In a studio flat, an under-counter fridge is a good choice if the space beneath your worktop limits you to a low appliance and its capacity is enough for your shopping. A taller, single-door fridge offers more room for fresh food, while a compact fridge-freezer suits regular use of frozen food. Also measure the depth, door swing and clearances specified in the manual. Que Choisir Ensemble suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a typical guide for one person, but adjust this to suit your habits.
If you shop regularly and have limited height, consider an under-counter fridge. Compare its usable capacity with the amount of food you usually keep, and check how much space is actually available for frozen food.
A slimline fridge-freezer keeps fresh and frozen food separate. However, you’ll need room for an appliance that’s taller than an under-counter fridge, as well as enough space to install it.
If you don’t use much frozen food but an under-counter fridge doesn’t give you enough room, compare taller, single-door fridges. Their extra capacity is only useful if it suits your shopping habits and the space available.
Worth considering: if the kitchen only has room for a low appliance and you shop frequently.
The trade-off: the frozen food compartment may be small. Beko’s product information for the TSE1284N lists a 13 L, 4-star compartment.
Worth considering: if you have the height and mainly want space for fresh food.
The trade-off: this option may not meet your freezing needs, so check the model’s configuration.
Worth considering: if you regularly store frozen food and have room for a taller appliance.
The trade-off: its height rules out the space beneath a worktop intended for an under-counter fridge. Also compare the annual energy consumption of the models you’re considering.
| Factor | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Measure the overall width, depth and height. Check the manual for ventilation clearances, and make sure there’s room for the door to open. | I need to be able to open the fridge without blocking the walkway or getting in the way of the worktop. |
| Capacity and frozen food | Compare the usable capacity and how it’s divided between fresh and frozen food. Que Choisir Ensemble suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a typical guide for one person. | Do I shop often enough to manage with a smaller capacity? If I often buy frozen food, I should also check the capacity of the compartment set aside for it. |
| Food storage | Check the temperature settings and avoid blocking airflow with food. Anses recommends keeping food between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point. | I want to store my food without filling the fresh food compartment so much that it restricts the flow of cold air. |
| Electricity | Check the kWh/year figure for each model and consider it alongside the capacity and features, rather than comparing the energy efficiency letter alone. | Extra capacity is only useful if I use it. ADEME points out that a fridge runs continuously and that its size can affect energy consumption. |
A slim appliance may still be too deep or too tall for your kitchenette. It also needs room for ventilation and for the door to open.
Measure the space in all three dimensions, then check the model’s manual for clearance and installation requirements.
Beko’s product information lists a 13 L, 4-star compartment in the TSE1284N under-counter fridge, compared with a 46 L freezer in the RDSA240K40WN fridge-freezer. These capacities are designed for different needs.
Compare the space available for frozen food with what you usually store, rather than looking only at the appliance’s total capacity.
The energy efficiency letter doesn’t tell you by itself how much a model uses in a year or what capacity it offers.
Check the kWh/year figure for each appliance, then compare models with similar capacities and configurations that meet the same needs.
Anses says that overfilling a fridge can restrict the circulation of cold air.
Leave space between food items and check the temperature at the coldest point. Anses recommends keeping it between 0 and +4 °C.
The models documented for the French market include an under-counter fridge and a 54 cm-wide fridge-freezer, making them useful for comparing a low appliance with separate freezer space.
The French-market COT1S45EW under-counter fridge and CLH3S514EW single-door fridge show two ways to fit appliances of different heights into a space.
Electrolux France’s installation advice highlights what to check when placing a fridge or fridge-freezer in a small space.
These two options suit different needs in a studio flat: a fridge-freezer to keep fresh and frozen food separate, and a compact single-door fridge for smaller shops.
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If you regularly store frozen food, this model offers 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space.
It has a stated width of 54 cm, a reversible door, Low Frost technology and an E energy rating. Check the height, depth, installation clearances and kWh/year figure before confirming it will fit your space.
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Its 92 L capacity may suit smaller, frequent shops, as long as there’s enough room for your everyday food.
The model name indicates a footprint of 0,22 m², a small freezer compartment and an E energy rating. Check the capacity of the freezer compartment, the full dimensions, installation clearances and kWh/year figure before choosing.
Que Choisir Ensemble suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity as a typical guide for one person. Adjust your choice to how often you shop and how much space you need for fresh and frozen food.
Yes, as long as the model’s manual allows this type of installation and the specified clearances are maintained. Electrolux France recommends leaving room for air to circulate around the appliance and keeping it away from heat sources.
Electrolux France advises waiting at least four hours before plugging it in. Follow the manual for the appliance you bought if it gives different instructions.
Anses recommends a temperature between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point in the fridge. Check it if needed, and avoid overfilling the appliance so that cold air can circulate.
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a consumer, according to economie.gouv.fr. It covers a lack of conformity in the goods and, in certain cases, issues relating to assembly instructions or installation. Check the terms that apply to your situation, and don’t confuse this guarantee with a retailer’s commercial policy.