One person in a small kitchen
If you shop for fresh food regularly and store very little frozen food, consider a table-top or single-door fridge. Compare their usable capacities: a small freezer compartment may not replace a separate storage space.
Which format is right for you ?
The space you have available matters just as much as how you divide your shopping between fresh and frozen food.
A couple or housemates who shop weekly
A fridge freezer gives you separate areas for fresh and frozen food. Check the capacity in litres of each compartment, then make sure the appliance’s height, door opening and delivery access are suitable for your home.
Moving into a fitted kitchen
Before replacing a built-in appliance, check the housing, ventilation, cabinet door and fixings. If you’re renting a furnished property, also distinguish between the appliances already provided and anything you’re planning to buy yourself.
What should you check before choosing ?
First, work out how much usable space you really have, then choose how you want to divide it between refrigeration and freezing. Next, compare the energy label details of appliances designed for similar needs.
Table-top fridge
Consider one if : height is limited, you shop often and you store very little frozen food.
The trade-off : there may be less room for fresh and frozen food; check the capacity of each compartment separately.
Single-door fridge
Consider one if : fresh food storage is your priority or you already have a separate freezer.
The trade-off : if it has a small freezer compartment, its capacity and uses will depend on the model.
Fridge freezer
Consider one if : your weekly shop regularly includes frozen food and you have enough height for it.
The trade-off : check that it will fit through delivery access routes and, if it’s a built-in model, in the designated housing.
| Factor | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space and ventilation | Measure the height, width and depth, delivery access routes and door swing. Check the clearances against the model’s manual. For freestanding models, UFC-Que Choisir generally recommends leaving 5 cm at the sides and back, and 10 cm above. | I want to be able to install the appliance and open its door without obstructing nearby cupboards. |
| Fresh and frozen food | Check the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately. If you plan to store or freeze food, also check the type of compartment, its star rating and the manufacturer’s instructions. | I shop less often: how much space do I really need for fresh food, ready meals and frozen food ? |
| Energy and noise | The European Commission says fridge labels show the A to G energy class, kWh/year, compartment capacities and noise emissions. Compare these details across appliances of a similar type and capacity. | If my kitchen is next to my living room, noise matters as much to me as the stated annual energy consumption. |
| Built-in installation | Measure the housing and check the ventilation, hinges and door fixing requirements for the specific model. Bosch says some of its built-in models need 56 cm-wide housings and have specific ventilation requirements. | In a fitted kitchen, I need to know whether the new appliance will fit the existing housing and cabinet door. |
What mistakes should you avoid ?
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Measuring only the old appliance
A new fridge may need different clearances, may not fit through your delivery access routes or could obstruct a cupboard door.
Measure the space and delivery route, then check the manual for door clearance and ventilation requirements.
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Comparing only the total capacity
The total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much space is available for fresh or frozen food.
Compare the capacity of each compartment with how often you shop and how much food you plan to freeze.
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Looking only at the energy efficiency rating
The rating alone doesn’t tell you the capacity of the compartments or how noisy the appliance is, both of which can matter in a small kitchen.
On the label described by the European Commission, also check the kWh/year, capacities and noise emissions. Then compare appliances designed for similar uses.
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Choosing a built-in model based on its apparent width
Two models can differ in housing height, ventilation or door fixings, even if their fronts look similar.
Measure the housing and check the existing hinge system, then compare them with the manual for the model you’re considering before ordering.
Which brands should you consider ?
These examples of ranges and models can help you identify what to check. They don’t guarantee that another appliance from the same brand will be compatible.
Beko
Worth considering for a freestanding table-top fridge or certain built-under models.
- According to its French product listing, the Beko TSE1285N is 54 cm wide and has a total capacity of 114 L, split between 101 L of fridge space and 13 L of freezer space.
- This capacity split applies to the TSE1285N. Check the capacities and installation method of any other Beko model.
Bosch
Worth considering if your kitchen has a housing for a built-in fridge or fridge freezer.
- Bosch lists the KIV87NSE0 as having 200 L of fridge space and 70 L of freezer space.
- For a built-in Bosch model, check the housing, hinges and ventilation against the instructions for that specific model.
Liebherr
Liebherr’s French range includes both freestanding and built-in fridges.
- Model listings include details such as housing dimensions and capacities, which are useful when shortlisting a format.
- Then compare the capacity, noise and energy consumption of the specific model. The food-preservation technologies promoted by the brand don’t replace these checks.
Fridges available on Joybuy
This selection mainly includes fridge freezers, which give you separate spaces for fresh and frozen food, as well as a built-in single-door fridge to consider if you have a separate freezer. Before choosing, make sure each appliance will fit your space.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L silver fridge freezer
Worth comparing if you want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food in a kitchen where width is limited.
The product name lists 153 L of fridge space, 74 L of freezer space, a width of 54 cm and a reversible door. Check the height, door-opening space and ventilation clearances. To compare energy consumption, also check the kWh/year.
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SMEG S4C122E, 188 L built-in fridge freezer
Worth considering for a fitted kitchen if you’re looking for a built-in appliance with a freezer compartment.
The product name specifies a top freezer and an energy efficiency rating of E. Before ordering, check how the 188 L is divided between compartments, then make sure the housing, fixings and cabinet door are compatible with the model.
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Comfee' by Midea RCB230BL2EU(E), 174 L fridge freezer
Worth comparing for planned food shops if you want two storage areas without going straight for a large overall capacity.
The product name specifies a freestanding model, a reversible door and Low Frost. Confirm the exact width and depth before checking whether it will fit your space. Also check the separate capacities, kWh/year and noise level for the model.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 L three-door fridge freezer
Worth considering if storing a week’s shopping matters more to you than keeping the appliance compact.
Its stated total capacity is 360 L: check how much space each compartment offers before deciding. Also measure the space, delivery access routes and ventilation clearances, as this format may be too large for some small kitchens.
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SMEG S4L120E, built-in single-door fridge
Worth considering for a fitted kitchen if you have a separate appliance for frozen food.
This model is described as being designed for fresh food storage. Check its exact capacity, then confirm the housing dimensions, cabinet door fixings and installation instructions before choosing it.
Frequently asked questions
Can you replace a built-in fridge with a freestanding one ?
Yes, if the space is genuinely suitable for this type of installation. Check the dimensions, door opening and clearances required in the freestanding model’s manual. A housing previously occupied by a built-in fridge doesn’t guarantee adequate ventilation.
What should you look for on the energy label ?
Compare the energy class with the kWh/year, fridge and freezer capacities, and noise emissions. The European Commission says this information is shown on fridge labels; it’s more useful when considered together than when you look at the rating alone.
Do all freestanding models need the same amount of space around them ?
No : follow the installation instructions for the model you choose. UFC-Que Choisir generally recommends leaving at least 5 cm at the sides and back, and 10 cm above a freestanding fridge, but you should check the requirements for your specific appliance.
Is a small freezer compartment enough for a week’s shopping ?
It depends on how much frozen food you need to store and how you plan to use the compartment. Check its usable capacity, star rating and the manufacturer’s instructions. If frozen food regularly features in your shopping, also consider how a fridge freezer divides its storage space.