The Best Freezers That Money Can Buy
We all need a freezer. That’s just a fact. Food spoils when left unattended. Endless shopping trips are a time consuming bore. It’s important to have a consistent storage and spoilage solution to keep your kitchen well stocked. The only problem is that the standard fridge tends to skimp on the freezer, tucking it away at a fraction of the size of the regular refrigerated area. That means that most people generally don’t have the storage space that they deserve for their frozen goods and can’t stock up to the extent that they wish. It’s a problem.
As a result, more people are buying a second freezer to supplement their freezing needs. It’s an incredibly useful addition to any family basement and will keep your home well stocked and well fed for many months and years to come. The challenge is figuring out which freezer to buy. There are so many options out there and it’s not exactly the type of item that most households will want to test out for a few days and before returning it to the store to replace with another option. A freezer is the type of appliance that you kind of only want to buy once in your life. That’s why we want to make sure that you get the freezer that you deserve.
Below, you’ll find a list of the finest freezers currently available. Each will come with their own lists of pros and cons followed by a more detailed analysis of what you should be looking for in a freezer to ensure that you only have to go through pain of moving a freezer into your basement once, while enjoying the benefits of these wonderful products for a lifetime. By the end of this article, you’ll be an expert on freezers and soon you will be able to identify the freezer of your dreams and bring it home to your family.
1. Best Overall Freezer — Danby DUFM085A2WDD1 Upright Freezer
Looking for a big ol’ freezer to keep for family fed from now until the apocalypse? Then you’re going to want this impressive machine from Darby. With 8.5 feet of cubic storage available, it will be harder to figure out what you can’t fit into that than what you can get in there. But this freezer isn’t just about size, it’s also a beast when it comes to performance as well.
We’re talking easy manual defrost, a mechanical thermostat, three quick freeze shelves, a mechanical thermostat, a reversible door hinge, and an 18-month warranty on parts and labor with in home service. It’s even Energy Star compliant, so your electric bill won’t take a big hit even though you’ll be freezing monumental amounts of food. Quite simply, this offers everything that you could possibly want out of a freezer. Sure, it’s a big boy. You’ll need the space to store it. But if you can fit it in, this freezer will offer everything that you could possibly want.
Pros
- Huge storage possibilities
- Reversible door hinge
- Energy Efficient
- 18 month warranty on parts and labor with in-home service
Cons
- No specific temperatures listed on adjustable dial
2. Best Chest Freezer — Home Joy 5CF Chest Freezer
If you prefer the vertical storing style of a chest freezer, then this is your best option. It’s got a deep five cubic feet cabinet that can be filled up with all your favorite foods. Removable shelves at the top allow for layered storage that keeps your most essential items on top for easy access. The freezer is also fairly compact, roughly the size of a dishwasher, making it an easy addition to almost any home regardless of space constraints. Oh, and it’s also rather affordable, making it even easier to fit into your home.
Home Joy’s chest freezer is also quite energy-efficient, using a mere 218 KWH annually, so you don’t have to worry about your electricity bill skyrocketing to offset any savings derived from your food storage savings. Toss in a sleek, black, modern look that adds a little class to any basement, and you’ve got an impressive little machine that’s easy to recommend. The only problem is that you may have to update you’re surrounding furniture and appliances so that they aren’t outclassed by this gorgeous beauty of a machine.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Five cubic feet of storage
- Energy Efficient
- Affordable price
Cons
- Items in top storage units aren’t kept as cold as the rest of the freezer
3. Best Compact Upright Freezer — Midea MRUO3M2ABB Upright Freezer
There’s a reason why this beautiful little freezer has been selling like hotcakes lately. This is a stunning machine that can store up to 100 pounds (twice it’s weight!) of food despite being a mere 33 inches tall. It won’t take up too much extra space, but it will keep your food fresh for ages.
Several shelves and removable baskets will give you plenty of storage opportunities, while an adjustable temperature will help you control just frozen you keep your food. It comes with a coveted Energy Star rating that will ensure that it keeps costs low, coming in with a mere 240kWh of estimated annual energy use.
On top of all those key tech specs, the freezer is available in your choice of a sleek black design or a more conventional white. Child locks are available for those who need them a one-year warranty is in place. Plus, it’s impossible to argue with the very affordable price tag given the power and customization possibilities for this powerful compact fridge. Highly recommended for anyone looking to augment their frozen food storage capabilities without losing an entire room of their house in the process.
Pros
- Adjustable temperature
- Compact, yet sturdy build
- Plenty of storage
- Sleek design
- Energy Efficient
Cons
- Relatively small storage area
- Temperature control is somewhat difficult to reach
4. Best Portable Freezer — ICECO JP30 Portable Refrigerator
That’s right, a freezer on the go. This isn’t a cooler that you fill with loose ice cubes and race to empty before they melt. This is a portable freezer that you can take with you anywhere. Keep frozen goods rock-solid throughout a full road trip with this compact beauty. The adjustable temperature allows this to function as a fridge or freezer depending on your needs, making this quite a versatile little travel companion for anyone who wants to cool on the go. It’s available in a variety of sizes (some big enough to fit 12 bottles of wine or 72 cans), but even the smallest size features a storage basket. It’s entirely up to you, but regardless of which size you choose, camping and cottage trips will never be the same again.
