SIA RFM88K 88L Retro Fridge Freezer review

Have you been searching for a compact fridge freezer that actually looks good in your kitchen instead of hiding it away?

What Makes the SIA RFM88K Stand Out?

You’re not just buying a small fridge freezer; you’re choosing a statement piece with a purpose. The SIA RFM88K 88L Freestanding Under Counter Black Retro Fridge Freezer brings together retro styling and practical everyday features, making it especially appealing if you’re working with limited space.

This model is designed to sit neatly under your counter, giving you useful chilled and frozen storage without dominating your room. At the same time, you get a classic 1950s-inspired look in a modern appliance, so your kitchen feels both stylish and functional.

Key Specifications at a Glance

Before you decide if this is right for your home, it helps to see the main details in one place. This gives you a quick overview of what you can expect in terms of size, capacity, and features.

When you look at the table, you see how it’s clearly aimed at someone who wants compact storage without giving up essentials like a proper freezer section, interior lighting, and adjustable temperature control.

Retro Style That Actually Works in a Modern Kitchen

You might love the idea of a retro fridge, but worry it won’t blend with your existing décor. The SIA RFM88K is designed to bring a subtle, stylish retro feel rather than a loud, novelty look.

1950s-Inspired Aesthetic

The rounded lines, bold black finish, and chrome-style handles give you a classic 1950s look. It’s the kind of design that adds character to your kitchen rather than just sitting in the corner.

Because it’s a smaller under counter appliance, the retro styling feels tasteful and not over-the-top. You can pair it with modern cabinets, minimalist décor, or even a colorful, vintage-themed kitchen. It works just as well as a standalone feature in a studio flat or as a secondary fridge in a home bar, office, or guest space.

Compact Under Counter Design

This fridge freezer is built to fit under a standard kitchen worktop, so it’s perfect if you’re short on floor space. You get the convenience of a built-in feel without the complexity of actual integrated appliances.

You can place it in your main kitchen, a utility room, a student flat, or even a small holiday home. Because it’s freestanding, you can move it fairly easily if you change your layout or move to a new place.

Capacity and Storage Layout

You may worry that a retro under counter unit means sacrificing too much storage. The SIA RFM88K aims to balance compact size with practical internal space.

Total 88-Litre Capacity

With 88 litres of total capacity, this fridge freezer is best suited for:

• Singles or couples who don’t do large weekly shops
• Students in shared accommodation
• Home offices, studios, or annexes
• As a second fridge freezer for drinks and extra food

It’s not designed for big families as a main appliance, but for smaller households or as an additional unit, it offers a sensible amount of room.

Fridge vs Freezer Split

The internal space is split into:

• 62 litres for the fridge
• 26 litres for the freezer

This split suits everyday use where you keep more chilled items (fresh food, drinks, dairy) than frozen items. You can keep your core frozen essentials like vegetables, frozen meals, ice cream, or ice packs without giving up too much fridge room.

You’ll appreciate that the freezer is a genuine section rather than a tiny icebox. It gives you just enough flexibility without taking over the unit.

Fridge Storage Features

Inside the fridge compartment, you get more than just a bare box. The interior layout is planned to help you stay organized.

Wire Door Racks for Bottles and Jars

The door storage is especially useful if you often keep drinks or condiments chilled. The wire door racks are designed to hold bottles securely, so they’re less likely to wobble or fall out when you open the door.

You can:

• Store bottles of water, soft drinks, or wine upright
• Keep milk or juice easy to reach
• Line up sauces, jars, and dressings neatly

This makes the main shelves less cluttered and gives you more usable flat space.

Salad Crisper Drawer for Fresh Produce

At the bottom of the fridge section, you’ll find a salad crisper drawer. This is where you can keep your fruit and vegetables fresher for longer by shielding them from direct cold air and maintaining a slightly different humidity level.

This drawer helps you avoid a fridge full of loose tomatoes, apples, peppers, or salad leaves shifting around when you reach for something. It’s especially handy if you like to cook at home and want your fresh ingredients to last through the week.

Freezer Compartment Practicality

Even in a compact under counter unit, the freezer should still be genuinely usable. The 26-litre freezer in the SIA RFM88K aims to give you exactly that.

Enough Room for Essentials

You’re not going to pack in a month’s worth of frozen goods, but you can happily keep:

• A few frozen meals or pizzas
• Bags of frozen veg or chips
• Ice cream tubs or desserts
• Ice packs or ice cube trays

This is ideal if you shop regularly, or if this is a secondary freezer for quick access to basics near your main cooking space, a home bar, or a guest room.

Everyday Convenience

Having a built-in freezer section in a compact fridge saves you from needing a separate small freezer. That means less clutter, one power socket instead of two, and a more streamlined look in your kitchen or living area.

If you’re outfitting a small apartment, studio, or holiday let, this single unit can take care of both chilled and frozen storage in one go.

