If you shop often and store few frozen foods, a table-top fridge or a small single-door model may be enough, provided its usable capacity and dimensions suit your needs. A small household that keeps a week’s shopping may prefer a slim fridge freezer, as long as there’s room for its height, depth and door swing. If your kitchen has an existing housing unit, choosing an integrated model also depends on the dimensions, door fixing and ventilation requirements of the specific model.
If you regularly buy fresh food and few frozen items, a table-top or single-door model is worth considering. Compare its fridge capacity with your shopping habits, then measure the depth and the space needed to open the door.
If you need to store more fresh and frozen food between shops, check the capacity of each compartment in a fridge freezer. A width that fits your kitchen isn’t enough: check the height, depth and door swing too.
If you’re replacing an integrated fridge, start by checking the housing dimensions, the cabinet door fixing type and the ventilation requirements. If the housing isn’t suitable for the model you’re considering, Bosch recommends looking at a freestanding appliance.
Start by measuring your kitchen and working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food. Then compare the usage details of models that can actually be installed in your space.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Measure the appliance’s height, width and depth. Check the delivery route, door opening and clearances specified in the manual. | I need an appliance that fits in my kitchen without blocking the way or hitting a cabinet when the door opens. |
| Fridge capacity | Compare the usable litres in the fridge compartment, not just the total capacity. Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 l as an average guide for one person, which you can adjust to suit your habits. | If I shop often, a moderate capacity may suit me. If I prepare meals in advance or shop for the week, I’ll need to allow enough space. |
| Freezing | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment, its capacity and, if applicable, its star rating. A single-door fridge doesn’t necessarily have a freezer: for example, the Bosch KIR21NSE0 has none, according to its product details. | The space needed for the occasional frozen item is different from what I’ll need if I shop weekly and regularly store frozen food. |
| Installation | For an integrated model, check the housing dimensions, door fixing and ventilation requirements for that specific model. For a freestanding fridge, follow the instructions too, leaving space for air to circulate around the appliance, as Electrolux advises. | I have an existing housing unit or a space next to other cabinets, so installation compatibility matters just as much as capacity. |
| Noise and energy | Compare the noise level in dB(A) and annual energy consumption in kWh on the labels of models suited to your needs. ADEME describes the energy label as a way to compare energy consumption and noise. | In a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, I’ll pay particular attention to the stated noise level, while also bearing in mind the annual energy use of an appliance that runs continuously. |
A slim appliance may still be too deep or too tall for its space. There may also not be enough room to open the door.
Measure the space and delivery route in all three dimensions. For an integrated model, also check the housing and door fixing against the model’s instructions.
The presence and capacity of a freezer compartment vary between models. For example, Bosch’s product details for the KIR21NSE0 state that it has no freezer compartment.
Before choosing between a single-door fridge with a freezer compartment and a fridge freezer, check the capacity for frozen food and the compartment’s star rating.
Electrolux advises leaving space for air to circulate around the fridge. If you can’t follow the instructions in your chosen space, you’ll need to reconsider it before buying.
Check the installation instructions for the specific model you’ve chosen rather than assuming the same clearance applies to every appliance.
These models are examples of different configurations to compare; their features don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Liebherr product details let you compare a table-top fridge with a moderately sized fridge freezer.
Beko offers, among other models, the integrated B1854N and the B5RCNE405HG fridge freezer, both listed as 54 cm wide.
The KIR21NSE0 and KIR41VFE0 integrated fridges offer two capacity points of reference for a built-in installation.
The first three models are fridge freezers to consider if you need two separate storage compartments. The last is a single-door fridge with a freezer compartment, for more limited capacity needs. Check the installation dimensions and how the capacity is divided to make sure they suit your kitchen and shopping habits.
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If your shopping includes fresh and frozen food, the product name lists 153 l of fridge capacity and 74 l of freezer capacity. It also lists a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and Low Frost technology. Before choosing this size, check the height, depth, door clearance and ventilation requirements.
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This freestanding fridge freezer is worth considering if you want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food in a small kitchen. Its name lists a total capacity of 174 l, a reversible door, an adjustable thermostat and Low Frost technology. Compare the capacity of each compartment and the full dimensions with your available space.
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Worth considering if you need more storage for your shopping and have room for this capacity in your kitchen. The product name lists 252 l for the fridge, 103 l for the freezer, a width of 60 cm and a reversible door. Also measure the height, depth and door clearance: width alone doesn’t tell you whether it will fit.
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Consider this for frequent shopping and limited storage, rather than a large weekly shop. The product name lists a capacity of 92 l and mentions a freezer compartment. Before choosing, check the capacity and star rating of this compartment, as well as the appliance’s full dimensions.
Que Choisir gives an indicative average of 100 to 150 l for one person. Adjust this guide to the amount of fresh food you keep between shops, and compare the freezer capacity separately.
Yes. If the fridge is in your living space, compare the stated noise levels in dB(A) of the models you’re considering. ADEME says the energy label lets you compare noise information; check the label for the specific model.
Don’t install a model if the required housing dimensions don’t match your cabinet. Bosch recommends considering a freestanding appliance if the housing unit is too small. If you do, check its external dimensions, door opening and the ventilation requirements in its instructions.
Yes. Electrolux advises making sure air can circulate around the appliance. To find out how much clearance to leave in your kitchen, follow the installation instructions for the model you’ve chosen rather than relying on a distance that may not apply to every appliance.
Compare the annual energy consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise information for models that meet your needs. ADEME describes the energy label as a way to compare energy consumption and noise; the rating letter doesn’t replace checking these details.