CHiQ Under Counter Fridge Freezer 86L review

Have you been searching for a compact fridge-freezer that actually fits your space and your lifestyle without sacrificing performance or efficiency?

Why This Under-Counter Fridge-Freezer Could Suit You

When you live in a dorm, studio, small apartment, or you simply want an extra fridge in your office or utility room, every centimeter matters. The CHiQ Under Counter Fridge Freezer, 86L, E, 4 Star Freezing is designed to give you a surprising amount of usable space and proper freezing power in a small footprint.

You get a combination of compact size, flexible storage, and long-term reliability that is rare in this category. Instead of feeling like a “mini-fridge compromise,” it aims to feel like a shrunk-down version of a proper kitchen fridge-freezer.

Key Features at a Glance

You probably do not want to read a long manual just to understand if this fridge will work for you. The table below breaks down the main features and what they mean for your daily use.

This quick overview helps you check immediately if the fridge fits your space, your styling needs, and your expectations for performance.

Design and Build Quality

Compact Size with a Practical Layout

Even though the CHiQ 86L under-counter fridge-freezer is compact, the layout inside is surprisingly logical. You get a usable split between fridge and freezer that lets you store fresh items, drinks, and frozen food without feeling cramped.

You can tuck this unit under a counter or in the corner of a dorm room, and still open the door fully to access everything inside. The 470 mm width and 500 mm depth help if you are dealing with narrow spaces where a standard 600 mm appliance simply will not fit.

Inox Finish and Modern Look

The inox (stainless steel-style) finish gives your small fridge a more premium, kitchen-grade appearance instead of the plasticky feel you often associate with mini-fridges. If you care about how your space looks, this matters more than you might think.

You can place it in an open-plan living room/kitchen or in a study and it will not stand out as an ugly appliance. Instead, it blends in with most modern or minimalist interiors.

Frameless ONE-UNITY Moulding Technology

The frameless ONE-UNITY moulding is not just a fancy phrase. It refers to a build method that helps reduce gaps and seams in the body, which helps the unit keep cold air locked in more effectively.

For you, this can mean more stable internal temperatures, better freshness over time, and less stress on the compressor. It also gives the fridge a cleaner, more unified look from the outside.

Hidden Handle and Reversible Door

You get a hidden handle built into the door rather than a bulky, protruding handle. This makes the front look smoother and reduces the chance of bumping into it when space is tight.

The reversible door lets you choose whether it opens to the left or the right. This is especially helpful if you are placing it near a wall, under a worktop, or next to another appliance. Being able to flip the hinge side means you can adapt it to your exact layout instead of reshuffling furniture.

Rear Roller for Easy Movement

Unlike some small fridges that can be awkward and heavy to shift around, this model includes a diver roller at the back. This helps you tilt and roll the appliance when you need to move it for cleaning behind, rearranging your room, or reconfiguring your kitchen.

If you like to change your layout from time to time, or if you live in rental housing where you might move more often, this makes life easier.

Capacity and Interior Layout

86L Total Storage: How It Feels in Real Life

With 86L of total capacity, you are not getting a family-sized fridge, but you do get more than a simple drinks cooler. For one person, you can typically store:

• A week’s worth of fresh essentials (milk, juice, leftovers, fruit, veg, condiments)
• A selection of drinks (cans, bottles, or cartons)
• A few prepared meals or boxes of frozen food
• Some ice cream or frozen treats

For two people, it can serve as either a main fridge if you shop often and lightly, or as a secondary unit for drinks and overflow storage.

Up to 6 Storage Spaces

CHiQ mentions up to 6 storage areas, which usually means a combination of:

• Main fridge shelves
• A dedicated crisper or lower compartment
• Freezer compartment shelves or tray
• Door racks for bottles, condiments, and small items

You can arrange your items in a way that matches your habits. For instance, you might keep drinks and milk in the door, leftovers and meal prep containers on the main shelves, and fruit or vegetables in a lower area.

