If you live alone, have limited space and rarely store frozen food, an under-counter fridge without a freezer can give you more room for fresh food. If frozen food is part of your regular shop, consider an under-counter model with a freezer compartment instead. For two people or larger food shops, a slimline fridge freezer is worth considering, as long as its height, accessibility and ventilation requirements suit your home.
Your choice mainly depends on the space available, how many people live in your home and how much frozen food you need to store.
If your fridge needs to fit under a worktop and you rarely buy frozen food, start by comparing under-counter fridges without a freezer. UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average usable capacity of 100 to 150 l for one person; use this as a guide and compare it with your shopping habits.
A fridge with a freezer compartment lets you keep a small supply of frozen food without installing a tall appliance. Check the compartment’s capacity and specifications separately: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much room is left for fresh food.
A slimline fridge freezer can offer more fresh-food storage and a separate freezer. However, a narrow width alone doesn’t guarantee it will fit: measure the available height as well as the entire delivery route to your kitchen.
Start with your usual shopping habits, then compare the capacity you need with the actual dimensions of the space and access route.
| Feature | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately. UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average guide of 100 to 150 l for one person, plus 50 l for each additional person. | I often buy small amounts, or prepare several meals in advance: I’ll need a different amount of fresh-food storage depending on my habits. |
| Dimensions | Measure the height, width and depth, then check the access route with the packaging, the door clearance and the installation instructions. A reversible door doesn’t mean you can overlook access to the drawers. | My fridge needs to fit in the kitchenette, but it also needs to pass through the doors and any stairways on the way there. |
| Frozen food | Check the type and capacity of the compartment, its star rating and its layout. A small integrated compartment and a separate freezer don’t offer the same amount of storage. | If I regularly store frozen food or prepare portions to freeze, I need to allow enough space for it rather than looking only at the total capacity. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise level in dB(A). UFC-Que Choisir considers fridges rated below 40 dB(A) to be among the quietest. | My kitchen opens onto my living or sleeping area, so noise matters just as much as the dimensions when I’m choosing. |
| Installation | Check the ventilation clearances and spacers specified in the instructions for the model you’re considering; don’t rely on the dimensions in the product listing alone. | Before ordering, I want to know that the appliance will fit in the space without blocking the door or the clearance needed around it. |
A narrow appliance may still be too tall for an under-counter space or difficult to get into your home. Bosch product listings give a height of 85 cm for the KTR15NWEB and KTL15NWEB under-counter models, compared with 179,4 cm for the Candy CCG1S 518EWX fridge freezer.
Measure the space and delivery route; if access is tight, check the dimensions of the packaged appliance too.
The stated capacity can be split very differently between fresh and frozen food. Liebherr gives the KTe551 a fridge capacity of 96,9 l and a freezer capacity of 15 l; Candy lists 186 l and 64 l respectively for the CCG1S 518EWX.
Compare the two capacities separately and check the freezer compartment specifications against what you plan to store in it.
In a studio flat, your kitchen may share the same room as your living space. Stated noise levels vary between models: Liebherr lists 37 dB(A) for the KTe551 and Candy lists 41 dB(A) for the CCG1S 518EWX.
If the appliance will be near your bed or living area, compare its stated noise level with other models that meet your capacity needs.
A spacer can affect how much room you need behind the fridge: the Liebherr KTe551 listing states that its wall spacer adds 3,5 cm to the depth.
Check the installation instructions for the model you buy and leave the ventilation clearances they specify.
These models show different ways of balancing fresh-food capacity, freezer space and overall size. Their inclusion here doesn’t indicate whether they’re among the products featured below.
Bosch’s French product listings feature two under-counter fridges with the same dimensions: one without a freezer and one with an integrated compartment.
The KTe551 is an under-counter option to consider if you’d like a freezer compartment as well as a fridge that fits beneath a worktop.
The CCG1S 518EWX is a fridge freezer with a separate freezer, designed for kitchens where width is limited.
These two options suit different needs in a small home: a fridge freezer for keeping fresh and frozen food separate, and a single-door model for more modest storage needs.
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This fridge freezer is worth considering if you want separate space for fresh and frozen food in a kitchen with limited width.
Its product title lists 153 l of fridge space, 74 l of freezer space, a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and Low Frost technology. Before confirming the space, check the height, depth, door clearance and clearances specified in the instructions.
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This single-door model may suit you if your shopping takes up little space and you’re looking for an appliance for a small kitchen.
The product title lists a capacity of 92 l and mentions a freezer section, but doesn’t specify its capacity. If you’re planning to use it for frozen food, check its specifications. Also check the noise level, full dimensions and installation instructions. At 92 l, its capacity is below the average guide of 100 to 150 l that UFC-Que Choisir suggests for one person.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average usable capacity of 100 to 150 l for one person, plus 50 l for each additional person. Use this as a starting point and adjust it to how often you shop. Compare the space for fresh and frozen food separately.
It may be suitable for a small supply, depending on its capacity and specifications. For larger stocks, compare it with a fridge freezer that has a separate freezer. For example, Liebherr lists 15 l of freezer capacity for the KTe551, compared with 64 l for the Candy CCG1S 518EWX.
No. It lets you change which way the door opens, but you’ll still need enough room to open it and access the drawers. Also check nearby furniture and the installation requirements for your chosen model.
Follow the clearances specified in the instructions for the model you buy, rather than allowing the same distance for every fridge. For the Liebherr KTe551, for example, the product listing says the wall spacer increases the depth by 3,5 cm.
Yes, and consider it alongside the capacity you need. The ministry responsible for ecological transition says that the label ranks electrical appliances on a scale from A to G according to their energy consumption. The rating alone can’t replace a comparison of the capacities and features that matter for your home.