7 Best Chest Freezers for Stocking Up on Frozen Foods

Chest Freezers

The best chest freezers allow you to move beyond your refrigerator’s built-in freezer and stockpile ice cream, meats, and vegetables without worrying about reliability. These appliances essentially provide you with a personal-sized frozen food area in your home—a helpful feature when you don’t have time to make a last-minute grocery run or need to store items for a large meal.


This Whytner model offers a “fast freeze” mode that cools the freezer to -8 degrees to keep items in good condition.Chest freezers, like other appliances, offer a variety of options. Size, as well as durability, are essential considerations. And, while these freezers aren’t known for contributing to your decor (they often come in plain white), they are workhorses that can help you extend the life of your food while still allowing you the space to go a little wild on your next Costco trip. Are you tired of cramming your frozen meals into the restricted area in your kitchen ice box? We’ve compiled a list of the greatest chest freezers on the market.

Best Overall Chest Freezer

A Roomy Chest Freezer That Has Most Needs Covered

BestBuy

1. Insignia 10.2 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer

$370$480Save $110 (23%)

Size: 33.5 x 44 x 27 inches | Capacity: 10.2 cubic feet | Energy efficient: Yes

This Insignia option, like many chest freezers, isn’t flashy. However, it offers plenty of features and a large enough capacity to make it an excellent choice for most families. You’ll have 10.2 cubic feet of storage space and a retractable storage basket for smaller items like ice cream cones and ground beef. A counterbalanced hinge prevents the lid from smashing in your face, and the door may be kept at various angles ranging from 45 to 75 degrees. A mechanical temperature dial, power-on indicator light, and defrost drain with a water flow passage make this easy to use and maintain.

Pros:

  • Roomy interior
  • Counter-balanced lid
  • Power-on indicator light

Cons:

  • Min/max temperature dial is confusing for some
  • Tight seal makes lid hard to re-open immediately after closing

Best Small Chest Freezer

A Petite Freezer With Two Internal Hanging Baskets

MOST POPULAR

Wayfair

2. Northair 3.5 Cubic Feet Portable Chest Freezer

$350

Size: 31 x 21 x 22 inches | Capacity: 3.5 cubic feet | Energy efficient: Yes

Consider this Northair option if you need a little extra freezer space but only a little. It has 3.5 cubic feet of storage space (about the size of a larger micro-fridge) for all your frozen food necessities. A power-on run light indicates everything is still functioning correctly, and the thermostat may be adjusted to seven possibilities. A balanced lid can stay open between 45 and 90 degrees for hands-free use, and energy conservation keeps this gadget from increasing utility expenses. For loose items, there are two hanging wire storage baskets. With a weight of 50 pounds, you should be able to slide this to your desired spot.

Pros:

  • Quiet
  • Lightweight enough to move
  • Power-on indicator light

Cons:

  • Too small for larger families
  • Baskets have to be removed to access food below

Best Large Capacity Chest Freezer

A Massive Freezer That Can House Weeks-Worth Of Food

Chest Freezers
BestBuy

3. Frigidaire 24.8 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer

$1250

Size: 32 x 83 x 31.5 inches | Capacity: 24.8 cubic feet | Energy efficient: No

This is one of the most giant chest freezers on the market, with approximately 25 cubic feet capacity. It has ample space to categorize and divide your frozen foods and can easily store enough food to sustain your family for weeks. Computerized temperature control allows you to precisely adjust the coldness of your freezer while an alarm informs you if the temperature climbs above acceptable ranges. You can also get benefits like the freeze-boosting option, which helps your goods freeze faster after a long trip to the market, and casters, which allow you to move your freezer around quickly.

Pros:

  • Huge capacity
  • Wheeled base
  • Two hanging baskets

Cons:

  • Hanging baskets are small compared to freezer size
  • Expensive

Best Chest Freezer For Garages

A Chest Freezer That Can Withstand Zero To 110 Degree Temperatures

The Home Depot

4. GE Garage Ready 15.7 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer

$878$979Save $101 (10%)

Size: 33 x 65 x 28.5 inches | Capacity: 15.7 cubic feet | Energy Efficient: Yes

Most people keep their chest freezers in their garages. Technically, they are not all designed to withstand the cold, hot, or humid circumstances resulting from living outside your home’s main space. This GE chest freezer is carefully designed to do its job regardless of the conditions in your garage. The freezer has been proven to function in temperatures ranging from 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, so you don’t have to worry about shutting down in extreme weather. It also has features like four sliding bulk baskets to help you store loose items without restricting your access to stuff below and a lock to keep kids out. A temperature alarm alerts you when the interior has become too warm, and a dial temperature control is easy to see.

