A table-top fridge is enough if you mainly chill food and only occasionally keep something frozen. If you regularly freeze food yourself or keep a sizeable stock of frozen food, you need a separate freezer space. That can be a fridge freezer, but also a table-top fridge with a separate table-top freezer next to it, both under the worktop.
Freezer compartment versus freezer
You can tell how cold a freezer compartment or freezer gets from the number of stars. One star stands for minus 6 degrees or colder: enough for ice cubes and for keeping already frozen products for a short time. Four stars stands for minus 18 degrees or colder, and with that you can also freeze fresh food yourself.
A freezer compartment in a fridge sits in the same cabinet as the fridge space and is small. It is meant for ice, a few frozen meals and some vegetables. A freezer with its own door gives you more space and is made for freezing food yourself.
When do you choose which solution?
A table-top fridge suits your situation if:
- you live alone or as a couple
- you mainly cook fresh and rarely freeze food yourself
- you have little space, or are looking for a second fridge
- it is for a student room, office, utility room or holiday home
A separate freezer space is handy if you cook portions ahead and freeze them, buy bulk packs, or shop once a week instead of every day.
Which table-top models there are
Among the table-top models you will see three variants, and each has its own strength.
Fridge only, compact. The Salora MINICOOL43WH has 43 litres of fridge space and is 49.2 cm high. It fits under a desk, behind a counter or in a student room.
Fridge with freezer compartment. The Salora COOLFREEZE48WH has 68 litres of fridge space and a 12-litre freezer compartment, 80 litres in total. It is 84.5 cm high and slides under a standard worktop. Inside you will find a shelf, a vegetable drawer, three door shelves, a bottle rack and LED lighting. There is also a black version, the COOLFREEZE48BL.
Fridge only, at worktop height. The Salora COOLFREEZE47WH has 93 litres, all fridge space. At 85.0 cm high, it also fits under the worktop.
Fridge and freezer separately, under the worktop
If you don't have room for a tall fridge freezer but do want a proper freezer, put two table-top models side by side. The COOLFREEZE47WH and the Salora FREEZER48WH are both 47.2 cm wide and fit under a worktop about 90 cm high.
Together you then have 93 litres of fridge space and 60 litres of freezer space. The FREEZER48WH freezes 6.0 kg per 24 hours, enough to put away a shopping trip's worth of fresh food in one go. Both have a reversible door, so you decide which way they open.
Placement: space, climate and the first day
Ventilation space. The appliance needs space behind and above the cabinet for heat to escape. If you put it under a worktop or between cupboards, keep that space free.
Climate class. These table-top models are tested for ambient temperatures of 16 to 38 degrees. A kitchen, office or heated utility room stays within that range all year. In an unheated shed or garage it can get colder in winter. The compressor then starts less often, which means that a freezer compartment or freezer in particular does not stay at temperature.
After delivery. Don't switch a new fridge or freezer on straight away. You can read why you wait and how to set it up properly in new fridge or freezer: why you wait 24 hours.
You can find all models currently available under cooling and freezing.
Frequently asked questions
How many stars do I need to freeze food myself?
Four stars. That stands for minus 18 degrees or colder, the temperature at which you can freeze fresh food yourself and keep it longer.
Does a table-top fridge fit under the worktop?
Yes. The COOLFREEZE48WH is 84.5 cm high and the COOLFREEZE47WH 85.0 cm, so both slide under a standard worktop of about 90 cm, with space to spare for ventilation.
Can a table-top model stand in the garage?
Yes. As long as it stays between 16 and 38 degrees there all year, it will be fine there. A heated utility room or storeroom is a good spot.
How quiet are these table-top models?
The MINICOOL43WH, the COOLFREEZE47WH, the COOLFREEZE48WH and the FREEZER48WH are all at 41 dB, noise class C. In a kitchen, that fades into the background noise during the day.
How quickly will it arrive?
Ordered on working days before 21:00, it arrives within 24 hours, and delivery is always free. You get a 24-month manufacturer's warranty and a 30-day cooling-off period.
