Picking a new fridge freezer can feel like a bigger decision than it first appears. You need something that fits your kitchen, suits your shopping habits and doesn’t cost the earth to run. The Fridgemaster MC55240ES 174cm 50/50 Fridge Freezer in silver is a popular, budget-friendly option that ticks a lot of those boxes for UK homes. In this guide, we’ll use it as a real-world example to help you decide whether a 50/50 freestanding model is right for you, and look at a few closely related alternatives if your priorities are slightly different.
Why consider a 174cm 50/50 fridge freezer?
A 174cm-tall, freestanding fridge freezer is a sweet spot for many British kitchens. It offers sensible capacity without towering over the room or getting awkward around low ceilings and wall cupboards. The Fridgemaster MC55240ES follows this template, with a 50/50 split between fridge and freezer, so you get a clear, practical layout for both fresh and frozen food.
Because it’s a freestanding appliance, it’s relatively easy to slot into an existing gap or move when you’re rearranging a room or heading to a new house. If you’re curious about the exact storage layout, interior fittings and real-world noise levels, you can read our full review of the Fridgemaster MC55240ES 174cm 50/50 Fridge Freezer once you’ve finished this guide.
Understanding the Fridgemaster MC55240ES: who is it for?
With its slim, tall design and balanced fridge/freezer sections, the MC55240ES is well suited to smaller families, couples and shared flats. It’s particularly handy if you:
- Like to keep a good stock of frozen food, but not an entire chest freezer’s worth.
- Batch-cook meals and freeze portions for busy evenings.
- Shop weekly rather than daily, so you need enough fridge space for fresh produce, dairy and leftovers.
The modern silver finish is an easy match for most contemporary kitchens, especially if you’ve already got stainless or grey appliances. If you’d prefer the same height and similar concept in a darker look, the Fridgemaster MC55240EB 174cm Fridge Freezer in black is worth a look as a style-led alternative.
Key things to check before you buy
Before you commit to any 174–180cm fridge freezer, it helps to run through a quick checklist. Using the Fridgemaster MC55240ES as an example will help you get a feel for what matters.
1. Space and dimensions
Measure your available space carefully: width, depth and height. Don’t forget to allow a little breathing room for ventilation at the sides, back and top, and to make sure the doors can open fully without banging into walls or worktops. Taller alternatives like the Fridgemaster MC55265DE and MC55265DES are around 180cm, so if you’re already close to a cabinet or shelf above the appliance, the 174cm height of the MC55240ES might actually be an advantage.
2. Fridge versus freezer balance
The MC55240ES gives you a classic 50/50 split, which is ideal if you use fresh and frozen food in roughly equal measure. If you’re constantly running out of freezer space, that’s a sign that a similar-width but taller 70/30 model with a bigger fridge and smaller freezer might not suit you. On the other hand, if your freezer is currently half-empty but the fridge is overflowing, a 70/30 design such as the Fridgemaster MC55265DE 180cm 70/30 Fridge Freezer in white or Fridgemaster MC55265DES 180cm 70/30 Fridge Freezer in silver could be a better everyday match.
3. Finish and style
The MC55240ES comes in a neutral silver, which tends to age better than bright white and shows fingerprints less than darker finishes. If your kitchen aesthetic leans towards bold, the black MC55240EB offers a similar footprint with a more dramatic look. If you’d like a taller, statement appliance, something like the Fridgemaster MC55265DEB 180cm 70/30 Fridge Freezer in black may better complement dark units and countertops.
4. Energy rating and running costs
Like its close alternatives, the MC55240ES carries an E energy rating under the current labelling system. That puts it in a broadly efficient bracket without straying into the higher price tags that top-rated models often command. When you’re comparing, look at the estimated annual kWh use on the energy label and multiply it by your electricity tariff to get a rough idea of yearly running costs.
How the Fridgemaster MC55240ES compares to close alternatives
It’s useful to see where the MC55240ES sits among other similar fridge freezers on the market. Here are the most relevant alternatives from the same brand, each with a slightly different focus.
Fridgemaster MC55240ES vs MC55240EB: silver or black at 174cm?
If you like the 174cm height and 50/50 layout but you’re torn on the exterior, your choice may simply come down to style. The MC55240ES in silver blends into lighter, more neutral spaces, while the Fridgemaster MC55240EB in black suits darker cabinets or industrial-style kitchens. Internally, they’re cut from a very similar cloth, so think about your wall colours, worktops and lighting when deciding which finish will look best long term.
Fridgemaster MC55240ES vs MC55265DE: do you need extra fridge height?
The Fridgemaster MC55265DE 180cm 70/30 keeps a similar width but stretches upwards to give you a taller fridge section. This is handy if you’re big on fresh food, keep a lot of bottles upright or store bulky items like meal-prep tubs. You’ll lose some freezer height compared with a 50/50 split like the MC55240ES, so think carefully about whether you’re prepared to trim down your frozen stash in exchange for a more generous fresh section.
Fridgemaster MC55240ES vs MC55265DES: taller, silver and 70/30
The Fridgemaster MC55265DES offers a similar modern silver finish to the MC55240ES, but with that taller 180cm frame and a 70/30 split. It makes sense if you like the look of the MC55240ES but know you’ll appreciate the extra fridge space, for example if you’re cooking fresh most nights or regularly hosting. Just double-check your ceiling height, overhead cupboards and any shelves before opting for the extra height.
