Our best overall chest freezer pick is the Frigidaire 14.8-cubic-foot Chest Freezer, thanks to its spacious design, electronic temperature alarm, and safety lock feature. Our favorite upright freezer is the GE 14.1-cubic-foot Upright Freezer because it has shelves and slide-out drawers, auto-close doors, and a frost-free operation. Here are the best freezers. If it’s a ton of freezer space you’re after, the Frigidaire 14.8-cubic-foot Chest Freezer offers very roomy storage for anything and everything you need to keep ice cold. This model also comes in larger and smaller sizes, at 24.8 and 14.8 cubic feet. So, whether you’re putting this freezer in your garage to store extra goods or in your small apartment, there’s a model for you. The chest freezer comes with a sliding basket to organize your meats, bags of tater tots, or frozen fruit. With your purchase, you’ll also get color-coordinated, snap-on clips that can be used as section labels within your appliance. One of the significant, modern perks of this freezer is that it has LED lighting, so you’ll never sift through your foil packs in the dark. A power-on indicator light also lets you know when this machine is on and functioning—which isn’t a guarantee with other models. If you go to move this freezer, you’ll need to manually defrost it, but that is common with chest freezer models. Overall, this appliance’s space, versatility, and functionality make it our top pick for chest freezer seekers. Price at time of publish: $950 This device is Energy Star-certified and the electronic controls make it easy to set the temperature exactly to your preference. It even has a turbo freeze feature if you need to quickly chill your items. Live in an area with storms or frequent power outages? This freezer will keep your items cold for up to 48 hours in the event of a power outage. While the aesthetic of your freezer may not be important, it’s worth noting that there are no additional colors or finishes available in this model. Also, even though a little over 14 cubic feet of storage should be more than enough freezer space, some may prefer a larger size such as 17 or 20 cubic feet. Price at time of publish: $900 An interior LED light also helps you easily identify the items you are searching for and its slim size makes this freezer a good fit for utility rooms or garages. This 7.0-cubic-foot-capacity is great for a small family, although some may find this freezer too small for their needs. It also requires a manual defrost, but it includes a water drain to make that process easier. Price at time of publish: $279 Plus, everything you store is chilled to your exact preferred temperature, thanks to very precise electronic controls and a temperature monitor. The monitor notices if and when things are too cold so that you can adjust the interior temperature accordingly. This helps prevent freezer burn from building up on any of your food and deeming it unfit to serve. Notably, this upright freezer also has a frost-free design that eliminates the annoying chore of manually defrosting a large appliance. When it comes to style, enjoy a recessed handle and a light stainless steel finish that will easily match your other appliances. This freezer essentially leaves very little to be desired or maintained. Price at time of publish: $2,949 At roughly 17.5 by 18.5 by 19 inches, the CUF-110B won’t take up more than its fair share of space in tight quarters. Inside, there’s one removable wire shelf and a mechanical temperature dial that allows settings from -10 to 2 degrees. The swing door is reversible and has a recessed handle to keep things streamlined. If you’re tucking this freezer under a desk or table, these features add functionality to this piece and allow you to access it in whichever way is most convenient for you. The door is also lockable, so no one can access your stash unless they have the key. Ultimately, this appliance will get the job done and not bother you with noise. Opt for the one-year warranty if you’re concerned about any potential issues. Price at time of publish: $229 This freezer has an adjustable temperature control and two shelves to access your frozen dinners and snacks easily. The door is even reversible, so you can decide where your freezer serves you best in your home. You do have to manually defrost this device, but since it’s on the smaller side, that chore won’t be too much of an inconvenience. The temperature of this freezer ranges from -4 to 6.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which is small compared to other models, but that range should work well for most frozen food storage. Price at time of publish: $350 We love that this freezer comes with a 5-year limited warranty. It is quiet enough that it won’t bother you while keeping your food chilled. You have to manually defrost this appliance, but it comes with a front-mounted drain to make it easier. Price at time of publish: $659 Since this is an upright freezer, you’ll still be able to access your items easily, thanks to four shelves, two slide-out storage baskets, and four in-door shelves for grab-and-go items. Some customers complained that items could fall out of the baskets, so open them with care. This extra-large freezer is also more expensive, but if you need this much freezer space, it’s worth the investment. Price at time of publish: $1,149
Manual vs. Automatic Defrosting
A freezer can either manually defrost or automatically defrost. If it automatically defrosts, it may have a frost-free design or also be called self-defrosting. This means that coils within the freezer will heat up routinely to prevent any ice or frost from building up along the interior’s walls. In contrast, a model with manual defrosting will need to be unplugged when frost gets to be a quarter-inch thick. You will need to unload the items you have stored, chip away at the build-up, and drain out the unit. Once it’s drained, you can plug the freezer back in and re-organize your frozen goods. This type of freezer can be cheaper to buy and operate, but comes with more maintenance.
Garage-Ready Design
If your freezer is garage-ready, it can withstand extreme, external temperatures. It doesn’t need to be installed within your home, where it may take up a great deal of space in your kitchen or basement. A garage-ready model can cost a bit more, but will keep things frozen whether your garage is 0 degrees or 110 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a particularly cold or warm climate, or are hoping to install the freezer in a more flexible space, a garage-ready design is worth considering. Just keep in mind: it may cost more.
Standout Features
Reversible Door
If your freezer has a reversible door, that means you can open it by swinging the door to the left or the right. This feature is particularly handy for households who don’t have a lot of space for extra storage, or plan to install their freezer in a semi-cluttered area. The door usually has recessed handles, airtight seals on both edges, and a sleek design. Just know this: the seals can become worn over time, so you may need to replace them for optimal frozen food storage. Check them occasionally to ensure the freezer is effectively closed and sealed.
Safety Lock
A safety lock secures your freezer, and prevents any unwanted entry. And while it’s not a necessary feature to have on a freezer, it is useful if you plan on storing your appliance in your garage, or have guests over often. The lock is paired with a physical key or key fob, and ensures that your goods are secure. Be sure to store the key or key fob in a safe and accessible location.
Quick Freeze Setting
A quick freeze setting, which can also be called a “power freeze” setting, drops the set temperature of your freezer. It makes the internal environment as cold as possible, in order to quickly chill meat, fruit, or other goods that you just added. Typically, this setting can last for up to 50 hours at a time, and is a great feature to have if your model is convertible. It’s also handy for households that want a worry and hands-free experience.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Marisa Casciano, the senior commerce editor for appliances, cleaning, and organization for The Spruce, wrote this article. Throughout her career, she’s researched the ins and outs of air purifiers, dishwashers, cooktops, and more in the home and lifestyle space. As an avid home cook who’s also always on-the-go, she understands the importance of storing food in a reliable and user-friendly freezer. To prevent a lot of frost from building up in your freezer, be sure to never leave the door open for long periods of time, and close it tightly when you’re done. In addition, occasionally check the temperature of your freezer to ensure it’s consistent and stable. This article was updated by Erin Johnson, a commerce editor at The Spruce focusing on large appliances, organization, and cleaning. She has written about the best home products and appliances for Real Simple, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, and Apartment Therapy. Her family uses the Danby 7.2-cubic-foot Chest Freezer in matte black. Erin loves that this freezer blends in with the garage while preserving food throughout hot Texas summers.
