For one person, Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity, adding around 50 litres for a second person. Adjust this according to how often you shop. A table-top fridge is a good choice if space is limited and you store few frozen foods, while an appliance with a separate freezer is better suited to regular frozen-food shopping. In a studio flat, also check the space needed for installation and the stated noise level: Que Choisir considers appliances below 40 dB(A) to be the quietest.
If your kitchen is very small, compare the usable capacity with your usual shopping needs, then measure the width and depth, as well as the space needed to open the door. Noise matters too if the appliance is close to where you sleep.
Allow enough room for fresh food for two. If frozen foods are a regular part of your shopping, compare the freezer capacity separately from the fridge capacity.
If the appliance is close to your living area or bed, pay particular attention to its stated noise level. Also check that its position allows the airflow specified in the instructions.
Start with your shopping habits and freezer needs, then check that the appliance can be installed and used in the space you have in mind.
| Feature | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the usable litres of the fridge and freezer separately. Que Choisir recommends starting with 100 to 150 litres for one person, then allowing around 50 litres for each additional person. | I shop less often or cook for two, so I need enough room for fresh food without choosing based on the total capacity alone. |
| Freezing | Check whether it has an internal ice box or a separate freezer, and how much usable capacity is available for frozen food. Table-top fridges, single-door fridges and small fridge-freezers do not necessarily divide their capacity in the same way. | If I regularly buy frozen food, I want to check how much space is actually available for it. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the delivery route and the space needed to open the door. Follow the ventilation clearance requirements in the instructions for your chosen model. | In my small kitchen, the appliance needs to fit in its space while leaving room for the door to open and air to circulate. |
| Noise and energy | Check the noise level in dB(A) and compare the stated consumption in kWh/year for appliances of a similar type and capacity. Que Choisir considers appliances below 40 dB(A) to be the quietest. | My fridge will be close to my living area or bed, so its operating noise matters just as much as its size. |
Two appliances with the same total capacity may offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. An internal ice box may be too small if you regularly buy frozen food.
Think about what you usually store, then compare the usable capacity of each compartment.
A fridge may fit into its space but leave too little room to open the door or let air circulate around it.
Measure the delivery route too, and check the instructions for your chosen model to find out how much clearance it needs.
These descriptions don’t tell you how much depth you’ll need in a studio flat or how noisy the appliance will be near your living space.
Compare the exact dimensions and dB(A) rating. Que Choisir gives below 40 dB(A) as a guide to the quietest appliances.
An energy rating letter doesn’t sum up the consumption of appliances with different types and capacities.
Check the kWh/year figure for each model and compare it with its capacity and the layout of its compartments.
These examples give you a starting point for comparing different sizes. The features mentioned apply to the models named, not every appliance from that brand.
Beko’s range includes freestanding table-top fridges.
The Rdi 1620 Plus is an example of a table-top fridge with a capacity within Que Choisir’s recommended range for one person.
Hisense offers both fridges and fridge-freezers. Choose between these formats based on how much room you need for frozen food.
These options include fridge-freezers, more compact appliances and single-door fridges. Compare the space available for fresh and frozen food before choosing a size for your home.
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Worth considering if you want a freezer in a kitchen where width is a concern. The title lists a capacity of 262 L, a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Check the clearance needed for ventilation and to open the door.
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This single-door format is worth comparing if you mainly store fresh food but also want some freezer space. The title lists a total capacity of 179 L. Check how the space is divided between the two compartments before deciding if it suits your frozen-food shopping habits.
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Worth comparing if your small household uses a freezer regularly. The title lists 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, along with a width of 54 cm and an energy rating of E. Also measure the height and depth, and allow space for the door and ventilation.
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This 82 L model, listed with an energy rating of E, is designed for storing a small amount of fresh food. Its capacity is below Que Choisir’s recommended 100 to 150 L for one person. Compare it with how often you shop, and check the dimensions before installation.
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Worth considering if you need very little storage for everyday use. The title mentions a freezer compartment and an energy rating of E. If you buy frozen food, check the usable capacity and specifications of this compartment. The stated 92 L capacity is below Que Choisir’s recommended range for one person.
Que Choisir recommends starting with 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity for one person, then allowing around 50 litres for each additional person. Adjust this guide to your shopping habits, and compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
Not necessarily if you regularly buy frozen food. Que Choisir recommends taking this into account, so compare appliances with a separate freezer and check how much space is available for frozen food.
Check the energy rating, the stated annual consumption, and the information about the compartments and noise level. To compare energy use, look at appliances of a similar type and capacity rather than relying on the rating letter alone.
Follow the instructions for your model and the guidance for the way it was transported. Electrolux France recommends waiting at least four hours before plugging in the relevant appliances and leaving room for air to circulate around them; Bosch advises transporting appliances upright wherever possible.
As the French Ministry of the Economy explains, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, used and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual. If the appliance is faulty or does not conform to the contract, contact the seller to discuss the remedies available in your situation.