Useful on a daily basis, the 1-door refrigerator, also known as a cabinet refrigerator, is without a doubt the best known of all for keeping your most fragile foodstuffs cool. Available in a wide range of designs and easy to place, it adapts to all kitchens and is energy efficient. But which one to choose? Read this guide to help you choose your new 1 door refrigerator.
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Our selection
"With its 388 liters of capacity, this large 1 door refrigerator will keep your food fresh in an efficient and homogeneous way. As it is…"
"The Klarstein Manhattan mini fridge offers excellent value for money considering the features and performance it presents."
"Bring a 1950s feel to your kitchen with this 244+26L Smeg fridge. In addition to its vintage look, it seduces with its ventilated cooling system,…"
"This vintage fridge, inspired by the famous Volkswagen combi, has quickly become a best-seller. Whether your kitchen is modern or retro, the stylish Gorenje OBRB153BL…"
With its 388 liters of capacity, this large 1 door refrigerator will keep your food fresh in an efficient and homogeneous way. As it is very quiet (38 dB), only its imposing size will remind you of its presence.
478 £ on Amazon
The Klarstein Manhattan mini fridge offers excellent value for money considering the features and performance it presents.
139 £ on AmazonHere is a mini fridge with unmatched performance and exceptional design. With a capacity of 35 liters, it ranks in the list of mini fridges with large capacity. The Klarstein Manhattan mini fridge has 3 temperature settings. It allows you to keep your snacks, drinks or even medicines and other cosmetic products cool. It is ideal for the office or bedroom.
Depending on your preferences, you can install or remove the grill, to better manage the interior space or get more useful volume. Thanks to a noise level of only 30 dB, you won't hear it while it's running, even during the night. In addition, this mini fridge with energy class A will save you money by reducing the electricity bill. Finally, you should know that its reversible door allows you to position it according to your needs in terms of location.
Bring a 1950s feel to your kitchen with this 244+26L Smeg fridge. In addition to its vintage look, it seduces with its ventilated cooling system, its low noise level and its energy efficiency.
999 £ on AmazonDiscover the elegance of a vintage fridge through the Smeg FAB28RBL5 fridge with a glossy finish and chrome handle. When you open the door with its rounded edges, you access a 244L compartment, overlooked by a 26L enclosed freezer. Glass shelves section off the refrigerator with a freshness zone dedicated to fruits and vegetables. The humidity level in this drawer is controlled for a better preservation of your plants.
In terms of energy performance, this Smeg fridge has an A++ label, with an annual consumption of 139 kWh. Moreover, to save energy, the refrigerator has a mechanical thermostat for manual temperature adjustment. This appliance also has a door alarm if you forget to close the door properly. Designed for easy installation, this Smeg fridge can be installed in the kitchen, without requiring any particular layout.
This vintage fridge, inspired by the famous Volkswagen combi, has quickly become a best-seller. Whether your kitchen is modern or retro, the stylish Gorenje OBRB153BL will add style and originality.
719 £ on AmazonThis vintage Gorenje fridge features IonAir technology with DynamicCooling. This ensures an even temperature distribution in the refrigerator compartment. As the air is enriched with negative ions, a natural microclimate will be generated in the refrigerator, which guarantees a better preservation of perishable foods. This appliance is also equipped with a FreshZone drawer to keep meat, fish, fruits and vegetables fresh for longer.
The Gorenje OBRB153BL should help its owner to keep different categories of food in it. In fact, its door is equipped with a plethora of storage space for large bottles. An ingenious sliding system allows you to pull the shelves up and down. In addition to its beautifully retro look, this vintage fridge is also very practical.
Any specific needs?
The best 1-door refrigerator in 2021
The best entry-level 1-door refrigerator
The best premium 1-door refrigerator
Your guide :
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| OUR SELECTION |
Electrolux LRI1DF39X
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Klarstein Manhattan silent mini fridge 35L
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Smeg FAB28RBL5 - 1 door refrigerator
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Gorenje OBRB153BL
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With its 388 liters of capacity, this large 1 door refrigerator will keep your food fresh in an efficient and homogeneous way. As it is very quiet (38 dB), only its imposing size will remind you of its presence.
