Hisense RR220D4BDE Freestanding Retro Fridge Review

Have you been searching for a compact retro fridge that actually works hard behind the stylish exterior?

Hisense RR220D4BDE Retro Fridge Review

You might be drawn to the Hisense RR220D4BDE because of its retro look, but you probably also want something practical that fits neatly into your kitchen or small space. This fridge aims to balance classic design with modern convenience, giving you good storage, low-fuss maintenance, and a few thoughtful extras you might not expect from a smaller model.

In this review, you’ll see what it’s really like to live with this fridge day to day, from capacity and layout to noise, energy efficiency, and value for money. By the end, you should know whether it fits your lifestyle, your household size, and your kitchen.

Key Features at a Glance

You want to know quickly what this fridge actually offers before you commit. Here’s a breakdown of the key features and what they mean for you in everyday use.

Main Specifications

This model is designed for people who want a mid-sized fridge for a smaller kitchen, flat, office, or annex, without losing practical storage. You get a decent amount of space in a relatively small footprint.

This set of features positions the fridge as a stylish but functional choice for small to medium households, guest areas, or as a secondary fridge for drinks and overflow storage.

Design and Build Quality

You probably care as much about how this fridge looks in your kitchen as you do about how it performs. This model is clearly designed to be seen, not hidden.

Retro Styling with a Modern Twist

The Hisense RR220D4BDE has a strong retro character, but it still feels current rather than outdated. The soft curves, classic handle design, and compact proportions give it that nostalgic feel that works well in both modern and vintage-style kitchens.

The silver finish is a practical choice if you want something stylish without the fingerprints you often see on stainless steel. It fits nicely with neutral, monochrome, or colourful décor, and the height of 128 cm means it doesn’t visually dominate a smaller room.

Build Quality and Materials

You want a fridge that feels solid when you open the door, not flimsy. The door on this model gives you a reassuring resistance and closes with a firm seal. Shelves are made from glass, which is sturdier than many plastic shelf options and easier to clean if something spills.

The internal layout feels well thought out rather than thrown together. The plastics inside the door and drawers feel robust enough for everyday use. While it’s not a “luxury” premium build, it definitely feels better than many basic budget fridges in this size range.

Capacity and Internal Layout

When you’re looking at a compact fridge, internal organisation matters just as much as total capacity. You want every litre to work hard for you.

150-Litre Fridge Section: Who Is It Suited For?

With 150 litres of fridge space, this model suits:

• A single person who likes to cook regularly
• A couple who need reliable everyday storage
• A small family using it as a second fridge or for a smaller kitchen
• A home office, studio, or annex that needs full-size functionality in a smaller body

You can comfortably store fresh food for the week, including bottles, jars, leftovers, snacks, and fresh produce, without feeling cramped—provided you organise it sensibly.

15-Litre 4-Star Ice Box

The built-in 15-litre frozen compartment is one of the standout features here. This is not just a token ice box; it’s 4-star rated, which means you can:

• Store frozen food safely for longer
• Freeze small items from fresh
• Keep ice, frozen vegetables, pizzas, and a few ready meals on hand

It won’t replace a full-size freezer, but if you’re limited on space, it gives you enough frozen storage for essentials without needing a separate appliance.

Shelves, Drawers, and Storage Flexibility

You don’t just want volume; you want flexibility in how you arrange your food. This fridge is designed to help you keep your shopping organised and easy to see.

Adjustable Shelves

The main cavity includes adjustable glass shelves, which give you a lot of control over shelf height. This helps you:

• Fit tall bottles or jugs when needed
• Arrange space for meal prep containers or casserole dishes
• Separate raw and cooked foods safely

Because the shelves are glass, they stop spills dripping down onto lower shelves, which makes clean-up much easier.