Pros
- Portable
- Adjustable temperature (can be a fridge or a freezer)
- Available in a variety of styles
- LED light
- Compatible with a variety of power sources
Cons
- Expensive
- Not battery operated
Things To Lookout For
Consider the following factors before selecting a freezer maker that’s right for you:
Energy Saving
Freezers tend to use up a lot of juice to keep all of your items cold. That’s just a fact. However, there are some recourses available to help keep your electricity bill down. The big one is location. There’s a reason why most people keep their freezer in the basement. It’s not simply because these big and bulky appliances don’t fit into most living rooms. It’s also because basements tend to be a bit cooler, so your freezer won’t have to work quite as hard. It’s also a wise idea to look for an Energy Star logo on your potential freezer as that means that it meets certain government standards in regards to energy saving.
Frost
We’ve all been there. You finally dig down for that item you’ve been storing in your freezer for months and find that it’s covered with frost and freezer burn. It’s a bummer, but also fairly avoidable. There are freezers available with defrost features that will help keep this concern under control. It’s also worth limiting the number of times that you open and close your freezer to ensure that all of your frozen goods are stored at a consistent temperature.
The Style Of Freezer
There are two prominent models of home freezers that are available: an upright freezer and a chest freezer. There’s no clear winner in terms of which of these particular styles of freezers are the best. It depends entirely on your needs. Below are the basic pros and cons of each freezer model.
Chest Freezer
Pros: These freezers tend to be more energy-efficient and offer far more storage than the alternative. They also are a wise choice for anyone who lives in areas that might be prone to brownouts and other electrical disruptions as they tend to hold their temperature longer. Chest freezers also tend to be less noisy.
Cons: Due to the shape, they tend to be harder to organize than uptight freezers due to the lack of shelves. They also take up significantly more floor space and don’t tend to defrost on their own. These also need to be defrosted once a year for the health of your freezer and what’s inside it.
Upright Freezers
Pros: These obviously take up less floor space and are easier to organize due to the shelf space that comes from standing upright. Self-defrost is also possible, which can be a useful timesaver. On top of all of that, these tend to be available in a wider array of aesthetic styles, such as stainless steel while chest freezers tend to only be available in one style.
Cons: While it might be easier to organize an upright freezer, you will find that they offer less storage space overall. Since more air tends to circulate around the items stored in an upright freezer, which will lead to a certain amount of frost and freezer burn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is better: an Upright Freezer or a Chest Freezer?
This is mostly a matter of personal preference and what you intend to use your freezer for. Chest freezers are good for longtime storage of bulk items, while upright freezers take up less space and are easier to organize for more regular use, even if they can’t store as much. It really all depends on your needs. Please refer to our comparison above for specific advantages and disadvantages of both styles of freezer.
Can I keep a freezer in my garage?
In general, this is discouraged. Freezers are designed for indoor use and most garages tend to be unheated and poorly insulated. While the food within your freezer will certainly stay frozen in a garage that dips into frigid winter temperatures, your freezer could easily become damaged from extremely cold temperatures (ironic, but true!).
Will I have to defrost my freezer regularly?
This depends on the style of your freezer and it’s functions. Most upright freezers have an automatic defrost function. All chest freezers should be defrosted once per year to remove the natural build-up of ice. Generally speaking, there should be a drain plug to pour out the water once your chest freezer has defrosted, but always refer to the owner’s manual for a guide to this process as all chest freezers tend to be slightly different.
What is the internal temperature of my freezer?
This can vary and often be adjusted to personal preference. However, in general, uptight freezers run at approximately -10 degrees Fahrenheit, while chest freezers run at -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I avoid the dreaded freezer burn?
Contrary to popular belief, freezer burn is generally not the result of anything being wrong with your freezer. It is the result of ice crystal build-up due to dehydration caused by being frozen for extended periods of time. Any food left in a freezer for longer than 6 weeks is susceptible to dehydration. The best approach to maximizing your freezer time is by storing your food in airtight containers or freezer bags. However, dehydration is likely after 6 weeks have passed, regardless of packaging.
Should I move my freezer myself?
This is not recommended. While bulky freezers may seem tough and sturdy, their mechanics can actually be quite sensitive and are easily damaged if you don’t quite know what you’re doing. Best to leave this job to the professionals.
Does my freezer have to be stored on a level surface?
Yes. These are heavy machines. Over time the body of your freezer my warp from being stored on an uneven surface. This could create problems, such the lid or door not being able to close properly (which would break the seal and prevent your freezer from functioning properly).