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The Klarstein Manhattan mini fridge offers excellent value for money considering the features and performance it presents.
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Bring a 1950s feel to your kitchen with this 244+26L Smeg fridge. In addition to its vintage look, it seduces with its ventilated cooling system, its low noise level and its energy efficiency.
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This vintage fridge, inspired by the famous Volkswagen combi, has quickly become a best-seller. Whether your kitchen is modern or retro, the stylish Gorenje OBRB153BL will add style and originality.
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Dimensions
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59.5 x 63.5 x 186 cm
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45 x 39 x 52.5 cm
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60 x 66.9 x 154 cm
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60 x 66.9 x 154 cm
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Capacity
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388 L
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35 L
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270 L
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229 L
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Noise level
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38 dB
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30 dB
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38 dB
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40 dB
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Annual energy consumption
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152 kWh
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173 kWh
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124kWh
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124 kWh
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Energy class
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F
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A
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A+++
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A++
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Freezer compartment
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This setting indicates the expected range of ambient temperatures for optimal operation of your refrigerator. If the climate of the place where you live is particularly hot or you plan to install your refrigerator in a cool room, it is essential that you consider the climate class of your device. This information can be found in the technical data sheet of the appliance. in the UK, for example, class N is the most common.
For your safety, make sure that your future purchase has a metal or enameled aluminum rear outer panel, not plastic. This type of lining will serve as insulation preventing your refrigerator from catching fire in the event of a fire.
If you're considering investing in a 1-door refrigerator with a freezer, be aware that the freezing capacity of the freezer is rated in number of stars. The more stars the appliance has, the better its preservation capacity will be.
While knowing that the average volume of a 1-door refrigerator is between 200 and 350 liters, bet on a sufficiently large fridge that can accommodate the amount of victuals to be preserved. If you live alone, a model of 100 liters on average will do. On the other hand, if there are two of you at home or if you are a couple, a model with a capacity of around 200 liters will be an excellent choice. For a couple with a child, a capacity of 300 liters will be ideal. And 350 liters of volume for a couple with two children. In any case, since each member of your household has his or her own appetite and eating habits, make your calculations on the basis of 50 liters of volume per person.
For the most sensitive, this parameter should not be neglected. To this end, choose a low-noise refrigerator with a sound level that does not exceed 40 dB. In any case, it is better to judge for yourself since everyone has their own hearing sensitivities.
To avoid ending up with an appliance that is voracious in electricity, refer to the energy class of your future purchase. The least energy consuming class is class A. It is important to note that in this class, you will find the A+++ which is by far the best. The appliances classified A+++ are the most energy efficient of all. Then come those classified A++ which are 20% more energy efficient than the A+++. Finally, A+ appliances are 20% more energy efficient than A++ appliances and logically, 40% more energy efficient than A+++ appliances.
For more practicality, choose a refrigerator with several bins and compartments. You will then have no trouble organizing the contents of your refrigerator. An appliance with wheels is also a great choice. This will allow you to move your refrigerator more easily and without too much effort. A built-in light will also be very useful for you to have a good visibility of the contents of your refrigerator especially when you feel like snacking at night. A beeper that warns you that the door of your appliance is not closed properly is also a plus to consider, especially if you have small children or if you are the type of dizzy.
| Number of stars | Freezing temperature | Shelf life of frozen food |
| 1* | - 6°C | About 2 to 3 days |
| 2* | - 12°C | About 4 weeks |
| 3* | - 18°C | 12 months |
| 4* | - 24°C | Up to 12 months depending on the maximum recommended storage time for each food |
It is important to note that the one to three star classes only allow for the cool storage of foodstuffs, while the 4* class ensures a double function of storage and freezing.
Chocolate, tomatoes, potatoes, spreads, squash, cucumbers, onions and garlic (unless cut), dry and unsliced deli meats, eggs, as well as certain fruits such as bananas, pears, apples, cherries, etc.