Fruit and Veg Drawer

The dedicated fruit and veg drawer is a big plus if you like to keep fresh produce on hand. This drawer helps you:

• Keep salad ingredients, vegetables, and fruit in one place
• Protect more delicate items from being crushed
• Maintain better humidity around produce than leaving it loose on a shelf

Having a defined space for your fresh items also makes it easier to see what you have, which helps reduce waste.

Door Storage

The door includes built-in shelves that are perfect for:

• Milk, juice, or soft drink bottles
• Sauces, condiments, and jars
• Butter and smaller dairy items

You’re able to keep frequently used items in the door so you can grab them quickly without rummaging. This also frees up the main shelves for larger containers and meal ingredients.

Wine Rack and Bottle Storage

If you enjoy a glass of wine or like to keep chilled drinks ready for guests, the built-in wine rack is a very handy extra.

Why the Wine Rack Is Useful

The integrated wine rack holds bottles horizontally and keeps them secure. This matters because:

• Bottles don’t roll around or take up awkward space on shelves
• Wine and other bottled drinks stay neatly organised
• You avoid stacking bottles precariously on top of each other

You can also use the rack for soft drinks or sparkling water bottles, not just wine, which makes it more versatile.

Real-World Use

In everyday use, you can treat this fridge as a part-time drinks fridge and part-time main fridge. For example, you might:

• Use the wine rack for weekend wines or prosecco
• Keep soft drinks chilled for movie nights or guests
• Store tonic and mixers for a small home bar setup

Because the fridge is only 128 cm tall, it’s also easy to access the wine rack without stretching, which is especially useful in tighter spaces.

Cooling Performance and Daily Use

You want your food to stay fresh and safe, and you don’t want to constantly think about the fridge doing its job. The Hisense RR220D4BDE is designed with simple, effective cooling in mind.

Temperature and Consistency

The fridge maintains an even temperature across the shelves, so you don’t have to worry about strong warm spots. You can store:

• Dairy and meat on middle or lower shelves
• Ready-to-eat foods and leftovers at eye level
• Sauces and drinks in the door

There’s a simple thermostat control that lets you adjust the cooling level. You can set it slightly colder if you keep the fridge very full or slightly warmer if it’s only partially loaded.

Auto Defrost Convenience

One of the practical advantages of this fridge is the auto defrost feature in the main compartment. Instead of constantly scraping off ice or dealing with thick frost on the back wall, the fridge manages condensation and frost build-up for you.

This means:

• Less day-to-day maintenance
• No regular manual defrosting for the fridge section
• More consistent cooling because the airflow isn’t blocked by ice

You may still need to occasionally check the ice box area, but the main fridge will require far less attention than a traditional manual-defrost model.

Noise Level and Everyday Comfort

If this fridge is going into a small open-plan flat, studio, or office, noise level really matters to you.

How Quiet Is It?

While specific decibel figures can vary by region and listing, this model is generally considered quiet enough for:

• Open-plan living areas
• Kitchen-diner spaces
• Home offices and studios

You will hear the compressor starting and stopping from time to time, but it’s not intrusive. Once you get used to it, it blends into the background, especially if you have other everyday sounds in your home.

Where It Fits Best

Because of its relatively compact footprint and manageable noise level, the fridge works particularly well in:

• Small kitchens where you stand close to the appliances
• Student flats where the kitchen and living area are combined
• Annexes or guest spaces where you don’t want loud humming

It’s also light enough for two people to move around reasonably easily, which helps if you plan to rearrange your room layout or move home.

Energy Efficiency and Running Costs

While this fridge is rated Energy Class E on the newer, stricter energy scale, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s inefficient compared to older labels you might remember.

Understanding the E Rating

Energy labels were reworked a few years ago, which made ratings stricter. An E on the new scale is roughly comparable to what would previously have been considered more acceptable on the old A+, A++ style ratings.

For you, this means:

• It’s not the most ultra-efficient model on the market
• For its size and features, it’s still reasonably economical
• It’s designed for everyday residential use without massive running costs

If you’re running a much older fridge now, even this E-rated model will often be an improvement in efficiency.

