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Fridge freezer buying guide

Everything you need to know to find the perfect fridge freezer for your home and lifestyle...

Fridge freezer Graphic
If you’re looking for a new fridge freezer, whether it’s a replacement or an upgrade, you’re in the right place.

With so many designs and features to consider, it can be difficult to select a new model. But don’t worry, we’ve put together a complete buying guide filled with everything you need to know, including how to measure, split types, and capacity options.
If you’re looking for a new fridge freezer, whether it’s a replacement or an upgrade, you’re in the right place. 

With so many designs and features to consider, it can be difficult to select a new model. But don’t worry, we’ve put together a complete buying guide filled with everything you need to know, including how to measure, split types, and capacity options.
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Types Size Split type Capacity Features FAQs

Types of fridge freezer

When browsing for a fridge freezer, a great starting point is knowing exactly what type you’re looking for. You can split fridge freezers into three types: freestanding, integrated, and American. Here is a breakdown of each type:

Types of fridge freezer

When browsing for a fridge freezer, a great starting point is knowing exactly what type you’re looking for. You can split fridge freezers into three types: freestanding, integrated, and American. Here is a breakdown of each type:

Freestanding

The most common type of fridge freezer is a freestanding design. Tall, moveable and providing all your food storage in one place, this style is perfect as a main kitchen appliance or as additional food storage space if you need it.

Available in various heights and widths, the split design means you can find models with the ideal amount of chilled and frozen storage space. For example, if you don’t freeze much, you could choose an appliance with minimal freezer space. Due to their popularity, they are also available in various colours such as white, stainless steel, and black.

Altimo aff180552w freestanding fridge freezer.

Integrated

An integrated fridge freezer blends in with your current kitchen and appears hidden until it’s opened. This is a perfect solution if you want a streamlined look to your kitchen, seamlessly matching  your cupboard doors. 

Integrated fridge freezers are still tall in design and available in multiple dimensions to fit the available space in your kitchen.

An integrated fridge freezer.

American

American fridge freezers are large freestanding fridge freezers with two side-by-side doors. Popular for generous storage space and additional features, consider an American fridge freezer if you have the available space.

A Samsung American style fridge freezer

Freestanding

The most common type of fridge freezer is a freestanding design. Tall, moveable and providing all your food storage in one place, this style is perfect as a main kitchen appliance or as additional food storage space if you need it.

Available in various heights and widths, the split design means you can find models with the ideal amount of chilled and frozen storage space. For example, if you don’t freeze much, you could choose an appliance with minimal freezer space. Due to their popularity, they are also available in various colours such as white, stainless steel, and black.

Freestanding fridge freezer

Integrated

An integrated fridge freezer blends in with your current kitchen and appears hidden until it’s opened. This is a perfect solution if you want a streamlined look to your kitchen, seamlessly matching your cupboard doors. 

Integrated fridge freezers are still tall in design and available in multiple dimensions to fit the available space in your kitchen.

integrated fridge freezer

American

American fridge freezers are large freestanding fridge freezers with two side-by-side doors. Popular for generous storage space and additional features, consider an American fridge freezer if you have the available space.

Dimensions and measuring

Dimensions and measuring

Once you know the type of fridge freezer you’re looking for, it’s best practice to measure your space so you know the size of appliance you’ll be able to get. You should avoid moving a fridge freezer around too often due to the gases that are required to settle before use, so it’s ideal to get this right the first time.

Knowing where you plan to put your fridge freezer before you purchase will prevent you having to move it multiple times or buying one that's too big for your space.

How to measure for a fridge freezer?

Depth: Measuring the depth of the space you have will highlight whether the fridge freezer will sit flush within the space or have any overhang. If it doesn’t fit, understanding how much room is available around the appliance will help you decide which product is right.  