Cheeses: 4 weeks at the mostMilk
, creams, yoghurts: 3 to 5 days after
openingFruitjuices
: 5 days after openingRest of
canned food: 2
daysCookedvegetables
: 3 to 5 daysPastries
: 4 days
maximumRaw seafood
and fish: 2 daysat
mostFreshsausages
, ground meat and offal: 1
dayCookedmeat
: 3 to 5
daysPre-packagedmeat that has
been opened or raw meat from the butcher: 2 days
This type of refrigerator consists only of a space intended for the preservation of foodstuffs in its entirety. It does not contain a freezer for storing frozen food, but is usually made up of several compartments with customizable sizes. The air is often stirred inside to homogenize the temperature in each shelf. However, the stirred cold used by the all-purpose unit can mix odors between foods. As a result, food must be well wrapped in airtight storage bags before being stored in this type of refrigerator.
This type of 1-door refrigerator is equipped with a freezer compartment. This is located in the upper part of the appliance. This refrigerator is often useful when you plan to store food to be frozen such as ice, fish, or even meat. However, since the air is not circulated inside this type of refrigerator, the homogenization of the cold is very often a real challenge. This is because of the temperature difference between the refrigeration and freezing areas. Nevertheless, if the cold is not stirred in the version with freezer, this type of refrigerator still proves to be not very noisy.
Smaller and lighter than the full size version, the 1 door table top refrigerator is easy to move around thanks to its small size and low weight. This equipment is perfect for student dorms, small offices, or even in your bedroom if you want to grab a quick cold drink. It uses much less energy than a standard refrigerator, so it won't add to your electricity bills. It can fit into unused corners and spaces in your room. However, depending on the size of the 1 door table top refrigerator, the number of items you can store in it may be limited.
As the name suggests, the 1-door refrigerator is an appliance that opens with a single door. It is accompanied by an all-purpose function which means that it has only one compartment offering positive cold. This single compartment will only be used to store food.
Suitable for a large family, the 1-door all-purpose refrigerator offers a large food storage capacity. The average volume of this appliance can reach 200 to 300 liters.
In addition to its large capacity, the 1-door refrigerator is energy efficient as it uses positive cold as its only operating mode. This means it won't add to your electricity bills.
However, most 1-door refrigerators do not have a freezer space, and even if they do, the size of the freezer is not always satisfactory. In most cases, a table top freezer can be added to compensate for the small freezer volume of a 1 door refrigerator.
It is a refrigerator with 2 doors on top of each other. The upper part of the appliance houses the freezer space, while the lower part is the refrigeration area.
The advantage of this type of refrigerator is that its freezer function is more efficient since the freezer space of the appliance is well insulated.
In terms of volume, most 2-door refrigerators have a volume of 300 liters, of which 120 liters are for the freezer and the remaining volume for the refrigeration space. The 2-door fridges are also available in medium size with a capacity of 120 liters. A volume divided into 30 liters for the long term storage space and 90 liters for the refrigeration.
Still deciding between a 1-door and 2-door refrigerator? Review your needs. If you're looking for an appliance that's not too energy-intensive, but big enough to hold your large family's weekly groceries, the 1-door model will be your best bet.
Your kitchen also needs to be spacious enough to accommodate your appliances if you plan to invest in a freezer to complement your 1-door refrigerator. As for the 2-door refrigerator, it will suit you if you are looking for a more elaborate freezing function without looking for a large capacity.
This 2-door version is also suitable for a small kitchen, for people living as a couple, and for small families with one, two or three children.
For its affordable price
The main advantage of 1-door refrigerators is their affordable cost. Compared toother types of refrigerators, they are much cheaper. This is related to their more simplistic design. However, manufacturers later made the effort to make the 1-door models ultra-equipped and feature-rich.
For its energy-efficient side
One-door refrigerators consume less energy, especially if the cold is stirred by direct convection and the appliance does not have a freezer space. As an indication, a 1-door refrigerator consumes about 30 to 40% less energy than a double-door or combination refrigerator. So you won't have to worry about your electricity bills.
For its all-round appeal
One-door refrigerators come in a variety of sizes to suit all needs. The standard width of a 1-door refrigerator is 60 cm for a height of 125 to 200 cm. To spare small square meters, there are models of small width that will easily find their place in a small kitchen. And conversely, there are also 1-door refrigerators with an imposing XXL size that can be installed in a large kitchen. In terms of design, there is no shortage of colors and styles for one-door refrigerators! You can even find vintage versions that are sure to enhance your interior decor.