Pros:

  • Generous size
  • Four hanging baskets
  • High temperature alarm

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Some owners say it’s noisy

Best Portable Chest Freezer

A Sturdy Freezer To Take To Your Next Camping Or Tailgating Adventure

The Home Depot

5. Whynter 1.41 Cubic Feet Portable Freezer

$529

Size: 23.5 x 16.5 x 20.5 inches | Capacity: 1.4 cubic feet | Energy efficient: No

A cooler will only get you so far when it comes to keeping your items frozen while on the run. This is when a portable freezer comes in handy. This Whynter model is powered on the move by a 12-volt power source (like your car’s battery) or a household outlet if used indoors. For those times when you don’t need your items frozen, it also functions as a refrigerator, allowing you to adjust the temperature between -8 and 50 degrees. A “fast freeze” mode cools the freezer to -8 degrees, and two removable wire baskets for organization are included. The side handles are helpful for moving this freezer from place to place.

Pros:

  • Doubles as fridge
  • Transportable
  • “Fast freeze” option

Cons:

  • Hanging baskets need to be moved to access items below
  • Latch closure can be hard for some to open and close

Best Energy Efficient Chest Freezer

An Energy-Efficient Freezer That Won’t Jack Up Your Power Bill

Lowes

6. Whirlpool 9 Cubic Feet Manual Defrost Chest Freezer

$849

Size: 36 x 29 x 40 inches | Capacity: 9 cubic feet | Energy efficient: Yes

This Whirlpool medium-sized freezer has a large capacity and will keep plenty of food without taking up too much space in your garage. It’s also Energy Star-certified, so you won’t worry about your utility bills soaring. Two inside storage baskets help you stay organized, and a counterbalanced top lets you reach food hands-free. Rollers on one size make it easy to shift the freezer, and a built-in drain makes defrosting straightforward. A good feature is that it may also be used as a refrigerator.

Pros:

  • Energy Star-certified
  • Two storage baskets
  • Rollers on the bottom

Cons:

  • May not be large enough for bigger families
  • Power cord is too short for some

Best Upright Deep Freezer

A Sleek Freezer That’s Packed With Shelves For Organization

Chest Freezers
The Home Depot

7. LG Electronics 5.8 Cubic Feet Single Door Upright Freezer

$494$549Save $55 (10%)

Size: 51 x 21 x 24 inches | Capacity: 5.8 cubic feet | Energy efficient: Yes

Chest freezers do the job, but they necessitate a lot of stooping over and rummaging, which is only for some. This LG upright freezer boasts a sleek, attractive exterior and an inside setup like a fridge. Enjoy six shelves to help you stay organized and keep items in plain sight, as well as door baskets to make it easy to reach hot-ticket meals quickly. The direct cooling system of the freezer works hard to maintain a steady temperature. A curved pocket handle incorporated into the bag allows you to gain a hold without taking up more space.

Pros:

  • Ample shelving
  • Sleek exterior
  • Small footprint

Cons:

  • Shelves can’t be moved
  • Larger foods, like a sizable frozen turkey, may not fit

What To Look For In A Chest Freezer

Here are a few things to consider while looking for a chest freezer. Keep them in mind as you choose a model for yourself.

Capacity

Chest freezers can be as small as two cubic feet or as large as 25 cubic feet. The capacity that is best for you is ultimately determined by the size of your family, your frozen food requirements, and the amount of space you have. A 25-capacity appliance is excessive if you seek extra coverage when your freezer is full. If your family consumes a lot of frozen foods or you like to stock up on many frozen goods at once, a larger-capacity freezer may be the best option. Remember that larger-capacity chest freezers often require more floor space than smaller-capacity competitors.

Portability

Many people are perfectly content to place a chest freezer in one location and never move it. It’s worth choosing a model with casters or rollers to help with the process if you know you’ll need to shift it around occasionally. There are also portable freezers that allow you to take your frozen items anywhere. If you enjoy camping or fishing, consider going that route.

Energy Saving

Chest freezers are appliances; having one in your home will affect your energy expenditures. As a result, consider purchasing an Energy Star-certified model to help reduce the cost of your electricity bill. Seek the Energy Star rating on the devices you’re thinking about buying.


Is A Chest Freezer Worth It?

Many families value the convenience that a chest freezer provides. It frees up space in your “regular” freezer and lets you keep extra food in your home in an emergency. A chest freezer, on the other hand, is only for some. If frozen goods aren’t a regular occurrence in your home, the cost—usually from $200 to $500—isn’t likely worth it.

How Long Does A Chest Freezer Last?

Chest freezers have a reputation for being tricky, long-lasting appliances. On average, your chest freezer should last between 15 and 20 years. Many people will testify that their chest freezer lasted considerably longer. Some freezers have a one-year (or longer) warranty for peace of mind. If you’re concerned about the longevity of your chest freezer, this is a feature to look for.

Which Brand Of Chest Freezers Is The Best?

Plenty of brands make excellent chest freezers. In general, the best brands are those found in “regular” freezers as well. We like the Insignia 10.2 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer for most families, but the Frigidaire 24.8 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer is a fantastic choice for more extensive freezer needs. GE, Whirlpool, LG, and other brands make excellent chest freezers.

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