Height: The height of your appliance shouldn’t be too much of a problem for most homes. Kitchens are designed to accommodate large appliances. If you have sloping ceilings or overhead cupboards though, it’s always best to check the height of the space against the fridge freezer that you’d like.

Width: Like many household appliances, fridge freezers do not have a standard width. Measuring the ideal location for your appliance will allow you to either choose a fridge freezer for the space or inspire you to look for an alternative spot.

Door hinges: Remember to consider the extra space needed to open the door and for the appliance’s hinges. This is especially important for integrated fridge freezers. You don’t want the space to be too tight or for any other appliances to be in the way, as this could make the fridge freezer unusable.

How to measure a fridge freezer.

Once you know the type of fridge freezer you’re looking for, it’s best practice to measure your space so you know the size of appliance you’ll be able to get. You should avoid moving a fridge freezer around too often due to the gases that are required to settle before use, so it’s ideal to get this right the first time.

Knowing where you plan to put your fridge freezer before you purchase will prevent you having to move it multiple times or buying one that's too big for your space.

How to measure for a fridge freezer?

Depth: Measuring the depth of the space you have will highlight whether the fridge freezer will sit flush within the space or have any overhang. If it doesn’t fit, understanding how much room is available around the appliance will help you decide which product is right.  

Height: The height of your appliance shouldn’t be too much of a problem for most homes. Kitchens are designed to accommodate large appliances. If you have sloping ceilings or overhead cupboards though, it’s always best to check the height of the space against the fridge freezer that you’d like.

Width: Like many household appliances, fridge freezers do not have a standard width. Measuring the ideal location for your appliance will allow you to either choose a fridge freezer for the space or inspire you to look for an alternative spot.

Door hinges: Remember to consider the extra space needed to open the door and for the appliance’s hinges. This is especially important for integrated fridge freezers. You don’t want the space to be too tight or for any other units or appliances to be in the way, as this could make the fridge freezer unusable.

How to measure a fridge freezer
ICE

Some cool advice...

American style fridge freezers are sometimes too large to fit through standard doorways, so it's important to measure your doorways and hallways leading to the kitchen. If access is tight, many models allow fridge freezer doors to be removed for delivery and reinstalled. If this is something you need, just let us know once you’ve placed your order.

What split type should my fridge freezer be?

Unsure what split type means? Split type refers to how much of the fridge freezer is a fridge and how much is a freezer with the split described as 50/50 or 60/40, for example, with the first number always being the fridge capacity.

What split type should my fridge freezer be?

Unsure what split type means? Split type refers to how much of the fridge freezer is a fridge and how much is a freezer with the split described as 50/50 or 60/40, for example, with the first number always being the fridge capacity.

50/50 fridge freezer split

50/50

If you’re looking for a good balance of space for fresh and frozen food, the 50/50 design has the same size fridge and freezer. Perfect for homes of various sizes, it accommodates your weekly essentials, frozen foods and provides plenty of space for entertainment.

Shop 50/50 fridge freezers
60/40 fridge freezer split

60/40

If you prefer to have more space for fresh food, then choosing a bigger fridge will be a priority. The 60/40 split gives you slightly more fridge room but still ample freezer space for essentials.

Shop 60/40 fridge freezers
70/30 fridge freezer split

70/30

A 70/30 fridge freezer provides extra fridge space with a smaller freezer section, making it ideal for households that store lots of fresh food.

Shop 70/30 fridge freezers
80/20 fridge freezer split

80/20

This has the smallest freezer of them all and is best for those who perhaps already have a separate freezer in the home, such as a chest or under-the-counter freezer.

Shop 80/20 fridge freezers
ICE

Don't forget...

If you’re looking for an integrated fridge freezer, it’s important to consider the sizes of your cupboard doors. Typically, you’ll have one door for your fridge and one for your freezer so if your new fridge freezer is a different split from the one it’s replacing, your cupboard doors may not match its split.

