For a studio flat with an open-plan kitchen, start by choosing a size that fits the available space and offers the capacity you actually need. A tabletop fridge without a freezer compartment is suitable if you don’t store frozen food. A compact model with a suitable compartment serves a different purpose, while a large fridge freezer is only worth considering if its capacity and dimensions work for you. Whatever you choose, compare the stated noise level and energy consumption, and check the installation instructions for the exact model.
If your fridge is in the room where you sleep or work, weigh up its usable capacity and footprint alongside its stated noise level. This figure helps you compare appliances, but it doesn’t guarantee they’ll be inaudible.
Having enough width isn’t all that matters: check the height and depth, how the door opens and the ventilation requirements too. For a built-in model, the niche dimensions and hinge type must be compatible with the installation.
Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately. If you regularly store frozen food, look at the compartment’s specifications rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
Measure the space, then compare the different sizes based on your shopping habits, whether you need freezer space and how much noise you’re willing to hear in your living area.
| Consideration | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the route into your home and the door swing. For a built-in model, check the niche, hinges and ventilation against the instructions for the exact model; Electrolux advises following the installation instructions and allowing air to circulate. | I want to be able to install the appliance and open its door without obstructing movement around the studio flat. |
| Stated noise level | Compare dB(A) levels for models with a similar size and capacity. The stated figure doesn’t describe every sound made during operating cycles: Whirlpool, for example, mentions humming and clicking. | The fridge will be in my living area, sometimes while I’m sleeping or working. I’ll take noise into account even if the appliance has a low stated level. |
| Capacity and freezing | Compare the usable fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide gives 100 to 150 L as an average guide for one person, which you can adjust to suit your shopping habits. If you store frozen food, check whether there is a freezer compartment and look at its specifications. | Will my shopping fit in a small fridge, and do I really need to store frozen food? |
| Energy consumption | Check the energy rating and kWh/year on the label for the exact model, taking its capacity and type into account. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the energy label also applies to new fridges sold online. | I want to compare the energy consumption of appliances that meet the same storage needs, rather than choosing based on the energy rating alone. |
A fridge might fit between two cupboards but still not have enough space for its depth, door or airflow. A built-in model must also be compatible with its niche.
Measure the space and the delivery route. For a built-in model, check the installation diagram to make sure the niche and hinges are suitable.
In a studio flat’s only room, you may still hear the appliance during its operating cycles. Whirlpool mentions humming, whistling and clicking sounds that can occur as a fridge runs.
Compare the stated dB(A) levels of similar-sized appliances, but bear in mind that this figure doesn’t guarantee there won’t be occasional noises.
A small model won’t necessarily have a compartment for frozen food: Bosch’s product information for the KTR15NWEB states that it has no freezer compartment, unlike the 4-star compartment listed for the Electrolux LFB3AE88S.
Think about how much frozen food you buy, then check the type and capacity of the compartment on the model you’re considering.
Two appliances with different capacities or formats might not meet the same storage needs. The energy rating doesn’t replace the annual energy consumption figure given for each model.
Compare kWh/year, usable capacities and appliance type on the energy label and the product information for the exact model.
These models illustrate different configurations; their specifications don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Among its documented models, Bosch offers a freestanding tabletop fridge, an integrated under-counter model and a large freestanding fridge freezer.
The documented Electrolux models are built-in appliances, so making sure they fit the niche is essential.
The WHC18D071A1FR is an example of a built-in fridge freezer to consider if you already have a tall niche.
This selection includes tall fridge freezers, more compact models and a single-door fridge with a freezer section. Compare them based on the space available and how much fresh and frozen food you need to store.
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This freestanding fridge freezer is worth considering if you need both fridge and freezer space in a 330 L appliance.
Its product title lists No Frost technology and a noise level of 35 dB. Before opting for this capacity in a studio flat, check its dimensions, installation clearances and the delivery route.
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This 333 L fridge freezer is designed for storage needs that call for a large-capacity appliance rather than a compact model.
Its product title lists a Class C energy rating. For an open-plan kitchen, check the stated noise level; also measure the available space and consult the instructions for the required clearances.
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This 262 L fridge freezer offers separate spaces for fresh and frozen food without the capacity of the two larger models above.
Its product title lists a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm and a 70/30 split. Check the depth, stated noise level and care instructions for the Low Frost system.
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This model has 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space, making it easy to assess each compartment against your shopping needs.
Its product title lists a width of 54 cm, a 4-star compartment, a reversible door and a Class E energy rating. Check the height, depth, kWh/year and stated noise level for the exact model.
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This 92 L model is worth considering if you have limited fresh food to store and need a smaller appliance to fit the available space.
Its product title mentions a freezer section and a Class E energy rating, but doesn’t specify the section’s capacity. For an open-plan kitchen, check the full dimensions, the section’s specifications, kWh/year and the stated noise level.
Yes, if it’s a new fridge covered by the requirements. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that energy labelling is compulsory both in shops and online. The DGCCRF states that Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016, which applies to these appliances, has been in force since 1 March 2021. Check the energy label and product information for the exact model when comparing appliances.
Start with the appliance’s dimensions and usable fridge and freezer capacities, then check the stated noise level in dB(A) and energy consumption in kWh/year. Compare these figures across models that meet your needs: the energy rating alone doesn’t tell you how much space an appliance takes up or how noisy it is.
No. A stated noise level doesn’t guarantee that you won’t hear sounds during operating cycles. Whirlpool notes that a fridge may make humming, whistling or clicking sounds while running. In an open-plan living space, use the dB(A) figure to compare models, but don’t take it as a promise of silence.
Measure the route into your studio flat and the space where the fridge will go, then check the instructions for the exact model for door clearance and ventilation requirements. For a built-in model, also compare the niche dimensions and hinge type with the installation diagram. Electrolux advises following the instructions supplied with the appliance and allowing air to circulate around it.
Only if the model has a compartment with specifications that suit this purpose. For example, Bosch states that the KTR15NWEB has no freezer compartment, while Electrolux lists a 4-star compartment for the built-in LFB3AE88S. Check the type and capacity of the compartment before choosing a compact model.