If you can hear the fridge from your bed or sofa, compare the stated noise levels in dB(A) for appliances with a similar capacity. If an acoustic test is available for the model, check that too: the figure alone doesn’t describe all the sounds it makes during its cycles. Then choose the capacity and format to suit your freezing needs. A single-door fridge may be suitable if you don’t freeze much, while a fridge-freezer gives you a separate compartment. In either case, allow for the ventilation and levelling specified in the instructions.
If you can hear the appliance from your bed or desk, the noise it makes during its cycles matters just as much as its stated figure. Compare the level in dB(A) and, if the model has been tested, check how its sounds have been assessed.
If you regularly store frozen food, check the freezer compartment’s capacity separately from the fridge’s, then consider the appliance’s dimensions and stated noise level in relation to your living space.
In a small kitchen or an alcove, the appliance’s dimensions aren’t the only thing to check: make sure the doors can open fully and allow for the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions.
First, decide whether you need a separate freezer. Then compare the noise and capacity of suitable models, while allowing for the space needed to install them.
Choose this if: you regularly store frozen food and want two separate compartments near your living space.
Bear in mind: check that you have enough room. Even a low stated noise level doesn’t tell you everything about the sounds made during the appliance’s cycles.
Choose this if: you’re short on space and don’t need much freezer capacity.
Bear in mind: a small freezer compartment may limit how much frozen food you can store. A smaller format doesn’t guarantee less noise.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet operation | Compare the noise level in dB(A) re 1 pW and the noise class on the label. If the appliance’s cycles could disturb you, look for an acoustic test of the model. Que Choisir assesses noise during these cycles for the appliances it tests. | If I sleep or work near the fridge, I want to avoid recurring sounds that catch my attention; around 40% of consumers put quiet operation at the top of their list. |
| Capacity and freezing | Compare the usable capacity of both compartments with your shopping habits. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a guide for one person, which you can adjust to suit your needs. | If I often store frozen food, I need enough room for it without choosing an oversized appliance; capacity and freezer space are the top priorities for around 30% of consumers. |
| Size and installation | Measure the space and door clearance, then check the ventilation clearances required in the model’s instructions. | In a small kitchen or an alcove, I need to be able to install the appliance without blocking its ventilation or letting it vibrate against a cabinet; around 20% of consumers base their choice first on the available space. |
| Food storage and energy | Check the cooling system, energy class and annual consumption. Look for any available tests of the model’s temperature stability. | If I prioritise keeping food fresh and electricity use, I can’t choose based on the stated noise level alone; these criteria come first for around 10% of consumers. |
A descriptive claim doesn’t replace the model’s noise rating. That rating also can’t fully convey how noticeable all the sounds made during its cycles will be.
Check the dB(A) rating on the label and, if possible, look for an acoustic test of the model, especially if it will be close to your bed or desk.
No Frost relates to frost management. This feature alone doesn’t tell you how audible a fridge will be in your home.
Consider your preferred level of maintenance, the stated noise level and any available test results separately.
Contact with furniture or inadequate ventilation can cause extra vibration and affect how the appliance works.
Before buying, check the dimensions and clearances specified in the instructions. When installing it, make sure it is level and not touching the surrounding walls or cabinets.
Two appliances that fit the available space won’t necessarily offer the same storage capacity, particularly for frozen food.
Check the usable capacity in litres of the fridge and freezer compartments separately, then choose according to how often you shop.
The specifications below relate to specific models featured by their manufacturers, not to every appliance made by each brand.
On its French product page, Bosch lists the freestanding KGN39AIAU fridge-freezer with 363 L of usable capacity and a stated noise level of 29 dB(A) re 1 pW.
LG France lists the GBV3100EPY fridge-freezer with a capacity of 344 L and a stated noise level of 35 dB.
Liebherr France lists a capacity of 320 L and a noise level of 35 dB for the CBNc 5223 Plus fridge-freezer.
These models have a freezer compartment and come in a range of sizes. For an open-plan living space, compare their capacity, stated noise level and space requirements before choosing a fridge-freezer. A single-door fridge is another option if you don’t freeze much.
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Worth considering if you need a large fridge-freezer with a separate freezer, provided you have enough room.
The model name lists four doors, Total No Frost and energy class E. Check its dimensions, installation clearances and noise rating on the label.
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Consider this if you want two compartments without choosing a particularly large appliance.
The model name lists 182 L for the fridge, 71 L for the freezer, 39 dB and No Frost. Check the dB(A) rating on the label, along with the width and depth you’ll need at home.
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Its generous size suits those who need plenty of storage, but you’ll need to check the available space carefully.
The model name lists 333 L for the fridge, 192 L for the freezer, 37 dB, No Frost and energy class E. Check the dB(A) rating on the label and measure the space before choosing this format.
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Worth comparing if you need a separate freezer and have room for a 330 L fridge-freezer.
The model name lists No Frost frost-free cooling and 35 dB. Check the dB(A) rating on the label, then confirm the dimensions and clearances specified in the instructions.
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This size is worth comparing if space is limited but you still want a separate freezer compartment.
The model name lists a height of 150 cm, 39 dB, Low Frost and energy class E. Low Frost doesn’t mean No Frost: consider the defrosting needed and check the dB(A) rating on the label.
It lets you compare the stated noise levels of different models, but it isn’t enough to predict how noticeable their sounds will be during their cycles. European labels show airborne acoustical noise emissions in dB(A) re 1 pW. If the appliance will be close to your bed or desk, also look for an acoustic test of the model, if one is available.
No. No Frost describes how the appliance manages frost, not its noise level. Check the noise rating for the exact model and, if possible, look for details of the sounds recorded during its cycles.
Yes. The space around the appliance must meet the ventilation requirements in the model’s instructions, particularly if it’s built in. Advice from Electrolux France and Bosch Electroménager France highlights the importance of air circulation and ensuring the appliance is level. General guidance doesn’t replace the clearances specified for your fridge.
Not necessarily. Electrolux France explains that some sounds are associated with refrigerant circulating and the compressor starting or stopping. If these sounds could disturb you in a studio flat, look for a test that assesses the model’s sounds during its cycles before you buy, rather than relying on the stated figure alone.