Capacity

You’ll also want to understand the capacity of the fridge freezers you’re looking at. Fridge freezer capacity is measured in litres (L), with this ranging from the 142L Altimo AFF144482W to the 574L Bosch Series 6 American Fridge Freezer.

Remember that this capacity is split between fridge and freezer space so take this into consideration when selecting. To help with your decision making, all our fridge freezers will have their individual fridge and freezer capacities listed.

It's also important to check the number of fridge shelves and freezer drawers. On average a fridge freezer has four shelves in the fridge with an additional three freezer drawers. Most shelves are movable so you can alter the space and even remove them if you’d like. 

Think about your shopping habits and consider if you’re happy with your current set up when deciding what capacity to go for.

A fridge freezer at full capacity.

Capacity

You’ll also want to understand the capacity of the fridge freezers you’re looking at. Fridge freezer capacity is measured in litres (L), with this ranging from the 142L Altimo AFF144482W to the 574L Bosch Series 6 American Fridge Freezer.

Remember that this capacity is split between fridge and freezer space so take this into consideration when selecting. To help with your decision making, all our fridge freezers will have their individual fridge and freezer capacities listed.

It's also important to check the number of fridge shelves and freezer drawers. On average a fridge freezer has four shelves in the fridge with an additional three freezer drawers. Most shelves are movable so you can alter the space and even remove them if you’d like. 

Think about your shopping habits and consider if you’re happy with your current set up when deciding what capacity to go for.

A fridge freezer at full capacity.

Energy efficiency

Your fridge freezer is going to be using energy 24/7, so it’s important to check the energy labels before you buy to avoid running into an unexpectedly high bill. 

EU energy labels play a big part in helping you work out which fridge freezers are the most energy efficient.

From 2021, new, updated energy labels have been rolled out featuring clear A-G efficiency classes, indication of non-emergency parameters (noise emissions, capacity, reliability etc.) and a QR code to help you gain more information.

Look out for the energy-saving badges when browsing our fridge freezers to see which have the best energy efficiency.

Illustration of a fridge freezer energy ratings.

Energy efficiency

Your fridge freezer is going to be using energy 24/7, so it’s important to check the energy labels before you buy to avoid running into an unexpectedly high bill. 

EU energy labels play a big part in helping you work out which fridge freezers are the most energy efficient.

From 2021, new, updated energy labels have been rolled out featuring clear A-G efficiency classes, indication of non-emergency parameters (noise emissions, capacity, reliability etc.) and a QR code to help you gain more information.

Look out for the energy-saving badges when browsing our fridge freezers to see which have the best energy efficiency.

What features do you need?

You'll be opening your fridge freezer countless times every single day, so it’s important to look out for additional features which can make a difference to your lifestyle. We’ve picked out what to look out for when making your purchase.

Consider which features would impact you the most and take this into account when purchasing.

What features do you need?

You'll be opening your fridge freezer countless times every single day, so it’s important to look out for additional features which can make a difference to your lifestyle. We’ve picked out what to look out for when making your purchase. 

Consider which features would impact you the most and take this into account when purchasing.

Extra features

Power cut failsafe

Your fridge freezer relies on electricity to run, so in the event of a power cut you run the risk of losing your food. Typically, a fridge freezer will keep food cold for 4 hours following a power cut, but some models have special features that will keep it running for up to 20 hours.

Garage suitable

Not every fridge freezer is designed for the lower temperature of a garage. Some models are built with this in mind to help you free up space in your kitchen.

Antibacterial

Stop odours building up and help your food stay fresh with antibacterial features. For example, LG’s Bio Shield which stops bacteria from forming with a special lining inside the fridge compartment.

Auto defrost

Keep the inside of your fridge free from frost with the auto defrost function. A small hole near the bottom of the fridge collects any condensation to prevent any frost from forming and ruining your dinner plans.

Holiday mode

Off away for a week or two? Fridge freezers with a holiday mode have reduced energy settings to reduce your energy consumption when you’re not around. Some models will also allow you to turn off empty sections.

