One person in a studio flat
If your kitchen shares your living space, consider the fridge’s footprint, room for fresh food and stated noise level. With a smaller fridge, it’s also worth thinking about how often you shop.
Who are these sizes suited to?
First home with a fitted kitchen
If you’re fitting an appliance into an existing niche, measure it and check the ventilation requirements and door fixing system before choosing a built-in model.
Small household that stores frozen food
A small freezer compartment may not have enough room if frozen food is a regular part of your shopping. Compare the freezer capacity separately from the fridge capacity.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with your shopping habits and the space available, then compare noise levels, energy labels and installation requirements across appliances suited to your needs.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh food capacity | Compare the usable capacity with how much you buy and how often you shop. Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 L as a general guide for one person. | I shop little and often, or I need to keep meals and drinks for several days. |
| Freezing | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment and how much it holds, rather than looking only at the appliance’s total capacity. | I buy frozen food every week: a small freezer compartment may not be enough. |
| Size and access | Check the height, width and depth, including doors and handles. If the dimensions are available, compare the package size with the delivery route too. | The space is narrow, but the fridge also needs to fit through the entrance, hallways and any tight turns. |
| Noise | Compare the stated dB(A) level and noise class on the energy label across appliances that meet the same needs. The European Commission says this information is shown on the label. | The fridge will be near my bed or workspace, so I want to consider its noise level before installation. |
| Electricity use | Look at the energy class, kWh/year and usable capacity together when comparing similar-sized models. The ADEME reminds consumers that fridges and freezers run continuously. | I’d rather choose a capacity that suits my shopping than a larger appliance with space I wouldn’t use. |
| Built-in installation | For an integrated model, check the instructions against the niche dimensions, ventilation requirements and door fitting. | My kitchen already has a niche: the appliance needs to fit and be installed as described in its instructions. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Looking only at the fridge’s width
Depth, handles and door clearance matter too. The package may be larger than the appliance itself: Candy, for example, lists separate dimensions for the CMLS59EW and its packaging.
Measure the final location and delivery route, and leave the clearances required in the model’s instructions.
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Choosing a small freezer compartment for regular frozen food
A compact model can save space at home without offering enough freezer capacity for your weekly shopping.
Assess how much room you need for fresh and frozen food separately, then check the stated capacity of each compartment.
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Comparing energy class alone
Two appliances with different capacities won’t necessarily offer the same performance, even if they have the same energy class.
Compare the kWh/year figures and capacities on the energy labels of models with a similar size and capacity.
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Assuming a built-in model will fit any niche
The appliance dimensions alone aren’t enough to confirm that the door fitting or ventilation will be compatible.
Check the inside dimensions of the niche and the model’s installation requirements. If they don’t match, consider another appliance rather than forcing the installation.
Which brands should you consider?
These examples show different sizes and installation requirements to compare; their features apply only to the models named.
Liebherr
Two different-capacity table-top models let you compare the trade-off between width and storage space.
- According to Liebherr’s product specifications, the KTe501 measures 85 × 50 × 60,7 cm, with a capacity of 98 L and a noise level of 37 dB; the Rdi 1620 Plus measures 85 × 60 × 60,7 cm, with a capacity of 141 L and a noise level of 34 dB.
- Check that the 60,7 cm depth and space needed to open the door will work in your home.
Bosch
Worth considering if your kitchen already has a niche for an integrated fridge.
- Bosch’s product information for the KIL32NSE0 gives appliance dimensions of 1021 × 541 × 548 mm; for the KIV87NSE0, it lists separate capacities of 200 L for refrigeration and 70 L for freezing.
- For each model, check the niche, ventilation and door requirements against your existing kitchen.
Candy
The product information for the under-counter CMLS59EW is a useful example of the measurements to check before installation and delivery.
- Candy gives dimensions of 540 × 540 × 871 mm for the appliance and 573 × 573 × 920 mm for its packaging.
- The under-counter model needs to suit the available space and the kitchen’s planned installation.
Fridges to consider on Joybuy
These options include integrated fridge freezers, a compact fridge freezer and a small single-door fridge. Start by choosing one that suits your space and your need for freezer capacity.
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Hisense RB3B250SAWC, 252 L integrated fridge freezer
Worth considering for a fitted kitchen with a compatible niche and a need for freezer space. The model name indicates No Frost and energy class C; check the niche dimensions, ventilation and door fitting before choosing it.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L silver fridge freezer
This fridge freezer offers separate storage for fresh and frozen food: its product description lists 153 L and 74 L respectively, and a width of 54 cm. It also mentions Low Frost and energy class E; check the height, delivery access and kWh/year figure on the energy label.
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SMEG S4C122E, 188 L integrated fridge freezer
This single-door model has a freezer compartment at the top and energy class E, and is designed for a kitchen with a suitable niche. Before choosing it for regular frozen food, check the freezer compartment capacity, as well as the niche and door fixing system.
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AEG NSC6M18FES, 249 L white integrated fridge freezer
Worth considering if your fitted kitchen can accommodate an integrated fridge freezer. Its product description indicates TwinTech No Frost and energy class E; check the niche, ventilation and door fixing against the model’s requirements, then check its kWh/year figure.
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CHiQ JR92DSE, 92 L matt silver single-door fridge
This small-capacity model may suit frequent shopping and limited storage needs; at 92 L, it’s below Que Choisir’s general guide of 100 to 150 L for one person. The product description mentions a freezer compartment and energy class E: check the compartment capacity, full dimensions, noise level and kWh/year figure to make sure they suit your needs.
Frequently asked questions
How much fridge space does one person need?
Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a general guide. Adjust this to how often you shop and how much room you need for drinks, prepared meals and fresh food. If you buy frozen food, check the freezer capacity separately.
How should you consider noise in a studio flat?
Compare the stated noise level in dB(A) and the noise class shown on the energy label, as set out in the information provided by the European Commission. The stated figure helps you compare appliances, but it doesn’t guarantee that a fridge will be inaudible near your bed.
What should you measure before delivery?
Measure the available height, width and depth, along with doorways, handles and the access route. If the package dimensions are available, compare those too: Candy’s product information for the CMLS59EW shows that the packaging is larger than the appliance. For a built-in model, also check the niche measurements and installation requirements.
Can you install a built-in fridge without allowing for ventilation?
No. Before buying, check the ventilation requirements in the model’s instructions and the layout of the niche. The guidance in Bosch’s installation FAQ applies to the configurations it describes; don’t automatically apply it to a different appliance.