To keep food fresh between shops in a small kitchen, start by measuring the space and comparing how much room you need for fresh and frozen food separately. A table-top or single-door model may be suitable if you don’t need much freezer space. A fridge freezer is a better choice if you need a separate freezer compartment, provided its dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual are suitable for your kitchen. If you’re fitting it into an existing cabinet, check the housing and door system before choosing an integrated model.
If the appliance needs to fit under a worktop or into a narrow space, measure the available room before choosing its capacity. UFC-Que Choisir recommends table-top models for studio flats, for example. The Beko TS190340N is a good example of this size, measuring 82 cm high and 47.5 cm wide. You’ll still need to check whether its storage space suits your shopping.
If you need to store several days’ worth of fresh food as well as frozen items, compare the usable capacity of each compartment rather than just the total capacity. A fridge freezer gives you a separate freezer, but its dimensions still need to suit the available space.
Choosing between a freestanding and an integrated model depends as much on the cabinet as on the appliance. For an integrated model, check the housing dimensions, door system and ventilation requirements for the model you’re considering.
A table-top fridge is a good fit when space is the main concern; a single-door model with an ice box suits households with little need for frozen food; and a fridge freezer works well if you need a separate freezer compartment. Whatever the format, choosing between a freestanding and integrated model depends on your planned installation.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Measure the width, height and depth, and check the door opening space. Allow for the clearances specified in the manual. | If my kitchen is short on space, I need to be able to install and open the appliance, even if that means sacrificing storage capacity. Around 31% of consumers put this compatibility first. |
| Space for fresh food | Compare the fridge’s usable capacity and the layout of its shelves and drawers with your usual shopping. | When I bring home a week’s shopping, I need enough room for fresh food and its packaging. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Frozen food storage | Check the freezer compartment’s capacity and rating, and, for a fridge freezer, the layout of its drawers. | If I regularly buy frozen food, a small ice box may limit what I can keep between shops. Around 25% of consumers put freezer space first. |
| Noise and energy use | Compare the noise level in dB(A) and the energy label information for appliances of a similar type and capacity. | In a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, I consider the appliance’s noise and energy use once I’ve found one that meets my space and storage needs. These are the main priorities for around 13% of consumers. |
Two fridge freezers with similar total capacities can offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. That split matters more than one headline figure when you need to store a week’s shopping.
Make a list of the food you need to store in each compartment, then compare their usable capacities separately.
An integrated model needs to fit a specific housing and door system. For example, the Electrolux KNS3SE18S specifies a housing size of 1780 × 560 × 550 mm; these measurements don’t apply to other models.
Measure the cabinet depth, door fixing and air gaps, then check them against the manual for the model you’ve chosen.
If the cabinet or door isn’t compatible, you may need to adapt the joinery or choose a different installation.
Guidance varies by appliance. Beko generally recommends 5 cm on each side and at the back; Whirlpool specifies 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding fridges. These figures don’t replace the instructions for the model you buy.
Allow for the specified clearances when measuring your kitchen before placing your order.
Pay particular attention to the stated noise level if the fridge is near your living room or sleeping area. You can’t work it out from the format or energy rating.
Compare the dB(A) figures and noise classes of models that will genuinely fit in your kitchen.
The range includes freestanding table-top models worth considering when width is limited.
The range includes freestanding and integrated fridge freezers to consider when fresh and frozen food need separate compartments.
Its integrated fridge freezers are worth considering if you already have a dedicated kitchen housing.
The range includes integrated and freestanding fridge freezers, so choose according to the cabinet you have available.
These Joybuy models are fridge freezers to consider if your weekly shop includes both fresh and frozen food. Check their actual size before choosing one for a small kitchen.
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For a mix of fresh and frozen food, this model offers 153 L of fridge capacity and 74 L of freezer capacity. It’s listed as 54 cm wide, with a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check its height, depth and the clearances in the manual before choosing where to put it.
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This freestanding fridge freezer with a reversible door is worth considering if floor space is limited and you want separate compartments for fresh and frozen food. Check that its dimensions, door opening and the clearances specified in the manual suit your kitchen. Low Frost doesn’t tell you how noisy it is in decibels.
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If you want separate compartments for your weekly shop, first check that this model will fit the available height and depth. Door opening space and the specified clearances also matter if it’s going next to a wall. The names of its technologies don’t replace comparing the usable capacities.
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This fridge freezer with a bottom freezer is worth considering if you want to keep frozen food separate from fresh food. However, total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much space is available in each compartment. Compare their capacities and check the dimensions and ventilation requirements for your kitchen.
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The listed capacities of 182 L for the fridge and 71 L for the freezer make it easy to compare this model with your usual shopping. Its stated noise level is 39 dB. Before considering it for a small kitchen, check its width, depth and installation clearances.
UFC-Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a general guide for one person. Adjust this to suit your usual shopping, including the meals and drinks you need to store, then consider separately how much room you need for frozen food.
It may suit a small amount, but UFC-Que Choisir says a simple ice box isn’t enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. Check the compartment’s capacity and rating. For example, Beko France states that the four-star compartment in the TSE1264FMGN keeps frozen food at −18 °C, but this doesn’t tell you how much you’ll be able to fit inside.
Follow the clearances in the manual for the model you choose rather than relying on one distance for all appliances. Beko’s general advice is to leave 5 cm at the sides and back, while Whirlpool specifies 5 cm above and 10 cm behind for freestanding models.
Measure the housing and check the door fixing system and the cabinet’s air gaps. As an example for this specific model, Electrolux France specifies a housing size of 1780 × 560 × 550 mm for the KNS3SE18S; another integrated model may need different dimensions.