For one person doing a weekly shop, a table-top fridge is a good choice if height is limited and most of your storage is for fresh food. If you regularly buy frozen food, check the freezer compartment’s capacity and star rating; a fridge-freezer gives you a separate space, but takes up more room. In a studio, measure the space needed for installation too, and compare the stated noise levels.
The fresh-food section needs to hold your shopping, drinks and leftovers until your next shop. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person. Adjust this according to what you actually store.
Check the freezer compartment’s capacity and star rating separately. Bosch distinguishes between small 1- or 2-star freezers and 3- or 4-star compartments. A fridge-freezer is worth considering if frozen food takes up a significant part of your weekly shop.
Compare the stated noise level, then measure the space, allowing room for the door to open and air to circulate. Que Choisir considers models rated below 40 dBA among the quietest. You’ll still need to check the chosen model’s instructions to make sure it can be installed safely.
Worth considering: if the height under your worktop limits your options and your shopping is mostly fresh food.
The trade-off: without a freezer compartment, it won’t meet your needs if you want to store frozen food independently.
Worth considering: if you’re short on height but want to store a moderate amount of frozen food in a suitable compartment.
The trade-off: the compartment takes up space in a small appliance. Check its capacity and star rating rather than relying on the word ‘freezer’ alone.
Worth considering: if frozen food or portions for freezing are a regular part of your shopping, and you have room for a taller appliance.
The trade-off: its size may rule out an under-worktop space and leave less room to move around the kitchenette.
| Factor | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh-food capacity | Compare the usable litres in the fridge compartment, not just the total capacity. Que Choisir suggests 100 to 150 L of usable capacity for one person; compare this with what you buy in a week. | I want room for fresh food, drinks and leftovers until my next shop, without choosing an appliance that’s too big for my kitchen. |
| Freezing | Check the freezer capacity and star rating. Bosch distinguishes between 1- or 2-star freezers and 3- or 4-star compartments. Check the instructions if you plan to freeze fresh food. | If I buy frozen food every week or prepare portions to freeze, a small freezer compartment may not be suitable. |
| Noise | Compare the noise emissions in dB(A) and the noise class shown on the European label. Que Choisir considers models rated below 40 dBA among the quietest. | The fridge will be near my bed or desk, so its noise matters just as much as its capacity. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, the delivery route and the door clearance. Follow the clearances and installation requirements in the model’s instructions, as advised by Electrolux. | I need to be able to fit the appliance in my kitchenette and open the door without blocking the way. |
| Energy | For fridges and freezers, the European Commission says the label shows an energy rating from A to G and energy consumption. Compare the capacities shown too, so you can see what each model offers. | I want to compare the stated energy consumption of appliances that can hold my shopping, rather than looking at the rating letter alone. |
Its low height doesn’t guarantee enough room for a week’s worth of fresh food, and some models won’t meet your needs if you regularly buy frozen food.
Make a list of what you usually buy, then compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately. Que Choisir recommends choosing a size to suit the number of people in your household and your shopping habits.
Storage and freezing options vary depending on the compartment. Bosch, for example, distinguishes between 1- or 2-star freezers and 3- or 4-star compartments.
Check the star rating, available capacity and recommended uses in the instructions before relying on the compartment for frozen food or home-prepared meals.
An appliance may fit in the measured space but still lack the clearance needed for air to circulate or the door to open. Electrolux advises following the installation instructions and keeping the appliance away from heat sources.
Check the appliance dimensions, the route to the kitchenette, the door clearance and the clearances required for the model you’ve chosen.
You’ll also hear the fridge in the space where you sleep or work. The European label shows noise emissions, and Que Choisir considers models rated below 40 dBA among the quietest.
Compare the dB(A) ratings of appliances that meet your capacity needs, taking into account how close they’ll be to your bed or desk.
Beko’s range in France includes table-top fridges, some of which have a freezer compartment.
The KTe550 table-top fridge is a useful point of comparison if you want plenty of fridge space in a low-height appliance.
The Bosch KGN33NWDA fridge-freezer shows how separate compartments for fresh and frozen food can work when you have enough height.
These options range from a compact 45 L fridge to larger fridge-freezers. Compare them based on the space you have and how much frozen food you need to store: they’re not all suited to the same weekly shopping habits.
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Worth considering if space is very limited and your chilled shopping will fit into 45 L, as stated in the product name. Before choosing it as your weekly shop fridge, check its full dimensions and whether the layout suits your needs for fresh and frozen food.
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This fridge-freezer is worth comparing if you buy both fresh and frozen food. The product name lists a capacity of 174 L, Low Frost technology and a reversible door. Check how the capacity is divided, the noise level and the installation requirements for your kitchenette.
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Worth considering if you can fit a tall appliance and want separate spaces for fresh and frozen food. The product name lists a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm and Low Frost technology, so it won’t fit under a worktop. Measure the available depth too, and check the clearances required in the instructions.
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The bottom-mounted freezer gives you separate compartments, which can be useful if frozen food is a regular part of your shopping. The model name lists a capacity of 282 L and an E energy rating. Check its dimensions, the split between fridge and freezer capacity, and its noise level before choosing it for a single-room home.
Follow the clearances listed in the instructions for your chosen model rather than assuming the same distance applies to every appliance. Electrolux advises leaving space for air to circulate around the appliance and keeping it away from heat sources. Check these requirements against your kitchenette measurements before buying.
It depends on the compartment’s capacity and star rating, as well as how much you buy each week. Bosch distinguishes between 1- or 2-star freezers and 3- or 4-star compartments. If you regularly store frozen food or want to freeze portions, compare a fridge-freezer with a separate compartment too.
Compare energy consumption, compartment capacities and noise emissions, as well as the A to G rating. The European Commission says this information appears on the label for fridges and freezers. It can help you choose between appliances with enough space for your shopping.
Check the instructions for your model first. In its installation advice, Electrolux recommends waiting at least 4 hours before plugging the appliance in. Don’t treat this as a rule for every model.