Drinks storage

Keep your drinks chilled with dedicated drinks storage sections. These come by way of drinks drawers, doors and wine racks. Some fridge freezers have specially designed doors which allow you to grab a drink without opening the rest of the fridge and using unnecessary energy.

Temperature control

You’ll be able to adjust the temperature to suit your preferences in most fridge freezers through a temperature control panel. Setting your freezer to a lower range will help keep items frozen, even if your freezer gets a lot of use and the door is opened often.

Fast freeze

Shopping starting to thaw? Fast freezing functions rapidly reduce the temperature to help get your food frozen nice and quickly.

Reversible doors

Fridge freezers with reversible door hinges give you the flexibility you need when choosing the positioning in your room layout. Reversible doors can be altered to open to the left or right in just a few minutes. All of our product listings state clearly whether or not the fridge freezer has reversible doors.

Large interior drawer

More commonly found in American fridge freezers, these drawers allow you to keep bulky items separate from your main fridge to avoid having to cram everything in.

Door alarm

Are you prone to leaving the fridge door open? Some models come with a built-in alarm to give you a friendly reminder to shut that door and keep your food fresh.

Noise emissions

When you have multiple appliances in your home, you'll want to keep all of these running efficiently and quietly. Fortunately, fridge freezers come with a noise level rating so you can choose one which meets your needs. 40dB will ensure the sound of your fridge doesn’t leave the room.

Power cut failsafe

Your fridge freezer relies on electricity to run, so in the event of a power cut you run the risk of losing your food. Typically, a fridge will keep food cold for 4 hours following a power cut, but some models have special features that will keep your fridge running for up to 20 hours.

Garage suitable

Not every fridge freezer is designed for the lower temperature of a garage. Some models are built with this in mind to help you free up space in your kitchen.

Antibacterial

Stop odours building up and help your food stay fresh with antibacterial features. For example, LG’s Bio Shield which stops bacteria from forming with a special lining inside the fridge compartment.

Auto defrost

Keep the inside of your fridge free from frost with the auto defrost function. A small hole near the bottom of the fridge collects any condensation to prevent any frost from forming and ruining your dinner plans.

Holiday mode

Off away for a week or two? Fridge freezers with a holiday mode have reduced energy settings to reduce your energy consumption when you’re not around. Some models will also allow you to turn off empty sections.

Drinks storage

Keep your drinks chilled with dedicated drinks storage sections. These come by way of drinks drawers, doors and wine racks. Some fridge freezers have specially designed doors which allow you to grab a drink without opening the rest of the fridge and using unnecessary energy.

Temperature control

You’ll be able to adjust the temperature to suit your preferences in most fridge freezers through a temperature control panel. Setting your freezer to a lower range will help keep items frozen, even if your freezer gets a lot of use and the door is opened often.

Fast freeze

Shopping starting to thaw? Fast freezing functions rapidly reduce the temperature to help get your food frozen nice and quickly.

Reversible doors

Fridge freezers with reversible door hinges give you the flexibility you need when choosing the positioning in your room layout. Reversible doors can be altered to open to the left or right in just a few minutes. All of our product listings state clearly whether or not the fridge freezer has reversible doors.

Large interior drawer

More commonly found in American fridge freezers, these drawers allow you to keep bulky items separate from your main fridge to avoid having to cram everything in.

Door alarm

Are you prone to leaving the fridge door open? Some models come with a built-in alarm to give you a friendly reminder to shut that door and keep your food fresh.

Noise emissions

When you have multiple appliances in your home, you'll want to keep all of these running efficiently and quietly. Fortunately, fridge freezers come with a noise level rating so you can choose one which meets your needs. 40dB will ensure the sound of your fridge doesn’t leave the room.

Delivery

Your fridge freezer is essential, and we don’t want you to have to wait for it to arrive. Get delivery when you need it, including next day or Saturday delivery when you buy with Hughes.

