Fridge, Freezer or Fridge Freezer?

The first factor we’ll look at is the cost. Many people have asked us if it’s cheaper to run a separate fridge and freezer. But, if you’re looking for the most budget-friendly refrigeration solution for your household, then there’s one clear winner.

Buying a fridge freezer is cheaper* than buying a separate fridge and freezer of comparable quality. But that’s just the upfront cost. What about the running costs?

It will almost always be cheaper to run just one appliance compared to two. This is true in the majority of cases. In fact, it’s still usually cheaper to run just one lower energy rated fridge freezer than two higher rated fridge and freezers. This isn’t always the case though. In some instances it may be cheaper to run a separate fridge and freezer. To know for sure, it’s worth checking the energy (kWh) consumed per year.

It is therefore reasonable to conclude that buying a single fridge freezer is cheaper overall than buying a separate fridge and freezer.

*This is true most of the time, however it will depend on sales, brands, and other factors.

A separate fridge and freezer combo can easily offer you upwards of 1000L of capacity. This is perfect for big, hungry families. However, the downside to this is that you will use up more floor space. This means that there are more limitations in terms of physical space with two separate appliances.

But, if you have a big family and plenty of room for the two appliances, this may be the best option for you in terms of overall capacity. When you have a big family, being able to buy and store in bulk helps massively with food costs. It can also help you to keep food waste to a minimum.

However, if you have a smaller family, you should be able to fit everything you need into a fridge freezer. This is especially true if you get an American style fridge freezer, which has a bigger capacity on average.

In the end, the better option will depend on how much fridge and freezer space that your household needs. To help you understand how much space you may need, we discuss capacity requirements in both our fridge and freezer buying guides.

Convenience is an important factor when it comes to household appliances. At the end of the day, convenience is exactly what you’re buying them for. But, is it more convenient to purchase a single fridge freezer unit, or to have two separate units? Again, this depends on circumstance, but it is normally always going to be a fridge freezer.

With a fridge freezer, everything is stored within the same unit. This makes it easier to keep track of your food inventory. Secondly, a combined unit will take up less floor space, giving you more space and design freedom.

Kitchen designs often follow the kitchen triangle rule. This means that there’s a clear route between the kitchen sink, fridge, and oven. When you have a combined unit, the kitchen triangle becomes much more efficient.

Furthermore, a fridge freezer can also come with additional features. For example, if you get a fridge freezer with a water and ice dispenser, you’ll have a fantastic all-in-one appliance!