For one person who shops frequently and stores few frozen foods, a top-mount or table-top fridge of around 100 to 150 L can be a good starting point; for two people, allow around 50 L extra, adjusting this according to your meals and shopping habits. Start by measuring the available space, door opening and ventilation, then compare fresh and frozen storage capacities separately rather than relying on the total capacity.
You mainly want to keep fresh food for a few days, with limited floor space or room beneath the worktop. UFC-Que Choisir recommends a usable capacity of 100 to 150 L as a starting point for one person, reducing this only if your eating habits justify it.
You need to accommodate meals for two in a compact kitchen, with an occasional or regular need for frozen food. UFC-Que Choisir advises adding around 50 L for each additional person; less frequent shopping or preparing meals regularly may call for more capacity or a proper freezer compartment.
Check the available height, width and depth, as well as the delivery route, door-hinge side and door clearance. The manufacturer’s instructions for the model you choose remain the definitive reference for ventilation and installation requirements.
Start with the space you actually have available, then choose the capacity of each compartment according to your shopping habits and freezing needs.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Also check the interior layout and space for bottles, prepared dishes and your usual food items. | I want to store a few days’ worth of fresh food without choosing an unnecessarily large fridge freezer. UFC-Que Choisir indicates 100 to 150 L for one person, plus around 50 L for each additional person. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth of the space, the delivery route, the door-hinge side and the space required with the door open. Follow the ventilation instructions in the manual for the exact model. | My appliance must fit in a kitchenette and remain usable once installed, without blocking a wall, sink or walkway. |
| Freezing | Check the frozen-food capacity, star rating and which compartment the advertised functions apply to. A 4-star compartment should be distinguished from a basic freezer compartment. | I sometimes store frozen food, or I need a separate reserve for weekly shopping. If you regularly buy frozen food, a freezer compartment alone may not be sufficient according to UFC-Que Choisir. |
| Energy and noise | Compare the energy rating, annual consumption, compartment capacities and noise level between appliances of a similar type and capacity. Check the label and product information for the exact model. | The fridge will be close to my desk, living area or sleeping space. UFC-Que Choisir ranks models advertised below 40 dB(A) among the quietest. |
A 100 L appliance with a freezer compartment does not offer the same fresh-food capacity as a 100 L model without a freezer. A regular need for frozen food may also make a 4-star compartment or a fridge freezer essential.
Make a note of the fresh and frozen capacities you need separately. For occasional frozen food, a small compartment may be enough; for weekly shopping, look for a separate freezer space and check its star rating.
A model may fit beneath a worktop while still preventing the door or drawers from opening fully. Table-top models measuring 85 cm high can be more than 60 cm deep, while a fridge freezer takes up more height and depth.
Measure the finished space, delivery route and area in front of the appliance with the door open. Check the installation instructions for the precise model before ordering.
Frost-reduction functions and the areas they cover vary between models and compartments. Beko presents MinFrost as a technology that reduces frost build-up on certain models; this claim should be checked for the model you select.
Check the product information and manual to see whether the technology applies to the fridge, freezer or both. Do not replace checks on capacity, noise and installation with the name of a technology alone.
Models from 45 to 90 L may suit drinks, snacks or very temporary use, but remain below the 100 to 150 L starting point indicated by UFC-Que Choisir for one person.
Reserve these capacities for very frequent shopping and limited storage. Compare them with the meals you prepare, your usual shopping and the space needed for fresh food.
The range includes table-top models without a freezer compartment, table-top models with a compartment and freestanding fridge freezers.
Liebherr offers compact, table-top and under-worktop fridges, with or without a freezer compartment, when available height is limited.
The French range includes table-top fridges with several freezer-compartment configurations.
Whirlpool distributes freestanding fridges and fridge freezers in France, with a service for finding genuine spare parts by model reference.
These Joybuy options mainly cover fridge freezers for a small home needing both fresh and frozen-food storage, along with a highly compact freestanding fridge.
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Suitable for regular shopping by one or two people with a supply of frozen food, provided your kitchen can accommodate a tall appliance.
153 L fridge capacity, 74 L 4-star freezer capacity, advertised width of 54 cm, height of 176 cm, Low Frost, reversible door and adjustable feet.
Check the manual for ventilation clearances, the actual door-opening range and the delivery route.
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This configuration may suit a studio flat requiring separate fresh and frozen-food compartments within a limited width.
115 L fridge capacity, 59 L 4-star freezer capacity, advertised dimensions of 47 × 51,1 × 150 cm, Low Frost, adjustable thermostat, LED lighting, reversible door and adjustable feet.
Check the noise level, ventilation clearances and the depth required with the door open in the exact model’s documentation.
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It is aimed at a small home with enough height for less frequent shopping and a supply of frozen food.
187 L fridge capacity, 75 L 4-star freezer capacity, advertised dimensions of 176 × 54 × 55 cm, 39 dB(A), Low Frost and reversible door.
Its capacity may be too large for very frequent shopping in a very small kitchenette; also check the ventilation clearances and door opening.
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This option is aimed at a one- or two-person household wanting separate fresh and frozen-food spaces without choosing a very large fridge freezer.
120 L fridge capacity, 50 L 4-star freezer capacity, three freezer drawers, removable shelves, LED lighting and an advertised noise level of 40 dB.
Check the external dimensions, door-hinge side and depth with the door open before installing it in a kitchenette.
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It may suit a very narrow kitchenette where you shop very frequently and store only a small amount of food.
92 L, advertised width of 47 cm, freezer compartment, reversible door, adjustable feet, adjustable shelf, salad crisper and seven-position mechanical control.
This capacity remains below the 100 to 150 L guideline for one person indicated by UFC-Que Choisir; check the freezer capacity, its star rating, noise level and ventilation.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends starting with 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person, then adding around 50 L for each additional person. Increase this target if you cook often, do large shops or regularly entertain.
Not necessarily: UFC-Que Choisir states that a basic freezer compartment is not sufficient when frozen-food consumption is high. Check the compartment’s capacity and star rating; Liebherr indicates, for example, that the 4-star compartment in the KTe501 operates below −18 °C for freezing and long-term storage of food.
Measure the height, width and depth, the route from the entrance and the space required with the door open, including any obstacles on the hinge side. Then check the installation instructions for the exact model for its ventilation and connection requirements.
Compare the energy rating, annual consumption, the capacity of each compartment and the noise level of the exact model. The European energy labelling regulation governs this information for the appliances concerned, while EPREL is the European Commission’s public database for data on models covered by this label.
Yes, noise matters particularly when the fridge shares your living or sleeping space. UFC-Que Choisir states that the quietest models display less than 40 dB(A); compare this level between appliances of a similar type and capacity.