To choose a fridge for a studio flat or shared house, first measure the available space, then work out how much room you need for fresh food and frozen items. A table-top fridge suits a very small space and a modest amount of frozen food; a fridge freezer is a better fit for shared shopping that calls for a separate freezer compartment. Only consider a multi-door model if your storage needs and available space justify it. Don’t forget to check the noise level and the clearances specified in the manual.
If your kitchen shares a room with your living space, the fridge’s footprint and stated noise level matter just as much as room for your everyday shopping. Que Choisir presents a table-top fridge as an option to consider for a studio flat.
You’ll need enough usable fridge space for several people, without choosing an appliance that can’t be fitted or opened in your kitchen.
If frozen food makes up a significant part of your shopping, distinguish between a small freezer compartment for occasional use and a separate freezer. The number of people in your household alone isn’t enough to make this decision.
The right size depends on the space you have, the fresh food you need to store and how much room you need for frozen food.
Consider it: if you live alone, have very limited space and shop frequently.
Be prepared for: limited capacity and, depending on the model, little or no room for frozen food.
Consider it: if you mainly need space for fresh food and only freeze food occasionally.
Be prepared for: the built-in compartment may not be a substitute for a separate freezer.
Consider it: if several people share regular shopping and need separate compartments for fresh and frozen food.
Be prepared for: checking that there’s enough room for the appliance, the door to open and ventilation.
Consider it: only if your shopping and household size call for significantly more capacity than a standard fridge freezer can offer.
Be prepared for: making sure you can get it through to the kitchen and have a suitable space for it.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen space | Measure the space, the route through to the kitchen and how far the door opens. Check the model’s manual for ventilation clearances. | In a small kitchen, I want to be able to fit and open the appliance without obstructing the way; around 29% of consumers would put this constraint first. |
| Shared fresh-food storage | Compare the fridge’s usable capacity and interior layout. Que Choisir gives a general guide of 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person. | When we share an appliance, we need enough room to keep our shopping separate; fresh-food storage would be the main need for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space for frozen food | Check the type of freezer compartment and its usable capacity in litres, rather than relying on the total capacity alone. | If I regularly freeze some of my shopping, a small freezer compartment may not suit how I use the appliance; nearly 24% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Noise and energy use | Compare the stated noise levels in dBA and the annual energy use shown on the energy label for appliances with a similar capacity. | If the appliance is close to my bed or desk, I want to take noise and energy use into account when choosing; around 18% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Even with the same number of people, needs vary depending on how often you shop and how much frozen food you need to store.
Before choosing a size, work out separately how much room you need for fresh food and how much for frozen food.
You need to be able to get the fridge through to the kitchen, position it, open the door and leave the ventilation clearances specified for that model.
Measure the delivery route and the space where it will go, then follow the clearances given in the manual for your chosen appliance.
A small freezer compartment may not be suitable if frozen food makes up a significant part of your shopping.
Check what the compartment is designed for and its usable capacity; consider a fridge freezer if you regularly freeze food.
You may notice the appliance running if your kitchen is in the living space or close to where you sleep.
Compare the stated noise levels of models with enough capacity for your needs. Que Choisir gives less than 40 dBA as a guide for the quietest appliances.
These Joybuy fridge freezers combine fridge and freezer space. Compare their stated capacity with your shopping needs, then check that your chosen model can be delivered and fitted in your kitchen.
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Worth considering for shared shopping that calls for space for both fresh and frozen food.
Stated total capacity: 333 L; energy rating C. Check the dimensions, door opening and required clearances before choosing a position.
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Worth considering if several people need to store both fresh and frozen food.
Stated total capacity: 344 L; energy rating E. Measure the delivery route and check the manual for ventilation clearances.
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Worth considering if width is limited but you still need a separate freezer compartment.
Stated width: 54 cm; 153 L fridge and 74 L freezer. Reversible door, Low Frost and energy rating E. Also check the depth and required clearances.
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Worth considering for a small home where your shopping also calls for a freezer compartment.
Stated total capacity: 174 L; reversible door and Low Frost system. Low Frost does not mean you’ll never need to defrost it. Check the product details and manual for the stated noise level, energy use and installation clearances.
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Worth considering for shared shopping if your kitchen can accommodate a fridge freezer of this size.
Stated total capacity: 344 L; energy rating D. Before confirming the position, check the depth, delivery route and clearances in the manual.
Que Choisir gives a general guide of 100 to 150 L for one person, then 50 L for each additional person. Use this as a starting point and adjust for how often you shop, whether you share the appliance and how much room you need for frozen food.
Yes. Leave the ventilation clearances specified in the manual for your chosen model. Que Choisir recommends at least 10 cm above and behind appliances, while a Beko manual specifies at least 5 cm for certain installation conditions. These figures don’t replace the instructions for your own appliance.
Follow the recommended waiting time for your model before plugging it in. Beko recommends leaving the appliance upright and unplugged for 4 hours after installation; this isn’t a universal instruction for all fridges.
Compare their annual energy use as shown on the energy label, taking their size and capacity into account. Two appliances with very different capacities may not meet the same needs, even if their stated energy use differs.