Practical Cost Considerations

Running costs depend on your local electricity rates, but you can expect modest yearly costs for a 165-litre appliance. Because it’s not oversized and uses auto defrost to maintain efficient airflow, you’re not wasting energy cooling unnecessary empty space or fighting through layers of ice.

You can also improve efficiency yourself by:

• Keeping the fridge reasonably full (air cools faster around items than in a mostly empty cavity)
• Avoiding leaving the door open for extended periods
• Letting hot food cool to room temperature before refrigerating

These simple habits help this model perform closer to its ideal efficiency rating over time.

Installation and Placement

When you’re bringing in a new fridge, you want to know if it will fit through doors, under cabinets, and in tight corners.

Compact Footprint

The dimensions are a key selling point:

• Height: 128 cm
• Width: 51.9 cm
• Depth: 51.3 cm

Compared with standard full-height fridges, this unit is noticeably shorter and narrower, which makes it great for:

• Galley kitchens
• Small apartments
• Kitchenettes and utility rooms
• Offices, studios, or converted spaces

You don’t need ceiling-height clearance, and it’s easier to place under sloping ceilings, in alcoves, or next to other units.

Freestanding Flexibility

As a freestanding appliance, you can position it wherever you have a suitable power outlet and proper ventilation space around it. You’re not locked into custom cabinetry or integrated housing, which keeps things simple if you like to rearrange furniture or move home often.

Just be sure you:

• Leave a small gap at the back and sides for airflow
• Avoid placing it too close to heat sources like ovens or radiators
• Level the feet so the door closes properly and doesn’t swing open on its own

Doing this helps the fridge run efficiently and keeps your food at a consistent temperature.

Ease of Use and Maintenance

You want your fridge to be something you hardly have to think about, except when you’re putting food in or taking it out.

Day-to-Day Use

The layout and controls are designed to be intuitive:

• A simple mechanical temperature dial gives you direct control
• Shelves slide out for cleaning and rearranging
• The door storage is obvious and easy to use

Because the fridge is only 128 cm tall, accessing the top shelf isn’t a stretch for most people, and the drawer at the bottom is still reachable without having to crouch all the way down like you might with a taller fridge.

Cleaning and Upkeep

Maintaining a clean fridge is easier when everything is removable and wipeable:

• Glass shelves can be taken out and washed in the sink
• The fruit and veg drawer pulls out completely
• Door balconies can be removed to clean any sticky spillages

The auto defrost feature also helps reduce the build-up of ice and moisture on the back panel, so you’re not constantly scraping frost. You’ll just need to do a basic wipe-down now and then as you would with any fridge.

Who This Fridge Is Best For

The Hisense RR220D4BDE isn’t designed for every single situation, but it fits certain lifestyles very well.

Ideal Users

You’ll likely get the most value from this fridge if you:

• Live alone or as a couple and have a smaller kitchen
• Want a main fridge that doesn’t dwarf the room
• Love retro styling but still need real practicality
• Need a second fridge for drinks, fresh food, or guest areas
• Prefer simple controls and low-maintenance features

If you mainly cook for one or two people and shop regularly rather than bulk-buying and storing huge amounts of food, the 165-litre total capacity will feel comfortable and efficient.

Situations Where It May Not Be Enough

This fridge may not be the best match if you:

• Have a large family with big weekly shops
• Need substantial freezer space for bulk cooking
• Want an ultra-high energy rating above all else
• Prefer built-in or integrated appliances for a seamless kitchen look

In those cases, you might be better off with a taller fridge-freezer combo or a separate large freezer, depending on your priorities.

Warranty and Reliability

A fridge is a long-term purchase, so you naturally want some reassurance that you’re covered if something goes wrong.

Two-Year Warranty

This model comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty, which provides a useful safety net. During that time, if there are any manufacturing faults or early failures, you can reach out for repair or replacement under the warranty conditions.

