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Are you looking for more storage for frozen food? Whether you have a large family, like to buy in bulk, or are storing meat you've hunted yourself, then a chest freezer can give you all the space you need. They're energy-efficient compared to other freezers and can keep your food at consistently lower temperatures.
With so many chest freezers available, choosing the right one can be difficult. That's why we’ve done the research for you, and our favorite pick is the Chest Freezer by Arctic King. It's energy-efficient, has exterior temperature controls, and comes with a storage basket. We’ve also put together a list of the 10 best chest freezers for you to consider and created a handy buying guide reviewed by a professional chefto help you make your choice!
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef who loves everything food-related and the tools, both big and small, to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it, or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
If you’re looking to choose between an upright and chest freezer, you may be wondering what benefits a chest freezer has. One of the main advantages is that they are more cost-effective and energy-efficient in the long term.
Their temperatures generally stay consistently lower than other types of freezers, so they’re less likely to cause freezer burn to your food. They will also keep your food frozen for longer if the power is disconnected, making them a good choice for any areas that can suffer from occasional power failures.
Before buying a chest freezer, there are a few points you should take into consideration such as capacity, size, and energy efficiency. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!
When it comes to the size of a chest freezer, there are two size considerations you need to make. These are the measurements of the freezer and its capacity.
There are many places to put a chest freezer. It can be in your basement, house, or garage, but you need to make sure you have enough space for it. Chest freezers can vary greatly in size and shape, with some being very wide, but not very tall, and others being narrower, yet taller. Measure the area in which you wish to install your chest freezer before purchasing one.
Their dimensions are measured in cubic feet or volume, referring to the space within the freezer. They are available in compact sizes, medium sizes, and large sizes. Compact freezers can be as small as 20 inches in width, 30 inches in height, and 20 inches deep. Some of the large freezers can be 33 inches in width, 76 inches in height, and 30 inches deep.
You will also need to take into account any space needed around the chest, such as room to open the lid. There should be space behind the chest freezer so that the heat it throws out can be expelled and dissipated. This will also make your freezer more efficient.
The capacities of chest freezers can vary greatly! Industrial-sized chest freezers can exceed 20 cubic feet, but unless you’re regularly freezing entire animal carcasses, it’s likely you won’t need a freezer of this size at home.
The most common chest freezers for the average household are compact and small with a capacity of up to five cubic feet for a compact freezer and up to nine cubic feet for small freezers. Mid-size freezers have capacities between 10 to 16 cubic feet, and large ones 17 cubic feet or more.
To decide what size you do need, there is a rough guideline you can keep in mind. One cubic foot of freezer space can store around 35 pounds of wrapped food. Cuts of meat with bones in them can take up more space since the bones are irregularly shaped and not as moldable as meat alone. To decide what freezer you need, you can multiply the 35-pound average by the cubic feet of a chest freezer.
As a general rule, chest freezers are more energy-efficient than other freezers because they don’t automatically defrost and keep a lower standard temperature. However, some chest freezers are more energy-efficient than others.
The most efficient freezers will be Energy Star certified, meaning that they are at least 20 percent more efficient than the standard they need to be. A chest freezer that earns this certification can cost less than 30 dollars a year to run! This works out to 215 kilowatts of energy each year, or 0.58 kilowatts per day.
Even if the chest freezer isn’t Energy Star certified, you can still look for energy-efficient models by looking at how many kilowatts they use per day. Many chest freezers will list this in their product descriptions. Look for models that are as close to the 0.58 kilowatts per day usage as possible. Remember, smaller chest freezers will be more energy-efficient than larger models, so keep that in mind when shopping.
Typically, chest freezers do not have an automatic defrost option. This means that you will have to manually defrost the freezer on occasion to prevent the build-up of ice within the unit.
One thing that increases the speed of frost build-up is opening the lid and leaving it open. This is a problem with chest freezers as their open design inside means that you’re often rummaging through just one, large, open compartment to find what you need.
You can reduce this by looking at chest freezers that include either dividers or wire baskets. These make it easier to divide your food to find what you need. We recommend trying to keep your freezer organized or making a list of what is where.
A front drain on the chest freezer will also make defrosting easier, too. A drain on the front will collect the water as it melts and it’s easier to empty once full.
This isn't such an important concern if the chest freezer will be located in your home, but is definitely something you should think of if the freezer is located outside in your garage.
A lockable lid will prevent anyone who shouldn’t access your freezer from getting inside. It’s a safety measure against kids falling inside and opportunistic thieves that want to steal your food.
Some models come with a safety lock and key. The key on these models can be a pop-out key, meaning it's ejected once you lock the freezer. This feature ensures that you don't accidentally leave your keys in the lock. Locks can also be purchased and installed separately if you choose a model without one.
Due to the size and depth of many chest freezers, when it's time to get some food out, you may need to leave the lid open for some time while you locate what you’re looking for. This is why it’s essential that the lid is counterbalanced and will stay open of its own accord.
