If you live in a studio flat and don’t buy much food, start by considering an under-counter fridge if you mainly store fresh produce. A model with a freezer compartment is worth comparing if you occasionally keep frozen food. If frozen food is a regular part of your shopping, a compact fridge-freezer gives you separate spaces for both, provided its height, route into the kitchen and door opening suit your home. In every case, check the dimensions and clearances specified for the exact model.
If you do smaller shops and eat little or no frozen food, consider an under-counter fridge without a freezer. Que Choisir describes this format as suitable for studio flats; still, check that the model’s capacity fits your habits.
An under-counter fridge with a freezer compartment can save space beneath your worktop. Beko distinguishes these models from its under-counter fridges without a freezer, so check the compartment type and capacity before relying on it for frozen food.
A compact fridge-freezer gives you the option of separate spaces for fresh and frozen food. Check that it will fit in your home from top to bottom, as well as its depth, door opening and ventilation requirements.
Start with the space you actually have, then compare it with the room you need for fresh and frozen food. Width alone won’t tell you whether an under-counter fridge or a fridge-freezer is the better choice.
Consider it: for smaller shops that are mainly fresh, if the space beneath your worktop suits the model and its ventilation needs.
The trade-off: it won’t meet your needs if you want to store frozen food.
Consider it: if it needs to fit beneath a worktop but you occasionally keep frozen food.
The trade-off: the word ‘freezer’ doesn’t tell you the compartment’s capacity or type; check the model specifications.
Consider it: if your shopping regularly includes frozen food and you have enough height for the appliance.
The trade-off: even a narrow fridge-freezer won’t fit beneath a worktop. Check the delivery route and door opening, too.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space and delivery | Compare the height, width and depth with the space available and the narrowest points on the delivery route. Check the door clearance and the distances specified in the manual. | I need to get the appliance into my home and open its door without obstructing the kitchen. |
| Freezing | Check whether there’s a compartment, and confirm its type and capacity. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately rather than looking only at the total capacity. | Occasional frozen food needs less space than portions you freeze every week. |
| Energy use and noise | Check the stated annual energy consumption in kWh/year and the noise level for the exact model. Compare like-for-like figures rather than relying on the energy rating alone. | In a studio flat, I want to understand the appliance’s energy use and noise level, especially if my bed is close to the kitchen. |
| Food temperature | Find the temperature control and check the temperature with a thermometer. Anses recommends aiming for between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge. | I want to be able to check the temperature of my food, even with a small appliance. |
A fridge-freezer can be narrow but still too tall for a space beneath a worktop. For example, Candy lists its CCG1S 518EWX at 545 × 545 × 1 794 mm; these dimensions apply to this model only.
Measure the space and delivery route in all three dimensions, then check the model’s manual for ventilation clearances.
Under-counter fridges are available with or without a freezer compartment. Its presence alone doesn’t tell you the capacity or type of compartment.
Think about how much frozen food you usually keep, then compare the compartment specifications on each product page.
The rating letter alone doesn’t tell you a model’s stated annual energy consumption or how much room it offers for your food.
For appliances that fit in your kitchen, compare the kWh/year figures, compartment capacities and noise levels listed for each model.
In France, Service Public Entreprendre states that ‘one-for-one’ collection of a used product is free, up to the quantity and type of product sold or replaced.
If you’re replacing an old fridge, mention it when placing your order and confirm the practical arrangements for its collection.
These examples are useful for comparing formats and installation guidance. The features mentioned apply only to the ranges or models specified.
Beko France distinguishes between under-counter fridges without a freezer and those with a compartment at the top.
Candy France product pages provide two examples of freestanding formats to help you compare the space required.
Electrolux provides installation guidance that’s useful to check before placing an appliance in a small kitchen.
These models include two fridge-freezers to consider if you regularly freeze food, as well as a fridge with a freezer compartment to compare if you do smaller shops. Whether they’re right for you also depends on the space available and the installation instructions.
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Worth considering if you want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food in a kitchen with limited width. The product name lists 153 L of fridge space, 74 L of freezer space, a width of 54 cm and a reversible door. Check its height and installation clearances before ordering. Its total capacity may be more than one person needs for smaller shops.
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Compare this if you need a fridge-freezer rather than an under-counter appliance. The product name lists a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm, a 70/30 split and Low Frost technology. Check the depth, delivery route, door opening and clearances specified in the manual. Consider whether its 262 L capacity is right for the amount you shop for.
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Worth considering for smaller shops that are mainly fresh, with the occasional need for a freezer compartment. The product name lists a capacity of 92 L and a freezer compartment; check its capacity and type before relying on it for frozen food. Also check the height, depth and clearance needed for installation.
Measure the height, width and depth of the space, as well as the narrowest points on the route to the kitchen. Then check the door clearance and ventilation requirements in the model’s manual. Electrolux recommends allowing air to circulate around the appliance.
An under-counter fridge may suit you if you do smaller shops, mainly for fresh food, and don’t need to freeze food regularly. Que Choisir describes this format as suitable for studio flats. If you buy frozen food, compare the freezer compartment in a model with one against that of a compact fridge-freezer.
Follow the instructions for your model before plugging it in. For installing a fridge-freezer, Electrolux recommends waiting at least four hours to allow the oil to flow back into the compressor.
Anses recommends a temperature between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge, whatever its size. It advises checking the temperature regularly, for example with a thermometer placed inside the appliance.
Mention your old appliance when placing your order and confirm the collection arrangements. Service Public Entreprendre states that under the ‘one-for-one’ scheme, the retailer collects a used product free of charge, up to the quantity and type of product sold or replaced.