To store a week’s shopping in a small home, start by choosing a fridge that fits the space you actually have and the amount of frozen food you need to keep. A tabletop fridge without a freezer gives you more room for fresh food; one with a freezer compartment can suit occasional frozen items, while a fridge-freezer keeps fresh and frozen food separate but needs more height. Then check the capacity of each compartment, the noise level, the energy label and the clearance required for the specific model.
If your appliance needs to be low, a tabletop fridge is worth considering. Que Choisir lists this format as suitable for studio flats, but be sure to measure the space and allow for the clearances specified in the manual.
The space given over to the freezer can make all the difference. Bosch’s product specifications distinguish between a tabletop fridge with an integrated freezer compartment and a similar-sized model dedicated to fresh food. If you regularly buy frozen food, compare the freezer capacity of a fridge-freezer too.
If your kitchen is close to your living area, the stated noise level matters just as much as the appliance’s size. ADEME says the energy label provides information on noise class and energy performance, among other things.
First decide whether you need space for frozen food and how much height you have. Then compare each appliance with your shopping habits and the space where it will go.
Worth considering: if you won’t be storing frozen food in this appliance and need a low-profile design.
The trade-off: you’ll need another appliance for frozen food. Bosch lists 134 l of fridge capacity for its KTR15NWEB, which has no freezer compartment.
Worth considering: if you need to keep some frozen food but want to limit the appliance’s height.
The trade-off: there may be less room for fresh food. Bosch lists 106 l of fridge capacity for the KTL15NWEB, compared with 134 l for its same-sized KTR15NWEB, which has no freezer.
Worth considering: if your regular shop includes fresh and frozen food and you can make use of the available height.
The trade-off: its upright design means you’ll need to check the height, depth and door swing, as well as the ventilation clearances.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh food capacity and overall size | Measure the available space and compare the fridge’s usable capacity, rather than looking at the total capacity alone. | If I do a weekly shop, I want to store fresh food without cramping my small kitchen; around 42% of shoppers prioritise fresh food capacity in a size that fits their space. |
| Space for frozen food | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment, its usable capacity and its temperature rating in the model specifications. | When my regular shop includes frozen food, I need enough room to store it until my next shop. This is the priority for around 33% of shoppers. |
| Installation and ease of use | Check the clearances and door swing specified in the manual. Also compare the stated noise level and energy label. | In a living space close to the kitchen, I need to be able to install the appliance without blocking the way, while taking its noise and energy use into account; around 25% of shoppers put these considerations first. |
The same total capacity won’t meet the same needs if the space for fresh and frozen food is divided differently. Bosch lists 106 l of fridge capacity with a freezer compartment for the KTL15NWEB and 134 l without one for the KTR15NWEB, despite their matching external dimensions.
Think about how you’d divide your usual shop between fresh and frozen food, then compare the usable capacity of each compartment.
An appliance may fit in the space but still not have enough room for ventilation or the door to open. Beko highlights the importance of airflow around a fridge; the required clearances depend on the model and how it is installed.
Before you order, measure the width, height and depth, check the clearances specified in the manual and allow for the door swing. Don’t use the clearances specified for a different appliance.
The energy label helps you compare appliances, but the rating won’t tell you whether the compartments can hold your shopping or whether the fridge will fit in your kitchen.
Consider the energy label alongside the stated noise level, compartment capacities and dimensions of the specific model.
The two Bosch tabletop fridges featured here show how adding a freezer compartment changes the space available for fresh food, even when the stated external dimensions are the same.
A freestanding Liebherr fridge-freezer is worth comparing if you want to keep fresh and frozen food separate.
The Whirlpool WFNF82EOXFR fridge-freezer is an example of a model to consider when door configuration and compartment layout matter.
These freestanding fridge-freezers keep fresh and frozen food separate. If the available height means you need a tabletop fridge, compare that format first before considering these fridge-freezers.
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Worth considering if your shop includes fresh food and some frozen items, and you have room for a fridge-freezer that’s 150 cm tall. The product title lists a capacity of 174 l, a reversible door, 39 dB, Low Frost and an E energy rating. Check the installation clearances in the manual and the model’s annual energy use on its label.
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If you want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food, this fridge-freezer has 153 l of fridge capacity and 74 l of freezer capacity. Its title lists a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Also check its height, depth and required clearances before deciding where to put it.
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At 333 l, this fridge-freezer is worth comparing with your storage needs if you have more room in terms of height and depth. Its title lists a C energy rating. Before installation, check that the space allows for the clearances specified for this model and that the door can open fully. Don’t rely on the dimensions of the recess alone.
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For a shop split between fresh and frozen food, the product title lists 182 l of fridge capacity and 71 l of freezer capacity. It also lists a noise level of 39 dB and a No Frost system. Measure the appliance’s full dimensions and check the clearances in the manual before choosing it for a small kitchen.
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This model has a bottom freezer and could be worth considering if your regular shop includes frozen food and your kitchen can accommodate an upright fridge-freezer. Its title lists a total capacity of 282 l and an E energy rating. Before buying, check its dimensions, required clearances and door swing against the space you have.
Follow the clearances specified for the model and its installation type. Beko explains that airflow around the appliance is important; don’t apply the clearance listed in the manual for a different fridge to yours.
Measure the space needed for the door to open and check which way the hinges are fitted on the model you’re considering. Whirlpool lists reversible doors for the WFNF82EOXFR, but you’ll need to check this feature separately for every other model.
It may suit you if you only keep a small amount of frozen food and need to limit the appliance’s height. But simply having a freezer compartment doesn’t tell you how much it can hold. Check its capacity and storage guidance. If frozen food is a regular part of your shop, compare the space available with that of a fridge-freezer.
No. Compare it with the usable capacities, stated noise level and installation requirements of the model. ADEME presents the energy label as a tool for comparing appliances, but your shopping habits and available space also determine which format is right for you.