Smeg FAB38RBL5 50's Style Double Door Freestanding Right Hinge Fridge Freezer Black Review, Prices & Score
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Where to buy the Smeg FAB38RBL5 fridge freezer
🏆 Review & price summary
This Smeg FAB38RBL5 fridge freezer is a large freestanding fridge freezer with a 481-litre total capacity, split between a 344-litre fridge and a 137-litre freezer. Its gloss black finish, chrome detailing and rounded styling make it a prominent kitchen feature, while Total No Frost, MultiFlow cooling and electronic controls support convenient everyday use. Its 70cm width, 2,050mm height and 115kg weight mean careful planning is needed before installation.
✓ Key strengths
- ✓ Very generous 481-litre capacity, including a substantial 344-litre fridge section
- ✓ Total No Frost and automatic defrost help reduce routine maintenance
- ✓ Life Plus 0°C drawer is useful for organising fresh meat and fish
- ✓ Distinctive gloss black 50’s-style design with chrome detailing
- ✓ Practical organisation
Worth considering
- The 706mm width, 2, 050mm height and substantial depth may not suit smaller kitchens or restricted access routes
- The E energy rating is not especially strong compared with higher-rated alternatives
- The manual ice maker is less convenient than an automatic ice dispenser
Key Specifications
- Thaw time
- 14 hours
- Dimensions
- H2050 x W706 x D711 mm
- Net weight
- 115 kg
- Noise rating
- Class C
- Energy rating
- E
- Appliance type
- Freestanding double-door fridge freezer
- Cooling system
- Total No Frost with double cooling, MultiFlow and fan cooling
- Hinge position
- Right-hand hinge
- Freezer storage
- Two drawers, two glass shelves, flap compartment and manual ice maker
- Fridge capacity
- 344 litres
- Freezer capacity
- 137 litres
- Colour and finish
- Gloss black with chrome detailing
- Freezing capacity
- 8 kg/24h
- Fresh-food storage
- Life Plus 0°C drawer, fruit and vegetable drawer and three adjustable glass shelves
- Total net capacity
- 481 litres
- Controls and alerts
- Electronic temperature controls, ECO function, fast freezing and acoustic and visual door-open alarm
- Depth including handle
- 811 mm
- Annual energy consumption
- 282 kWh/year
- Manufacturer product code
- FAB38RBL5
Who Should Buy It?
- ✓ Suitable for families or households that need a large amount of fresh and frozen food storage.
- ✓ A good fit for kitchens where statement retro styling is as important as capacity.
- ✓ Consider it if a right-hand hinge works with the planned kitchen layout.
- ✓ Allow for the appliance’s full depth, door-opening clearance and 115kg weight during installation planning.
Fridge Freezers to compare with the Smeg FAB38RBL5 fridge freezer
These alternatives are selected from our current ranked fridge freezers, prioritising shared verified comparison traits and comparable BestBuysUK Scores.
| Model | BestBuysUK Score | Profile | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Smeg FQ960BL6 Victoria Quad Door Fridge Freezer
|
39/100 | Large Capacity · Dual Zone · Freestanding | Compare review → |
 Bertazzoni RBM60F4FXNC 60cm Pro Series Freestanding Fridge Freezer
|
38/100 | Large Capacity · Freestanding · Dual Zone | Compare review → |
 Smeg FAB30RWH5UK 50's Style Freestanding Right Hinge Fridge Freezer White
|
76/100 | Large Capacity · Freestanding | Compare review → |
Design and capacity
This Smeg FAB38RBL5 fridge freezer is designed to make an impression, with a gloss black finish, chrome detailing and rounded 50’s-style lines. It is a sizeable appliance at 706mm wide and 2,050mm high, so it should be measured carefully against both the kitchen space and the delivery route.
Its 481-litre total capacity is the main practical attraction. The 344-litre fridge section provides substantial room for fresh groceries, while the 137-litre freezer offers useful additional storage for family shopping. Three adjustable glass shelves, flexible door storage, a fruit and vegetable drawer and a Life Plus 0°C drawer make the refrigerator section easier to organise.
Cooling and food storage
Total No Frost combines with a double cooling system and automatic defrost to reduce the need for manual maintenance. MultiFlow and fan cooling are intended to support more even air distribution, while the ioniser is specified as helping maintain cleaner air inside the fridge.
The dedicated Life Plus 0°C drawer is a useful inclusion for fresh meat and fish. In the freezer, two drawers, two glass shelves, a flap compartment, a fast-freezing compartment and a manual ice maker provide a flexible mix of storage options.
Controls, efficiency and installation
Electronic temperature controls provide fast freezing, ECO and temperature-alarm functions. Acoustic and visual door-open warnings are helpful in a large appliance, where an incompletely closed door could otherwise be easy to miss.
The stated energy rating is E, with annual consumption of 282 kWh, and the noise rating is Class C. These figures are worth weighing against the generous capacity and striking design. Installation also requires attention: the appliance weighs 115kg, has a right-hand hinge, and needs additional clearance when the doors are opened.
Research note: this BestBuysUK assessment is based on the manufacturer's published specifications and other reputable technical sources. Specifications and retailer availability can change, so verify critical details before purchase.