To help you find the best upright freezer for your frozen goods, we put dozens of models through their paces, testing for large storage capacities, compact form factors and efficient cooling compressors that easily bring temperatures below freezing. We also took a look at warranties, Energy Star ratings and accessories, such as hanging storage baskets. Finding the right freezer is not as straightforward as finding the best microwaves after all.
The best product we tried was easily the Midea WHS-109FW1 Upright Freezer, which features a large storage cabinet, at three cu ft (cubic feet), a stellar Energy Star rating and an adjustable thermostat, which can range from -11.2′ to 8.6′ F. Keep reading to learn more about the Midea WHS-109FW1 Upright Freezer and the other models on this list. You can also find out how they stack up against the best refrigerators.
Top 7 Best Upright Freezers Compared
#1 Midea WHS-109FW1 3.0 CF Upright Freezer
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features an easy-to-use adjustable thermostat, which supports temperatures from -11.2′ to 8.6′ F, a reversible door that opens from both sides and the option to purchase in three different colors. This is just a highly durable upright freezer that should fit any kitchen.
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- Adjustable temperature control thermostat
- Reversible door opens from both sides
- Available in 3 colors
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- 3.0 cubic feet storage capacity is decent, but there are bigger models
- 1 year warranty is ok, but there are longer ones on list
- Not cheapest model on list
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The Midea WHS-109FW1 Upright Freezer features a mechanical thermostat, which is fully adjustable from -11.2′ to 8.6′ F, a reversible door that can be opened from either the right or the left and a storage capacity of three cubic feet. The inside contains three crispers, which is nice, and it is available in a trio of colors, making it suitable for a variety of aesthetics. We also found that the compact size made it easy to slide into different locations, and cleaning if hassle-free thanks to the manual defrost setting. If you want to keep your drinking water clean, check out the best refrigerator water filter.
Though the storage capacity of three cubic feet is decent, and in line with comparable models, there are bigger freezers on this list. Additionally, it comes standard with a one year warranty, but these are supposed to last decades, so you might want to invest in some additional time via Amazon. You’ll also want to check out refrigerators as well.
#2 Midea WHS-129C1 3.5 CF Single Door Chest Freezer
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: Boasts a wide variety of storage size options, from 3.5 cubic feet to 7.0 cubic feet, and an adjustable thermostat that can get really cold, from -12 to -28 F. This is a fantastic product for those who need freezers in different sizes.
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- Good size options
- Adjustable thermostat gets cold, -12 to -28 F
- 2 year warranty for compressor
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- No door lock, so not great for outdoors
- Larger options are on expensive side
- Door is not reversible
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The Midea WHS-129C1 Single Door Chest Freezer comes in several size options, from 3.5 cubic feet to 7.0 cubic feet, so you can be sure to find one that fits your needs. It also boasts an adjustable thermostat that gets extremely cold, adjustable from -12 to -28 F. The inside features a hanging wire storage basket, which is useful, and the compressor is under a two year warranty, while the remaining components get a one year warranty. It also features a defrost drain which makes this chest freezer easy to clean by draining the defrost water.
Though the storage options are extremely nice, the largest version, 7.0 cubic feet, is on the expensive side. Additionally, the door is not reversible, which may be an issue when it comes to finding a good spot for it to reside. You might also want to understand the differences between french vs side-by-side fridges.
#3 Whynter CUF-210SS 2.1 CF Energy Star Upright Freezer
Award: Best Locking
WHY WE LIKE IT: Comes with a durable lock and a set of two keys, with a gorgeous stainless steel finish and a reversible swing door, making it easy to put just about anywhere. This is a great product for outdoor use, as it can be locked.
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- Lock and key design
- Reversible swing door
- Stainless steel finish looks great
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- Available in two sizes, maxes out at 3 cubic feet
- On the pricey side
- One year warranty is ok, but there are longer ones on list
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The Whynter CUF-210SS Energy Star Upright Freezer comes with a high quality lock and a set of two keys, making it great for placement in any location where security is paramount. It also features a reversible swing door, which is easy to open and allows for placement in a variety of locations. The freezer comes with a gorgeous stainless steel finish, so the aesthetics are on point. Also, the manual defrost feature makes it easy to clean.
Though this product is available in two storage sizes, it maxes out at three cubic feet, which is not the largest freezer on this list, and it also does not have interior lighting. Additionally, the one year warranty is decent, but we would recommend purchasing some more time on Amazon. This might be a good time to read about the best French door refrigerator.
