In a studio flat, first choose a fridge that fits the space you have in mind, allowing for the open door and ventilation. Then check that its capacity and freezer compartment suit your shopping habits. Finally, compare the stated noise level and annual energy consumption of similarly sized appliances. According to Que Choisir, the noise figure on the label alone can’t predict whether a fridge will be disruptive near your bed.
If your fridge is near your bed or desk, its stated noise level can help you compare appliances, but it won’t describe every sound made during its operating cycles. Que Choisir points out that the label alone isn’t enough to predict whether it will disturb your sleep.
If the fridge is going under a worktop, in an alcove or beside a wall, dimensions are only part of the decision. You also need to be able to open the door and allow for the ventilation specified for that model.
If you freeze portions or regularly keep frozen food, check the space available for fresh food and for the freezer separately. A compact fridge-freezer could suit your needs, provided it’s the right height for your studio flat.
Measure the space before comparing product details: an appealing noise level won’t make up for a door that can’t open or a capacity that doesn’t suit your shopping habits.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Noise disturbance | Compare the stated dB levels and noise classes of similarly sized models; also check the installation instructions. | If I sleep or work near the fridge, I want to limit sounds that might catch my attention in a quiet room. Around 33% of consumers rank this as a priority. |
| Space and installation | Measure the width, depth and height, and check the door clearance; confirm the required clearances for the model you’re considering. | With an alcove or narrow entrance, I need to be able to install and use the appliance without blocking its ventilation. This comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Capacity and freezing | Check the capacity of the fridge and freezer compartments against your storage habits. | If I keep meals to freeze, the space for frozen food matters as much as the room for fresh produce. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this factor. |
| Energy consumption | Compare kWh/year and usable capacity between appliances designed for the same purpose, rather than looking at the energy rating alone. | For an appliance that stays plugged in all the time, I want to check its energy consumption without giving up the capacity I need. This is the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
The stated level helps you compare declared noise emissions, but, according to Que Choisir, it isn’t enough to predict whether the appliance will disturb your sleep. Operating cycles can also produce occasional sounds.
Shortlist appliances by their stated noise level, then check the instructions and installation requirements for the exact model.
The height and depth of the housing, as well as the door-fixing system, can make a model incompatible with your kitchen unit, even if it fits the width.
Measure the housing and check the door fitting, opening clearance and ventilation requirements in the instructions before choosing a model.
The clearances required vary depending on how the appliance is designed. Bosch says some Perfect Fit models can be positioned against a wall, but this doesn’t apply to all fridges.
Follow the installation requirements for the model you choose rather than relying on a general rule of thumb.
A small fridge and a fridge-freezer don’t offer the same storage capacity. ADEME explains that actual energy consumption depends, among other things, on the appliance’s size and how it’s used.
For appliances with a similar purpose, consider kWh/year, usable capacity and whether there’s a freezer compartment together.
Worth considering if the fridge will sit close to a wall or a low stated noise level is especially important to you. Check the specifications of each model.
Worth a look if your studio has a kitchen unit designed for a built-in fridge.
Its models come in different sizes, making it possible to weigh up space, capacity and stated noise levels separately.
These models include two freestanding fridge-freezers for spaces where they can be installed, and one built-in model to consider only if you have a compatible kitchen unit. The stated noise level can help you compare them, but it doesn’t guarantee they’ll be inaudible near a bed.
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Worth considering if you want a freestanding fridge-freezer and have enough room for an appliance that’s 150 cm tall. The product title lists a 39 dB noise level, a 4-star freezer, a reversible door, Low Frost and an energy rating of E. Compare the noise level without treating it as a guarantee of a good night’s sleep. Before deciding, also check the installation clearances and kWh/year.
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Consider this if your studio already has a suitable kitchen unit for a built-in fridge-freezer. The product title lists No Frost, an energy rating of C and an inverter compressor. Before buying, check that the housing, door fitting and ventilation meet the model’s requirements; also compare its stated noise level with those of the other appliances you’re considering.
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Worth considering if you want a separate freezer compartment and have room for a fridge-freezer taller than a table-top model. The product title lists 182 L for the fridge and 71 L for the freezer, as well as No Frost and a 39 dB noise level. Before choosing it for a studio flat, check its full dimensions, required clearances and annual energy consumption. The 39 dB figure doesn’t indicate whether it will be disruptive near your bed.
No. According to Que Choisir, the level shown on the label isn’t enough to tell whether the appliance will disturb your sleep. Compare the stated figures of similar models, while also bearing in mind the sounds they make during operation and how they’re installed in your room.
Only if the model’s instructions allow it. Bosch says some Perfect Fit appliances are suitable for this type of installation, but this feature doesn’t apply to other models. Check the required clearances and airflow for the appliance you choose.
Follow the instructions for the model you’ve received. In its installation guidance, Electrolux recommends waiting at least 4 hours before plugging the appliance in, to allow the oil to flow back into the compressor. Check the instructions for your particular appliance.
No. When choosing a fridge for a studio flat, also compare kWh/year, usable capacity and whether there’s a freezer compartment, looking at appliances designed for the same purpose. ADEME points out that actual energy consumption varies depending, among other things, on the appliance’s size and how it’s used.