For weekly shops and batch-cooked portions, start by considering how much fridge and freezer space you need, rather than the total capacity. A fridge freezer is a good choice if its freezer compartment can hold your usual supplies. A multi-door fridge offers more integrated storage if your kitchen and access routes can accommodate it. If you regularly run short of freezer space, consider a separate freezer, bearing in mind the room and energy use required for a second appliance.
How often you shop matters, but your choice of format will depend most on the balance between fresh food and items you want to freeze.
If you bring home several days’ worth of fresh food in one go, compare the usable capacity of each compartment. UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average 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 suit your shopping habits and the space taken up by frozen food.
If containers and prepared meals regularly fill your freezer, check its usable capacity and drawer layout. If you already have enough fridge space, adding a separate freezer may be a more direct way to solve the problem.
A multi-door fridge can combine a large fridge section with freezer compartments. Before choosing this format, compare the capacity of each section and measure the space and access routes to your kitchen.
Worth considering if: most of your shopping goes in the fridge and the built-in freezer has enough room between shops.
Bear in mind: a larger overall capacity does not necessarily give you enough extra room for frozen portions.
Worth considering if: you want more integrated storage, with a large fridge section and freezer compartments.
Bear in mind: its size means you should check the available space and delivery route before choosing a model.
Worth considering if: your fridge has enough room, but you regularly run out of space for frozen food and portions.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space and a power supply for a second appliance, as well as taking its energy use into account.
Once you have a format in mind, compare the stated capacities with your containers, then check the installation requirements and the energy label for the specific model.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities in litres separately. UFC-Que Choisir puts a typical fridge freezer at around 300 l, split approximately two-thirds for refrigeration and one-third for freezing. Check each model individually. | I need to store several days’ worth of shopping without sacrificing the space needed for frozen portions. |
| Storing portions | Look at the number and size of the drawers, and how much room your containers and dishes take up. If you’re adding a freezer, compare the access and layout of an upright model with those of a chest freezer. | I need to be able to store my containers without filling the freezer section between batches of cooking. |
| Temperature and airflow | Anses recommends keeping an eye on the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge, which should be 4 °C, and avoiding overfilling it so air can circulate. | After shopping, I want to store perishable food and prepared meals without blocking all the space needed for airflow. |
| Installation | Measure the space, doors and access routes. Check the door swing, access to drawers and the clearance required for your chosen model. | A large appliance needs to fit into my home and be easy to open in my kitchen. |
| Energy and noise | The European Commission says the energy label shows the energy rating, energy use, storage capacities and noise emissions. Compare these details across models that suit your needs. | For an open-plan kitchen or an additional appliance, the stated noise level and energy use are important factors in my choice. |
A spacious appliance may still have too little room in the compartment you need most. UFC-Que Choisir says a typical fridge freezer of around 300 l allocates approximately one-third of its capacity to the freezer.
List the fresh food, frozen items and prepared portions you need to store between shops, then compare the stated capacity of each compartment.
The 674 l Samsung RF24BB620EB1EF featured by Samsung France is 908 mm wide. Capacity alone doesn’t tell you whether a large model will fit into your home or open properly.
Measure the space and delivery route, then check the dimensions, door opening and installation clearances for your chosen model.
Anses recommends avoiding overfilling to allow air to circulate, and keeping an eye on the temperature in the coldest part, which should be 4 °C.
Plan your storage so air can circulate after a big shop, and check the temperature in the coldest section.
These product ranges give you an idea of the features to compare. Capacity and specifications vary by model.
Bosch offers fridge freezers with features that vary by model, including Total NoFrost, separate temperature controls and VitaFresh compartments.
The Liebherr CBNsdc 765i fridge freezer has a total capacity of 423 l and includes BioFresh compartments.
Samsung France features large-capacity multi-door fridges, including the 674 l RF24BB620EB1EF.
These options include appliances that combine refrigeration and freezing, as well as a standalone freezer to consider if your current fridge has enough room for fresh food. Compare how much space each option gives you for different types of food before choosing a format.
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This four-door appliance combines fridge and freezer space for shops that include both fresh and frozen food. Its product title lists Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check how the 467 L is split between the compartments, whether there’s room for your containers and the dimensions required for installation.
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The three-door design could be a good fit if you want one appliance for your shopping and frozen portions. The product title lists Total No Frost, My Zone, Wi-Fi and an energy rating of E. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities, as well as the drawer sizes, with your needs.
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This fridge freezer may suit you if fresh food takes up more space than frozen portions. Its product title lists a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Check the freezer capacity and drawer space before relying on it for your batch-cooked meals.
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This standalone freezer can provide extra room for frozen food and portions if your existing fridge still has enough space for fresh food. The product title lists three freezer drawers, a temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C and an energy rating of C. Check where you’ll put it, the installation instructions and the appliance’s stated annual energy consumption.
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This fridge freezer has 153 L of fridge space and 74 L of freezer space. Compare the 74 L freezer capacity with the number of portions you keep between shops. The product title lists a width of 54 cm, a reversible door and an energy rating of E. Also check that your containers will fit in the freezer section.
Start by working out how much fresh and frozen food you need to store, then compare the two compartments separately. UFC-Que Choisir suggests an average of 100 to 150 l for one person and 50 l for each additional person. The portions you batch-cook and freeze may affect how you need to split the capacity.
Consider one if the freezer is regularly full while your fridge has enough space for fresh food. You’ll gain more room for frozen items, but will need to allow for the space, installation and energy use of another appliance.
No. Its suitability depends on how the capacity is divided and how much space you have at home. UFC-Que Choisir describes multi-door fridges as having a fridge section accessed through two doors and one or more freezer compartments below. Check the capacity of each section, the dimensions and the access requirements for your chosen model.
Compare the energy rating, energy use, compartment capacities and noise emissions. The European Commission says this information appears on the label for refrigeration appliances. Consider it all together rather than relying only on the energy rating or total capacity.
Leave enough room to store food without blocking the airflow. Anses also recommends keeping an eye on the temperature in the coldest part of the fridge, which should be 4 °C, particularly when storing perishable food and prepared meals.