Start by considering the space you actually have, how the door opens and your storage habits. A table-top or under-counter model can work when height is a constraint. If you regularly store frozen food, look instead at a fridge freezer with a separate freezer compartment. An integrated appliance is only an option if its housing, ventilation and door fixing are compatible with your kitchen.
A table-top fridge could suit you if you mainly store fresh food and shop often. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. Compare this with the model’s capacity and the space you need for frozen food.
If frozen food or ready meals take up a regular amount of space, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. A slimline fridge freezer could meet your needs, provided its height and depth also work for your space.
An existing housing unit will point you towards a model whose installation plan matches the cabinet. Check the height, depth, ventilation and, if it needs a kitchen door, the fixing mechanism.
Start by measuring the space, then compare formats based on how much room you need for fresh and frozen food.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the total capacity and how it is divided. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a guide for one person, adjusted to suit your shopping habits. | I shop less often or prepare several meals in advance: I need space to store them, even though I live alone. |
| Freezing | Check whether there is a separate freezer and how much capacity it offers. Don’t confuse a small freezer compartment with the freezing space you need. | Will a few frozen items be enough, or do I regularly need to store frozen food and ready meals? |
| Size | Measure the height, width and depth, then check the door clearance and the space required around the model. A narrow fridge isn’t necessarily easy to install. | In my small kitchen, the appliance needs to fit without blocking a cabinet, a walkway or access to its own drawers. |
| Built-in installation | For an integrated model, compare the manufacturer’s installation plan with the housing, ventilation route and door fixing. Bosch’s guidance applies to its own models, not to every appliance. | If I already have a housing unit, I want the door to open properly and the ventilation to meet the instructions for the model I choose. |
| Energy and noise | ADEME recommends checking the energy label. Compare annual energy consumption in kWh and noise levels in dB for appliances with similar capacities and intended uses. | The fridge will be near my living or sleeping area, so its stated noise level matters, as does its energy consumption. |
It may leave too little room for your shopping or frozen food, even if its dimensions suit your kitchen.
Before choosing this format, compare its usable capacity and freezer compartment with your usual needs.
A cabinet could obstruct ventilation or stop the door opening properly. An integrated appliance also needs a suitable housing unit and, depending on the model, a compatible door fixing.
Check the installation type, housing plan and instructions for the exact model.
The letter alone doesn’t tell you how much storage space is available or the appliance’s stated annual energy consumption.
When comparing models that meet the same storage needs, also check the kWh/year and noise levels on their product specifications.
Used fridges are covered by the waste electrical and electronic equipment scheme, as outlined by the French Ministry for Ecological Transition.
Arrange for it to be collected or taken to an appropriate recycling point, and confirm the practical details before your new appliance is delivered.
These examples show different configurations; their features don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Beko offers, among other options, the freestanding table-top TSE1234FSN and the integrated fridge freezer BCSA285K4SN.
The EXB3AE82R is an example of an under-counter integrated fridge for a kitchen with a low housing unit.
The WHC18T323P is an example of a column-style integrated fridge freezer, with fridge and freezer compartments in a suitable kitchen cabinet.
Bosch’s installation guidance helps distinguish between a freestanding fridge and an appliance designed to be built in.
These options include fridge freezers that keep fresh and frozen food separate, as well as compact and integrated fridges to consider depending on your available space and freezer needs.
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Worth considering if you want separate fridge and freezer compartments in a small kitchen. The title lists 153 L for the fridge, 74 L for the freezer, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door, Low Frost and an E rating. Check the height, depth and clearance needed for installation. Low Frost doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it.
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This fridge freezer is designed for a kitchen with a suitable tall housing unit and a need for a separate freezer. The title lists No Frost, an Inverter compressor and a C rating. Before choosing an integrated model, check the housing, ventilation and door fixing against its instructions. This isn’t an under-counter model.
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Consider this for a suitable housing unit if you only need occasional freezer space rather than substantial frozen-food storage. The title lists a top freezer, one door and an E rating. The furniture door isn’t included, so check the fixing, ventilation and housing dimensions. The freezer needs to be defrosted manually.
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This format is worth comparing if space is very limited and you mainly store fresh food. The title mentions a freezer compartment and an E rating. At 92 L, its capacity is below UFC-Que Choisir’s 100 to 150 L guide for one person. Check your actual needs, the freezer compartment’s capacity and the installation dimensions.
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Worth considering for a fitted kitchen if you mainly need space for fresh food rather than a separate freezer. The title lists an E rating. Confirm the exact capacity before buying, as the capacity details in the title and description differ. Also check the housing and ventilation requirements for this model.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average of 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. Adjust this to how often you shop, whether you prepare meals in advance and how much space you need for frozen food.
Its external dimensions alone won’t tell you: putting a freestanding fridge in a cabinet doesn’t make it an integrated appliance. Check the instructions for ventilation clearances and door opening. For an integrated model, also check the housing and door fixing.
Ventilation is part of the installation requirements. For the relevant appliances, Bosch specifies plinth ventilation and at least 200 cm² of space behind and beneath the fridge. This isn’t a rule for every brand, so follow the installation diagram for your chosen model.
Compare their stated annual energy consumption in kWh and their energy ratings, after checking that they offer similar storage capacity for your needs. ADEME describes the energy label as a useful guide when choosing, but the capacity and type of appliance also matter when comparing models.