How to choose the best fridge

Fridge buyers guide

Fridges come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to suit different lifestyle needs. Whether you’re looking for an under-counter fridge or a tall larder fridge, we’ve got all the advice you need to help you choose the best fridge to suit your kitchen and budget.

From the size and fitting to optional extras such as wi-fi connectivity, this guide outlines some of the key points to consider when buying a new fridge.

What type of fridge should I choose?

Under-counter fridges

An under-counter fridge sits neatly underneath your kitchen counters. They are perfect for smaller households or for larger families who want a second fridge to complement their main fridge. Some models also come with an icebox. Choose from freestanding or integrated to suit your needs.

Larder fridges

Larder fridges are fridges that don’t have an icebox at the top of the unit. They’re ideal for larger families as they have plenty of capacity for food and drink. Many models can fit seamlessly into your kitchen with standard colours, but if you want to make a real statement piece then why not go for a Smeg retro fridge? Fun and quirky, they’re a great way to inject a pop of colour into your kitchen and make a real feature of your appliance.

Fridge freezers

Fridge freezers are the perfect solution if you’re short on floor space but have the height to accommodate a taller appliance. The fridge and freezer capacity varies, with the most popular choice being a 70/30 split. Other options include a 60/40 split or a50/50 split. You can read more about this in our fridge freezer buying guide.

Love your wine? We also have a great range of wine coolers available.

What kind of fridge do you need?

If you’re buying a fridge as part of a kitchen remodel, you’ll need to consider whether you would prefer a freestanding or integrated appliance.

Freestanding fridges

A freestanding fridge can sit anywhere in your kitchen, provided there is a suitable space and an electrical point nearby. If you plan to put your fridge in a space alongside your cabinets, the fridge will usually protrude past your kitchen cabinetry. The benefit of freestanding fridges is that they are easy to install and replace. You can also take them with you when you move home.

Integrated fridges

An integrated fridge is one that fits within your cupboards so it’s hidden from view. Integrated fridges are a great option if you want to maintain the clean lines of your kitchen space and prefer a minimalist look.

Choosing the right fit

Like any integrated appliance, it is essential to think about the types of hinges you’d like.

• Fixed hinges tend to last far longer than the sliding variety of hinge. However, if you are replacing a product, you will need to keep to the same style that you currently have. Please make sure you select the correct hinge type when buying your new fridge.
• Sliding hinges are more widely available in the market as they tend to be easier to install for kitchen fitters. However, please be sure to choose the correct type if it is for a replacement. 

Common fridge features explained

Frozen compartment

On some fridges, you’ll find a handy freezer compartment. This gives you enough space to store a few bits of frozen food when you need to.

Flexible storage options

To keep all your groceries organised, look out for handy features like adjustable door shelves, bottle separators or metal racks to hold a few of your favourite fizzy drinks.

Stay fresh technology

Some fridges have features to help to prolong the life of your fresh produce, such as BioFresh from Liebherr. This technology uses a cold mist with a lower temperature to boost the shelf life of products.

Bosch has a similar system called Vitafresh, which has a sealed container in the bottom of the fridge cavity. This area will prolong life on fresh produce meaning less waste and fewer trips to the supermarket.

Reversible doors

With a reversible door feature, you can choose which side of your fridge you want the door to open on. This gives you the flexibility to put your fridge wherever you want in a room.

Temperature control

Temperature control means you can keep all your groceries in optimum condition with variable temperature and humidity.

Auto defrost

An auto defrost feature stops any icy build-up in your fridge. A hole near the button of the fridge compartment will collect any condensation, meaning ice won’t be able to form around your food.

Door alarm

A door alarm alerts you if you have accidentally left your fridge door open. This means you’ll never lose any cold air from your fridge, saving you money and keeping your food fresher for longer.

Antibacterial lining

A fridge with an antibacterial lining helps to keep your fridge free from bacteria, preventing mould and smells from building up.

Installation & Delivery of your fridge

We offer a free local delivery service to certain postcodes within a set radius of our stores.

As well as delivering your new fridge, we can also remove your old appliance for a small fee. If you need help installing your fridge, just let our team know and we will arrange this for you (additional fee applies).

For more information please visit our delivery services page.

Shop for fridges at Knees Home & Electrical

We stock a wide variety of fridges from top brands including Bosch, Liebherr, Neff, Siemens and Smeg.

We have a store in Wiltshire, Trowbridge. We have a range of fridges on display in-store, so you can take a look before you buy.

But you don’t have to live locally to buy your fridge from us. We deliver across mainland UK using our delivery partner, and you can see and buy our entire range online.

If you need any help or advice, our helpful customer service team will be happy to assist you.