If you live alone, shop regularly and keep few frozen foods, Que Choisir’s guide of 100 to 150 L of usable capacity points first to a small fridge, such as a table-top model. If you regularly freeze portions, compare the capacity of both compartments in a slim fridge-freezer instead. Don’t overlook its height, the energy consumption shown on the energy label and the space needed to open the door.
If you mainly store fresh food, use Que Choisir’s guide of 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person as a starting point, then adjust it to suit your habits. A table-top fridge lets you explore capacities around this range without taking up too much vertical space.
Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the space available in front of the door. A reversible door or a door that opens close to a wall can be helpful, but only if the specific model supports it and its manual permits your planned installation.
Freezer drawers may be more suitable than a small top compartment if you prepare meals in advance. A slim fridge-freezer can work well for this, provided its total capacity and height also suit your home.
Start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then check that the appliance can be installed and used in your kitchen. A one-door fridge isn’t necessarily small: its dimensions and capacity matter more than its format name.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check the total. Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as an average guide for one person. | I shop regularly and keep few frozen foods: a small capacity may be enough. If I cook for several days at a time, I need to check how much space is actually available in each compartment. |
| Size | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the delivery route. Check the model’s manual for the required ventilation clearances. | In my small kitchen, the appliance needs to fit without blocking the way or being installed against the instructions in its manual. |
| Door opening | Check which way the door opens, whether it’s reversible, how much space it needs and whether the drawers can be removed. A 90° opening next to a wall is only possible with models designed for it. | Near a wall or cabinet, I want the door to open wide enough to use the drawers, not just reach the shelves. |
| Everyday use | Check the A to G energy rating, annual consumption in kWh and stated noise level in dB(A). Ideally, compare appliances of a similar size and capacity. Also check how each compartment is defrosted. | If the fridge is near where I sleep, its stated noise level matters particularly. I also want to know how much energy it uses and what maintenance the freezer needs. |
A slim fridge-freezer can still be tall and deep. Even if it fits between two cabinets, there may not be enough room to open the door or pull out the drawers.
Measure the space and delivery route, then allow for the clearances specified in the manual for your chosen model.
According to specifications published by Gitem, the Beko TSE1264FMGN table-top fridge has 13 L of freezer space out of a total capacity of 114 L. That leaves little room for regularly freezing portions.
Compare the capacity of each compartment and, if you freeze food yourself, check the model’s stated freezing capacity.
Hisense lists the RB343D4WDE at 268 L, well above Que Choisir’s average guide of 100 to 150 L for one person. Its 55 cm width alone doesn’t tell you whether it suits your shopping habits.
Only opt for the extra capacity if you have a specific need, such as shopping less often or freezing portions. Otherwise, compare smaller appliances too.
This label alone doesn’t mean the freezer defrosts automatically. Maintenance requirements depend on the model and compartment.
Check the cooling technology and defrosting instructions for each compartment separately in the product details and manual.
These details apply to the models mentioned, not every range from each brand.
The TSE1264FMGN is an example of a table-top fridge. Gitem lists it at 114 L in total, 54 cm wide and 84 cm high.
Candy’s range includes the CCG3L517ES, a fridge-freezer measuring 54 × 55 × 176 cm, and the CNCQ2T518DW, measuring 54.5 × 60.2 × 182.5 cm.
Hisense lists the RB343D4WDE at 268 L in total, including 71 L of freezer space, with dimensions of 55 × 55.7 × 180 cm.
Bosch describes Perfect Fit as a design that lets certain models be installed close to a wall, with the door opening to 90°.
These four fridge-freezers are mainly for anyone who wants a separate space for frozen food. Compare their capacity with your needs before choosing an appliance that’s larger than a table-top fridge.
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Worth a look if you use the freezer regularly rather than relying on a small top compartment. The model name indicates a height of 150 cm, Low Frost, a reversible door, 39 dB and an E energy rating. Its 174 L capacity is above Que Choisir’s average guide for one person. Check the model’s documentation for its annual energy consumption and required clearances.
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This 174 L fridge-freezer is designed for anyone who wants to store fresh and frozen food in the same appliance. The product name specifies Low Frost, an adjustable thermostat and a reversible door. Before fitting it in a small kitchen, check its dimensions, annual energy consumption and the clearances required for this model.
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If you regularly freeze portions, compare its 74 L freezer and 153 L fridge capacities with what you actually store. The model is listed as 54 cm wide, with Low Frost, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Its 227 L capacity is above Que Choisir’s average guide for one person. Also check its height and the space needed for installation.
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This fridge-freezer is best suited to anyone who stores a lot more than one person’s day-to-day shopping. The product name lists a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm and a Low Frost freezer. At 262 L, it’s worth checking that you’ll use the extra capacity, then confirming in the manual how much space is needed for ventilation and opening the door.
Que Choisir gives 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as an average guide for one person. Start with this range if you shop regularly and keep few frozen foods. If you prepare meals in advance, compare the capacity of both compartments.
A table-top fridge may suit a small amount of frozen food, but check how many litres are actually dedicated to freezing. For example, Gitem lists the Beko TSE1264FMGN with 13 L of freezer space out of a total capacity of 114 L. If you regularly store several portions, compare it with a fridge-freezer that has a larger freezer.
Follow the clearances and installation instructions in the manual for your exact model. Bosch says that models with Perfect Fit can open to 90° next to a wall, but this design doesn’t remove the need to check the space available and doesn’t automatically apply to other appliances.
Check the stated noise level in dB(A), annual energy consumption in kWh and the energy rating on the label. Que Choisir classes fridges rated below 40 dBA among the quietest. To compare energy use, also consider the capacity and format of the appliances you’re looking at.