For a weekly shop that regularly includes frozen food, compare fridge and freezer capacity separately: a fridge-freezer gives you a dedicated space for each. A multi-door model offers plenty of room if your kitchen and access routes can accommodate it; with a one-door or compact model, pay closer attention to the actual size of its freezer compartment.
If you want to keep several days’ worth of fresh food as well as a supply of frozen food, look at the usable capacity of each compartment separately. Que Choisir’s guide recommends considering both how often you shop and how much frozen food you use.
A large model can make it easier to organise your shopping, provided its internal layout suits what you need to store. Check its overall dimensions too: Samsung recommends measuring doorways, corridors and lifts before delivery of its RF50C530ES9/EF multi-door model.
A one-door or compact model is worth considering if space is limited and most of your storage is for fresh food. If you regularly buy frozen food, check the capacity of the freezer compartment rather than relying on the appliance’s external size alone.
Start by working out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food, then rule out any models that can’t be delivered and installed in your kitchen.
Consider this if: your weekly shop regularly includes fresh and frozen food, and you want a separate freezer in the same appliance.
Bear in mind: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is given to the freezer.
Consider this if: your household needs plenty of storage and you have room for a wide appliance, including along its delivery route.
Bear in mind: its size and internal layout should justify your choice, not just its total capacity in litres.
Consider this if: space is limited and you mainly store fresh food.
Bear in mind: according to Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
| Criteria | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity split | Compare the usable capacity of each compartment and the freezer layout. If you store bulky frozen items, look at the shape and number of drawers. | I want enough room for my fresh shopping without cutting into the space I need for my usual supply of frozen food. |
| Capacity for your household | Compare usable capacity with the number of people in your household and how often you shop. Don’t confuse internal capacity with external dimensions. | If I stock up for several days, I need enough space between shops. I shouldn’t choose a capacity based on the appliance’s size alone. |
| Access and installation | Measure the space, access routes and door clearance. Check the instructions for your chosen version for ventilation requirements and climate class; Electrolux recommends leaving room for air to circulate around the appliance. | My fridge needs to fit through to the kitchen and have enough room for its doors to open without obstructing furniture or restricting airflow. |
| Electricity use | Compare the annual energy consumption shown on the labels of appliances with similar sizes and capacities. ADEME notes that a larger size and extra features can increase energy use. | I’d rather assess the electricity needed for the capacity I’ll actually use than choose extra features by default. |
A spacious appliance may leave too little room for frozen food. Que Choisir draws a distinction between a small freezer compartment and space suited to storing a large amount of frozen food.
Work out how much space you need for fresh and frozen food separately, then compare usable capacity and the layout of the compartments.
A multi-door model may fit the space you have planned for it but not get through a doorway or along a corridor. Samsung recommends checking access for its RF50C530ES9/EF model, which is listed as 817 mm wide.
Measure the delivery route, the space where the appliance will go and the door clearance. Also check the clearances required in the model’s instructions.
ADEME says that an appliance’s size and extra features can increase its electricity consumption.
Compare the annual energy consumption of fridges with similar capacities and formats, then choose a size that suits your shopping habits.
The clearance needed depends on the appliance and how it’s installed. Electrolux recommends allowing air to circulate around the fridge-freezer.
Follow the instructions for the version you buy rather than using measurements given for another appliance.
These examples show different styles; the specifications apply to the models listed, not to every appliance from each brand.
The freestanding KGV36VBEAS fridge-freezer is an example of a model with clearly stated fridge and freezer capacities.
The RF50C530ES9/EF multi-door model is worth considering if your household needs plenty of storage and has room for it.
The KPsle290-26 is an example of a one-door fridge to consider if fresh food is your priority.
This selection includes fridge-freezers and multi-door models with different dimensions, so you can compare the space available for fresh and frozen food.
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Worth considering if your shopping calls for a large appliance with space for fresh and frozen food. The model name indicates Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Before choosing this style, check the route to your kitchen, door clearance and the clearances specified in its instructions.
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This fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in two compartments in one appliance. Compare the usable capacity of each compartment before settling on its listed total capacity of 440 L. Also check the available height, access routes and installation instructions.
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The three-door design offers a different layout to consider for shopping that includes both fresh and frozen food. The model name indicates Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Compare the capacity of each compartment and check the space available as well as the ventilation requirements in the instructions.
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This fridge-freezer is worth comparing if you shop for several days at a time and buy frozen food. Don’t focus on its total capacity of 390 L alone: check how the space is divided, whether the freezer features suit what you store and what dimensions are needed for installation.
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Its listed width of 54 cm is worth noting if your kitchen is narrow, while still offering a separate freezer compartment. The model is described as Low Frost, but the freezer needs to be defrosted manually. Check that the space for frozen food suits your usual shopping, and consult the instructions for installation guidance.
Start with the number of people in your household, the time between shops and how much frozen food you usually buy. Then compare the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer separately: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room in each compartment.
Not necessarily: Que Choisir says that a small freezer compartment won’t be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. Before choosing a one-door or compact model, check the usable capacity and features of its freezer compartment against what you need to store.
Measure the space where it will go, the door clearance and the entire route to your kitchen. For a large model, this includes doorways, corridors and lifts. For installation, follow the clearances and other instructions for the model; Electrolux recommends allowing air to circulate around the appliance.
Check their annual energy consumption on the energy label, ideally comparing appliances with similar dimensions and capacities. ADEME notes that size and extra features can increase energy use, so weigh this up against how much space you really need.
Ask the retailer about the collection options available when you place your order. Your old appliance should go to an appropriate waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling facility: the Ministry for the Ecological Transition notes that this equipment can contain components or gases that are harmful to the environment.