Many chest freezers come with lids that can stay open at multiple angles, most commonly 45 and 90 degrees. You don’t want to contend with a lid that keeps closing on you or needs to be propped open, so a counterbalanced lid is essential.
There are also a few more features that you can find on chest freezers that may make your life a little easier!
Many chest freezers will have a light, usually on the lid near the hinges, that will light up when the lid is open. It’s the same principle as the light in your fridge and will help you find the food you need. Lights are especially useful in areas such as garages that may not have sufficient lighting in their own right.
Baskets and dividers are excellent organizational tools that will help you find things quickly since chest freezers don't have compartments to keep things neat. Many models have two baskets or dividers but some can have only one. More dividers and baskets can be purchased separately as well, provided that they fit your freezer.
You can also find chest freezers that have wheels or casters on them. As chest freezers can become very heavy once loaded, a set of wheels can make it far easier to move the unit if you need to. The wheels should be strong enough to cope with a fully loaded freezer, so you won't have to worry about them breaking.
If your freezer is going to be placed on uneven ground, like in a basement or garage, pick a model with adjustable feet or legs. This feature will keep your freezer stable no matter where you place it.
Making sure that your chest freezer is at the appropriate level of cold is important, and a front-mounted thermostat makes this easier. You can adjust the temperature if you need to without having to open the lid.
Some models have thermostats that read the temperature, while others will only have an external temperature control system with settings. You may want to invest in an internal thermometer for these models, so you can keep track of your freezer’s temperature.
Something else you can look for on the front of the chest freezer is a light that confirms it's plugged in and working. It’s easy to forget about a chest freezer, especially if it’s in a garage or basement, but being able to quickly see a light will put your mind at rest that the freezer is still freezing. Having a power-on light ensures that you won’t have to open the freezer to see if it’s on and working properly.
Another light you may see on the front of a chest freezer is a high-temperature alarm. This light, usually red in color, will illuminate if the freezer is running too hot and can indicate a problem with the unit.
It’s common for the light to come on when the freezer is first plugged in. However, once the unit achieves a low enough temperature the light should go off and never come on again.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Arctic King Chest Freezer|HHEE-001 | $197.00 Low | Best for Energy Efficiency | ||
2 | Koolatron Garage Ready Manual Defrost Chest Freezer|FCM5SKWW | $292.49 Low Mid | Best for Small Areas | ||
3 | GE Large Chest Freezer | $791.00 High Mid | Best Freezer for Garages | ||
4 | Midea Chest Freezer with Removable Basket|MRC070S0AWW | $399.00 Mid | Best for Frost Reduction | ||
5 | Avanti Manual Defrost Chest Freezer|CF24Q0W | $288.00 Low Mid | Best Freezer for Portability | ||
6 | GE Chest Freezer with Temperature Alarm|FCM22DLWW | $1,061.99 High | Best Freezer for Large Quantities | ||
7 | Danby Compact Top-Opening Chest|DCF072A3WDB-6 | $398.99 Mid | Best for Basements and Uneven Surfaces | ||
8 | GE Manual Defrost Chest Freezer | $373.74 Mid | Best for Overall Use | ||
9 | Whirlpool Manual Defrost Chest Freezer|WZC5216LW | $881.99 High Mid | Best for Easy Access | ||
10 | Northair Quiet Compact Freezer | $489.00 Mid | Best Freezer for Organization |
Pros:
Cons:
The stylish Arctic King Chest Freezer is incredibly energy efficient. This freezer uses an average of 218 kilowatts per hour (kWh) per year, only costing you an average of $26 a year. It includes a wire basket for storage and has an external thermostat to control the freezer's temperature. Like most models, there's a front drain to make defrosting easy.
Some reviewers mention that the cord is hard to access since it's tucked behind a back panel, and it can be difficult finding the right temperature setting. But, the majority of reviewers report that the freezer is larger than they expected yet compact enough to fit in their space. They also say that it becomes cold very quickly after setup and they love its sleek, black exterior.
Pros:
Cons:
This Koolatron Compact Chest Freezer has slim dimensions and a flat-back design that make it ideal for small areas. Unlike other freezers, the coil compressors are enclosed, so the back can be placed flush against the wall to save on space. The external thermostat is adjustable to keep your food at an optimal temperature. A removable storage basket is included for the organization.
Some reviewers say that the freezer stops working after a few months and a few comment that it can be noisy. However, many other reviewers find this freezer to be fairly quiet, is an excellent size, and holds a lot of food for its size. Some reviewers say that it's barely noticeable in their apartments.
Pros:
Cons:
The Frigidaire Large Chest Freezer is built to withstand temperatures between 0 to 110 degrees, perfect for areas without climate control like a garage. The spacious 15.7 cubic foot capacity and two removable baskets can store food for a lot of people. This freezer has many extra features, including a lock with a key for safety and exterior and interior lights.
According to some reviewers, the lid doesn't seal properly and frost builds up quickly. On the other hand, most customers find this freezer to be spacious. They also say that it's quiet and keeps food cold, even in hot climates.
