In a studio, a table-top fridge or a one-door model with a small freezer compartment should suit you if you shop for fresh food regularly and keep few frozen items. A fridge-freezer is better for regular stock-ups, provided its dimensions suit your kitchen; a built-in model, meanwhile, requires a compatible housing unit and cabinet. For one person, Que Choisir suggests a usable capacity of 100 to 150 L and classifies the quietest fridges as those below 40 dB(A). Before choosing, measure the space needed for installation too.
If you shop often and mainly store fresh food, a table-top or one-door model may be enough. Check its usable capacity separately from the clearance required around the appliance: a low height doesn’t guarantee that it will fit in any space under a worktop.
If you prepare meals in advance or keep several packs of frozen food, compare fridge-freezers with a separate freezer compartment. The extra storage comes with a taller appliance, so check its depth and door clearance too.
Having a built-in housing unit isn’t enough on its own to choose a built-in fridge. Measure it, check the door-fixing system and planned ventilation, then compare these with the instructions for the model you’re considering.
Start with your usual shopping habits and the space available, then compare the capacities, installation requirements and noise levels of specific models.
| Feature | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a starting point for one person; adjust this guide to how often you shop. | I shop little and often: I’d rather have room for fresh food than a large freezer I won’t use. |
| Freezing | Check the capacity and type of compartment provided for frozen food or freezing fresh food. A small compartment and the freezer section of a fridge-freezer aren’t designed for the same storage needs. | I prepare several portions in advance: I need enough room to store them without overcrowding the compartment. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width, depth and door clearance, then check the instructions for the required gaps. Beko recommends at least 5 cm at the sides and rear for the appliances covered by its guidance; this measurement doesn’t replace checking the requirements for your chosen model. | My space is narrow or already fitted with units: I need to be able to install and open the appliance while allowing for ventilation. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise level in dB(A) for the exact models you’re considering. Que Choisir classifies the quietest fridges as those below 40 dB(A); this doesn’t guarantee that an appliance will be inaudible in a studio. | The fridge will be close to my bed or living area: its noise level matters when I’m choosing. |
| Keeping food chilled | Find the coldest area and check there’s enough room without overloading the shelves. Anses recommends monitoring a temperature of 4 °C in this area when storing perishable food. | I keep fresh food and ready meals: I need to store them in the right areas and leave room for air to circulate. |
A freestanding fridge placed too close to the walls may not be able to release heat as effectively. For the appliances covered by its guidance, Beko warns that this can put extra strain on the motor and increase electricity consumption.
Check the door clearance too, and follow the clearances in the instructions for the exact model you’ve chosen rather than using measurements from another model.
A small compartment leaves little room for prepared meals and regular frozen-food shops, even if the appliance’s total capacity seems sufficient.
Think about what you keep in the freezer during a typical week, then compare the separately listed freezer capacities on the product pages.
Two models with similar stated capacities may divide the space differently between the fridge and freezer. The total also tells you nothing about the noise level near your bed.
Note the usable capacity of both compartments and the stated noise level in dB(A) for each model, then choose the split that suits your shopping habits.
An opening with the right dimensions doesn’t guarantee the ventilation or door fitting required for a built-in appliance. A freestanding model, on the other hand, still needs the specified clearances.
First identify the type of kitchen installation you have, then check the housing unit, door system and instructions for the exact fridge you’re considering.
These models highlight different size and installation requirements; their specifications don’t apply to every product from the same brand.
The TSE1264FMGN table-top fridge is a good example of a narrow appliance: Beko lists it as 54 cm wide, with 101 L of fridge capacity, 13 L of freezer capacity and a noise level of 36 dB(A).
The KGN33NSDB freestanding fridge-freezer shows what you get with more freezer space: Bosch lists 189 L of fridge capacity and 90 L of freezer capacity.
The ARZ 0051 built-under fridge, which Whirlpool specifies for installation under a worktop, measures 81,9 × 59,7 × 54,5 cm without packaging.
This selection includes freestanding fridge-freezers with a separate freezer compartment, as well as built-in models to consider only if your kitchen has a compatible housing unit.
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With 153 L of fridge capacity and 74 L of freezer capacity, this fridge-freezer keeps fresh food separate from your frozen-food supplies. It’s listed as 54 cm wide; check its height, reversible door clearance and the gaps specified in its instructions too.
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Consider this No Frost built-in fridge-freezer if your kitchen has a cabinet designed for this type of appliance. Before choosing it, check the housing dimensions, door fitting and ventilation requirements in its instructions. Its stated energy rating is C.
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This one-door model with a freezer compartment at the top is designed for a fitted kitchen and limited frozen-food storage. Check that the housing unit and door fitting are compatible, then make sure the compartment capacity suits your needs. Its stated energy rating is E.
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This Low Frost fridge-freezer is a good option if you need freezer storage and its capacity suits your shopping habits. It’s listed with a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Check the available space, clearances and defrosting requirements for this model.
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This 174 L freestanding fridge-freezer is an option if you want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food. It features Low Frost and a reversible door; check the full dimensions, clearances and noise level of this model before installing it near your living area.
Que Choisir recommends 100 to 150 L of usable capacity on average as a starting point for one person. Adjust this to your shopping habits and compare the space for the fridge and freezer separately.
It may be suitable if you only keep a small amount of frozen food at a time. If you regularly prepare meals in advance, compare the capacity of a separate freezer instead. Check that the compartment you choose is suitable for how you plan to use it, particularly if you want to freeze fresh food.
Only if the recess allows for the clearances and ventilation required for that exact model, as well as enough room to open the door. Beko requires at least 5 cm at the sides and rear for the appliances covered by its guidance; check the instructions for your model rather than applying this measurement to every appliance.
Compare the stated noise level in dB(A) for each model. Que Choisir classifies the quietest fridges as those below 40 dB(A), but this is a comparison guide, not a guarantee that you won’t hear the fridge near your bed.