Fridgemaster MC55240ES vs MC55265DEB: taller and bolder in black
If you want the best of both worlds – a tall 180cm design and a striking black finish – the Fridgemaster MC55265DEB 180cm 70/30 is the most style-focused of the alternatives here. It tends to sit nicely in contemporary or monochrome kitchens. Compared with the silver MC55240ES, it’s more of a “feature” appliance than something that quietly blends into the background.
Getting the most from a 50/50 fridge freezer
Once you’ve decided a 50/50 model like the MC55240ES is right for you, a few smart habits will help you make the most of its space and keep everything running smoothly.
Organising the fridge section
Fridge storage is about accessibility as much as capacity. In a mid-height model like the MC55240ES, you’ll usually find the most frequently accessed shelves somewhere between waist and eye level. Use those for everyday items like milk, juice, cooked meats and leftovers, and relegate less-used jars and condiments to the door balconies or top shelf. Grouping similar foods together – dairy on one shelf, ready-to-eat items on another – makes it easier to spot what you’re low on before you shop.
Making best use of the freezer
The freezer half of a 50/50 layout can easily end up cluttered if everyone just shoves things wherever there’s a gap. Assign each drawer a loose “theme”: raw meat and fish, vegetables, batch-cooked meals, snacks and desserts. Clear tubs and labels can help you see at a glance what you’ve got, which reduces food waste and stops you buying duplicates. Because the MC55240ES is a mid-height model rather than extra tall, the bottom freezer drawer is a little easier to reach compared with some loftier 70/30s.
Door opening and swing
Whether you choose the MC55240ES or one of its alternatives, plan your installation so that the doors can open fully without hitting a wall or worktop edge. This matters more than you might think: being able to pull drawers out properly makes cleaning and loading far less of a faff. If your kitchen layout is tight, a slightly shorter model like the MC55240ES can sometimes offer just enough wiggle room to make door swing more comfortable.
Looking after your fridge freezer for long-term reliability
Basic care goes a long way towards keeping any fridge freezer working efficiently, whether it’s the MC55240ES or a taller 70/30 alternative.
Keep vents and seals clean
Inside, try not to block air vents with bags or containers, as this can affect cooling performance. Wipe the door seals regularly and check they’re gripping firmly all the way round; trapped crumbs or hardened spills can create tiny gaps that let cold air escape. A soft cloth and mild detergent are usually all you need.
Defrosting and frost build-up
If your freezer section isn’t frost-free, plan to defrost it once or twice a year, or whenever the ice layer gets noticeably thick. Allowing frost to build up too much can reduce usable space and make the appliance work harder than it needs to. Pick a cool day, run down your frozen stock beforehand and have towels ready to catch any drips.
Temperature checks
Use a simple fridge/freezer thermometer to make sure your temperatures are in the right ballpark: around 4°C for the fridge and -18°C for the freezer. Overly cold settings can waste energy and sometimes damage delicate produce, while too warm can shorten shelf life. Once you’ve set it up correctly on the MC55240ES or any of the alternatives, you shouldn’t need to tweak it often.
Is the Fridgemaster MC55240ES good value?
The MC55240ES sits in the affordable end of the fridge freezer market, which makes it appealing if you’re kitting out a first home, rental or budget-conscious renovation. Its strong user rating and healthy number of reviews suggest that it punches above its price in everyday use. If you’d like to dig into owner feedback and a closer look at the interior layout, head over to our in-depth Fridgemaster MC55240ES 174cm 50/50 Fridge Freezer review.
When a 70/30 model might suit you better
While a 50/50 design is versatile, there are clear cases where a 70/30 layout makes more sense. If you:
- Shop several times a week for fresh ingredients.
- Rarely buy frozen food beyond a few pizzas and peas.
- Need extra fridge height for bottles, tall jars or large salad bowls.
…then stepping up to a 180cm 70/30 appliance like the MC55265DE, MC55265DES or MC55265DEB could feel more natural day to day. You still get freezer storage for essentials, but the emphasis shifts to maximising the fridge space you use the most.
Choosing between white, silver and black finishes
Once you know the size and layout you want, the final question is usually which finish looks best in your kitchen. White tends to feel clean and bright, silver or grey blends with modern stainless appliances, and black offers a bolder, more premium look. The MC55240ES is a sensible, middle-of-the-road choice in silver, while the MC55240EB and MC55265DEB are stronger style statements in black. Consider how much natural light your room gets and whether you’d like the fridge freezer to stand out or quietly sit in the background.
Final thoughts
A mid-height, 50/50 fridge freezer like the Fridgemaster MC55240ES strikes a practical balance for many UK homes, offering usable storage for both fresh and frozen food without dominating the kitchen. If you’ve checked your space, thought about how you shop and weighed up whether a 70/30 alternative might suit you better, you’re already most of the way to the right decision. For a closer look at real-world performance, interior layout and owner feedback, don’t forget to read our full review of the Fridgemaster MC55240ES 174cm 50/50 Fridge Freezer and explore the linked alternatives to find the perfect fit for your kitchen.