Buying Guide for Refrigerators and Fridge Freezers

Refrigerator is one of the most common household appliances. It stores food and other groceries. When considering a refrigerator, it is important to think about what size cooling device fits your needs.

Refrigerators come in various types and sizes. When buying a refrigerator, you should also consider what features you want it to have. Different brands offer various technologies to explore before purchasing.

You can acquire multiple refrigerators for your home, allowing for more cold storage space in all the rooms where it is needed. A refrigerator only requires electricity to operate, making it easy to place in any room. Many households have a refrigerator in addition to the kitchen, such as in an office, a lounge, a children's room, or a utility room. You can also conveniently use space in a garage or storage area for additional cold storage.

We understand how much thought and time it takes to find the best refrigerator. That’s why we want to provide you with a purchasing guide to help you choose the right refrigerator. So utilize this guide before buying a refrigerator to select the best device for you! Finding the best fridge freezer is also easier with this guide. If you are considering purchasing a separate freezer, check out the freezer buying guide.

Selecting a Refrigerator

Refrigerator or Fridge Freezer?

A traditional refrigerator is perfect for households that need a lot of space for groceries. This option is also suitable when two different cooling devices are desired in the home, namely a separate refrigerator and freezer. These can also be combined into a single unit with a fridge freezer.

Fridge freezers consist of a refrigerator and a freezer. This combination is an excellent option when the kitchen is small and when the capacity of the cooling devices does not need to be large. A fridge freezer helps save space, and the units work compactly as one.

A American-style fridge is also a combination of refrigerator and freezer. American-style fridges contain a larger refrigerator part with a smaller freezer section above it. American-style fridges also come in a variety of vibrant designs. A retro fridge, for instance, is a stunning eye-catcher and serves as a decorative element beyond just the kitchen.

Mini Fridges

Mini fridges are perfect for storing small snacks and beverages at home or in the office. A mini fridge is not intended for the long-term storage of fresh food. It is also worth noting that such devices usually do not have a ventilation system to circulate air within the unit.

Side-by-Side Refrigerators

Side-by-side refrigerators are combinations where the cooling devices are placed next to each other as a unified whole. They are generally larger than other fridge-freezer combinations. They offer plenty of storage space and suitable temperatures for various food items requiring cold storage. A unique feature of these units is the humidity that helps prolong food freshness.

Side-by-side refrigerators are also available in models with a water dispenser. Certain manufacturers allow you to design your own fridge-freezer with the desired details.

Integrated Refrigerators and Integrated Fridge Freezers

An integrated refrigerator or fridge freezer can be installed into kitchen cabinetry. An integrated refrigerator or fridge freezer blends beautifully with the rest of the kitchen. A cabinet door is installed on the cooling device, resulting in a unified and stylish kitchen design.

Refrigerator Capacity

The cooling device should be sized according to your cold storage needs. Buying a refrigerator that is too large can lead to wasted electricity. Conversely, an under-sized refrigerator that becomes fully stocked limits air circulation, which can reduce food preservation time and increase frost build-up. Even if the device is labeled as energy-efficient, it may not be economical if the refrigerator's capacity is not correctly matched to your household needs. Therefore, it is important to check which size device corresponds to your household's volume requirements.

If your household buys a lot of food at once, you will need ample storage space from your cooling device. A small family can manage with a fridge freezer or a refrigerator with a freezer compartment. Larger families benefit from bigger cooling appliances. Below you will find the recommended refrigerator capacity for different household sizes.

Household Size:

1: 100 litres
2: 150-200 litres
3: 200-250 litres
4: 250-300 litres
5+: 300+ litres

Energy Efficiency of Refrigerators

The energy rating of refrigerators is displayed on a scale from A-G. A-rated devices consume the least electricity, while G-rated devices consume the most. Most of the latest refrigerator models are more energy-efficient than older models.

The energy rating of cooling devices should be at least F. A refrigerator is always on, so it is crucial to pay attention to its energy efficiency. It will also affect your electricity bill.

Noise Level of Refrigerators

Check the noise level of the refrigerator when purchasing it. If you want a quiet cooling device, its noise level should be below 37 dB (A).

Fridge freezers typically have a slightly higher noise level than traditional refrigerators. The noise level of a refrigerator can increase if it is placed in a cramped space or if it is overloaded.

Features of Refrigerators

Freezing Power

Freezing power indicates how many kilograms of food can be frozen at once. If your household freezes a lot, pay attention to the device’s freezing power. If the freezing process of fresh food takes too long, the quality diminishes due to the ice crystals formed.

Cooling Power

Cooling power indicates how quickly the refrigerator cools food. This is especially important when large grocery purchases are placed in the refrigerator at once. Certain refrigerator models have a quick cooling feature that effectively cools the temperature to +2 degrees. This feature is particularly beneficial when many food items are placed in the device at once.

No Frost Technology

Food preservation improves when the refrigerator has an effective circulation of air that reduces frost formation. Air circulation ducts and cooling fans enhance airflow and balance temperature differences.

NoFrost Function

The NoFrost function prevents ice and frost from forming in the freezer. Strongly circulating cold air removes moisture from the cooling device. This function prevents frost from building up on food and ice from forming on the interior walls. Therefore, NoFrost freezers do not need to be defrosted at all. Additionally, this function keeps electricity consumption low.

LowFrost Function

Thanks to the LowFrost function, the freezer does not need to be defrosted as often as a regular freezer. A LowFrost freezer requires defrosting only once a year, while a regular freezer must be defrosted at least four times a year.

Usability Features

When purchasing a cooling device, think about what usability features you want from it. Below you will find examples of various usability features to consider before buying.

Diversity of shelf spaces
Number of adjustments
Warning sounds and lights
Internal division of the device
Height adjustment options
Sliding stops for shelves and drawers
Ease of cleaning the device
Electronic temperature settings

Explore Euronics' Selection of Refrigerators

Check out Euronics' extensive selection of refrigerators and freezers. You will find different device types categorized:

Refrigerators

Fridge Freezers

American-style Fridges

Built-in & Side-by-Side Refrigerators

We are happy to assist you in choosing the perfect fridge freezer or refrigerator for you. Contact us via chat and place your order online, or visit your nearest Euronics store.

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