Joybuy Insights

Buying a Fridge-Freezer: A Guide to Choosing the Right Size, Energy Consumption and Features

A fridge-freezer needs to do more than simply cool and freeze food. It should fit comfortably in your kitchen, offer enough storage space and suit your household’s shopping and storage habits. Singles, couples and families can choose from a range of designs, from compact fridges with freezer compartments and classic freestanding fridge-freezers to side-by-side and French-door models.

Before buying, it is worth taking a close look at the technical specifications. Some commonly advertised features may seem appealing at first glance, but they do not solve every practical problem.

Common Pitfalls When Buying a Fridge-Freezer

1. Capacity is considered without taking space requirements into account

A large fridge-freezer offers more storage space, but it also needs sufficient room. It is not just the width and height that matter: you should also consider the depth, door-opening angle and clearance from walls or neighbouring units. A side-by-side fridge-freezer, for example, can be more than 90 cm wide. With a French-door fridge-freezer, you also need to check that both doors can open fully.

2. “Quiet” is not perceived in the same way by everyone

Noise levels are given in dB(A). A quiet fridge-freezer operating at 37 to 40 dB(A) may be more suitable for an open-plan kitchen or bedroom than a noticeably louder model. However, perceived noise also depends on the floor, the position of the appliance against the wall and the compressor’s operating cycles. For this reason, always check the dB rating directly in the product specifications.

3. No Frost and Low Frost are confused

A No Frost fridge-freezer circulates cold air and prevents ice from forming in the freezer compartment. This reduces the need for manual defrosting. Low Frost reduces ice build-up, but does not eliminate the need for occasional defrosting altogether. If you want to keep maintenance to a minimum, look for “No Frost” or “Total No Frost” in the relevant compartments.

The Most Important Buying Criteria

Size and usable capacity

When choosing a fridge-freezer, pay attention to the separately listed capacities:

  • Fridge compartment: important for fresh food, drinks and prepared meals
  • Freezer compartment: relevant for frozen food and stored supplies
  • Total capacity: useful for a quick comparison, but says little about the internal layout

A compact fridge with around 80 to 100 litres of capacity is suitable for offices, bedrooms, student rooms or individuals with limited refrigeration needs. Models offering around 250 litres are often sufficient for singles and couples. Families will often benefit from 320 litres or more. However, the right size depends more on how often you shop than on the number of people in your household alone.

Energy efficiency and running costs

The EU energy label rates refrigeration appliances on a scale from A to G. It also shows annual electricity consumption in kWh per year. This figure is particularly useful when estimating running costs:

Annual electricity costs = kWh per year × electricity price per kWh

An appliance with energy efficiency class C and consumption of 141 kWh per year may be more economical over the long term than a larger class E model with significantly higher consumption. Always consider these figures in relation to the available storage space rather than looking at them in isolation.

Features and positioning

Practical features of a freestanding fridge-freezer may include:

  • LED lighting for improved visibility while taking up very little space
  • reversible door for flexible positioning with the hinge on the left or right
  • height-adjustable glass shelves and transparent freezer drawers
  • separate cooling circuits to help limit the transfer of odours
  • holiday mode, fast cooling or fast freezing
  • temperature display and door-open alarm

Before placing your order, you should also check the required ventilation clearances, delivery route, door width and whether the appliance is suitable for unheated rooms. Not every fridge-freezer is designed for use in a garage or cellar with low temperatures.

Our Selection by User Profile

Suitable for: Budget-conscious first-time buyers
CHiQ JR205LSE 205L fridge-freezer combination

CHiQ JR205LSE 205L Fridge-Freezer Combination

Why this product suits this profile: This combination offers 153 litres of fridge space and 52 litres of freezer space in a width of 54 cm. It is therefore suitable for smaller kitchens and households with modest storage requirements.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The stated dimensions, reversible door and Low Frost technology make the space requirements and maintenance effort clear.

Key benefit & strengths

205 litres of total capacity, an operating noise level of 39 dB and five adjustable cooling modes.

Suitable for: Buyers with high quality expectations
homeX fridge-freezer combination, No Frost

homeX Fridge-Freezer Combination, No Frost, 253 Litres

Why this product suits this profile: This model combines 182 litres of fridge space with 71 litres of freezer space, No Frost technology and energy efficiency class C in a freestanding cabinet.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The stated annual consumption of 141 kWh and noise level of 39 dB allow you to assess running costs and noise objectively.

Key benefit & strengths

No Frost system, reversible door, LED lighting and 4-star freezer compartment.

Suitable for: Special uses & frequent users
Beko MultiDoor fridge-freezer combination, 466 litres

Beko MultiDoor Fridge-Freezer Combination, 466 Litres

Why this product suits this profile: With 291 litres of fridge space and 175 litres of freezer space, this large-capacity model is designed for families and households with substantial food stocks.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Before buying, compare the dimensions of 73 × 79 × 180 cm and the noise level of 39 dBA with the available installation space.

Key benefit & strengths

NoFrost Dual Cooling, multifunction display, reversible door and 466 litres of net capacity.

Looking for more options?

We have compiled a complete, regularly updated list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the safety regulations applicable in the EU.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fridge-Freezers

How much clearance does a freestanding fridge-freezer need?

This depends on the model and the manufacturer’s specifications. As a general rule, sufficient space must be left at the back and sides to allow heat to escape. The door also needs enough room to swing open. The installation instructions for the appliance in question are definitive.

Which fridge-freezer has the lowest running costs?

Compare the energy efficiency class with the stated annual consumption in kWh. A larger appliance may use more electricity despite having a better energy efficiency class if it offers significantly more capacity and additional features. The most sensible choice therefore depends on the amount of storage space you need.

How long does a fridge-freezer last?

Its lifespan depends, among other things, on how it is used, ventilation, cleaning the door seals and the ambient temperature. Regularly removing dust from accessible areas, positioning the appliance on a level surface and keeping ventilation openings clear can help support proper operation. The manufacturer’s warranty and service information are also important.