Refrigerators: buying guide
Choose fresh-food storage and access without paying for freezer space you do not need.
Reviewed · Next editorial review by 5 February 2027 · Independent buying framework; no hands-on testing or product ratings.
A separate refrigerator can make sense when you already have suitable frozen storage or mainly want fresh-food capacity. Begin with the food and containers you refrigerate, then compare shelf layout, compartment access and installation fit. Treat the annual energy figure as one part of that decision, rather than buying extra storage simply because its rating looks attractive.
Which type suits your home?
Under-counter refrigerator
Consider this for limited space or a smaller fresh-food routine. Check internal shelf width, usable door storage and whether the top surface or cabinetry affects the permitted installation.
Tall larder refrigerator
Useful when fresh-food capacity is the main requirement. Check reach, drawer removal and the balance between shelves, door storage and any specialist compartments.
Integrated refrigerator
Compare hinge compatibility, furniture-door requirements and ventilation with the exact kitchen plan. Include fitting parts and labour rather than treating all similarly sized cabinet appliances as interchangeable.
What to check before buying
Your real containers
Measure the shelves and door pockets against containers you use often. An overall litre figure can hide a layout that cannot take your largest bottle, tray or meal-prep box comfortably.
Freezer compartment expectations
Confirm whether the appliance is a larder fridge or includes a small freezing compartment, and what that compartment is rated to do. Do not assume every internal ice box replaces a separate freezer.
Ventilation and access
Use the manufacturer's installation drawing for clearances and drawer-removal space. Include nearby walls and cabinets; avoid applying one model's recommended gaps to a different refrigerator.
Annual electricity
Compare stated annual kWh with useful storage and supported functions. A continuous-use appliance should be assessed with annual or measured energy, not full compressor power multiplied by every hour.
What ownership really involves
Include installation, delivery and removal charges, and consider whether keeping a separate freezer changes the total household energy budget. A second refrigerator is an additional annual load unless it replaces a genuine need, even if its own label is efficient.
A common comparison mistake
Do not buy a second fresh-food appliance based only on a low label letter. Check the complete storage arrangement and model-specific room conditions, particularly if the proposed position is outside a normal heated kitchen.
Compare running costs
A hypothetical refrigerator label of 110kWh per year. These are hypothetical starting figures, not a measured product average. Scenario B starts equal to A: change it to your alternative's documented figure.
Annual difference: £0.00. Equal under these assumptions.
This is not an average or a particular model's specification. Replace it with the exact annual figure and do not apply a weekly-use multiplier. Electricity only; excludes standing charges and purchase costs. Monthly figures spread annual cost over 12 calendar months. Annual-label figures already cover a year. A and B share the same usage assumptions.
Your questions answered
Is a larder fridge better than a fridge-freezer?
They provide different storage. Compare the combination you actually need, including any separate freezer's cost and energy. A fridge-only label cannot fairly represent a complete fresh-and-frozen storage arrangement.
Why might annual label energy differ from my meter reading?
The label represents defined test conditions. Room conditions, door opening, settings and the way the fridge is loaded can differ. A suitable measurement over a representative period can help you estimate your own use.
Sources and evidence limits
Source links support the stated buying considerations. Manufacturer material is commercial information, not independent comparative testing. Our editable energy figures are hypothetical and are not taken from these products.
- Bosch UK: fridges and product information ↗
Manufacturer range information. Standalone/integrated fridge formats. Confirm dimensions and clearances in the exact manual.
Check the current manual and product sheet for the exact model before purchasing. How we selected these 30 categories · Calculation methodology · Affiliate disclosure