Start by choosing a fridge that can be delivered, installed, ventilated and opened in the space available, in line with the model’s instructions. A compact model may be suitable if you don’t need much freezer space; a fridge freezer gives you both compartments, while an integrated model must also fit the housing and door-fixing system. Then compare the capacity of each compartment, energy use in kWh/year and noise level. Don’t assume that declared figures guarantee a particular saving.
You’re looking for an appliance to fit a narrow gap or a space under the worktop, while still offering enough room for everyday food. Beko, for example, lists a table-top model that’s 54 cm wide. Be sure to check its depth and the clearance needed around the appliance too.
You’re replacing an appliance behind a kitchen cabinet door. The housing’s internal dimensions, ventilation and door-fixing system are just as important as the fridge’s capacity.
You need room for fresh food as well as frozen items. Compare the capacity of each compartment separately: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is available in each one.
In a fitted kitchen, start with the available space and the installation instructions. Then decide how much fridge and freezer space you need before comparing running figures.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and door opening | Measure the space and delivery route; check the ventilation clearance, climate class and door swing against the model’s instructions. | I need to be able to get the appliance in, install it and open its drawers without hitting a wall or blocking the way. Around 33% of consumers would put this physical fit first. |
| Housing and cabinet door | For an integrated model, measure the housing’s internal dimensions and identify the existing door-fixing system, such as sliding hinges or fixed hinges. | If I’m keeping my fitted kitchen, the new appliance must work with the existing housing and cabinet door. This integration would be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Space for frozen food | Compare fridge and freezer capacity in litres separately; only consider two appliances if you have suitable spaces for both. | I regularly store frozen food and don’t want to choose based on total capacity alone. For around 20% of consumers, freezer capacity would come before other criteria. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare kWh/year across models with similar formats and capacities, then check the declared noise level in dB(A). | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to take noise into account while also considering the energy use of an appliance that runs continuously. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise these day-to-day factors. |
An appliance may fit in the space but still lack the ventilation clearance or door swing it needs. With an integrated model, the housing and cabinet-door fixing system add further requirements.
Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the delivery route. Then compare your measurements with the installation instructions for the exact model.
You may need to adapt the cabinetry or arrange additional installation work if the appliance doesn’t fit properly.
The letter alone doesn’t tell you the available capacity or the declared annual energy use. ADEME points out that cooling appliances run continuously and that their size can affect energy use.
Check the kWh/year alongside the capacity of each compartment on the model’s product information sheet. Compare appliances designed for similar needs, without assuming a particular amount of savings.
A compact model may offer little space for frozen food. For example, Beko lists 13 L of freezer capacity for its TSE1264FMGN. This figure doesn’t apply to other models.
Work out how much room you need for the frozen food you usually store, then check the freezer compartment’s capacity separately from the total.
You may need to wait before switching the appliance on after delivery. Electrolux recommends waiting at least four hours before plugging it in in its installation advice.
Allow for this when arranging delivery and follow the instructions for the model you’ve bought.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding table-top fridge for a narrow space.
Worth considering if you’re replacing a single-door integrated fridge in an existing housing.
Worth looking at for integrated fridges with documented housing dimensions.
Worth considering if you want fridge and freezer space in one appliance, with freestanding and integrated options depending on the model.
Compare their declared kWh/year figures, taking the format and capacity of each compartment into account. The European Commission’s EPREL database provides this information for the models it covers. A difference in declared energy use doesn’t guarantee the same difference in your kitchen.
Measure the route to the final position, then check the ventilation clearance and door opening requirements in the model’s instructions. Also check the instructions for setting up the appliance after transport before filling it.
No. It only helps if the model allows you to change the door opening direction and the door can then open without hitting a wall or cabinet. For an integrated model, also check that the cabinet door is compatible with the fixing system.
Yes, if the appliance falls within the scope of the EU regulation on energy labelling for electric mains-operated refrigeration appliances. This includes appliances with a capacity greater than 10 L and less than or equal to 1 500 L. Check the label and product information for the exact model rather than comparing the rating letters alone.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual, as the French Ministry of the Economy explains. It covers a lack of conformity. Any optional commercial warranty is separate and should be considered on its own terms.