity of each compartment.
Does No Frost mean lower energy consumption ?
No. No Frost alone doesn’t mean that one model uses less energy than another. Check which compartments have this feature, then compare the kWh per year on the energy labels of appliances with a similar format and capacity. For a compartment that needs manual defrosting, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.
What should I check before installing the appliance ?
Measure the delivery route, the space where the appliance will go and the room needed to open the doors, then follow the ventilation clearances in the manual. UFC-Que Choisir recommends keeping the appliance away from heat sources and suggests leaving at least 10 cm above and behind it, unless the manufacturer advises otherwise.