This kind of segmentation helps you avoid the chaos of everything being stacked on top of each other like in very basic mini-fridges.

Two Temperature Zones

You have two distinct temperature zones: one for refrigeration and one for freezing. This is a big upgrade compared to tiny fridges with a token ice box that barely manages to keep ice solid.

You can keep your chilled food at a safe and stable temperature while also having a proper frozen section. This makes you less dependent on daily grocery runs and more able to plan meals ahead.

Cooling and Freezing Performance

4-Star Freezer Rating

The 4-star freezing rating is a key highlight. A 4-star freezer is capable of:

• Reaching temperatures of -18°C or lower
• Safely storing frozen food long-term
• Freezing fresh food and maintaining nutritional quality

If you are used to the “ice shelf” in many small fridges that is more for keeping your drink cold than truly freezing, this is a substantial improvement. You can keep frozen vegetables, meat, ice cream, and ready meals with confidence.

Temperature Range for Fridge and Freezer

You have 7 thermostat levels, covering:

• Fridge: approximately 2–8°C
• Freezer: approximately -16 to -24°C

This allows you to adjust depending on your needs:

• In summer, you might run slightly colder for drinks and fresh food safety.
• In winter or in a cool room, you may not need the coldest settings, which saves energy.
• If you store a lot of frozen food, you can lean toward the lower end of the freezer range to maintain texture and quality.

Locking in Freshness and Nutrition

By combining proper freezing power with decent temperature control in the fridge compartment, this unit aims to:

• Slow down spoilage
• Maintain texture in frozen food
• Keep fruit and vegetables in better shape for longer

If you are trying to cut down on food waste, being able to freeze leftovers properly and keep fresh food usable for more days is a real advantage.

Energy Efficiency and Running Costs

Energy Class E: An Improvement Over F

This model carries an Energy Class E label, which may sound modest at first, but it is a step above older F-rated CHiQ models. CHiQ mentions a 20% improvement in energy efficiency compared to those earlier models.

In practical terms, if you are upgrading from a similar older unit, you can expect to spend less on electricity over the life of the fridge. For a small appliance that will likely run 24/7 for years, even small percentage improvements add up.

Daily Power Consumption

The estimated 0.241 kWh per day is relatively modest. Over a month, that is around:

• 0.241 kWh/day × 30 days ≈ 7.23 kWh per month

If you roughly multiply this by your local electricity rate, you get a sense of what it costs to keep this fridge running. In many regions, that monthly cost is low enough that you may barely notice it.

Balancing Performance and Efficiency

There is always a trade-off in compact fridges between very low power usage and strong cooling performance. In this case, you get a unit that can reach low freezer temperatures and still consume a manageable amount of energy.

For your daily life, this means you do not need to constantly worry about whether it is worth running a freezer section. You can treat it like a small main fridge-freezer rather than a toy.

Noise Level and Everyday Comfort

39 dB Operation

At around 39 dB, the fridge is designed to be quiet. To give you a rough sense:

• Normal conversation: about 60 dB
• Library: around 40 dB
• Quiet bedroom: around 30 dB

So 39 dB is close to a soft background hum, generally easy to ignore once you get used to it. This makes the unit appropriate for:

• Dorm rooms where the fridge might be close to your bed
• Open-plan studios
• Home offices where you do not want loud compressor noise
• Shared spaces where others might be sensitive to sound

Low Noise for Nighttime Use

If you often get up at night for a drink or snack, you probably do not want a fridge that roars to life with every thermostat cycle. The combination of low noise operation and an interior sensor light makes nighttime use comfortable and low-stress.

User-Friendly Details That Make a Difference

Interior Sensor Light

The sensor light inside illuminates the contents when you open the door, making it easy to see everything at a glance. You do not need to turn on the main room light just to find the yogurt at the back.

