To add freezer space without crowding your studio flat, start by considering where the appliance will go and how much you need to store. A cube model takes up little space, while a table-top or under-counter model may offer more organised storage, provided you check how it needs to be installed. A compact fridge-freezer is better suited to replacing your fridge as well. Manufacturer specifications show that exterior dimensions alone aren’t enough to confirm whether an appliance will fit in an alcove: check the ventilation and door-opening requirements for the exact model too.
You need to keep walkways clear and check that the size, installation requirements and ventilation suit the space you have in mind. Bosch and Liebherr specifications show why an appliance described as “under-counter” isn’t necessarily built-in.
You want a capacity and layout that suit the containers you plan to store, without having to make room for a full-size appliance. Examples from Bosch, Liebherr and Severin show the range of sizes and formats available.
Your freezer will be close to where you relax or go about your day. Check the stated noise level for the exact model and think carefully about where to put it. Bosch and Liebherr list noise levels for some models.
In a studio flat or small kitchen, first check that the size and installation requirements suit the space available. Then compare the usable freezer capacity and the layout inside.
Worth considering: if you have very little space and only need to store small quantities. Severin lists a capacity of 32 l and dimensions of 50 × 48 × 44.5 cm for the GB 8886.
Bear in mind: the limited capacity won’t suit large containers, and the GB 8886 doesn’t have No Frost, according to Severin.
Worth considering: if you have floor space for an appliance around 85 cm tall. Liebherr lists a total capacity of 107 l for the Fd 1404 Pure.
Bear in mind: “table-top” doesn’t mean the appliance can be enclosed under a worktop. Check the ventilation and door-opening requirements in the manual.
Worth considering: if you want to use the space under a worktop, distinguishing between a free-standing model and a genuinely built-in one. The Liebherr IFSd 3904 is a built-in model with published niche dimensions.
Bear in mind: Bosch classifies the GTV15NWEB as free-standing, despite describing it as “under-counter”. Its dimensions don’t replace the installation instructions.
Worth considering: if you’re replacing your fridge too and have enough height. The Liebherr CTPele231-26 is 140.1 cm tall.
Bear in mind: its 233 l capacity is the stated total for the appliance, not just the freezer compartment. Check the freezer capacity separately.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Appliance dimensions and, for a built-in model, niche dimensions; ventilation clearances and door opening as specified in the manual. | If every centimetre counts in your studio flat, check that the appliance, door and ventilation all suit the space. Around 25% of consumers prioritise size and installation requirements. |
| Capacity and storage | Freezer compartment capacity, the shape of the drawers or baskets, and the dimensions of the containers you plan to use. | If you want to store a few containers, how easy they are to access and arrange matters just as much as the stated capacity. Around 25% of consumers prioritise extra capacity and how it’s organised. |
| Noise in a living space | The stated noise level for the exact model and where it will sit in relation to walls and furniture. | If your freezer will be near where you sleep or relax, check its stated noise level and where it will go. A quiet appliance is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Energy use | The energy label and stated annual consumption in kWh/year for the exact model. | To keep track of your appliance’s energy use, compare the energy label and stated kWh/year before factoring in how you’ll use it. Around 15% of consumers put energy use first. |
| Extra capacity or replacement | Decide whether your current fridge will stay; for a fridge-freezer, check the capacity and layout of the freezer compartment alone. | If you’re replacing your fridge too, check that the freezer compartment meets your needs rather than relying on the total capacity. Around 15% of consumers prioritise replacing both appliances. |
The Bosch GTV15NWEB is listed as free-standing, while Liebherr publishes niche dimensions for its built-in IFSd 3904. So height alone won’t tell you whether a model will fit in a cabinet.
Check the installation type, ventilation clearances and door swing in the manual for the exact model.
The 233 l listed for the Liebherr CTPele231-26 is the total capacity of the appliance, not the freezer compartment alone.
Compare freezer capacity separately and check the layout against the containers you plan to store.
Severin states that the GB 8886 doesn’t have No Frost.
Check how the model you’re considering defrosts and follow the instructions in its manual.
A model without No Frost may need defrosting as part of its maintenance.
The GTV15NWEB is an example of a compact free-standing freezer described as “under-counter”, for a household that has a separate fridge.
Liebherr’s product information covers several distinct formats: a table-top freezer, a built-in freezer and a compact fridge-freezer.
The LUB3AE88S is an example of a built-in freezer to consider if you have a suitable niche.
The GB 8886 is an example of a small-capacity cube freezer.
These models include compact upright freezers and chest freezers. The 95 l AUCMA can switch between freezing and refrigeration, but the two functions aren’t stated to be usable at the same time.
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Designed for very tight spaces and small quantities, this model is listed with a capacity of 32 L.
Stated dimensions: 45.4 × 44.3 × 49.5 cm; stated noise level: 43 dB; reversible hinge; stated freezing capacity of up to 2 kg per 24 hours.
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If you want a little extra freezer space in a limited area, this upright model is listed with a removable internal compartment.
Stated capacity: 35 L; dimensions: 47.5 × 44.2 × 48.8 cm; stated energy consumption: around 0.4 kWh per day; reversible door.
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Worth considering if you want to choose between freezing and refrigeration; the two functions aren’t stated to be usable at the same time.
Stated capacity: 95 L; dimensions: 550 × 475 × 848 mm; stated noise level: 38 dB; stated energy consumption: 165 kWh/year; removable basket and 7-level thermostat.
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To add freezer space without taking up much floor space, this chest freezer is listed with a sliding lid and removable basket.
Stated capacity: 99 L; dimensions: 54.5 × 47.6 × 83.5 cm; stated noise level: 39 dB; stated freezing capacity: 4.5 kg per 24 hours. The product description recommends manual defrosting when the frost exceeds 5 mm.
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For organised upright storage in a small home, the model title lists three drawers and the product description specifies a reversible door.
Stated capacity: 60 L; dimensions: 44.5 × 47.5 × 84.5 cm; energy class E; stated freezing capacity of up to 6 kg per 24 hours. Check the installation instructions before placing it under a worktop.
Not necessarily. Bosch lists the GTV15NWEB as free-standing, while Liebherr publishes niche dimensions for its built-in IFSd 3904. Check the manual for the exact model, and remember to check the ventilation and door-opening requirements too.
Follow the model’s ventilation requirements and make sure the appliance doesn’t touch walls or furniture. Electrolux lists poor ventilation and contact with a wall as possible causes of noise; its general advice doesn’t specify the clearances required for every model.
Compare the kWh/year listed for each model, then factor in your own electricity tariff to estimate the cost in euros. In France, the Ministry of the Economy notes that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a private individual; it’s separate from an optional commercial extended warranty.
Yes. The Ministry of the Economy states that the requirement to display the energy label for household refrigeration appliances also applies to online sales. According to the European Commission, the new energy label scale for fridges and freezers has applied since 1 March 2021. So an old A+++ rating can’t be compared directly with the current class of a new appliance.