Pros:
Cons:
The Midea Chest Freezer has a few features that reduce frost buildup. Unlike other models, the hinges are designed to stay open at 45, 60, and 70 degrees, reducing the amount of moist air that enters your freezer. Other models with auto hinge holders only open at 45 and 90 degrees, letting in a larger amount of air when opened. It's easy to clean and defrost with its front drain.
Several reviewers wish it came with an external power light to ensure it's operating without having to open it. They also note that it started leaking a few months after purchasing it. Mostly, reviewers find this product to be very quiet, easy to use, and very lightweight. They report that they've had minimal issues with frost build-up, as well.
Pros:
Cons:
This compact Avanti Manual Defrost Chest Freezer provides extra storage and mobility. It only weighs 45 pounds and has sturdy wheels, making it easy to move if need be. It offers two-point-five cubic feet of storage with a removable basket. The slim verticle design makes it ideal for small living spaces like apartments.
Some reviewers comment that only the lower level actually freezes and it does not stay cold. However, many reviewers love that it holds a decent amount of food despite its small size. They feel it keeps food very cold.
Pros:
Cons:
This Chest Freezer is ideal for those looking for a huge freezer with plenty of space. This 21.7 cubic foot freezer has five sliding storage baskets in different levels of the freeze. Interior LED lights can help you find things quickly. The temperature alarm warns you if it becomes too hot out and the lock comes with a key to protect your goods.
A few reviewers have issues with the lid opening and closing properly. They also mention that it fills with frost very quickly. But, most reviewers love the roominess, find it easy to reach things without falling in, and appreciate the number of storage baskets they were given. They love that they can fit meat from deer, beef, and pig in this freezer.
Pros:
Cons:
Unlike most freezers, Danby's Chest Freezer features that make it ideal for basements. This model has adjustable legs to stabilize it no matter where you place it. Since many basements and garages have uneven floors, these freezers make an excellent addition. There are two removable baskets and a shelf for storage. The temperature can be adjusted externally.
Some reviewers find it to be noisy. However, many customers say this freezer is perfect inside basements and apartments, and some have even placed it outdoors in a covered space with success. They appreciate the five-year warranty and the compact yet roomy size of this freezer.
Pros:
Cons:
This GE Chest Freezer has the size and extra features that make it beneficial to most households. Its seven cubic foot capacity can hold a wide variety of food items with two storage baskets to hold your frequently used items. While it needs to be manually defrosted, it has a drain on the front to make the process quick and easy.
A few reviewers say that the panel to the cord compartment is missing, leaving wires exposed. They also point out that the wire baskets prevent the lid from closing completely, causing more frost accumulation. Yet, most customers remark that this product is great for garages and small families. According to them, it's quiet, easy to operate, and it's not too big for spaces like kitchens.
Pros:
Cons:
Whirlpool's Convertible Chest Freezer is built to be easily accessible despite its depth. It can be hard to reach the bottoms of freezers with high capacities, but this freezer has a tall shelf and two removable baskets that make accessing the contents much easier. It can also be converted into a refrigerator if you need more space to store fresh food.
A few customers mention that the lock was broken when they received their freezers. They also wish it includes more baskets. However, most customers report that this product is surprisingly light and easy to move for its size and that it gets cold quickly. They also like the wire baskets and that it's garage-ready.
Pros:
Cons:
The Northair Chest Freezer offers more options for organization than the average freezer. Most freezers only have one or two storage baskets if they have any at all. Yet, this freezer comes with four baskets! The baskets are removable, so you don't have to use all four. There's an external thermostat with seven settings so you can set your freezer to your preferred temperature.
Some reviewers report that the lid doesn't line up properly, causing frequent frost accumulation. On the other hand, many reviewers say this model is quiet, and they love that the thermostat can be adjusted from the outside. They also comment that it gets cold very quickly after being set up.
Along with reviewing our buying guide, JQ also answered a frequently asked question on the internet. Read below to see his insight!
Jim says, "One of the best ways I have found is to organize by type of food and date. I put all the meat in one section, vegetables in another, and any ready-to-eat meals in another. Then I make sure I write the date on the package with a permanent marker on the package.
That way, I can make sure I am using up the oldest first; and when I do a deep 'freezer cleaning,' I know how old the item is when deciding to use, get rid of, or put back in freezer."
Chest freezers are a great way to stock up and preserve large amounts of food. Check out the links to find more useful items for your freezer below.
If you're not satisfied with our choices, see what's selling well on Amazon. You might recognize a few of their choices!
No. 1: Arctic King|Chest Freezer|HHEE-001
No. 2: Koolatron|Garage Ready Manual Defrost Chest Freezer|FCM5SKWW
No. 3: GE|Large Chest Freezer
No. 4: Midea|Chest Freezer with Removable Basket|MRC070S0AWW
No. 5: Avanti|Manual Defrost Chest Freezer|CF24Q0W
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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