For you, that means:

• Extra peace of mind in the first years of use
• Confidence that the brand stands behind the product
• Less anxiety about early issues or defects

You’ll just want to make sure you keep your proof of purchase and register the product if required in your region.

Brand Reputation

Hisense has built a solid reputation for offering good value appliances that balance affordability with everyday performance. While no brand is perfect, this model sits in a part of the market where you get more than just basic functionality without paying premium appliance prices.

Pros and Cons Summary

Before you make up your mind, it’s useful to see the strengths and weaknesses collected in one place.

Advantages

You’ll likely appreciate:

• Stylish retro design that stands out without overwhelming your kitchen
• Compact footprint that fits small kitchens, flats, and studios
• 165-litre total capacity with 150L fridge and 15L 4-star ice box
• Dedicated fruit and veg drawer for organised fresh produce
• Built-in wine rack for safe and tidy bottle storage
• Auto defrost in the fridge section for low maintenance
• Flexible shelves and door balconies to customise your layout
• Reasonably quiet operation, suitable for open-plan living
• 2-year warranty for extra peace of mind

Drawbacks

You should also be aware of:

• Limited freezer space (15L) if you rely heavily on frozen food
• Energy Class E, which is decent but not top-tier by the new strict scale
• Mid-size capacity that may feel small for a large family as a sole fridge
• Freestanding only, so it won’t give a built-in, flush cabinet look

If you understand these limitations and they still fit your lifestyle, the strengths of the fridge outweigh the downsides.

Everyday Scenarios: How It Fits Your Life

To help you picture whether this is right for you, it’s useful to think through a few realistic scenarios.

For a Single Person or Couple

You do a weekly shop, keep fresh vegetables, dairy, some leftovers, and a few chilled drinks. The 150-litre fridge section stores:

• Milk, juice, and condiments in the door
• Meal prep containers on the middle shelf
• Meat or fish on a lower shelf
• Fruit and vegetables in the dedicated drawer
• A couple of wine bottles or soft drinks on the wine rack

The 15-litre ice box holds ice cubes, a bag of frozen vegetables, and one or two ready meals. You don’t feel like you’re short on space, and the fridge doesn’t dominate your small kitchen.

As a Second Fridge

You already have a main fridge-freezer but often struggle for space when entertaining or during holidays. You place this retro fridge in a dining room, hallway nook, or utility area.

You use it for:

• Extra drinks storage on the wine rack and shelves
• Overflow fresh food at busy times
• Desserts and party platters before events

The ice box takes care of spare ice or a couple of frozen treats. You get far more flexibility without replacing your main fridge.

In a Home Office or Annex

You set this fridge up in an office, studio, or annex where you want independence from the main kitchen. You keep:

• Lunch ingredients and snacks in the main fridge
• Drinks and coffee milk in the door
• A few frozen items in the ice box for quick meals or treats

You don’t have to walk back and forth to the main kitchen, and the retro look adds character to your workspace rather than feeling purely functional.

Final Verdict: Is the Hisense RR220D4BDE Right for You?

You’re looking for a fridge that blends style and practicality, fits comfortably into a smaller space, and doesn’t demand constant attention. The Hisense RR220D4BDE 52cm Freestanding Retro Fridge delivers a strong balance of:

• Attractive, compact design
• Sensible internal layout with 150L fridge and 15L 4-star ice box
• Useful extras like a fruit and veg drawer, wine rack, and auto defrost
• A manageable Energy Class E rating and reasonable running costs
• A 2-year warranty for added confidence

If you’re a single user, a couple, or someone who needs a high-quality secondary fridge, this model fits very well into everyday life. It gives you enough space for weekly food shopping, keeps your items organised, and adds a touch of character to your kitchen or living space.

If you have a large family or rely heavily on frozen food, you may find the ice box too small and would be better off with a larger fridge-freezer combo. But for many households in smaller homes or for those wanting a stylish and capable additional fridge, the Hisense RR220D4BDE is a smart, friendly choice that does more than just look good.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.