The beauty of an integrated appliance is that it really doesn’t matter how the thing looks. Whether it’s sleek stainless steel or standard white doesn’t make a difference as it sits quietly tucked away behind the cabinet door.
If you’re remodeling your kitchen or looking to replace an old integrated fridge freezer it can be tricky to know where to start.
As with buying any appliance, there are many considerations to be made before choosing a new one and this handy buying guide should help. It’ll take you through things to look out for as well as an in-depth look into the best integrated fridge freezer available on the market so you can rest assured, knowing you have chosen the best product to suit your needs.
Top 5 Best Integrated Fridge Freezers UK
- Top Choice – BEKO BCFD373 Integrated 70/30 Fridge Freezer
- Best 70/30 split – SAMSUNG 264 Liter Integrated 70/30 Fridge Freezer
- Best 50/50 split – GRUNDIG GKFED455 Integrated 50/50 Frost Free Fridge Freezer
- Best Frost Free – BEKO HarvestFresh BCFD3V73 Integrated 70/30 Fridge Freezer
- Budget Pick – ESSENTIALS CIFF7018 Integrated 70/30 Fridge Freezer
1. Top Choice – BEKO BCFD373 Integrated 70/30 Fridge Freezer
Annual cost to run: £54.34
Dimensions (mm): 1775 x 540 x 545 (H x W x D)
Capacity: 186 L (fridge) / 69 L (freezer)
Pros
- Harvest Fresh technology for fresh veg
- Adjustable fridge shelves
- Rapid freeze drawers in the freezer
- Door alarm
Cons
- No temperature display
This appliance is our pick for the best frost-free model. The combination of 70 % fridge space along with the Harvest Fresh technology is designed to be perfect for storing fresh fruit and veg.
This technology appeals to me a lot, as I do enjoy having fresh veg to hand. Supposedly it uses lights of 3 colours periodically throughout the day to mimic the sun cycle, which keeps the veg fresh.
Whether this actually works or not is debatable, but user reviews show no complaints about this feature.
Considering the upfront cost AND the annual running cost for this appliance are both very reasonable, this makes it an easy choice for the best frost-free model.
2. Best 70/30 split – SAMSUNG BRB26705DWW/EU Integrated 70/30 Fridge Freezer
The annual cost to run: £45.21
Dimensions (mm): 1775(H) x 540(W) x 550(D)
Capacity: 264 Litres
Pros:
- All-around cooling
- SpaceMax Technology
- Salad Crisper Drawer
- Reversible Door
Cons:
- No anti-bacterial coating
- No temperature warning lightView Price at Amazon
If you love fresh produce then you may find your fridge fills up like mad whereas the freezer always seems empty in comparison. If this sounds like you then why not save wasting space by getting a model with more fridge capacity.
Samsung has tailored this fridge freezer so that the fridge takes up 70% of the space and the freezer space is cut back to 30%. The fridge holds 195 litres so that’s around 10 bags of shopping.
The fridge is so spacious because it utilises Spacemax technology which Samsung has developed to minimise wall thickness. This way you end up with more space for food.
All-around cooling evenly distributes cool air around the whole fridge freezer so you won’t end up with your ice cream defrosting!
With an A++ energy rating, it’s kind on your energy bills but this model has a fixed door fixing rather than a sliding one so may not suit every kitchen.
3. Best 50/50 split – GRUNDIG GKFED455 Integrated 50/50 Frost Free Fridge Freezer
Annual cost to run: £47.31
Dimensions (mm): 1775 (H) x 540 (W) x 545 (D)
Capacity: 156L Fridge/ 91L Freezer
Pros
- 5-year manufacturers guarantee
- Ample storage space
- Frost free
- Wine rack and Ice tray included
- Door alarm
Cons
- Single large salad drawer
You pay a little more for the Grundig but you get excellent value for money across it. It’s the next level of energy efficiency and has a good deal more storage space inside for all of your food.
Plus you get a 5-year guarantee from Grundig when you register your product for a little extra peace of mind.
There is a wine rack inside which is easily removed if you don’t need it and the drawers in the door are well sized and well spread out.
4 drawers in the freezer and it’s frost-free so you don’t even have to defrost it. Oddly I’m struggling for things to say in this review because it’s just really good, it does everything you could want it to do and it does it superbly well.
4. Best Frost Free – BEKO HarvestFresh BCND4VE73 Integrated 70/30 Fridge Freezer
Annual cost to run: £45.6
Dimensions (mm): 1775(H) x 540 (W) x 545 (D)
Capacity: 254L total
Pros
- Harvest Fresh technology for fresh veg
- Rapid freezer drawers in the freezer
- Adjustable shelves in the fridge
- Door alarm
Cons
- No temperature display
Now what sets this model apart is that it’s got the Harvest Fresh technology, which is lights in the freezer drawer that go through 3 colors to mimic the sun cycle through a day to keep your veg fresh.
