Living alone and buying few frozen foods
If you often buy small amounts of fresh food, a table-top fridge or a single-door fridge may be enough. Check the fridge capacity and, if needed, whether it has a freezer compartment and how large it is.
Which size is right for you?
In a studio flat, your shopping habits and kitchen layout matter just as much as the appliance’s width.
A renter who regularly stores frozen food
A compact fridge-freezer lets you compare fridge and freezer capacities separately. Also make sure its height, depth and door opening will work in your small kitchen.
Living in a fitted kitchen
If the appliance needs to sit behind a cabinet door, first check the housing dimensions, door mechanism and ventilation requirements for the integrated model.
What should you check before choosing?
First choose a size that fits the available space, then compare models based on your shopping habits and how close the appliance is to your living area.
Table-top fridge without a freezer
Consider this if: you mainly have a low space available and usually buy small amounts of fresh food.
Bear in mind: its limited capacity and lack of a freezer may not suit every shopping routine.
Single-door fridge with a freezer compartment
Consider this if: space is limited but you’d like to keep a few frozen items from time to time.
Bear in mind: check the compartment’s capacity and specifications before relying on it for regular shopping.
Compact fridge-freezer
Consider this if: frozen food is a regular part of your shop and you have room for a tall appliance.
Bear in mind: its height and door swing may make it difficult to fit, even if it’s narrow.
Integrated fridge-freezer
Consider this if: your kitchen has a housing and cabinet door that are compatible with the model you’ve chosen.
Bear in mind: similar external dimensions alone don’t confirm that the cabinet and door will be compatible.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the route into the kitchen and the door swing. Allow for the ventilation clearances specified in the model’s instructions. | I want to be able to open the fridge without blocking the way or getting in the way of a neighbouring cabinet. |
| Fridge capacity | Compare the usable fridge capacity in litres with the amount of fresh food you keep between shops. Don’t rely on the total capacity alone. | If I shop little and often, I don’t need the same storage space as someone who keeps several days’ worth of meals. |
| Freezer capacity | If you buy frozen food, check the compartment’s capacity, star rating and freezing capacity separately. | I sometimes keep a few frozen items, or I need freezer space for my regular shop. |
| Noise and energy use | Check the noise level in dB(A), noise class and annual energy consumption in kWh on the energy label. Compare appliances with similar types and capacities. | My bed or desk is close to the kitchenette, so the stated noise level matters to me, as does the energy use of an appliance that runs constantly. |
| Housing and delivery | For an integrated model, check the housing dimensions, door system and ventilation. Before ordering, confirm access through the building and what delivery and installation services are included. | I have a fitted kitchen or narrow access, so I need to know whether the appliance will fit through and who will install it. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Measuring the width only
The depth, height, door opening and ventilation requirements may prevent installation, even if the appliance is narrow enough.
Measure the space in all three dimensions and check the delivery route. For an integrated model, also compare the housing dimensions and installation instructions.
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Choosing a small freezer compartment for regular frozen food shopping
A small compartment doesn’t tell you how much food you’ll be able to store or what it can be used for.
Think about the frozen food you usually store, then compare the compartment’s capacity and specifications separately from the appliance’s total capacity.
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Assuming a small appliance will be quiet and energy-efficient
Noise and energy-use figures vary by model, and a single figure won’t help you compare appliances with different capacities.
Check the dB(A) and kWh/year figures on the energy label, then compare models of a similar size and capacity.
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Confusing delivery with installation
An appliance delivered to your home won’t necessarily be installed in a housing unit. Darty states, for example, that installation and setup of its integrated appliances aren’t included in the stated delivery service.
Before ordering, confirm where the appliance will be left, access to your floor, what installation is included and, if you’re replacing an appliance, what collection options are available.
A guide to some of the brands
These ranges show some of the sizes available to compare; each model has its own specifications and installation requirements.
Beko
The French range includes table-top fridges with or without a freezer compartment, as well as narrow fridge-freezers.
- Beko’s TSE1504FN product details give a width of 54 cm; the TSE1284N is described as a freestanding table-top fridge with a top-mounted freezer.
- The size alone doesn’t tell you the required ventilation clearances or usable capacity, so check the instructions and product details for your chosen model.
Bosch
Consider integrated models if your kitchen already has a suitable housing unit.
- Bosch’s product details for the KIN86SFE0 give appliance dimensions of 1772 × 541 × 548 mm and list 184 l of fridge capacity and 76 l of freezer capacity separately.
- These dimensions apply to the KIN86SFE0; they don’t confirm the required dimensions of your housing or whether its cabinet door is compatible.
Electrolux
You can compare the brand’s integrated fridge-freezers using the housing dimensions listed for each model.
- Electrolux gives housing dimensions of 1780 × 560 × 550 mm for the KNS3SE18S.
- Before replacing an appliance, also check the door system and installation instructions; the housing height alone isn’t enough.
Fridges available on Joybuy
These options include fridge-freezers, which keep fresh and frozen food separate, and single-door fridges for smaller spaces. Before choosing, compare their full dimensions and compartments with your needs.
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CHiQ JR263LGE, 262 L Low Frost fridge-freezer, black
Worth considering if you regularly store frozen food and have enough vertical space. This fridge-freezer is listed as 54 cm wide and 176 cm tall. You’ll also need to check its depth, door swing and the ventilation clearances in your kitchen.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L Low Frost fridge-freezer, silver
If you buy both fresh and frozen food, the model name lists 153 L of fridge capacity and 74 L of freezer capacity. It’s listed as 54 cm wide and has a reversible door. Check the height and depth too before deciding where to put it.
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TCL RF60DWE0FR, 45 L table-top mini fridge
Its table-top design is worth considering for small amounts of fresh food in a compact space. Check the dimensions, usable capacity of each compartment and usage instructions before storing frozen food in it.
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CHiQ JR92DSE, 92 L single-door fridge, silver
This model has a stated freezer compartment and may be worth considering if you’re looking for a single-door fridge for a small shop. Before setting aside space for it, check its full dimensions and the compartment’s capacity against the frozen food you plan to store.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should I leave around a freestanding fridge for ventilation?
Follow the clearances specified in the instructions for your chosen model. Beko’s general ventilation guidance recommends leaving at least 5 cm on each side and at the back, but this doesn’t replace the requirements for your specific appliance.
Is a similar width to my housing enough to choose an integrated fridge-freezer?
No. Compare the full housing dimensions, ventilation requirements and door fixing system. For example, Electrolux specifies housing dimensions of 1780 × 560 × 550 mm for the KNS3SE18S.
Does the energy label also help me compare noise levels?
Yes. ADEME says the label gives information about the energy use and noise levels of large household appliances. To compare fridges of a similar type and capacity, check the kWh/year, dB(A) and noise class.
Does delivery include installation of an integrated fridge-freezer?
Not necessarily: check with the seller what your chosen service includes. Darty states that, under its specified delivery terms, installation and setup of integrated appliances aren’t included and may be available as a separate service.
What should I do with my old fridge when replacing it?
In France, ADEME says a refrigerating appliance can be handed to the seller or delivery driver when you replace it, or taken to the area for electrical and electronic equipment at a recycling centre. Check with the seller what collection options are available when you place your order.