This is especially helpful in:

• Dorm rooms where you share space and want to avoid waking others
• Small apartments where the fridge is near your sleeping area
• Offices or studios where you often grab something in low light

Easy-to-Use Thermostat Controls

The 7-step thermostat lets you adjust settings using a simple knob or control dial. You do not need to be a technician to figure it out. You can start around the middle setting and then adjust up or down depending on how cold you like your items.

Over time, you will likely find the sweet spot where your food is safe and fresh, your drinks are nicely chilled, and your energy usage stays reasonable.

Reversible Door Installation

If you are setting this up yourself, you should find that the door reversal process is straightforward. With some basic tools and a bit of careful following of instructions, you can switch the hinge side so the door opens in a way that works best for your layout.

This kind of flexibility is often overlooked, but it solves many practical issues in tight spaces.

Suitability for Different Living Situations

For Dorm Rooms and Student Housing

As a student, you probably need:

• Enough storage for snacks, drinks, and simple meals
• A freezer section for quick, cheap frozen meals or ice cream
• Low noise so you can sleep and study
• Compact size that fits in small rooms and shared spaces

This CHiQ unit ticks those boxes. It helps you keep your own food separate if you live with housemates, and the freezer lets you stock up when items are on sale.

For Small Apartments and Studios

In a studio or very small apartment, you may not have space for a full-height fridge. This under-counter model can serve as your primary fridge-freezer if you:

• Shop every few days instead of doing huge weekly hauls
• Prefer to keep a moderate stock of frozen food
• Value aesthetics and want something that looks modern, not budget and flimsy

You can integrate it into a small kitchenette area with a worktop above, making clever use of vertical space.

For Offices and Workspaces

If you want a fridge in your office, staff room, or studio, you probably want:

• Enough room for lunches, drinks, and some shared items
• A freezer section for ice, treats, and longer-term storage
• Low noise so it does not disturb calls or concentration
• A professional-looking exterior

The inox finish and low noise level make this model suitable for an office or creative workspace. It looks more like a legitimate appliance than a novelty gadget.

As a Secondary or Overflow Fridge

You might already have a full-size fridge-freezer in your kitchen and still need extra space. In that case, this unit can act as:

• A drink fridge for parties or big families
• Extra freezer capacity for batch cooking or stocking up
• A special diet or specialty food fridge (for example, separate storage for allergens or specific diets)

Having a second, smaller fridge gives you flexibility to organize your food more logically.

Reliability, Warranty, and Longevity

2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty

You get a 2-year warranty covering parts and labour, which gives you a safety net against early defects or failures. If something goes wrong within that period under normal use, you can reach out for support and repair.

This can be especially reassuring if you are investing in a fridge for a child’s dorm room or for a rental property.

12-Year Compressor Service Warranty

The compressor is the heart of any fridge-freezer. With a 12-year compressor service warranty, CHiQ signals confidence in the long-term durability of this key component.

For you, this suggests:

• A reduced likelihood of early breakdowns
• Support available if the compressor does fail within that extended period
• Better overall value across the life of the appliance

It is not common for budget-friendly compact fridges to come with such a long compressor warranty.

Certifications: CE and RoHS

The unit is stated to comply with CE and RoHS claims, which refer to compliance with certain European safety and environmental standards.

You benefit from:

• Assurance that the product meets safety requirements for electrical devices
• Limitations on certain hazardous substances in the product’s materials

These certifications are more background guarantees than features you actively notice, but they contribute to peace of mind.

Pros and Cons: A Balanced Look

Advantages You Are Likely to Appreciate

• Space-efficient design: Compact footprint with 86L capacity that punches above its size.
• True 4-star freezer: Proper freezing power for long-term food storage, not just ice cubes.
• Improved energy efficiency: Class E with about 20% better efficiency than older CHiQ F-rated units.
• Quiet operation: Around 39 dB is suitable for bedrooms, dorms, and offices.
• Modern styling: Inox finish, hidden handle, frameless design that looks clean and contemporary.
• Flexible installation: Reversible door and rear roller make placement and moving easier.
• Strong warranty coverage: 2-year general warranty plus 12-year compressor service.