Adjustable Thermostat: Control Over Your Cooling

Being able to set the temperature to suit the season and your food habits makes a real difference. With the adjustable thermostat, you can fine-tune how cold your fridge and freezer run.

Seasonal and Lifestyle Adjustments

In warmer months, you’ll probably want it slightly colder to keep drinks and food perfectly chilled. In cooler weather, you might not need the same intensity. With an adjustable thermostat, you simply change the setting rather than living with a one-size-fits-all temperature.

You can also adjust it if you’re storing more fresh meat and dairy (which need colder temperatures) or if you’re using the fridge mainly for drinks and snacks.

Balancing Performance and Efficiency

By setting the thermostat appropriately, you’re also helping manage your energy use. There’s no need to run the unit at the coldest setting all year if you don’t need it. That way, you get the cooling performance you want while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.

Interior LED Light: See Everything at a Glance

You know how annoying it is to rummage in a dim fridge. The SIA RFM88K includes an interior LED light, which sounds simple but adds a lot to everyday usability.

Clear Visibility

When you open the door, the LED light helps you immediately see:

• What’s on the shelves
• What’s in the door racks
• Whether you’re running low on certain items

You’re less likely to forget about food lurking at the back. That can help reduce waste and make meal planning easier.

Energy-Efficient Lighting

LED lighting uses far less energy than traditional bulbs and produces less heat. You get bright illumination that won’t warm the interior. It’s one of those small touches that makes the fridge feel more modern and user-friendly.

Energy Efficiency: Understanding the E Rating

Energy ratings have changed in recent years, so an “E” energy class can sound worse than it really is if you’re used to older rating systems. Under the updated European scale, the bands have been tightened, and many fridges that used to sit in higher classes are now placed lower.

What E Class Means for You

An E-rated appliance like this is designed to offer a reasonable balance of:

• Day-to-day running costs
• Cooling performance
• Environmental impact

You won’t get the ultra-low consumption of premium A-rated models, but you also won’t face the high energy use of outdated or inefficient fridges. It sits in a middle ground that many budget-friendly appliances occupy, especially in compact retro designs.

Choosing Based on Your Priorities

If your top priority is absolute minimum energy use, you may want to compare with higher-rated units. But if you’re balancing style, price, and practical performance, an E rating in a compact retro fridge freezer is often a fair trade-off.

For smaller households, the total energy consumption is also limited simply because the appliance is physically smaller. So you’re not running a large-capacity unit that you never fully use.

Installation and Setup

You don’t need professional installation for this appliance, but there are a couple of steps you’ll need to handle yourself, especially regarding the handles.

Freestanding Under Counter Placement

Because this is a freestanding unit, you can:

• Slide it under a standard counter
• Position it at the end of a counter run
• Place it in a free corner of the room

Just make sure you leave enough space around the appliance for air circulation, especially at the back and sides. Proper air flow helps it run efficiently and prevents overheating.

If you’re putting it under a counter, measure your space so you have a bit of clearance above and at the sides. That makes it easier to move the unit for cleaning and ensures it doesn’t feel cramped.

Attaching the Handles

This fridge freezer arrives with two separate handles that you need to attach to the front using the screws provided.

You’ll find installation instructions in the product manual. Typically, you’ll:

1. Line up the handles with the pre-drilled holes in the door.
2. Use the included screws to secure each handle firmly.
3. Check they feel solid and comfortably aligned.

This is a straightforward DIY step, but you should take a few minutes to do it carefully. Properly attached handles mean smoother use every day and a cleaner look overall.

Everyday Use and User Experience

How a fridge freezer feels in daily use is just as important as the technical specs. With the SIA RFM88K, the experience is built around simplicity and practicality.

Smooth Daily Access

You get a comfortable handle position, straightforward door opening, and clear interior layout. The wire door racks and salad crisper give you obvious places for key items, reducing the cluttered feeling that can come with small fridges.

Because the unit is under counter height, you don’t need to reach too high or too low. It’s easy to see inside, grab what you need, and close the door again.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The interior surfaces are designed to be wiped clean with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Regularly clearing out expired items and wiping shelves prevents smells and keeps everything hygienic.

Defrosting requirements will depend on the exact configuration of the freezer section, but as with most compact freezer compartments, you should expect to check for frost build-up and defrost when needed. Doing this periodically helps your appliance run more efficiently and preserves usable space.

Suitability for Different Types of Users

A product can look good on paper but may still not be right for every household. This model has a very clear sweet spot in terms of who it suits best.

Ideal for Small Kitchens and Flats

If you live in:

• A small city flat
• A studio or bedsit
• A tiny home or micro-apartment

you’ll appreciate how an under counter fridge freezer frees up vertical and floor space. You can keep your worktop clear above it and choose how to arrange your kitchen around it.

The retro styling also gives your compact space more personality, which is especially nice if you don’t have room for lots of decorative pieces.