Super fast delivery

Delivery

Your fridge freezer is essential, and we don’t want you to have to wait for it to arrive. Get delivery when you need it, including next day or Saturday delivery when you buy with Hughes.

FAQs

What size fridge freezer do I need for my family?

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For UK households, capacity requirements vary based on family size and shopping habits. A family of 1-2 people typically needs 200-300 litres total capacity, whilst families of 3-4 require 300-400 litres. Larger families or those who shop weekly may need 400-500+ litres. Consider your fresh food vs frozen food ratio. If you freeze meals regularly, opt for models with larger freezer compartments (typically 40% of total capacity). Always measure your available kitchen space first, allowing extra room for ventilation around the appliance.

What's the difference between freestanding and integrated fridge freezers?

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Freestanding fridge freezers are standalone units that can be positioned anywhere with appropriate ventilation space. They're typically less expensive and easier to replace or relocate. Integrated (built-in) models are designed to fit within kitchen units with matching door panels, creating a seamless kitchen appearance.

How energy efficient are modern fridge freezers?

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Modern fridge freezers use significantly less energy than older models thanks to improved insulation and compressor technology. Look for appliances rated A for the best energy efficiency under the current EU energy labelling system. A-rated models are the most efficient, though they may cost more upfront. The energy label shows annual kWh consumption, typically ranging from 150-300 kWh per year for standard models. While A-rated appliances cost more initially, they offer significant long-term savings on electricity bills over their 15+ year lifespan.

What's the best fridge freezer configuration for my needs?

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Top freezer models offer good value and energy efficiency, with the freezer compartment above the fridge. Bottom freezer configurations provide easier access to fresh food at eye level but may cost more. Side-by-side American-style models offer large capacity and convenience features but require more kitchen space and typically consume more energy. Consider your daily usage patterns, available space, and budget when choosing.

How much should I budget for a fridge freezer in the UK?

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Fridge freezer prices vary significantly based on size, features, and brand. Budget models start around £300-£500 for basic 250-300 litre capacity. Mid-range options typically cost £500-£1,000 with better build quality and features. Premium models with advanced features, larger capacity, or American-style designs can exceed £1,500. Factor in potential delivery and installation costs and consider the appliance's expected 15-20 year lifespan when evaluating value for money.

What's the ideal temperature setting for fridge and freezer compartments?

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The optimal fridge temperature is between 0-5°C, with 3-4°C being ideal for most foods. Freezer compartments should be set to -18°C for safe long-term food storage. Setting temperatures lower than necessary increases energy consumption unnecessarily. Many modern fridge freezers offer precise digital temperature controls and separate controls for each compartment. Some models include temperature monitoring and alerts to warn of temperature variations. Proper temperature management is crucial for food safety, freshness, and energy efficiency.

How long do fridge freezers typically last?

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Quality fridge freezers typically last 15-20 years with proper maintenance, making them long-term investments. Premium brands may last even longer, whilst budget models might need replacement after 10-15 years. Factors affecting lifespan include build quality, usage patterns, maintenance, and environmental conditions. Regular cleaning, proper ventilation, and avoiding overloading can extend appliance life. Consider warranty coverage, typically 1-2 years standard, with extended warranties available. Factor the expected lifespan into your total cost of ownership calculations.

What space and ventilation requirements do fridge freezers need?

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Fridge freezers require adequate ventilation space to operate efficiently and prevent overheating. Allow at least 5cm clearance at the sides and back, and 10cm above for proper airflow. Built-in models have specific ventilation requirements detailed in installation instructions. Measure your available space carefully, considering door swing clearance and any overhead cupboards. Standard UK fridge freezers are typically 55-60cm wide and 175-185cm tall. Ensure your floor can support the weight (typically 60-80kg empty) and that doorways are wide enough for delivery and installation.
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