Ideal for small families
One-door refrigerators generally have a small capacity, but sufficient to meet the refrigeration needs of a small family of three or four people. However, the XXL models of 300 liters and more can still offer a little more capacity.
For its great practicality
One-door refrigerators have nothing to be ashamed of when compared to their American counterparts or other more sophisticated, large capacity refrigerators. On the contrary, they consume less energy without compromising on quality and performance. Moreover, the vast majority of 1 door refrigerators are ultra-quiet. This is due to the fact that they generally use natural convection as a cooling mechanism. Some models have wheels for easy movement while others come with several well-distributed compartments for easy and simple food storage.
In our opinion, the best brands of 1 door refrigerators in 2022 are :
Electrolux is a must-have brand in the home appliance industry. Washing machines, refrigerators and electric stoves, the Swedish brand offers a wide range of appliances to suit every wallet.
Smeg is an Italian brand of household appliances that was created in the 1940s. Smeg is short for Smalterie Metallurgiche Emiliane Guastalla which was its very first business. Today, Smeg is mostly known for its large appliances with a retro style and it has even been able to sell more than 2 million refrigerators in 10 years.
Klarstein is a brand of the German Berlin Brands Group. The brand specializes in home appliances. Klarstein products are manufactured with the highest quality standards.
Gorenje is a Slovenian group and also a subsidiary of Chinese cador Hisense. The activities of this group are divided into three sectors of which vintage refrigerators are part.
Samsung is known to be a heavyweight in cell phones. But the Korean brand has a strong presence in other consumer electronics sectors, including home appliances. In fact, its range of fridges is a huge success.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Testing the efficiency of a refrigerator
The most common method is to put a glass of water in the refrigerator (but not in the door) and let it sit there for a day. Then place a thermometer in the glass to get a temperature reading. Be aware that your refrigerator should be able to store food at a temperature between 1 and 5°C. Frozen foods should be kept at -18°C maximum.
The right location for a refrigerator
To ensure that your refrigerator works properly and to avoid inflating your electricity bills, place your appliance away from other heat-generating devices such as an oven or a radiator. Also, don't place it in front of a window that is well exposed. Make sure there is good air circulation around the refrigerator.
Adjusting the temperature of your appliance
To ensure that it can best preserve your food, consider setting your refrigerator to a temperature between 2 and 4°C.
Average frequency of refrigerator replacement
The life of a good refrigerator can be as long as 15 years, although this varies depending on the brand and how you maintain your appliance. Many refrigerator problems can be solved with a simple repair, but if its temperature consistently exceeds 45 degrees, it makes more sense to replace it.
Cleaning a refrigerator
Before cleaning your appliance, unplug it first. Once defrosted and emptied, wipe down the inside with a sponge and hot soapy water, then rinse with clean water. Then dry with a clean towel. Don't forget to wipe down the inside of the doors and all non-removable drawers.
Not necessarily. When it comes to energy consumption, you need to consider the capacity of your appliance, the type of cooling it uses, and its energy class. In theory, a refrigerator with an A+ energy rating consumes 20% more energy than a model with an A++ rating and so on. However, it can happen that an A++ fridge is more energy consuming than an A+ classified fridge in case the storage capacity of the first one is more important.
According to the model and the brand, the location of the cold zone of the fridge is not always the same. In some fridges, it can be in the very middle. But generally, this zone is at the very top, and as you go down, the temperature goes up. The quickest way to find the cold zone of your refrigerator is touse a refrigerator thermometer.
The following calculation is valid for all other types of refrigerators and appliances, not just for your 1-door refrigerator. Just follow the following formula: refrigerator power in watts x daily usage time in hours x number of days of usage per year/1000. The result will be the annual energy consumption (in kWh) of your refrigerator.
Place your appliance in the right location, making sure to leave at least 5 cm of space on each side of the refrigerator and at the back, to ensure good ventilation and proper operation. Also, don't turn on your brand new refrigerator immediately. Instead, wait four hours before plugging it in to allow the refrigerant gas to properly fill the cooling system.
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