First, choose an appliance that suits your storage habits: a fridge if you rarely freeze food, a fridge freezer if you regularly store fresh and frozen food, or a separate freezer if you need the extra capacity. Then compare the kWh/year figures on the energy label for models with similar configurations and capacities. Don’t overlook the dimensions or the space allocated to each compartment.
If you want to keep energy use in check without running short of food storage space, compare the kWh/year figures and compartment capacities on the energy label. The European Commission lists this information in EPREL for registered models.
A fridge freezer can cater for both, as long as each compartment has the capacity you need. The specifications for the Bosch KGN362WDF and Beko B5RCNA346HG show why total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how the space is divided.
Before your replacement is delivered, you can look into having your old fridge repaired or arrange for it to be taken away. In France, ecosystem says that when you buy an equivalent new appliance, you must be offered a free ‘1-for-1’ take-back service, including for online purchases.
Worth considering: if you buy very few frozen foods or already have a suitable freezer.
Bear in mind: without a suitable freezer compartment, your options for storing frozen food will be limited.
Worth considering: if you regularly use both fresh and frozen food compartments but don’t need a large separate freezer.
Bear in mind: a good overall capacity doesn’t guarantee that the space is divided in the way you want.
Worth considering: if bulk shopping or seasonal storage means you consistently need more space for frozen food.
Bear in mind: this extra appliance takes up space and has its own annual energy consumption.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Annual energy consumption | Compare the kWh/year figures for models with similar configurations and usable capacities; don’t focus on the energy rating alone. | If I’m replacing an appliance that runs continuously, I want to know its stated energy consumption without choosing a capacity I don’t need. Around 36% of consumers put this criterion first. |
| Capacity of each compartment | Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately in litres, then compare them with your storage habits. | If I store both fresh and frozen food, I want enough space in each compartment, not just a large overall capacity. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Installation and use | Measure the space and access routes; check the door clearance, stated noise level in dB(A) and any features you’ll use. | In an open-plan kitchen or a tight space, I want to be sure the appliance can be installed and used without causing a problem. For around 21% of consumers, these practical considerations come before other criteria. |
| Old appliance | Get a quote if you’re considering a repair; otherwise, arrange a suitable take-back or collection before replacing it. | If my old fridge is still at home, I want to know what to do with it before the new one arrives. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
The rating doesn’t tell you whether the compartments have the capacity you need or what the model’s stated annual energy consumption is.
Check the kWh/year figures and the capacity of each compartment on the energy label or product information sheet. Then compare appliances that meet the same needs.
A large total capacity can hide a freezer that’s too small for your frozen food, or more space than you’ll use.
Assess separately how much you store in the fridge and freezer before comparing the stated capacities.
The capacity may be right, but that won’t help if the appliance won’t fit through the access routes, its doors can’t open properly or its stated noise level isn’t suitable for the room.
Measure the space and delivery route, check the required clearances and compare noise levels in dB(A).
Removing a large appliance requires a take-back or collection service arranged in advance.
When buying an equivalent new appliance in France, ask the retailer how to arrange the free ‘1-for-1’ take-back service. Alternatively, find out about collection options for electrical equipment.
The freestanding KGN362WDF fridge freezer shows why it’s worth looking at the specifications of a specific model rather than making assumptions about an entire brand.
The B5RCNA346HG is a fridge freezer worth looking at if you want to compare a model whose specifications list fresh and frozen capacities separately.
The RB38T607BB1/EF is worth considering if you’re looking for a higher-capacity fridge freezer with a stated width of 60 cm.
These models combine a fridge and freezer in one appliance. To choose between them, start by working out how much space you need in each compartment, then check their energy labels and installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you regularly use both the fridge and freezer compartments.
The product name lists a capacity of 333 l, an A energy rating and No Frost. Check the split of capacity, kWh/year figures and installation requirements on the model’s product page and energy label.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding fridge freezer and want to take the stated noise level into account.
The product name lists a capacity of 330 l, No Frost and a noise level of 35 dB. Check the energy label for the kWh/year figure and the product page for the capacity of each compartment.
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Worth considering if you want to compare the two compartments in a 330 l fridge freezer.
The total capacity is listed in the product name. Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, along with the kWh/year figure and the clearances needed for installation.
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Worth considering if a fridge freezer of this capacity suits your storage habits.
The product name lists a capacity of 344 l and an E energy rating. To compare it with another format, check the kWh/year figure and the capacity of each compartment.
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Worth considering if a 282 l fridge freezer is a better match for your usual storage needs.
The product name specifies a bottom freezer, an E energy rating and a stainless steel finish. Check the capacity of each compartment, the kWh/year figure and the noise level if you plan to put it in an open-plan kitchen.
Start with the kWh/year figure and the capacity of the compartments you’ll use. The noise level also matters, depending on where you plan to put the appliance. The European Commission lists details such as annual energy consumption and compartment capacities in EPREL.
You can consider a repair based on the fault, the condition of the appliance and the quote, but you don’t have to do this before replacing it. The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition also provides information about collection options for appliances that can’t be repaired.
In France, when you buy an equivalent new appliance, the retailer must offer a free ‘1-for-1’ take-back service, including for online sales, according to ecosystem. Agree the practical arrangements with the seller before delivery.
Capacity alone isn’t enough to determine how much energy a particular model uses. Compare the stated kWh/year figures, the capacity you actually need and the appliances’ configurations, rather than looking only at their energy ratings.
It depends on the ambient temperatures allowed for your chosen model and the conditions specified by the manufacturer. Check these limits in the technical specifications before planning to install it in a garage or another unheated room.