But will this actually work?
Honestly, I don’t know, there will definitely be a placebo effect which is always nice, it makes it more interesting to look in the fridge and definitely provides novelty value. There are plenty of people who claim it works, and presumably, it has to work at least a little bit for them to be able to claim it does.
More than enough for it to be worth it since it doesn’t raise the price.
All you could want from a frost-free integrated fridge freezer.
5. Budget Pick – ESSENTIALS CIFF7018 Integrated 70/30 Fridge Freezer
Annual cost to run: £49.78
Dimensions (mm): 1780 (H) x 545 (W) x 540 (D)
Capacity: 181L Fridge/ 63L Freezer
Pros
- A+ energy rating
- Open door alarm
- LED temperature display
Cons
- Narrow Shelves
This is your bog standard no frills model, it does what it says on the tin and keeps the fridge cool and the freezer frozen.
No more to be said.
Just kidding, the problems with this are that the shelves are a little narrow inside the fridge but it’s honestly not that big a deal, you still have ample space to store everything you might need inside it.
You’ve also got the door alarm to let you know if the door doesn’t shut properly which is a useful addition to keep your food fresh and your bills low, but the A+ energy efficiency is already doing a good job of that!
A solid choice if you’re on a budget. But if you can stretch it I think the one above is better quality and only a little more expensive.
Things To Consider Before Buying
When you set out to replace an integrated fridge freezer there are several considerations that you need to make before you commit. This buying guide should help clear up most questions and help you find the best fridge freezer for your home.
Energy Efficiency
The energy rating of a fridge freezer tells you how much you are likely to be spending on your electricity bills as well as how eco friendly the appliance is. The value ranges from A+ to A+++ for modern appliances with the more pluses meaning a more efficient product.
Capacity
The capacity of your fridge freezer tells you how much food will fit inside. The volume is measured in litres and is listed as total capacity where it describes the fridge and freezer space combined. 18 litres is roughly one bag of shopping so a 150 litre fridge will store just over 8 bags of shopping.
It’s important to weigh up how much shopping you typically buy each week and how often you like to shop to assess what size fridge freezer you need.
The Fridge To Freezer Split
The size of the fridge relative to the size of the freezer can vary with different models. They tend to fit into either 50:50, 60% fridge to 40% freezer, or 70% fridge to 30% freezer. Deciding which one is best for you depends on a few things.
Do you need storage for lots of fresh produce like fruit, veg, meat, dairy, etc? If this takes priority in your weekly shop then a bigger fridge will be more useful for you.
Do you love to do meal prep and cook big batches of food to freeze for later? Or is freezer food a staple in your home? If this is the case then a 50:50 is a must as you don’t want to compromise on the frozen food space.
The best buy option really depends on your needs.
Dimensions
Your new fridge freezer has to fit into the space available in your kitchen so dimensions are really important. Most integrated fridge freezers are pretty standard when it comes to size but they do vary by a few centimeters.
This could be the difference between a perfect fit and the appliance not slotting in between the kitchen cabinets.
Make sure you carefully measure the space you have available and double-check the dimensions of each one to avoid disappointment.
Does it have a Reversible door?
All the models listed here have doors with removable hinges so you can fix the doors to open from either the left or the right hand side.
It’s important to check that your new fridge freezer either has this feature or that the hinges are fitted on the same side as your kitchen cupboard doors. If the hinges don’t align then you won’t be able to use the fridge freezer as an integrated appliance as the doors won’t work. Always double-check this before you click the buy button!
You also want to make sure you buy a new appliance with the same door fixings. Whether it’s a sliding hinge or fixed is important as the old door may not fit a different type.
F.A.Qs
Are all integrated fridge freezers the same size?
Different models vary by as much as a few centimeters so you can’t be guaranteed that any new one will fit the space you have. Measure carefully and double-check the dimensions before you purchase a new fridge freezer.
Can a freestanding fridge freezer be integrated?
The answer is not really. Freestanding fridge freezers come in different dimensions and the doors won’t work with your cupboard doors. Of course, if the appliance does fit, you can always install it in the cupboard but not use the door feature.
The best advice is if you have space for an integrated fridge freezer then buy one designed for the purpose.
What’s the difference between an integrated fridge and a built-in Fridge?
These two terms just describe the same thing. Integrated or built into the kitchen simply means the fridge is installed in a cupboard space that is flush with the cabinets already in the kitchen.
What’s the difference between an integrated fridge freezer and an American-style fridge freezer?
The American-style fridge freezer has a much larger capacity compared to the standard fridge freezer design. They tend to be side-by-side by design and open by a double-door arrangement. They often have water dispensers and many other cool features like low frost settings and touch controls. They are typically a lot more expensive to buy but worth it if you have a large family and you have space for one in your home.
