For a studio flat where you shop often and keep few frozen foods, an under-counter or single-door fridge may be enough. If several people regularly store fresh and frozen food, compare the separate capacities of a fridge-freezer instead. Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity for one person, then adding 50 litres per additional person. Adjust this guide to the food you actually keep, and check the available space, noise level and delivery route before choosing.
If your kitchenette has limited space and you shop often, an under-counter or compact single-door model may suit you if you don’t need to store many frozen foods. Check the usable capacity rather than relying on the appliance’s external dimensions.
A fridge-freezer lets you compare the space for fresh food with the freezer capacity separately. In an open-plan or compact kitchen, also check the stated noise level and the appliance’s dimensions.
Shopping for yourself as well as together calls for storage zones that are easy to distinguish. Assess the capacity you need based on everyone’s habits, then agree on how to organise the fridge: a larger appliance won’t, by itself, solve the problem of sharing storage.
First choose a format that fits your available space and the amount of food you freeze. Then compare the compartments and energy labels of models that will actually fit in your kitchen.
Consider this if: you live alone, have very little space and keep few frozen foods; Que Choisir cites this format as an option for studio flats.
Bear in mind: capacity is limited, so consider how often you shop and whether you need a freezer compartment.
Consider this if: having more space for fresh food matters more to you than having space for frozen food.
Check: depending on the model, the freezer compartment may be small or absent altogether.
Consider this if: you’re a couple or housemates who want to store fresh and frozen food regularly in separate compartments.
Bear in mind: these models are generally taller than under-counter fridges, so measure the installation space and delivery route.
Consider this only if: your household’s shopping needs a very large capacity and your kitchen has room for it.
Bear in mind: this is a wide appliance, so check the delivery route carefully, including the space needed for the packaging.
| Factor | What to check | Consumers’ needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage | Compare the usable litres in the fridge and freezer separately, then check the layout of the shelves and drawers. | When shopping for myself and the household has to fit side by side, I want to store food without running out of room for the week’s meals. Around 27% of consumers would put capacity and organisation first. |
| Space and delivery | Measure the space, the required clearances and the route with the appliance in its packaging. Check the housing unit if the model is integrated. | In a small kitchen, an appliance that fits my shopping won’t help if it can’t get through the door or be installed properly. Space and delivery would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Noise and energy | Check the stated noise level in dB(A) and annual consumption in kWh on the label for the exact model. | If the kitchen is next to the living area, I want it to be quiet and to know how much energy the appliance uses before choosing it. Around 27% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Freezing | Check whether there’s a separate freezer compartment, its capacity and how it needs to be defrosted. | I regularly keep frozen food and don’t want to mistake a small icebox for the freezer I need. Around 13% of consumers would prioritise freezing capacity. |
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may divide the space for fresh and frozen food differently. An icebox may not be suitable if you regularly store frozen food.
Compare the usable capacity of each compartment with your shopping habits before choosing an under-counter fridge, single-door fridge or fridge-freezer.
An appliance that fits in its space may still be difficult to get through a doorway, landing or lift. Samsung recommends checking the route using the dimensions of the appliance in its packaging.
Measure every part of the route before ordering, and check which way the door opens once the appliance is installed.
Ventilation requirements depend on the appliance type and its instructions. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding fridges; check the specific requirements for an integrated model in its own specifications.
Follow the clearances specified for the model you choose, and check the dimensions and ventilation of the housing unit before buying an integrated fridge.
Sharing a home doesn’t automatically mean you need a very large appliance: the capacity you need depends on the food everyone stores and how it’s divided up. Que Choisir also points out that large American-style models take up a lot of space.
Assess how much food everyone actually keeps and compare it with the available space before upgrading from a fridge-freezer to a multi-door model.
A brand to look at for fridge-freezers with specifications covering capacity, noise and cooling features.
Worth considering when comparing single-door, fridge-freezer and integrated models, along with their installation instructions.
A range of fridge-freezers to explore if interior layout and air-circulation features are important to you.
Worth looking at if your kitchen already has a housing unit for an integrated fridge-freezer.
Worth considering for a multi-door model if your household needs a large capacity and has enough space.
These models have separate fridge and freezer compartments. Compare their capacity with your shopping needs, then check the dimensions and specifications of the version you choose for your kitchen.
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Worth comparing if your household stores both fresh and frozen food; consider whether its 344 L capacity suits the food you actually keep, especially if you live alone.
Energy class E is stated in the product title. Check the dimensions, clearances and delivery route for this model.
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If you live in a small home and need two compartments, compare the stated 153 L fridge capacity and 74 L freezer capacity with your shopping habits.
Listed features include a width of 54 cm, a reversible door, Low Frost and energy class E. Also check the height, depth, annual energy consumption and delivery route.
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Worth considering if several people store fresh and frozen food, provided 360 L suits their needs and the available space.
The product title lists Total No Frost, energy class E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the dimensions, door clearance and delivery route.
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Worth comparing if you live in a small home and want a separate freezer without opting straight away for a high-capacity fridge-freezer.
The product title lists Low Frost, a reversible door and LED lighting. Check the noise level, annual energy consumption, dimensions of the version you choose and delivery route.
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If you’re a couple or share a home and regularly freeze food, compare the stated 211 L fridge capacity and 99 L freezer capacity with what you expect to store.
Listed features include a width of 60 cm, a reversible door and energy class E. Check the height, depth, noise level, annual energy consumption and delivery route.
Que Choisir suggests starting with 100 to 150 litres of usable capacity for one person, then adding 50 litres per additional person. Adjust this to the food you actually keep, especially if you share shopping, and compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
Follow the instructions for the exact model. Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind its freestanding fridges; integrated models have their own requirements, set out in their specifications and for the housing unit.
Compare the dimensions of the packaged appliance with the doors, corridors, landings and lift along the entire route. Samsung specifically recommends this check, which is particularly useful for a wide fridge.
First, check the instructions for the exact model delivered. Whirlpool recommends waiting 24 hours after delivery before plugging in its appliances for the first time; then follow the model’s instructions before filling it.
For fridges covered by the European Union energy label, the European Commission says it includes information such as the energy class, consumption, storage capacity and noise level. Compare appliances of a similar type and capacity, then check their interior layout separately.