If you live alone in a studio flat, first measure the space and check how far the door can open. Then compare the fridge’s fresh-food capacity with your shopping habits: Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a general guide. A small table-top fridge may suit you if space is your priority and you don’t store much food. If you regularly buy frozen food, check the freezer compartment’s capacity and specifications separately. Only choose a built-in model if its instructions confirm that it will fit the housing, door and ventilation requirements.
Fresh-food capacity matters just as much as the space the fridge takes up. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a guide for one person. If your fridge will be in your living space, check the stated noise level too.
Measure the space, but also make sure there’s room to open the door and pull out the drawers. A freestanding appliance and a built-in model have different installation requirements.
Compare the capacity of the fridge and freezer compartments separately. A compact appliance may leave little room for fresh food if a large proportion of its total capacity is taken up by the freezer.
Start with the space available and your usual shopping habits, then consider noise and the installation requirements of the type you’re looking at.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food capacity | Compare the fridge’s usable capacity, not just its total capacity. Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 L as a general guide for one person; adjust this to suit how often you shop. | I cook often and want enough room for fresh food without taking up the whole kitchenette. |
| Freezer | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment, its capacity and its stated temperature. According to Gifam, a single-door fridge may have only a small compartment for ice cubes, while a fridge-freezer has a separate freezer section. | If I buy frozen food every week, I need to make room for it without sacrificing too much space for fresh food. |
| Size | Check the width, height and depth, then make sure the door can open fully and the drawers can be accessed. For a built-in model, also check the housing and door-front fixing requirements in the model’s instructions. | The door must open without blocking the way or hitting neighbouring furniture. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise level in dB(A), then look for an independent test that covers noise if possible. Que Choisir considers appliances rated below 40 dBA among the quietest, while noting that the label alone can’t predict how disruptive a fridge will seem. | My fridge will be near the space where I live or sleep, so the stated figure is only a starting point. |
| Installation and energy use | Check the model’s instructions for ventilation clearances. Compare annual energy consumption in kWh using the energy label, which ADEME presents as a basis for comparing appliances. | I want to be sure the appliance will fit in the space and compare its energy use on a like-for-like basis. |
Boulanger lists the compact two-door LISTO RMDL85-50hob2 as having 85 L of total capacity: 61 L for the fridge and 24 L for the freezer. The total alone doesn’t show how much space is available for fresh food.
Compare the two capacities separately with the food you usually store.
The door may not be able to open properly next to a wall, even if the appliance fits in the space you measured. A built-in model also needs a suitable housing, door-front fixing and ventilation.
Measure the space and check how far the door can open, then follow the model’s installation instructions before ordering.
According to Que Choisir, the noise level on the label isn’t enough to predict whether a fridge will be disruptive in your living space.
Use the dB(A) rating to compare models, then, if possible, read an independent test describing how noisy they are when running.
The KIL22NSE0 is an example of a compact built-in model to consider if your existing cabinetry can accommodate it.
The KTe550 table-top fridge is worth considering if you’re looking for a low-profile model with more capacity than some very narrow appliances.
The RTT89BE is an option to consider if you have very limited width and depth available.
This compact single-door fridge is worth considering if space is limited and a small freezer compartment suits your shopping habits. Check its full dimensions and how its capacity is divided before making a decision.
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Its stated capacity of 92 L may suit you if you shop often and don’t store much, but it’s below the general guide of 100 to 150 L that Que Choisir gives for one person. Its stated footprint is 0,22 m²; also check the height, depth and door clearance in the space where you plan to put it. If you expect to store frozen food or place the fridge near your bed, check the freezer compartment’s capacity and temperature, as well as its stated noise level in dB(A).
Que Choisir recommends an average of 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. Use this as a starting point, then adjust it to suit how often you shop and how much space you need for frozen food. A smaller appliance means storing less food at a time.
It depends on the freezer compartment. Check its capacity and stated temperature rather than relying on the size of the appliance. Gifam notes that a single-door fridge may have only a small compartment intended for ice cubes.
No. Check the housing dimensions, door-front fixing, door opening and ventilation against the instructions for the exact model. Bosch recommends at least 200 cm² of ventilation space behind and underneath the fridge in its installation guidance; always follow the requirements for the appliance you choose.
No. The stated dB(A) level helps you compare models, but it can’t tell you on its own whether the noise will disturb you in a room where you sleep. Que Choisir describes models rated below 40 dBA as the quietest and advises against judging noise comfort by the label alone.