In a studio flat, first choose a fridge that will fit in the space you have, then decide whether you need to freeze food. A table-top fridge without a freezer keeps all its capacity for fresh food; a small freezer compartment is handy for occasional frozen items, while a compact fridge-freezer is worth considering if you use frozen food regularly and have enough height. For usable capacity, UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres for one person, which you can adjust to suit how often you shop.
You’re looking for a short, narrow appliance while still keeping room for everyday fresh food. The space needed to open the door and the installation instructions matter just as much as the appliance’s dimensions.
You’d like a small freezer compartment for occasional use, without necessarily moving up to a taller appliance.
You need room for fresh and frozen food, and could consider a larger compact model if your space allows.
Whether you need to freeze food will point you towards the right format. You can then compare models based on their installation dimensions, usable capacity and stated features.
Consider this if: your space is low and you don’t buy frozen food.
The trade-off: all the capacity is given over to fresh food, with no freezer space. You’ll also need to allow for the clearances specified in the manual.
Consider this if: you occasionally keep a few frozen items or ice cubes.
The trade-off: the compartment can reduce the space available for fresh food. Bosch’s product specifications illustrate the difference between the KTR15NWEA and KTL15NWEB, which have the same external dimensions.
Consider this if: you regularly buy frozen food and have enough height available.
The trade-off: weigh the benefit of a separate freezer compartment against the overall size and usable capacity of the model you choose.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Measure the space and door clearance, then check the clearances and distances from heat sources required in the model’s manual. | If I need to put the fridge in a tight corner, I want to be able to open the door and meet its installation requirements; around 36% of consumers prioritise making the best use of the available space. |
| Capacity for fresh food | Compare the usable fridge capacity with how often you shop. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres for one person. | When I cook for several days at a time, I want to have enough fresh food between shops; this capacity is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Freezing | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment and compare the separate fridge and freezer capacities, depending on whether you use frozen food occasionally or regularly. | If I buy frozen food, I need to decide whether a small compartment will meet my needs; around 21% of consumers rank freezing as their top priority. |
| Noise and energy use | Check the noise level in dB(A) and the energy label details for the exact model. Compare appliances with similar capacities and intended uses. | In a room that also serves as a living space, I pay attention to the appliance’s noise and energy use; for around 14% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
A fridge may fit into an alcove but still leave too little room to open the door or meet its installation requirements.
Measure the access route, door clearance and position of the socket too. Check the manual for the exact model to find out about ventilation and clearances from heat sources.
An integrated compartment can reduce the space available for fresh food, even when the external dimensions are similar. Bosch’s product specifications show 134 litres of fridge capacity for the KTR15NWEA, which has no freezer, compared with 106 litres for the KTL15NWEB, which has a freezer compartment. Both measure 85 × 56 × 58 cm.
Decide whether you won’t store any frozen food, will keep some occasionally or buy it regularly, then compare the capacity of each section.
Two appliances with different capacities may not meet the same storage needs, even if their energy classes look similar.
Compare the stated energy use, usable capacity and noise level together for appliances intended for similar uses.
Refrigeration appliances contain components and fluids that need to be handled through the appropriate recycling and disposal system.
If you’re replacing your fridge, ask whether the retailer or delivery team can take the old one away, or take it to a suitable collection point or recycling centre, as advised by ADEME and the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
These models illustrate specific design choices; their features won’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Two freestanding table-top fridges to compare if you’re deciding between keeping all the space for fresh food and having a freezer compartment.
The TSE1284N is a freestanding table-top fridge with a top-mounted freezer, worth considering if width and door opening direction matter to you.
The ARG94312FR could suit a studio flat that already has a compatible built-in housing and needs a small appliance with a freezer compartment.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity for one person. How often you shop and how much fresh food you keep will help you decide where you need to be within that range.
A stated noise level of 39 dB(A) is below the 40 dB(A) benchmark UFC-Que Choisir cites for the quietest models, but that doesn’t guarantee the appliance will be unnoticeable in a single-room home. Compare the noise levels of models with similar storage capacities and follow their installation instructions.
Yes. Follow the clearances set out in the manual for your chosen model; you can’t work these out from the external dimensions alone. For example, the Beko TSE1284N manual requires at least 30 cm between the appliance and heat sources such as a cooker, oven or radiator. This figure doesn’t apply to every model.
Look at the energy class alongside the stated energy use and usable capacity, rather than comparing the letter alone. Check the noise level too, and make sure both appliances suit your needs and available space.
ADEME says you can hand it over to the retailer or delivery team when your new appliance arrives, or take it to a suitable collection facility. Check the arrangements for taking away your old appliance before delivery, and don’t leave it in a public place.