If you’re trying to squeeze a decent amount of chilled and frozen storage into a tighter kitchen space, a slim 50/50 fridge freezer can be a very smart move. The Fridgemaster MC55240E 174cm 50/50 Fridge Freezer in white is a good example of that compact, no-fuss approach, aimed at homes that want reliability and sensible running costs without paying a premium. In this guide, we’ll look at how a model like this fits into everyday life, how to choose between 50/50 and 70/30 layouts, and which similar options are worth a look if you like the idea but want a different colour or configuration.
Why a 50/50 fridge freezer makes sense in a smaller kitchen
The Fridgemaster MC55240E is a classic 50/50 split: roughly half fridge, half freezer, stacked vertically in a tall, slim cabinet. For many British homes, that balance is exactly what’s needed.
With a 174 cm height and a narrow footprint, it’s designed to slot into tight gaps or galley kitchens where a wider, American-style appliance simply isn’t an option. Yet you still get useful capacity for both chilled and frozen food, rather than having to choose one or the other.
If you want to dive into real-world feedback on this specific model, you can read our full review of the Fridgemaster MC55240E 174cm 50/50 Fridge Freezer for more detail on storage layout, noise levels and day-to-day usability.
Working out if 174 cm is the right height for you
Fridge freezers around the 174 cm mark are a useful middle ground. They’re tall enough to give you decent capacity, but not so towering that they feel out of place in a modest kitchen or under a slightly lower ceiling.
Before you commit, it’s worth doing a quick measuring job:
- Measure the height to any cupboards or shelves above the space, not just the ceiling.
- Check what’s around the top front edge – cornices, pipes or boxed-in ducting can all get in the way.
- Allow a bit of breathing space above and behind the appliance for air to circulate.
If you know you’d like a similar style but with a little more height and fridge space, the 180 cm Fridgemaster MC55265DEB 70/30 Fridge Freezer in black is worth adding to your shortlist. You can see how it compares in practice in our in-depth MC55265DEB fridge freezer review.
50/50 vs 70/30: which split suits your food habits?
One of the biggest choices when buying a fridge freezer isn’t the colour or the brand; it’s the ratio of fridge to freezer space. The Fridgemaster MC55240E uses the popular 50/50 split, while models like the Fridgemaster MC55265DES go for a 70/30 layout.
When a 50/50 split works best
If you rely heavily on your freezer – batch cooking, buying big bags of frozen veg, or stocking up when things are on offer – then a 50/50 split makes a lot of sense. A tall, separate freezer gives you space to organise drawers sensibly rather than cramming everything into a single, small compartment.
Households that benefit most from a 50/50 fridge freezer include:
- Smaller families who like to cook from scratch and freeze leftovers.
- People with irregular working hours who rely on frozen quick meals.
- Anyone without room for a separate chest freezer.
For this type of buyer, the MC55240E’s layout is deliberately straightforward and practical. If that describes you, it’s well worth reading our detailed MC55240E guide to see how the internal space is arranged.
When a 70/30 split is the better option
If you prioritise fresh food, salad, drinks and dairy over frozen storage, a 70/30 fridge freezer can be a better everyday companion. You gain more fridge shelves and door balconies at eye level, which often makes it easier to keep track of what you’ve got and cut down on waste.
The Fridgemaster MC55265DES 180cm 70/30 Fridge Freezer in silver is a good example of that approach. It keeps the footprint nice and slim but hands the lion’s share of space to the fridge section. To see how that extra fridge room feels in a real kitchen, take a look at our MC55265DES 70/30 fridge freezer review.
Choosing a finish: white, silver or black?
Kitchen appliances are no longer just about function; they’re part of the look of the room. The MC55240E comes in a clean white finish that blends well with classic kitchens, bright spaces and lighter cabinets. It’s often the most neutral choice and tends to show fewer fingerprints than darker finishes.
If you like the basic recipe but want something that feels a touch more modern, there are close relatives in other colours:
- Silver, same size and split: The Fridgemaster MC55240ES 174cm 50/50 Fridge Freezer in silver is essentially the same type of appliance but dressed in a contemporary metallic finish. It’s a neat choice if you already have stainless steel or silver small appliances on show. You can see how it stacks up in our MC55240ES 50/50 silver fridge freezer review.
- Black, similar height: If you’re building a darker, more dramatic kitchen scheme, the Fridgemaster MC55240EB 174cm Fridge Freezer in black offers a bolder look at a similar height. Our MC55240EB black fridge freezer review goes into how that finish holds up to day-to-day use.
- Taller and darker: For those who want to maximise vertical space and prefer a dark finish, the MC55265DEB 70/30 in black, mentioned earlier, gives you that extra presence while still keeping a slim width.
In many British homes with mixed cabinetry and worktop colours, white is still the safest pick because it never really looks dated. But if you’re replacing several appliances at once or doing a full kitchen refresh, it’s worth lining up finishes side by side before you decide.
