If you live alone and don’t store many frozen foods, a table-top or single-door fridge may be enough, provided its usable capacity suits your usual shopping and it fits the space available. In a shared kitchen, look for storage that’s easy to divide between occupants. If frozen food takes up more room, consider a compact fridge freezer, as long as you have space for its height and depth, as well as the clearances specified in the manual.
If you don’t buy much food and need the appliance to fit under a worktop, a table-top fridge is worth considering. Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 L as a typical guide for one person. Use your own habits to decide on the right capacity rather than choosing based on height alone.
If everyone keeps their own food, clearly defined shelves, drawers or zones matter just as much as the total capacity. Déco.fr recommends setting aside individual spaces in a shared fridge.
If the fridge is near your bed or workspace, compare the stated noise level and noise class on the energy label. Don’t assume a smaller appliance will be quieter simply because of its size.
Start by measuring the space and thinking about your usual shopping. Then decide how much room you need for chilled and frozen food.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Measure the space, access route and door opening; check the manual for ventilation clearances. | If the kitchen is narrow, you’ll need to install the appliance without blocking access or ventilation. Around 33% of consumers put installation constraints first. |
| Capacity and shared storage | Compare the usable capacity and whether shelves or drawers can be assigned to each occupant. | In a shared kitchen, everyone should be able to find their food without mixing up the shopping. Around 27% of consumers prioritise storage that can be divided between occupants. |
| Freezer space | Check whether there’s no freezer, a small integrated compartment or a separate freezer section. | If frozen food is a regular part of your shopping, a small compartment may not leave enough room. Around 20% of consumers put freezer capacity suited to their needs first. |
| Noise and everyday use | Check the noise level and noise class on the energy label, as well as the energy efficiency class. | If the fridge is near a bed or desk, operating noise can make a difference to everyday comfort. Around 20% of consumers prioritise low noise levels. |
An appliance may fit under the worktop but stick out beyond it, or leave too little room for the door or ventilation. Liebherr’s product details give depths of 60,7 and 63 cm for the KTe551 and CTPe231-26 respectively.
Measure the width, height and depth, along with the delivery route and the space needed to open the door. Then check the available space against the instructions for your chosen model.
An integrated compartment helps keep the appliance compact, but its capacity needs to suit how much frozen food you buy, especially if several people use it.
Think about the frozen food you usually buy, then check the layout and freezer capacity of the model you’re considering.
In a shared home, a suitable total capacity may not be enough to keep everyone’s food separate.
Check the shelves and door balconies; labelled containers can help create individual zones.
You may need containers or dividers if the interior layout doesn’t make it easy to separate everyone’s food.
A fridge stays in the living space of a studio flat, while food safety also depends on the temperature it actually maintains.
Compare the stated noise levels, make sure the appliance is level and check the temperature: Anses recommends between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part.
Two models from the brand show the difference between a table-top fridge and a taller fridge freezer.
The KTL15NWEB is an example of a table-top fridge with an integrated freezer compartment.
The TSE1504FN is a freestanding table-top fridge without a freezer.
This selection includes fridge freezers with a separate freezer section, as well as a single-door fridge for more modest storage needs. Compare their capacity with your usual shopping, then check the installation dimensions of the model you’re interested in.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want separate storage for fresh and frozen food and are looking for an appliance that’s 54 cm wide. The product title lists a 153 L fridge, a 74 L freezer, Low Frost cooling and a reversible door. Check the height, depth and clearances specified in the manual before deciding where to put it.
Image unavailable
This fridge freezer may suit larger shops or a shared kitchen, rather than an under-worktop installation. The product title lists a capacity of 333 L and energy efficiency class C. Measure the available space and delivery route, then check the manual for ventilation clearances.
Image unavailable
This model has 182 L of fridge space and 71 L of freezer space, making it worth considering if you store both fresh and frozen food. The product title mentions No Frost cooling and a noise level of 39 dB. Check the full dimensions and installation clearances before buying.
Image unavailable
Its stated capacity of 344 L is best compared with the needs of a household sharing food shopping; it may be more than one person in a studio flat needs. The product title lists energy efficiency class D. Check the depth, noise level and available space before choosing this size.
Image unavailable
This single-door fridge is for smaller shops when saving space matters more than capacity. The product title lists a capacity of 92 L, a small freezer compartment and energy efficiency class E. Its 92 L capacity is below the 100 to 150 L guide Que Choisir gives for one person. Check the full dimensions, freezer capacity and noise level to make sure they suit your needs.
Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 L as a typical guide for one person. Adjust this to how often you shop, how much room fresh food takes up and the space actually available in your kitchen.
It may suit you if you only need to store a small amount of frozen food and want to keep the appliance compact. If you regularly store frozen food or share the space, check the compartment’s capacity and compare it with a separate freezer section.
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for your chosen model. Bosch gives at least 200 cm² of free space behind and underneath the fridge as a general guide. This does not replace the instructions for your specific appliance.
Check the stated noise level in dB and the noise class on each energy label, then consider how close the fridge will be to your bed or desk. Once installed, also make sure the appliance is level.
Set aside clearly labelled zones or containers for each person and avoid overfilling the fridge. To keep food safely, Anses recommends maintaining a temperature between 0 and +4 °C in the coldest part and checking it regularly.