A fridge freezer is one of the hardest-working appliances in your house. It’s on 24/7. It stores everything from fresh fruit to ready meals. And you’ll probably use it more than almost any other kitchen appliance.
That’s why it’s worth taking a little time to pick the right one. From choosing the right size – to making sure it’ll actually fit through your front door – here’s a quick checklist of the five most important things to think about before buying a new fridge freezer.
1. Choose the right size and capacity
When looking around for a fridge freezer, lots of people automatically assume that bigger equals better. That’s plain wrong. Instead, the best choice is the one that matches your household and shopping habits.
The first thing to understand is the difference between dimensions and capacity:
Dimensions are the appliance’s physical measurements (height, width and depth).
Capacity is the amount of food it can hold, measured in litres.
As a rough guide…
For singles and couples: Around 100-250 litres is going to be more than enough.
For small families: Look for something between 250-350 litres.
For large families: 350 litres+ is going to give you loads of extra room.
For bulk shoppers and entertainers: Larger capacity models (like American-style designs) make hosting dinner parties and family get togethers a lot easier.
Think about how you buy your food too. If you like doing one big weekly supermarket run, you’ll probably need more storage than someone who picks up a few bits every couple of days.
Tech tip: A huge fridge freezer that’s only half full is a waste of valuable kitchen space. Focus on the capacity you’ll actually use, not just the biggest model you can find.
2. Decide which fridge freezer style suits your home
Fridge freezers come in a few different styles. And the best option? Well, that depends on your kitchen layout, storage needs and personal taste.
Freestanding fridge freezers – The most common choice. They’re easy to install and come in a huge range of sizes. Plus, it’s simple enough to move them if you redesign your kitchen later on.
Integrated fridge freezers – These sit behind cupboard doors and create a clean, consistent style with the rest of your kitchen. They’re great if you want your appliance tucked away out of sight.
American-style fridge freezers – If storage space is your number one priority, you can’t go far wrong with one of these. They’re much wider, which means a larger capacity, and room for extra features like side-by-side compartments and ice and water dispensers.
50/50, 60/40 and 70/30 fridge freezers – 50/50 models have an equal mix of fridge and freezer space. With 60/40, there’s more room for fresh food, and less for frozen stuff. 70/30 appliances have the most space for fresh groceries out of the three.
Frost-free fridge freezers – Chipping away thick layers of ice from a freezer is not a fun job. Luckily, these models use clever tech that reduces or completely prevents ice from clogging up your drawers. So, there’s no manual defrosting needed whatsoever. Very n-ice!
Slim American-style fridge freezers – If you like the look of a regular American-style fridge freezer – but don’t have the space for one – they’re the ideal compromise. They’ve still got lots of storage. They just take up a lot less room.
Learn more: If you’re still not sure where to start, take a look at our piece – which fridge freezer should I buy? – for a more in-depth comparison.
3. Check energy efficiency and running costs
Because fridge freezers run all year round, your appliance’s energy efficiency can make a pretty noticeable difference to your electricity bills.
Most modern models come with an energy rating from A to G. Generally, the closer a model is to A, the less energy it uses. While an energy efficient model might cost slightly more upfront, it could save you some cash throughout its lifespan. That’s worth thinking about if you’re likely to keep your appliance for a long time.
It’s also worth looking out for features that’ll help food stay fresher for longer. Better food preservation can reduce waste, which might save some money on your supermarket shop too.
Learn more: If lowering your bills is a big priority, you can check out some of the best energy efficient fridge freezers right here.
4. Think about features you’ll actually use
Fridge freezers have come a long way since they first hit shelves back in the late 1940s. Now, they’re packed from head-to-toe with clever tech. But, before you shell out the extra cash, ask yourself whether you’ll genuinely use it.
Here are some of the most useful features that are worth looking out for…
Total No Frost – Defrosting a freezer is a massive pain. Total No Frost tech stops ice from building up, so you won’t have to manually defrost it.
Water and ice dispensers – Forget the tap. Grab a glass and kick back with an ice-cold drink whenever you want.
Fast Freeze – This rapidly lowers the temperature to help lock in freshness. Perfect for when you’ve just loaded up the freezer after a big food shop.
Fast Chill – Cools any new groceries quickly and helps to maintain a stable temperature inside the fridge.
Freshness drawers – These clever compartments create the perfect conditions for your fruit, veg, meat and fish. And that keeps them fresh for longer.
Holiday Mode – Heading off on your hols? Holiday Mode reduces energy consumption while you’re not using the fridge as much.
Smart connectivity – Some fridge freezers now connect to your phone, letting you adjust settings or get alerts remotely.
5. Measure your space before you buy
Yes, this might sound like an obvious one. But it’s one of the most common mistakes that people make. A fridge freezer might look perfect online. If you’ve not checked its specs though – and cracked the tape measure out at home – you might be in a bit of a pickle.
So, before you place your order, head to the kitchen and measure…
The width, height and depth of the space you’ll put it in.
The door opening space. You don’t want a drawer or another unit getting in the way that stops you from opening it.
Any ventilation clearance around the appliance. It’ll need a small gap at the back and shouldn’t be pushed right up against the wall.
Don’t stop at the kitchen either. Check hallways, doorways, staircases and any tight corners the appliance might need to get through during the delivery. This is even more important if you’re buying an American-style model. They’re not small!
Learn more: For some extra guidance before you buy, have a read of our article - how to measure if a new fridge freezer will fit.
FAQs
What should I consider before buying a fridge freezer?
The most important factors are the size, storage capacity, energy efficiency, useful features and whether the appliance is actually going to fit in your kitchen. Choosing the right combo is going to help you get the best value and performance from your fridge freezer.
What size fridge freezer do I need?
That really depends on how many people live in your house and how you like to shop. Singles and couples will usually manage with smaller capacities. While larger households will need a bigger model to cram in a full family food shop.
Is a 50/50 or 70/30 fridge freezer better?
Neither one is automatically better. A 50/50 fridge freezer suits households that like a mix of fresh and frozen food. On the flip side, a 70/30 fridge freezer is a great shout if you buy more fresh food and need more fridge space than freezer storage.
What fridge freezer features are worth paying for?
Features like Fast Chill, Fast Freeze, Total No Frost and dedicated freshness drawers give you handy benefits from the get-go. And while water dispensers, ice makers and smart connectivity are nice-to-haves, they’re by no means essential for everyone.
What energy rating is best for a fridge freezer?
In general, higher-rated models (A, B etc) use less energy, which could help to lower your running costs over time.
Need more advice?
Head on over to our refrigeration buying guide. Our tech experts have rounded up loads of useful info and top tips on all things fridge freezers.