These strengths make the fridge a practical choice if you want a compact, capable, and good-looking unit.

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

• Limited total capacity: At 86L, it is not enough for a large family as a main fridge-freezer.
• Under-counter height only: If you want a tall fridge to stand alone, this is designed to be low-profile.
• Energy class not top-tier: E is decent, but if ultra-high efficiency (like A or B) is your top priority, you may look further.
• Manual defrost likely required: As with many small fridge-freezers, you may need to defrost the freezer periodically.

If your expectations match what a compact under-counter model can deliver, these points are usually manageable or irrelevant.

Practical Tips for Getting the Best from This Fridge

Choosing the Right Temperature Settings

You can start with a middle thermostat setting and then adjust based on what you notice:

• If drinks and fresh items are not cold enough, turn the dial slightly colder.
• If you notice ice building up too quickly or items freezing in the fridge section, nudge it warmer.

You want a balance where:

• Fridge items feel chilled but not frozen.
• Freezer items stay rock-solid and free of soft spots.

Once you find that balance, you generally do not need to change the settings often, except maybe between hot summers and cold winters.

Organizing the Interior for Maximum Use

You can make your 86L capacity feel larger with smart organization:

• Keep taller bottles and cartons in the door where possible.
• Use the main shelves for meal containers and daily essentials.
• Keep rarely accessed frozen items at the back of the freezer and frequent ones at the front.
• Avoid overpacking, so cold air can circulate and keep everything evenly chilled.

With up to 6 storage areas, you can designate zones for breakfast items, snacks, leftovers, and frozen meals.

Maintenance and Cleaning

To keep your fridge performing well over time:

• Wipe spills quickly so they do not become sticky or smelly.
• Defrost the freezer if you notice thick ice buildup, as this reduces efficiency and usable space.
• Vacuum or dust the back area occasionally if accessible, to help the unit release heat.
• Check door seals to ensure they close snugly, preventing cool air from escaping.

These small habits extend the life of the appliance and keep your food in better condition.

Who This Fridge-Freezer Is Best For

You Are a Good Match If You:

• Live in a dorm, studio, or small flat and need a reliable, quiet, under-counter fridge-freezer.
• Want a proper 4-star freezer section, not just a token ice compartment.
• Care about design and want an inox finish that matches a modern interior.
• Need flexibility in door opening direction and placement within tight spaces.
• Prefer an appliance with a solid warranty and long-term compressor support.

In these scenarios, the CHiQ 86L under-counter unit feels well-matched to your needs.

You Might Need Something Else If You:

• Have a large family and need to store a week or more of groceries at a time.
• Want the absolute highest energy rating available, regardless of cost or size.
• Need specialized features like automatic defrost or smart connectivity.

In those cases, you might want a larger full-size fridge or a more premium, feature-rich model.

Final Thoughts: Is the CHiQ 86L Under Counter Fridge Freezer Right for You?

If you want a compact, efficient, and modern-looking fridge-freezer that fits neatly under a counter or in a tight space, this CHiQ model offers a strong feature set for its size. You get:

• An 86L capacity that works well for individuals, couples, and offices
• A real 4-star freezer capable of proper long-term freezing
• Energy Class E performance with an improvement over earlier F-rated versions
• Quiet operation suitable for dorms and bedrooms
• A reversible door, rear roller, and sleek inox design for easy integration and movement
• Solid warranty support, especially the 12-year compressor service

If your lifestyle calls for a reliable under-counter unit that does not feel like a compromise, this fridge-freezer gives you a blend of practicality, style, and long-term reassurance. It is especially compelling if you are limited on space but still want genuine freezing capability and everyday convenience.

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