Great as a Second Fridge Freezer

You might already have a main, larger fridge freezer, but want an extra unit for:

• A home bar area or entertainment room
• A garden room or workshop
• A home office or studio
• A guest annex or Airbnb space

In these situations, the SIA RFM88K works well as a dedicated drinks and snack fridge with a convenient freezer section for ice and a few frozen treats. You can keep your main kitchen appliance for core family food storage and use this one for overflow or special purposes.

Suitable for Students and Shared Houses

In shared accommodation, space and cost matter. This fridge freezer offers:

• Enough capacity for one or two people’s essentials
• A stylish look that makes a student kitchen feel less basic
• A manageable size that’s easier to move when you change rooms or flats

The 2-year guarantee is also reassuring when you’re investing in an appliance for the medium term.

Pros and Cons Summary

To help you decide if this appliance fits your priorities, it’s useful to weigh up its strengths and limitations.

Advantages

You get several clear benefits when you choose the SIA RFM88K:

• Stylish retro design: Adds character and charm to your kitchen or living space.
• Compact under counter size: Ideal for small rooms or as a secondary appliance.
• Useful 88-litre capacity: Balanced split between 62L fridge and 26L freezer.
• Practical storage features: Wire door racks for bottles and jars, plus a salad crisper drawer.
• Adjustable thermostat: Lets you set cooling levels to suit your needs.
• Interior LED light: Makes it easy to see your food and reduces rummaging.
• 2-year parts and labour guarantee: Gives you added peace of mind.

These points make it particularly attractive if you care about how your kitchen looks, but still want practical everyday performance at a compact size.

Limitations

It’s also fair to consider where this model might not be ideal:

• Energy Class E: Not the highest-efficiency rating under the newer scale; more efficient models exist if energy use is your top concern.
• Limited capacity for large families: 88L total is best suited to singles, couples, or as a second appliance.
• Handle installation required: You need to attach the handles yourself, which is easy but still an extra step.
• Under counter height: If you prefer a tall fridge freezer or a larger fridge section, this will feel too small as a main appliance.

Knowing these limitations helps you decide whether this model matches your lifestyle and expectations.

Comparing Style and Function in One Package

Many compact appliances either look plain and utilitarian or prioritize style over substance. This fridge freezer aims to give you both.

Style Without Sacrificing Core Features

You still get:

• Interior lighting
• Adjustable temperature control
• Separate fridge and freezer sections
• Door and drawer organization

So you’re not giving up key functions in order to have a retro look. The design is not just about aesthetics; it’s combined with thoughtful internal layout and everyday convenience.

A Balanced Choice for the Right User

If your top priorities are:

• Space-saving layout
• Retro black styling
• Enough storage for one or two people
• Reasonable energy use
• Straightforward operation

then this model is a practical and stylish option. You’re choosing something distinctive that still works well as part of your daily routine.

Reliability and Peace of Mind

Buying any fridge freezer is a medium-term commitment, so it’s reassuring to know you’re covered if something goes wrong.

2-Year Parts and Labour Guarantee

The 2-year guarantee means:

• You have support if there are manufacturing faults.
• Both parts and labour are covered, not just one or the other.
• You can use the appliance with more confidence in the first couple of years.

It’s important to keep your proof of purchase and register or follow any instructions from the manufacturer to make sure your coverage is valid.

Looking After Your Appliance

You can extend the life and performance of your fridge freezer by:

• Keeping it level so the doors close properly.
• Leaving a short settling period after transport before switching it on.
• Not overloading it so air can circulate properly inside.
• Defrosting the freezer if you notice significant ice build-up.

These habits help maintain reliability and reduce wear on the compressor and other components over time.

Who This Fridge Freezer Is Best For

If you’re still wondering whether this is the right choice for you, it helps to match your situation to what this product offers.

You’re likely to be a good match for the SIA RFM88K if:

• You live alone or with one other person and don’t need a large-capacity appliance.
• Your kitchen or living space is compact and under counter appliances make more sense.
• You appreciate retro styling and want your fridge freezer to look like part of your décor.
• You want both fridge and freezer functions in one neat unit.
• You’re setting up a guest area, holiday home, home bar, or office kitchen.

On the other hand, if you have a big household, cook in bulk, or buy lots of frozen food, you’ll probably want a larger main fridge freezer and could consider this as a secondary unit instead.

Final Thoughts

You’re choosing more than just a cold box when you buy the SIA RFM88K 88L Freestanding Under Counter Black Retro Fridge Freezer. You’re picking a compact, retro-styled appliance that combines character with enough practicality for everyday use in smaller spaces.

You get a neat 88-litre capacity with a sensible split between fridge and freezer, simple but effective internal organization with door racks and a salad crisper, adjustable temperature control, and bright LED lighting. The E energy rating reflects a balanced, modern standard rather than an outdated, inefficient appliance, and the 2-year parts and labour guarantee adds reassurance.

If you want a fridge freezer that fits neatly under your counter, looks stylish in black with retro charm, and suits a one- or two-person household or a secondary space, this model is a very solid option to consider for your home.

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