To store several days’ worth of shopping, including fresh and frozen food, start by comparing the fridge and freezer capacities of a fridge freezer. A multi-door model is worth considering if those capacities aren’t enough and your delivery route, kitchen and door clearance can accommodate it. Que Choisir’s starting guide is 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person, adjusted to suit your household’s habits.
If your weekly shop includes fresh and frozen food, first compare the capacity of each compartment in a fridge freezer with the space available in your kitchen. A large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room in the freezer.
Large dishes and regular purchases of frozen food may make a multi-door model worth considering. Check its width and depth, the route to the kitchen and the space needed to open the doors.
You need to be able to open the doors and access the drawers, while allowing for the ventilation specified in the manual. For a built-in appliance, also check the niche dimensions and door system.
First work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then rule out any formats that can’t be delivered or installed properly.
| Consideration | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, in litres. Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 L for one person, then adding 50 L for each additional person. Adjust this to how often you shop. | We shop for several days at a time: how much space do fresh food, larger dishes and frozen food actually take up? |
| Appliance format | A fridge freezer combines a fridge and freezer in one appliance, as described by Whirlpool France. For a multi-door model, compare the capacity of each section and the overall dimensions. A table-top model generally has a small ice-making compartment, according to GIFAM. | I want to store fresh and frozen food without a separate appliance. If space is limited, should I reduce the amount of frozen food I keep or look for a different layout? |
| Installation | Measure the appliance, the delivery route and the space with the doors open. Follow the clearances and ventilation requirements in the manual, particularly for a fitted space. | Will I be able to get the appliance inside, open its doors fully and remove the drawers without blocking the way? |
| Noise and energy use | The EU energy label shows information including annual consumption in kWh and noise emissions in dB(A). Compare these figures between models with similar formats and capacities, rather than looking at the energy rating letter alone. | The kitchen opens onto a living area, so the stated noise level matters as much as storage space. I’d also like to compare the energy use of models that suit our household. |
| Putting the shopping away | Look at the layout of the shelves and drawers. If you fill the appliance with a large shop all at once, check the test results available for that model: Que Choisir’s test procedure assesses how it responds to a full weekly shop, among other things. | After the shop, everyone should be able to put food away and find it again without blocking the internal air vents. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. So a larger model won’t necessarily solve a lack of freezer space.
Work out what you buy in a typical week, then compare the capacity of each compartment and the layout of the drawers and shelves.
An appliance may fit in its intended spot but not through a corridor, or there may not be enough room to access its drawers.
Measure the access route, the final position and the space in front of the appliance, then compare these measurements with the dimensions of the model you’ve chosen.
Electrolux points out that refrigeration appliances need suitable ventilation for their installation. The required openings vary between models.
Follow the manual for your chosen model and don’t cover the ventilation openings, particularly with a built-in appliance.
The European Commission says the label also gives information about energy consumption, storage capacity and noise. These figures help you compare appliances that meet similar capacity needs.
Check the annual kWh, the capacity of each compartment in litres and the dB(A) rating for the exact model, as well as its energy rating.
The Bosch KFD96APEA multi-door fridge freezer is an example of a larger format. Bosch lists a 375 L fridge capacity, 199 L freezer capacity, a width of 90,5 cm, a depth of 73,1 cm and a noise level of 39 dB(A) for this model.
For a freestanding fridge freezer, Liebherr lists a capacity of 371 L, a width of 59,7 cm, a depth of 67,5 cm and a noise level of 35 dB for the CNsfc 574i Plus NoFrost.
Whirlpool offers freestanding and built-in fridge freezers. For its built-in WHSP70T121, the brand lists a 295 L fridge capacity and a 99 L freezer capacity.
Samsung France lists the RF65DG960ESL as a 646 L multi-door fridge, worth considering if your household genuinely needs that much space.
These options include fridge freezers, a three-door model and a side-by-side model, so you can compare different storage layouts and installation requirements for a shared household.
Image unavailable
A built-in fridge freezer for storing fresh and frozen food in a fitted kitchen. This 252 L model is listed with No Frost, an energy rating of C and an Inverter compressor. Check the niche dimensions, door system, ventilation and space needed to open the doors.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if your shopping needs more space: this 360 L, three-door model is listed with Total No Frost, an energy rating of E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Measure the delivery route and check the space needed to open the doors.
Image unavailable
Worth considering when kitchen width is a key factor: this fridge freezer is listed as 54 cm wide and 176 cm high, with a 70/30 split. Its Low Frost freezer needs occasional manual defrosting. Also check door clearance and the ventilation requirements in the manual.
Image unavailable
For a household that makes plenty of use of both compartments: this model is listed with a 333 L fridge capacity and a 192 L freezer capacity, plus No Frost, Multi-Airflow, a noise level of 37 dB and an energy rating of E. Measure the access route and the space where it will go, then check the annual kWh on the label for this model.
Image unavailable
This fridge freezer with a bottom freezer lets you compare its total capacity of 282 L with your shopping needs; it has a stated energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each compartment, noise level, door clearance and route to the kitchen for this model.
Que Choisir’s starting guide is 100 to 150 L for one person, then an additional 50 L per person. Adjust this starting point for larger dishes and how often you shop, then check the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
Not necessarily. Consider a multi-door model if its capacity meets a genuine need that a fridge freezer can’t cover, and if it can be installed in your home. Compare the space for frozen food, the dimensions, the delivery route and the energy use of the models you’re considering.
Follow the requirements in the manual for your chosen model rather than relying on a distance assumed to suit every fridge. For the built-in appliances covered by its guidance, Electrolux specifies ventilation openings of at least 200 cm² at both the top and bottom of the cabinet.
Compare the stated noise emissions in dB(A) on the energy labels of appliances with similar formats and capacities. Que Choisir classifies the quietest fridges as those rated below 40 dB(A). Also make sure you follow the installation and ventilation requirements for your chosen model.
The European energy label gives information including annual energy consumption, storage capacities and noise emissions. To choose between two fridges that suit your household, compare these figures for the exact models, taking their formats and capacities into account.