Home » Product Reviews » Fridge Freezers » Candy CCH1S513EBK 136cm 50/50 Small Fridge Freezer review
The Candy CCH1S513EBK is a 136cm tall, 50/50 freestanding fridge freezer that’s designed to fit where a full‑height model simply won’t. With a total 185‑litre capacity and classic black finish, it’s clearly pitched at smaller households and tighter spaces.
Candy tends to focus on budget‑friendly appliances, and this model follows that formula: straightforward features, practical storage and an energy rating of E that’s typical at this price. Despite the basic spec, it scores an impressive 4.8 out of 5 from well over three hundred owner reviews, which suggests it’s doing the simple things very well.
If you want a no‑nonsense, compact fridge freezer that looks smart, keeps food at the right temperature and doesn’t cost the earth, this Candy is a strong contender.
This model is ideal for smaller households – singles, couples, or a compact family kitchen – where a full‑size 200cm+ fridge freezer simply won’t fit. At 136.5cm tall and 55cm wide, it’s much easier to slot under wall cupboards or into tight alcoves than a standard-height unit.
With 114 litres in the fridge and 71 litres in the freezer, it suits weekly shops of around 8–10 bags of groceries. If you’re not batch cooking for a crowd or filling the freezer with bulk buys, you’re unlikely to feel short of space. The 50/50 split is particularly handy if you like to keep as much frozen food as fresh.
Budget‑conscious buyers will appreciate that this is a straightforward, value‑led option. There’s no Wi‑Fi, no water dispenser and no frost‑free system; instead, you get solid basics at a sensible price, from a brand that has a decent track record in entry‑level cooling.
It’s also a good choice for utility rooms, rental properties or student houses. The reversible door, adjustable shelves and simple rotary controls make it flexible enough to work in a range of layouts without intimidating less confident users.
The compact 136.5cm height is a real advantage if you’re short on space or have low wall units. You still get a practical 185‑litre total capacity, which is ample for everyday shopping in a smaller home.
Storage is sensibly laid out. Two tempered glass shelves, a dedicated salad crisper and two door balconies in the fridge make it easy to organise bottles, jars and fresh produce. In the freezer, three drawers keep everything separated, so you’re not rummaging through a single deep compartment.
The 4‑star freezer rating means it can safely freeze fresh food and keep it stored long term, which is not always a given on budget models. A 13‑hour power‑failure safe storage time is also reassuring, giving your food a decent buffer in the event of a cut.
Owners rate it very highly, with a 4.8 out of 5 score from a large number of reviews. That suggests it’s reliable day to day, reasonably quiet at 40dB, and does the basics – stable temperatures and simple controls – without fuss.
The reversible door adds flexibility when planning your kitchen layout, and LED interior lighting makes it easy to see what’s inside without being harsh or energy hungry.
The main compromise is defrosting. Neither the fridge nor the freezer is frost free, and there’s no auto‑defrost in the fridge section, so you’ll need to manually defrost both compartments from time to time to keep ice build‑up under control.
Feature‑wise, it’s very basic. There’s no fast‑freeze function, no super‑cool mode, no water dispenser and no ice tray supplied. If you like extra conveniences or smart connectivity, this model will feel stripped back.
The energy rating is E, which is fairly typical for a budget fridge freezer but not cutting‑edge. At an estimated 199 kWh a year it shouldn’t be ruinous to run, but there are more efficient (and usually more expensive) options out there.
Finally, the manufacturer warranty is just one year. That’s standard at this price, but some competing brands do offer longer cover, so it’s worth considering extended protection if you want extra peace of mind.
Day to day, the Candy CCH1S513EBK is built to be straightforward. The rotary temperature control keeps things simple: set it once and, in most kitchens, you’re unlikely to need to fiddle with it again. There’s no screen or menu system to get in the way.
The interior layout is clean and practical. Two full‑width glass shelves plus a salad crisper give you enough flexibility to store taller items by shifting a shelf up or down. Tempered glass feels sturdier and is easier to wipe clean than wire racks, helping you stay on top of spills.
In the door, two balconies handle milk, juice and condiments without wasting space. The absence of an egg tray is a minor niggle, but most people can work around this with their own organiser if needed.
In the freezer, three drawers make it clear where everything lives, from frozen veg to leftovers. They slide out for easy access, though you will notice they need to be emptied for defrosting sessions. Because the cooling system is static, you’ll want to plan an occasional defrost into your cleaning routine.
Noise is quoted at 40dB with a C noise rating, which is relatively quiet for a budget fridge freezer and should fade into the background in most kitchens or open‑plan spaces.
In terms of core performance, the Candy CCH1S513EBK focuses on consistent cooling rather than bells and whistles. The static cooling system is well proven and, when correctly set, keeps the 114‑litre fridge and 71‑litre freezer at reliable temperatures suitable for everyday fresh and frozen food.
The 4‑star freezer rating is important: it confirms this freezer can both freeze fresh food and store it safely over the long term. That makes it suitable for batch cooking, bread and meat storage, and frozen staples, even if the overall capacity is designed for smaller households.
Inside the fridge, LED lighting gives bright, even illumination without generating additional heat. This makes it easier to see what’s lurking at the back, helping reduce food waste. The salad crisper creates a defined space for fruit and veg, so they’re less likely to get squashed under leftovers or bottles.
While some modern fridge freezers boast multi‑airflow systems, digital displays, fast‑freeze modes and Wi‑Fi, this Candy sticks to the essentials. There’s no multi‑airflow fan, no super‑cool or fast‑freeze settings and no fresh‑zone drawer with special humidity control. For many users, that keeps things refreshingly simple; more demanding buyers may feel the feature set is a little behind the curve.
Installation flexibility is decent. The right‑hand hinge can be reversed, so you can swap the door opening direction to suit your kitchen, and the relatively slim 55cm width helps it slot neatly into standard gaps. As long as your room temperature stays between 16°C and 32°C (the stated climate range), it should perform as intended.
At its current price, the Candy CCH1S513EBK sits firmly in the budget end of the fridge freezer market. You’re not paying for advanced tech or premium finishes; you’re paying for a compact, functional appliance that covers the basics well.
Given the 185‑litre capacity, 50/50 split and practical storage layout, it offers solid everyday usability for the money. The trade‑off is the lack of frost‑free technology and extras like fast‑freeze or a drinks dispenser. If those features matter to you, you’ll need to step up to a higher price bracket.
Where it really wins on value is owner satisfaction. A 4.8 out of 5 rating from a large number of reviews indicates that, despite the basic spec, people feel they’ve had good return on their spend. Running costs are reasonable for an E‑rated appliance of this size, and the black finish helps it look smarter than many white‑box budget options.
If you’re shopping on a tight budget or fitting out a rental or second kitchen, this Candy model represents very good value. If you’d like longer warranty cover, more efficient energy performance or frost‑free convenience, it may be worth investing a bit more elsewhere.
The Candy CCH1S513EBK is a compact, no‑nonsense fridge freezer that does exactly what most smaller households need it to do: keep food cold and organised without hogging space or budget. Its 136.5cm height makes it especially appealing if you can’t accommodate a full‑height model, and the 50/50 split gives a nice balance between fresh and frozen storage.
You are sacrificing modern comforts such as frost‑free technology, fast‑freeze functions and extended warranty cover. However, day‑to‑day practicality is strong, the layout is sensible, and real‑world owners rate its reliability and quietness very highly.
If you want an affordable, space‑saving fridge freezer in a smart black finish and are happy to defrost manually now and again, this Candy is an easy model to recommend. Those who demand more advanced features or are particularly energy conscious should look further up the range – and expect to pay more for the privilege.