If you’re keeping your fridge and have very little room, start by comparing the dimensions and usable capacity of a freestanding small freezer. If you regularly store several portions, also consider drawer models that can fit beneath a worktop, checking the installation instructions first. Replacing your fridge with a fridge freezer only makes sense if its freezer compartment offers the capacity you actually need.
If you want a few extra litres of storage without blocking access or stopping cupboards from opening, measure the space and check how far the door swings before choosing. The compact models from Klarstein and Bosch show how different sizes can suit different spaces.
If you prepare or store several portions, compare usable capacity, the interior layout and freezing capacity rather than relying on the word ‘compact’ alone. Product information from Klarstein, Beko and Bosch gives examples of the capacities and layouts available on specific models.
If you’re deciding between adding another appliance and replacing your fridge, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Beko and Bosch list these capacities for their respective models.
First decide whether you’re keeping your fridge. If it’s staying, compare freestanding freezers; if you’re already replacing it, check that the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer meets your needs.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Measure the height, width and depth; check the door opening and the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. | I need the appliance to fit in a specific space without blocking the way. Around 36% of consumers put this space constraint first. |
| Capacity and storage | Compare the freezer’s usable capacity in litres and check that the drawers, shelves or baskets suit the packaging and containers you use. | I want to store frozen food or several portions and be able to find them easily. Around 29% of consumers prioritise capacity and storage organisation. |
| Food preservation and use | For each model, compare energy consumption in kWh/year, freezing capacity in kg/24 h and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. Distinguish manufacturer figures from test results: UFC-Que Choisir, for example, describes a test procedure that measures temperature changes during a power cut. | I regularly freeze food or want to compare the specifications that matter for year-round use. Around 21% of consumers prioritise food preservation and continuous use. |
| Adding or replacing an appliance | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with your needs and current appliance. If you’re replacing your fridge, also look at the complete configuration. | I’m already replacing my fridge and want to know if its freezer compartment will be big enough. Around 14% of consumers prioritise replacing an appliance rather than adding one. |
A description of the appliance’s size doesn’t confirm that it can be installed inside a closed cupboard. Installation and ventilation requirements vary by model.
Check the installation instructions and confirm the required clearances, available height and door opening before deciding where to put it.
Poorly planned positioning could mean you have to alter your kitchen layout.
Fridge capacity and freezer capacity meet different needs. For example, Bosch lists 106 L of fridge capacity and 14 L of freezer capacity for the KTL15NWFA.
Compare only the litres set aside for freezing with the food and containers you want to store.
A smaller capacity alone doesn’t mean lower annual energy consumption. Klarstein lists 148 kWh/year for the 33 L Garfield Eco; this figure applies to that model only.
Compare the kWh/year figures for the specific models you’re considering, and factor in all the appliances you’ll keep running.
If you keep your fridge, the freezer’s energy consumption will be added to that of the appliance you’re keeping.
The white Garfield Eco 10032195 is an example of a freestanding 33 L cube freezer designed for very small spaces.
The FSE1174N is an example of a freestanding tabletop freezer, while the RCSA270K40SN is a fridge freezer to consider if you need to replace your fridge.
The GTV15NWEB is an example of a freestanding freezer described as suitable for under-counter use; the KTL15NWFA is a tabletop fridge with a freezer compartment.
The FNdi 1624 Plus is an example of a tabletop freezer listed with a 92 L capacity and dimensions of 85 × 60 × 60,7 cm.
This selection includes compact freestanding freezers in both upright and chest styles. Compare their usable capacity and overall size, and check how the door or lid will open in your room.
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This compact design could be a good choice if you need a separate freezer in a home where space is limited.
Listed capacity: 35 L. Listed dimensions: 47,5 × 44,2 × 48,8 cm. Reversible door, removable compartment, 4-star rating and stated noise level of 41 dB.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a small freestanding freezer and want to check its dimensions and energy consumption against your available space.
Listed capacity: 31 L. The description states a freezing capacity of up to 2 kg per 24 h, a reversible door, adjustable feet, 147 kWh/year and a 4-star rating.
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Three compartments can help you organise your food. Check that the height and drawer access suit the space you have in mind.
Listed capacity: 60 L. Listed dimensions: 44,5 × 47,5 × 84,5 cm. Three compartments, reversible door, adjustable temperature and a stated freezing capacity of up to 6 kg/24 h. The description says it can fit beneath standard worktops; check the instructions for installation requirements.
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This chest freezer could suit you if you want a freestanding appliance with a removable basket and the option to switch between fridge and freezer modes.
Listed capacity: 95 L. Stated dimensions: 550 × 475 × 848 mm. Seven-level thermostat and stated annual energy consumption of 165 kWh. Fridge and freezer modes can be selected, but are not described as usable at the same time.
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A chest freezer can meet your need for more storage, provided you have enough floor space and room to open the lid.
Listed capacity: 99 L. The description states a floor area of 0,26 m², a freezing capacity of 4,5 kg/24 h, a removable basket, a sliding lid and an E energy rating.
Measure the height, width and depth of the space, then compare them with the model’s external dimensions. Also check how far the door swings, whether the drawers can be removed and the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions.
Don’t rely on the word ‘compact’ alone: check the compartment’s capacity, its stated freezing capacity and the space available for your containers. As examples for the specific models mentioned, Bosch lists 14 L for the KTL15NWFA’s freezer compartment and 83 L for the freestanding GTV15NWEB freezer. Anses notes that freezing food at −18 °C at home stops bacteria multiplying, but does not eliminate most micro-organisms.
Compare the stated figures for the models you’re considering and check how they’re defined; they don’t guarantee that food will remain safe to eat after every power cut. UFC-Que Choisir’s test procedure measures, among other things, the time taken for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C. This is different from a figure declared by a manufacturer.
No. For a purchase from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity is provided by the seller. The Ministry of the Economy states that it lasts two years for both new and second-hand goods. An optional commercial warranty is additional protection and comes with its own terms and conditions, so read them before signing up.
Yes. The DGCCRF includes domestic refrigeration appliances in energy labelling requirements, and the Ministry of the Economy confirms that these requirements also apply to online sales. In France, the label and product information must be in French. To compare appliances, look at the kWh/year figure and the stated capacity in particular.