What other brands do integrated fridge freezers?
Bosch, AEG, Indesit, Zanussi, and Siemens all have their own variations on the integrated fridge freezer.
Other Integrated Fridge Freezer Reviews
Beko BCFD173 Integrated 70/30 Frost Free Fridge Freezer with Sliding Door Fixing Kit
The annual cost to run: £46.35
Size: (H)177.8 x (W)54.0 x (D)54.5
Capacity: 262 Litres
Pros:
- Anti-bacterial coating
- Frost Free Freezer
- Wine RackCons:
- No temperature warning light
- No display panel
If you’re fed up of endlessly scraping ice out of the freezer compartment then you may be interested in a frost-free fridge freezer.
Beko has a brilliant design that continually circulates the cool air to prevent frost and ice building up.
The fridge has a hygienic anti-bacterial interior coating that prevents mold from growing there as well.
The reversible doors are fixed in place with a sliding door fixing so will fit well into most kitchens. It has an easy to use temperature control but doesn’t have a display panel or temperature warning light.
The fridge has a large capacity vs the freezer so this one is best for fresh food enthusiasts.
Hisense RIB291F4AW1 Integrated 50/50 Frost Free Fridge Freezer
The annual cost to run: £42.50
Size: (H)177.2 x (W)54.0 x (D)54.0
Capacity: 226 Litres
Pros:
- Reversible Door
- LED Display and Temperature Warning Light
- Rapid Cool
- Total No FrostCons:
- No Anti-Bacterial Coating
- Required room temperature above 16 degrees celsius
The Hisense fridge freezer is beautifully balanced when it comes to cold storage. The handy LED display lets you see straight away if the temperature controls have failed or if the fridge door has been left open.
No frost technology constantly circulates air so ice won’t build up inside. It also has a wine rack, perfect for parties or storing any kind of bottles.
The fast freeze, rapid cooling quickly gets groceries down to temperature so food spoilage is kept to a minimum.
A couple of downsides with this machine are there’s no antibacterial coating on the fridge interior so you need to clean it more often. It also requires that the room temperature is above 16 degrees so not ideal if you live in colder climates.
Electra ECFF5050I Integrated 50/50 Frost Free Fridge Freezer
The annual cost to run: £43.89
Size: (H)177.0 x (W)54.0 x (D)54.5
Capacity: 233 Litres
Pros:
- Frost Free Freezer
- Salad Crisper Drawer
- Reversible DoorsCons:
- No Temperature Warning Light
- No Anti-Bacterial Protection
If your budget is tight but the fridge freezer needs replaced then consider Electra. It will fit easily into any kitchen as it comes with reversible doors on both the fridge and freezer compartment so can easily be adjusted to open either way.
With adjustable shelving and a salad crisper drawer, all your fresh food will pack away no bother and the veg will stay fresher for longer.
The freezer has an auto defrost technology built in so no frost will build up saving the tedious job of having to manually defrost it.
With an A+ energy rating, it doesn’t rate too bad but there are more efficient models out there. One thing I don’t like is there isn’t a display panel so you are not alerted if the temperature changes or if the door is left open.
Over-all however, this is a sturdy and functional home appliance and definitely a good option if you have a tight budget.
Hotpoint Aquarius HM325FF2.1 Integrated 50/50 Frost Free Fridge Freezer
The annual cost to run: £42.81
Size: (H)174.0 x (W)54.3 x (D)55.0
Capacity: 225 Litres
Pros:
- Fridge Has Anti-Bacterial Coating
- Frost-Free Freezer
- Reversible DoorsCons:
- No open-door warning
- No temperature warning light
My top choice for a new integrated fridge freezer has to be the Hotpoint Aquarius for a number of reasons. With a total capacity of 225 liters, you can fit up to 12 bags of shopping inside and the anti-bacterial coating in the fridge keeps everything hygienic and stops bad odours.
Reversible doors mean you don’t have to worry about the layout of your kitchen as this appliance will adapt to you.
Don’t waste your weekends fighting through layers of frost as this freezer keeps itself frost-free giving you more time to spend on the things you enjoy!
The door has a sliding door fixing so make sure this is appropriate to fit your kitchen design.
The downside of this appliance is it doesn’t have a display feature so if the temperature changes you won’t get a warning. Similarly, if the door is left open there’s no warning given so food spoilage may result.
It does have a power failure safe storage of up to 12 hours however so if there’s a power cut you don’t have to worry.
Overall, its energy consumption is pretty good, especially for the size and the estimated annual cost isn’t too high.
Final Thoughts
Integrated fridge freezers come with many different features as well as differences in design. It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of each model and measure your space carefully before you commit. Hopefully, this guide has helped answer all your questions and left you feeling a lot more confident when you go to choose your new appliance.
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