Choose a format based on the space available, how much fresh food you need to store and how often you buy frozen food, then compare the noise levels of suitable models. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres for one person and classifies the quietest fridges as those below 40 dBA. However, this figure alone can’t predict how disruptive a fridge might feel near a bed or desk. A freezer compartment can reduce the space available for fresh food, while a built-in model needs a niche and ventilation that meet the requirements in its instructions.
If your fridge shares a room with your bed or desk, its operating noise matters particularly. The stated noise level can help you narrow down the options, but Que Choisir points out that it can’t predict how disruptive a fridge will feel on its own.
A table-top fridge without a freezer compartment can leave more room for your everyday groceries. To get an idea of how much capacity you need, Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres of usable space for one person.
An integrated freezer compartment can meet this need without committing to a large fridge-freezer straight away. However, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately: the space given to one affects how much is left for the other.
First, work out what you’d miss most day to day: a quieter room, more storage or space for the appliance. Then compare the energy use of the formats that suit your needs.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Noise in your living space | Compare the stated noise level and the acoustic class of the exact model. Que Choisir suggests below 40 dBA as a way to narrow down your options, not as a promise of silence. | If I sleep or work near the appliance, I want to keep the noise it makes to a minimum. Around 29% of consumers put this need first. |
| Fridge and freezer capacity | Check the capacity in litres of each compartment, rather than just the total, based on your shopping habits and how much frozen food you need to store. | I’d like enough room for fresh food without giving up the few frozen items I keep. Around 24% of consumers put this need first. |
| Size and installation | Measure the space and check how the door opens. Compare the required clearances and, for a built-in model, check the niche and ventilation against the instructions. | If there’s little room in my kitchen, the appliance needs to fit and be ventilated properly. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this compatibility. |
| Ongoing energy use | Compare the kWh/year of models with similar capacities and configurations, along with their energy information. | As a fridge runs continuously, I want to take its energy use into account when choosing one. This is the main consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
The choice between a table-top fridge, a compact fridge-freezer and a built-in model also depends on how you use your freezer. Bosch’s KTR15NWEB and KTL15NWEB table-top fridges have the same stated external dimensions. The KTR15NWEB offers 134 litres of fridge space and no freezer compartment, while the KTL15NWEB has 106 litres and includes one. If frozen food is a regular part of your shop, compare the separate capacities of compact fridge-freezers instead. And don’t choose a built-in model based on its dimensions alone: the niche, door and airflow all need to be suitable for the model you choose.
Two appliances with the same stated noise level may not sound the same to you. Que Choisir points out that the figure on the label alone can’t tell you whether the noise will disturb your sleep or activities in the room.
Compare the figures and acoustic class for each model, then look for an independent review or listen to the appliance running if you can. A level below 40 dBA doesn’t mean it will be inaudible.
A freezer compartment takes up some of the available space. The Bosch KTR15NWEB and KTL15NWEB table-top fridges have the same stated external dimensions, but offer 134 litres and 106 litres of fridge space respectively. The latter has a freezer compartment.
Think about what you store in the fridge and freezer, then compare the capacity of each compartment separately.
An appliance that fits in the available space isn’t necessarily suitable for installation there. Bosch, for example, specifies airflow requirements for its fridges and plinth ventilation for its built-under models.
Before buying, check the niche measurements, door fitting and ventilation openings against the instructions for the exact model. Don’t assume another brand has the same requirements.
ADEME points out that a fridge runs continuously, and that its size and extra features affect its energy use. An energy rating on its own doesn’t tell you whether two appliances offer the same storage capacity.
Compare the annual energy use in kWh of models with similar capacities and features, then check the energy information for the model you’re considering.
Liebherr’s product information for its freestanding Rdi 1621 Plus and Rsdci 1620 Plus table-top fridges lists capacities of 125 litres at 35 dB and 141 litres at 34 dB respectively.
Bosch offers two table-top fridges measuring 85 × 56 × 58 cm: the KTR15NWEB, which has no freezer compartment, and the KTL15NWEB, which does.
Beko offers table-top fridges, including the freestanding TSE1264FMGN, with a top-mounted freezer and static cooling.
These two fridge-freezers offer a choice between a built-in model with a freezer and a compact freestanding option. For a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, compare them based on the installation options, the storage space you need and the stated noise level of each model.
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Worth considering if you want to fit a fridge-freezer into a fitted kitchen. The model name indicates a capacity of 252 litres, No Frost and an energy rating of C. Before choosing, check the niche dimensions, door fixing, specified ventilation and noise level for this model.
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Worth considering if you need a freezer compartment in a freestanding appliance that’s 150 cm tall. The model name indicates a 39 dB noise level, Low Frost, a 4-star freezer and an energy rating of E. Also compare the available space, the capacity of each compartment and the kWh/year shown on the label for the exact model.
Que Choisir suggests a stated noise level below 40 dBA as a way to narrow down your options, but it’s no guarantee that the fridge won’t be disruptive. Compare the exact models and, if noise is a key consideration for you, try to find out how they sound in real-life conditions.
Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity for one person. Choose a size that suits how often you shop, and check the space for fresh and frozen food separately.
It’s useful if you keep a few frozen items, as long as the remaining fridge space is enough for you. Bosch’s KTR15NWEB and KTL15NWEB table-top fridges have the same stated external dimensions. The KTR15NWEB offers 134 litres of fridge space without a freezer, compared with 106 litres for the KTL15NWEB, which has a freezer compartment.
Follow the installation instructions for the model you choose, checking the niche, door and airflow. Bosch, for example, specifies plinth ventilation for its built-under models; don’t assume another model has the same requirements.
Check the instructions for the model you’ve bought first. For its appliances, Liebherr recommends waiting at least 12 hours before switching the fridge back on after it has been transported on its side.