Energy rating and running costs: what E-rated means in practice
The Fridgemaster MC55240E carries an E rating on the post-2021 energy label scale. That scale was deliberately tightened up, so an E-rated model today is noticeably more efficient than many older A+ or A++ units from previous years.
In everyday terms, that usually means:
- Reasonable electricity use for a family-sized fridge freezer.
- Lower running costs than a much older appliance you might be replacing.
- No complicated features to manage – just plug in, set the temperature and leave it to do its job.
If you’re coming from a very old, noisy fridge freezer that tends to run constantly, moving to a modern E-rated unit can be a noticeable upgrade in both hum level and energy bills, even if it doesn’t sit at the very top of the efficiency charts.
Measuring up: avoiding common installation mistakes
Because tall, slim fridge freezers like the MC55240E are often bought for tight spaces, getting the measurements right is crucial. A few simple checks upfront can save a lot of frustration on delivery day.
Check the route to the kitchen
It’s easy to focus on the gap where the appliance will sit and forget about the doors, hallways and stairs it has to travel through to get there. Measure internal doorways, particularly any awkward corners, against the appliance’s width and depth.
Freestanding fridge freezers can usually be carefully tilted during delivery, but there are limits. Knowing the tightest spot on the route helps avoid surprises.
Allow space for the doors to open fully
Slim fridge freezers are often tucked into corners next to walls. That’s fine, as long as you account for the door swing. Ideally, you want the doors to open past 90° so you can remove glass shelves and drawers easily when cleaning.
If the handle will be very close to a wall or another appliance, consider which side the door is hinged on and whether the hinges can be reversed. Many models in this size class have reversible doors, but it’s always worth double-checking if you know access will be tight.
Making the most of a slimmer 50/50 interior
With a narrow 50 cm(ish) cabinet, using the space efficiently becomes more about organisation than sheer volume. The MC55240E and its close relatives tend to offer a simple, adjustable-shelf layout that you can tweak for your own routine.
Some easy wins include:
- Dedicated shelves for regular items: Keep milk and juice in door balconies, condiments grouped together, and reserve a shelf for leftovers so they’re always visible.
- Use clear freezer tubs: In a tall but slender freezer, stacking transparent containers makes it easier to see what you’ve got without rummaging.
- Label by meal type: Keep one drawer for raw meat and fish, one for frozen veg, and one for batch-cooked meals to speed up decision-making on busy evenings.
The aim is to turn vertical height into actual usable space, not a black hole where things disappear to the back of a shelf and get forgotten.
Care, cleaning and keeping it running smoothly
A big appeal of modern fridge freezers is that they’re generally low maintenance. Many tall freestanding models in this price bracket are designed to minimise frost build-up and keep temperature steady with very little user input.
To keep any fridge freezer in good shape, a few small habits go a long way:
- Wipe spills quickly: Cleaning up leaks as they happen prevents sticky patches and lingering odours.
- Don’t pack it to the rafters: Cold air needs to circulate around shelves and through freezer drawers, so try not to block vents.
- Vacuum the back occasionally: Dusty coils at the rear can make the compressor work harder than it needs to.
- Check the door seals: If you notice icing near the door or feel cold air escaping, a quick wipe of the gasket can improve the seal.
Because the MC55240E is built as a straightforward, no-frills appliance, there aren’t complex panels or filters to worry about, which keeps long-term ownership simple.
When to consider an alternative model
The Fridgemaster MC55240E hits a sweet spot of slim width, 174 cm height and 50/50 layout in a neutral white finish. However, depending on your priorities, one of its stablemates might edge ahead.
- You want the same size but a different colour: The MC55240ES 174cm 50/50 in silver and the MC55240EB 174cm in black are the natural alternatives if the footprint and capacity are right but you prefer a metallic or dark finish.
- You want more fridge than freezer: If your freezer is mostly for a few bags of frozen veg and ice cream, with the fridge doing the heavy lifting, the 70/30 layout of the MC55265DES in silver or MC55265DEB in black could be a better match.
- You’re tall and want less bending: Taller 180 cm models naturally lift the fridge section higher, which some people find more comfortable for day-to-day use.
All these options sit in a similar, budget-conscious part of the market, so it largely comes down to which layout, height and finish suits your kitchen and your routine best.
Final thoughts
A slim, mid-height 50/50 fridge freezer like the Fridgemaster MC55240E is a practical fit for many UK homes. It’s designed to make the most of a narrow gap, keep running costs sensible with an E rating, and offer a straightforward balance of fridge and freezer space without overcomplicating things.
If you like the idea but you’re still weighing up colours, splits and heights, use the alternatives we’ve covered here as a mini shortlist. Then, when you’re ready to get into the fine detail of storage layout and real-world user feedback, head over to our full Fridgemaster MC55240E 174cm 50/50 Fridge Freezer review or the linked reviews of the similar models to make a confident final choice.