For one person, the 100–150 litres of usable capacity recommended by UFC-Que Choisir is a helpful starting point. Adjust this to suit your shopping habits and how much room you need for frozen food. A table-top fridge may be suitable if its capacity and under-counter installation meet your needs; a model without a freezer gives you more room for fresh food, while a compact fridge freezer is a better fit if you regularly freeze food. In a studio, compare the stated noise level and measure the space carefully, including room for the door to open and the ventilation required in the manual.
The right size depends as much on your shopping habits as on the space available in your kitchen.
You need to fit a fridge into a small kitchen, sometimes close to where you sleep. UFC-Que Choisir’s recommendation of 100–150 litres of usable capacity for one person is a good starting point. If your living and sleeping areas share an open-plan space, pay attention to noise levels too.
You need room for fresh food as well as a freezer compartment that suits your habits. Compare the capacities of the two sections separately: a small freezer compartment may not be enough if you regularly store frozen food.
Before choosing a built-in appliance, measure the housing space and check the door system and required ventilation. A freestanding model of a similar size is not necessarily a suitable replacement for a built-in one.
First decide how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then check that your chosen size will work in your kitchen.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food capacity | Compare the usable fridge capacity separately from the freezer capacity, then look at the shelf and drawer layout. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 100–150 litres as a guide for one person, depending on their shopping habits. | I want to fit in my usual shopping without choosing a total capacity where too much space is given over to frozen food. |
| Size and space | Measure the height, width and depth, delivery access and door clearance. For a built-in model, also check the housing dimensions, door fixing system and the manufacturer’s ventilation instructions. | Under my worktop or next to a wall, the door needs to open and air must be able to circulate as set out in the manual. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise level and noise class. UFC-Que Choisir cites less than 40 dBA as a guide to some of the quietest appliances, but notes that the stated figure alone cannot predict how noticeable the noise will be. | If I sleep or work near the kitchen, I’d like to back up the figures with a listening test or detailed feedback on the model I’m considering. |
| Freezing | Check whether there is a freezer compartment, its capacity, star rating and defrosting method. A small compartment inside a fridge is different from a fridge freezer with a separate freezer section. | I regularly keep frozen food, so the space set aside for it matters more to me than the total capacity alone. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Check the energy label and stated annual energy consumption for appliances of a similar size and capacity. Also check the availability of any parts you might need to maintain your chosen model. | I want to compare how the models perform in everyday use, rather than relying only on their energy rating or marketing name. |
Two appliances with similar total capacities can offer different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food. So compare UFC-Que Choisir’s 100–150-litre guide for one person with what you actually buy.
Compare fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check the freezer compartment’s star rating and defrosting method.
In a studio, you may be able to hear the fridge from your living or sleeping area. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the noise level on the energy label alone cannot predict how noticeable it will be.
Use the stated noise level as an initial guide, then, if possible, look for a listening test or feedback about the exact model.
A fridge may fit in the space but still need more room for the door to open or air to circulate. Electrolux recommends allowing air to circulate around the appliance.
Check the clearances specified in the model’s manual, the delivery access and the space needed in front of the door.
The appliance needs to match the housing and fitting system. Changing the size may also mean adapting the unit or door.
Measure the full housing space and check the door fixing, opening direction and ventilation before choosing an under-counter model.
These examples show different configurations; their features do not apply to every appliance from the brand.
Beko France features table-top fridges, including the TSE1504FN, a freestanding model without a freezer.
Candy France features the freestanding COT1S45EW and built-in CM4S59EW, two under-counter, single-door models.
Liebherr France offers freestanding and built-in fridges, as well as fridge freezers with a separate freezer compartment.
Electrolux France features under-counter built-in models and provides pre-installation guidance.
These options include two fridge freezers for a small household that also keeps frozen food, and a 92-litre single-door fridge for more modest storage needs. Before choosing, compare their capacities with the space you have available.
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This fridge freezer is for households looking to store fresh and frozen food in the same appliance. The product listing gives a capacity of 262 litres, a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Check the available depth too, and see the manual for the required ventilation clearances. ‘Low Frost’ doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it.
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This model’s stated capacity is split between 153 litres of fridge space and 74 litres of freezer space, making it easy to compare the room available for each. The product listing specifies a width of 54 cm, a 4-star freezer, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the full external dimensions and the ventilation requirements for your chosen location.
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Its 92-litre capacity may suit you if you don’t store much food at a time, but it falls below UFC-Que Choisir’s 100–150-litre guide for one person. The product listing mentions a freezer section but doesn’t specify its capacity, so check the details if you buy frozen food. Also check the full dimensions and installation requirements.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends 100–150 litres of usable capacity as a starting point for one person. Adjust this to suit how often you shop, and compare the freezer capacity separately if you store frozen food.
That figure doesn’t guarantee you won’t notice the noise. UFC-Que Choisir says the noise level shown on the label isn’t enough to predict how comfortable it will be in the room. If your bed is nearby, look for a listening test or feedback on the exact model too.
Measure the height, width and depth of the space, as well as the delivery access and room needed to open the door. Then check the manual for the ventilation clearances required for that model: the appliance dimensions alone won’t tell you what these are.
Yes, provided the kitchen unit and installation are suitable for the built-in model you choose. Check the housing dimensions, door fixing and ventilation. For example, Electrolux specifies an 820 mm housing space for the ELB3AE82YY.
Check their energy labels and stated annual energy consumption, then compare models of a similar capacity and size. ADEME explains that the energy label tells buyers about the efficiency of large household appliances; the rating alone doesn’t replace checking how much capacity you need.