Studio flat renter with very limited space
You need to get the fridge into your home and find a place for it in a small kitchen, without sacrificing too much space for your shopping.
Who is this guide for?
Someone living alone who keeps a few frozen foods
You’re looking for a small appliance, but also need to check whether its freezer compartment has enough room for the frozen food you keep.
Someone who cares about noise and everyday use
If your kitchen is close to where you sleep, compare the noise levels stated for each model. Check the energy label too, rather than trying to infer energy use from just one feature.
What to compare
In a studio flat, the right format depends on the food you need to store, how often you buy frozen food and how much accessible space you have for the appliance.
Table-top fridge without a freezer
Worth considering: if you mainly buy fresh food and are looking for a compact appliance.
The trade-off: you won’t be able to store frozen food in this type of appliance.
Fridge with an integrated freezer compartment
Worth considering: if you occasionally keep a few frozen items but don’t want a larger fridge-freezer.
The trade-off: a small compartment may not be enough if frozen food makes up a significant part of your shopping, as Que Choisir points out.
Compact fridge-freezer
Worth considering: if you regularly store frozen food and need a separate freezer section.
The trade-off: check that the overall footprint will still fit in your kitchen and along the delivery route.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access and space | Measure the route and the space where the appliance will go. Then check its full dimensions, door opening and the clearances specified in the model’s manual. | When the front door and kitchen are narrow, I mainly want to be sure I can get the appliance in and install it; around 42% of consumers put access first. |
| Capacity for fresh food | Compare the usable fridge capacity with how often you shop. Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 litres as a general guide for one person, but you should adjust this to suit your habits. | If I shop for several days at a time, I want to be able to store fresh food without having to go back to the shop too soon; around 33% of consumers prioritise this capacity. |
| Space for frozen food | Check the type and capacity of the freezer section on the exact model you’re considering: an integrated compartment and a separate freezer section won’t necessarily suit the same needs. | When frozen food is a regular part of my shop, I don’t want to rely on a compartment that’s too small; around 25% of consumers put this capacity first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a ‘mini fridge’ based on size alone
An appliance may fit easily in your studio flat but still leave too little room for the fresh food you need between shopping trips.
Compare its usable capacity with your habits. The 100 to 150-litre guide Que Choisir gives for one person isn’t a requirement; it’s there to help you work out what you need.
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Assuming all freezer compartments are the same
Que Choisir says a basic freezer compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Check the type and capacity of the compartment on the product details for the exact model, then choose according to how much you plan to store.
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Measuring the kitchen but not the route to it
The dimensions of the space won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit through the doors, hallway or stairwell, or whether it can be installed in line with the manual.
Measure the narrowest point, check which way the door opens and read the manufacturer’s ventilation and connection instructions. Also confirm that the delivery arrangements take access to your home into account.
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Confusing a commercial warranty with your legal rights
A commercial warranty doesn’t replace the minimum legal protection that applies when you buy a new appliance from a professional seller in France.
The French Ministry of the Economy says the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new goods for two years. Check separately what any commercial warranty offers on top.
Brands to consider
Bosch
Two table-top models to compare, depending on whether you need a freezer compartment.
- Bosch’s product details list 134 litres without a freezer compartment for the KTR15NWEA and 106 litres of fridge capacity with an integrated compartment for the KTL15NWEB. Both models measure 85 × 56 × 58 cm and have a stated noise level of 39 dB(A).
- These capacities and dimensions apply only to the models listed. Check the product details for the model you’re considering.
Beko
A range of table-top fridges to explore if width and your need for a freezer are important factors.
- Beko offers models that are 54 cm wide, including some with a 4-star freezer compartment.
- Features vary by model: the TSE1504FN featured by Beko is a table-top fridge without a freezer.
Liebherr
A table-top model to consider if appliance height, stated noise level and a freezer compartment are all important to you.
- Liebherr lists the KTe551 as 85 cm high, with a capacity of 111 litres, a noise level of 37 dB and a 4-star freezer compartment.
- These specifications are for the KTe551 only, not the whole Liebherr fridge range.
Whirlpool
The single-door range can be a useful point of comparison if you need straightforward food storage in a small space.
- Whirlpool offers single-door models designed, among other things, for smaller spaces.
- The range also includes built-in and larger appliances, so check the dimensions, installation type and freezer features of each model.
Fridges available on Joybuy
These two CHiQ models suit different needs in a studio flat: a fridge-freezer with a separate freezer section for regular frozen food, and a smaller-capacity single-door fridge with an integrated compartment. Compare their capacity with your shopping habits and check their full dimensions against your home.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L fridge-freezer, silver
Worth considering if you regularly store both fresh and frozen food, provided its size suits your studio flat.
The product name lists 153 L of fridge capacity, 74 L of freezer capacity, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door, 4-star freezing, Low Frost technology and an energy rating of E.
Its 153 L of fridge capacity is slightly above the general guide Que Choisir gives for one person. Before choosing this total capacity, check the model’s height, depth and required clearances.
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CHiQ JR92DSE, 92 L single-door fridge, matt silver
Worth considering if you shop in small quantities and would like an integrated freezer compartment.
The product name lists a total capacity of 92 L, a freezer compartment, a footprint of 0,22 m² and an energy rating of E.
This total capacity is below the 100 to 150 L average fridge capacity Que Choisir gives as a guide for one person. Before deciding whether it suits your shopping habits, check the capacity and type of freezer compartment, as well as the height, depth and installation instructions.
Frequently asked questions
What fridge capacity should I choose for one person?
Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity as a general guide for one person. Adjust this to how often you shop and how much fresh food you store, and consider separately how much space you need for frozen food.
Is an integrated freezer compartment enough for my frozen food?
An integrated compartment may be suitable for a few frozen items, but not necessarily for regular or large shops. Que Choisir highlights the limitations of a basic freezer compartment if you eat a lot of frozen food. Check the type and capacity of the compartment on the model you’re considering.
What should I measure before delivery to a studio flat?
Measure the narrowest part of the route to the kitchen, as well as the space where the fridge will go. Then check the model’s manual for door clearance, ventilation and connection instructions. Confirm with the seller that the delivery arrangements suit access to your home.
Do I need a commercial warranty to be covered?
No. If you buy a new fridge from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies regardless of any commercial warranty. The French Ministry of the Economy says it covers new goods for two years. Compare any additional warranty with this protection, and don’t confuse the two.
Can I have my old fridge collected when I buy a new one?
Under the French Ministry for Ecological Transition’s ‘one-for-one’ scheme, you can hand over an old product of the same type when buying a new one. Before placing your order, tell the seller that your old appliance is in a studio flat and check the collection arrangements for your floor and access.