For your first studio flat, start by considering the space available and your eating habits. Choose a table-top fridge to prioritise fresh-food storage in a small space, a model with a freezer compartment for a few frozen items, or a small fridge-freezer if you regularly need both. An integrated model is only suitable if its housing, ventilation and door fitting are compatible with your existing kitchen. Whatever you choose, measure the access route, the space available and the door clearance before comparing capacities.
Your fridge needs to fit without blocking the walkway or preventing cupboards from opening. Que Choisir recommends a table-top fridge for studio flats; even so, check all three dimensions, the door clearance and the ventilation requirements for the model you’re considering.
The total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room is set aside for fresh and frozen food. Compare the capacity of each compartment with your usual shopping before choosing between a small fridge with a freezer compartment and a fridge-freezer.
Check the internal dimensions of the existing housing, its ventilation and the door fitting. A freestanding fridge, even a compact one, isn’t automatically a suitable replacement for an integrated model.
Start with your kitchen’s constraints and your storage needs. A good capacity is no use if the appliance can’t be installed properly.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the access route, the space available and the door clearance; follow the clearances specified in the manual. | In a narrow kitchen, I want to leave enough room to move around once the appliance is installed. Around 33% of consumers put physical fit first. |
| Fresh-food storage | Compare the fridge capacity and the layout of its shelves and drawers. | If I mainly buy fresh food, I need enough room for my everyday shopping without setting aside unnecessary space for frozen food. This is a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Freezing | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment, its separate capacity and its freezing specifications. | If I regularly store frozen food, a fridge with space for fresh food alone won’t meet my needs. Around 25% of consumers say freezing is their main requirement. |
| Existing housing | Measure the internal dimensions and check the ventilation and door-fitting system. | With a fitted kitchen, I need to find an appliance that fits the cabinet and its door front before considering capacity. The housing fit comes first for around 17% of consumers. |
A narrow fridge isn’t necessarily easy to get through doorways, or the right depth for your kitchen. For example, Liebherr lists a depth of 60.7 cm for its Rdi 1621 Plus table-top fridge.
Measure the width, height and depth along the delivery route and in the intended space, then check the clearances required in the model’s manual.
Configurations vary: Beko lists the TSE1504FN without a freezer and the TSE1234FSN with a freezer compartment at the top.
If frozen food is part of your regular shop, check whether there’s a freezer compartment and confirm its capacity and specifications.
The cabinet also needs to suit the ventilation requirements and door fitting. Whirlpool specifies an 88 cm housing and a sliding hinge fitting for the ARG94312FR; these details don’t apply to every model.
Measure the inside of the housing, identify how the existing appliance is fitted, and compare these details with the manual before ordering.
Depending on your kitchen, installation may require a professional. Bosch Home Appliances recommends professional installation for integrated appliances.
In a studio flat where the kitchen opens onto the living area, it’s also worth checking the stated energy consumption and noise level.
Compare the kWh/year figures and noise levels of appliances with similar types and capacities. Don’t estimate energy use from the energy rating letter alone.
These two freestanding table-top models let you compare options with and without a freezer, if your kitchen doesn’t require an integrated appliance.
The specifications for the Rdi 1621 Plus and IRd 4121 provide useful measurements to compare a table-top fridge with an integrated model.
The ARG94312FR is worth considering if your kitchen already has a housing for a small integrated fridge.
These models suit two possible needs in a studio flat: separate storage for fresh and frozen food, or a small-capacity fridge with a single door. Always measure the space before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance. The product description lists 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door, Low Frost technology and an E energy rating. Check the height, depth, delivery access and ventilation clearances. Low Frost doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a single-door appliance for a small kitchen and would also like a freezer compartment. The product description lists a capacity of 92 L, a freezer compartment and an E energy rating. Check the compartment’s own capacity, the external dimensions and the installation requirements before deciding whether it will suit your shopping needs.
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Worth considering if you only need to store small quantities and can plan your shopping accordingly. The product description lists a capacity of 45 L, a toughened glass shelf, adjustable feet and an E energy rating. Compare the capacity with your everyday needs and check the dimensions and clearances required for installation.
It may be, if your shopping fits in its fridge compartment and you don’t need much freezer space. Que Choisir recommends this format for studio flats, but configurations vary. The Beko TSE1504FN, for example, doesn’t have a freezer.
Measure the delivery route and the space available, including its height, width and depth, as well as the clearance needed to open the door. Then check the ventilation clearances in the manual for the model you’ve chosen. Bosch Home Appliances’ general installation advice doesn’t replace the instructions for your specific model.
No. A compact appliance also needs to fit the housing and meet its ventilation requirements, as well as being compatible with the door-fitting system. Compare the new model’s manual with your existing cabinet. Bosch Home Appliances recommends using a professional to install an integrated appliance.
First, follow the instructions for the model you’ve bought and take account of the position it was transported in. For its moving guidance, Bosch Home Appliances recommends waiting 24 hours after transport at an angle of more than 45°. Don’t automatically apply this waiting time to another appliance.