One person in a studio or one-bedroom flat
If the fridge will be near your bed or desk, consider its noise level as well as its footprint. For usable capacity, Que Choisir recommends an average of 100 to 150 litres for one person.
Who are these sizes suited to?
The number of people in your household gives you a starting point for capacity, but the space available and how much frozen food you store will also help determine the right size.
A couple in a small flat
Que Choisir suggests adding around 50 litres for each additional person to its guideline for one person. Then compare the space given to fresh and frozen food to see what best suits your usual shopping habits.
One person with a fitted kitchen
Before choosing a built-in or freestanding appliance, measure the space and check that the door can open fully. For a built-in model, compare the cabinet niche dimensions and ventilation requirements with the model’s instructions.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the space you can actually use, then compare the capacity and compartment layout with your shopping habits. Noise is especially important if the appliance will be in your living space.
| Feature | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare usable capacity rather than just the external dimensions. Que Choisir gives an average guideline of 100 to 150 litres for one person, plus 50 litres for each additional occupant; adjust this according to how often you shop. | I want to store my regular shopping without taking up more kitchen space than necessary. |
| Space and installation | Measure the height, width, depth and door clearance. For a built-in model, check the niche, door-front system and ventilation requirements against the instructions; a freestanding model also needs the specified clearances. | My kitchen is narrow or already fitted, so the appliance must fit and open in the space available. |
| Freezing | Check whether the model has a separate freezer compartment and how much space it offers. A table-top fridge and a fridge-freezer won’t meet the same needs if you regularly store frozen food. | If I freeze portions or often buy frozen food, I need to set aside enough space for it, even in a small home. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise levels in dB(A) for the specific models. Que Choisir puts the quietest fridges below 40 dBA; also consider how close the appliance will be to your living space. | The fridge will be near my bed, desk or sofa, so its noise level is particularly important. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Relying only on the external dimensions
An appliance may fit in the space you’ve measured without leaving enough room to open the door or meet its ventilation requirements. The dimensions of a built-in niche need to be checked separately.
Measure the space, the route into the kitchen and the door clearance, then compare the niche dimensions and clearances with the model’s instructions.
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Choosing a small freezer compartment when you regularly store frozen food
A compact appliance doesn’t necessarily offer enough space for the food you want to freeze. The right choice depends on how its capacity is divided between refrigeration and freezing.
Think about your shopping habits and the portions you freeze. If you do this regularly, compare the capacity of a separate freezer compartment before choosing a table-top fridge.
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Overlooking noise in your living space
In a studio flat, the appliance may be close to your bed or workspace. Que Choisir says the quietest fridges have a noise level below 40 dBA.
Compare the stated noise levels of the exact models you’re considering and think about how close they’ll be to the areas where you spend time.
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Leaving collection arrangements until delivery day
If you’re replacing an appliance, you’ll need to decide what to do with your old fridge. The DGCCRF describes, among other things, a “one-for-one” take-back service linked to the purchase of new equipment.
Before ordering, check the take-back service offered for your old appliance, as well as the seller’s delivery and installation terms.
Which brands and ranges should you look at?
These models illustrate different sizes and installation requirements; their features don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Beko
The Beko TSE1504FN table-top fridge is worth considering when width is limited.
- Its French product information lists a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and adjustable feet.
- Check the usable capacity and installation clearances for the model you’re considering before choosing this size.
Liebherr
The Liebherr Rdi 1620 Plus is a useful table-top model to compare with the space available in a small kitchen.
- Liebherr lists a total capacity of 141 litres and a noise level of 34 dB for this model.
- Its stated external dimensions are 85 × 60 × 60,7 cm. Check the depth and access route in particular.
Bosch
Bosch provides useful guidance on the space needed to install a fridge.
- In its installation FAQ, Bosch recommends leaving at least 200 cm² of clear space behind and beneath the appliance for ventilation.
- According to its product information, the freestanding KGN36VXCT fridge-freezer is 186 cm tall. Check the available height rather than assuming a fridge-freezer will fit under a worktop.
Electrolux
The Electrolux ETS3LE16S built-in fridge-freezer shows why niche dimensions matter in a fitted kitchen.
- Electrolux lists niche dimensions of 1580 × 560 × 550 mm for this model.
- These dimensions apply to the ETS3LE16S only. Check any existing niche against the diagram and ventilation requirements for the model you choose.
Which fridges should you look at on Joybuy?
This Joybuy selection includes fridge-freezers, some of them built-in, and a built-in larder fridge. If you’re choosing your first fridge for a small home, compare each model’s size with your kitchen and the space you need for fresh or frozen food.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L silver fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food in a kitchen where width is a key concern. The product title lists 153 L for refrigeration and 74 L for freezing, as well as a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and Low Frost. Also check the height, depth, door clearance and installation clearances. Low Frost doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it.
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SMEG S4C122E, 188 L built-in fridge-freezer
This built-in model is suited to a kitchen with a compatible niche. The product title lists a capacity of 188 L and a freezer compartment at the top. Compare the freezer capacity with your needs, then check the niche dimensions, door system, required cabinet front and ventilation requirements.
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AEG NSC6M18FES, 249 L built-in fridge-freezer
Consider this model if you’re looking for separate fridge and freezer compartments in a fitted kitchen. The product title lists a capacity of 249 L and TwinTech No Frost. Before choosing this built-in model, check the available height, niche dimensions and ventilation requirements against its instructions.
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LG GBBSJ1CCSW, 333 L white fridge-freezer
This fridge-freezer is worth comparing if you want plenty of space for fresh and frozen food. The product title lists a capacity of 333 L, but that doesn’t tell you whether it will fit in a small kitchen. Measure the space and access route, then check the clearances specified in the instructions.
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SMEG S4L120E, built-in larder fridge
This option is suited to a fitted kitchen when fresh food is a priority and you don’t need a freezer compartment. Check the usable capacity of the exact model before deciding whether it’s right for your household, and check the niche dimensions and ventilation requirements before installation.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity do you need for one or two people?
Que Choisir recommends an average usable capacity of 100 to 150 litres for one person, then around 50 litres for each additional person. Adjust this starting point to how often you shop, and check separately how much space you need for frozen food.
Can you put a freestanding fridge in a niche?
Only choose this location if the dimensions, door clearance and ventilation clearances meet the requirements in the instructions for the freestanding model. In its installation FAQ, Bosch recommends at least 200 cm² of clear space behind and beneath the fridge; check the requirements for the appliance you’ve chosen rather than relying on its external dimensions alone.
When should you switch on a fridge after delivery?
Check the instructions for your model before plugging it in. In its installation guidance, Electrolux recommends waiting at least 4 hours to allow the oil to flow back into the compressor, and advises leaving space for air to circulate around the appliance.
What should you do with your old fridge when replacing it?
Arrange for it to be taken back or collected through an appropriate waste electrical and electronic equipment scheme. The DGCCRF describes, among other options, a “one-for-one” take-back service when you buy new equipment. Check the arrangements for your old appliance before delivery.