#4 Whynter CUF-110B 1.1 CF Upright Freezer
Award: Best for Small Kitchens
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features an extremely compact form factor, with a capacity for 1.1 cubic feet of storage, a reversible swing door and a quiet compressor that produces less than 42 dB of noise. Due to its small size, this is a great product for dorm rooms and small kitchens.
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- Compact form factor
- Extremely quiet, less than 42 dB
- Reversible swing door
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- Small size not for everyone
- Temperature range of -10° to 2°F
- One year limited warranty
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The Whynter CUF-110B Upright Freezer boasts a compact form factor, with a storage capacity of 1.1 cubic feet, making it the perfect product for dorm rooms or tiny kitchens. It also comes with an exterior lock and a set of keys, a manual defrost feature, a reversible swing door and an extremely quiet compressor, which creates less than 42 dB of noise. It is available in two colors, black or stainless steel, both of which look great.
Though the adjustable thermostat is nice, the temperature range on offer is on the low side, from -10° to 2°F, though that range is sufficient for freezing. Additionally, the small storage size may be great for certain spaces, but the 1.1 cubic feet of available room is not for everyone. Read our best gas range reviews if you want to replace that as well.
#5 SPT UF-304SS Energy Star Upright 3.0 CF Freezer
Award: Best Energy Saving
WHY WE LIKE IT: Boasts Energy Star certification with an estimated yearly cost of $28, which is the lowest on this list, with three removable crispers and an extremely quiet compressor, less than 40 dB. This is a great product for saving money on your electricity bill.
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- Great Energy Star Rating
- Three crispers are convenient
- Extremely quiet, under 40 dB
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- Only available in 3 cubic feet size
- No adjustable thermostat
- Expensive, compared to others on list
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The SPT UF-304SS Energy Star Upright Freezer features an excellent Energy Star certification, which states that this product will cost just $28 a year to use, the lowest on this list. Additionally, it contains three pull-out crispers, which are convenient, and the compressor is extremely quiet, clocking in at under 40 dB.
This is an expensive product, but that is not considering the amount you’ll save per year on your electricity bill. Additionally, there is no adjustable thermostat or an automatic defrost feature, and it is only available in one size, with a storage space of three cubic feet, which may not suit every consumer. Speaking of storage, the best over the range microwave will also save space.
#6 Arctic King 5.0 CF Freezer
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: Best Value
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features five cubic feet of storage space, while coming in a relatively low price point, with a removable storage basket and an adjustable thermostat. This is a great large freezer for those who are budget conscious.
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- Great features to price ratio
- 5 cubic feet of storage space
- Removable storage basket
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- Unit on heavy side, at 70 pounds
- No wheels, makes it difficult to move
- No lock, so not great for outside
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The Arctic King Freezer is a fantastic large capacity freezer option that boasts a great features to price ratio, with five cubic feet of storage space and a removable storage basket, while still coming in at a fairly low price point, considering the size. The black exterior is pleasing and features an adjustable thermostat knob that descends to around -10 F. The interior is also easy to clean, thanks to the removable basket.
Though this product does feature a lot of storage space, it is on the heavy side, coming in at around 70 pounds. Additionally, there are no wheels on the bottom, making it somewhat of a chore to move from place to place. The best stainless steel microwave looks great with this freezer in your kitchen.
#7 Euhomy Mini 1.1 CF Freezer
Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: Boasts several features of comparable models, such as a reversible stainless steel door and an adjustable thermostat, while coming in at an extremely attractive point. This is a great no frills product that won’t break the bank.
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- Comes in at low price
- Reversible stainless steel door
- 7 temperature options
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- Maxes out at 2.1 cubic feet of storage space
- No lock, so not great for outdoor use
- Coldest temperature is -7.6 F, still usable
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The Euhomy Mini Freezer comes in at a very attractive price point, while offering features in line with the other models on this list, including a reversible stainless steel door, an adjustable thermostat and an adjustable shelf to help maximize space to store your frozen foods. The unit is easy to clean, Energy Star certified and relatively light, at 30 pounds, so it is perfect for tight kitchens or dorm rooms.
This freezer does max out at 2.1 cubic feet of storage, however, so may not be right for those looking to store a massive amount of foodstuffs. Additionally, it doesn’t come with a lock, so its outdoor use is limited. Read more about kitchen appliances and kitchen gadgets that make life easier.
How We Decided
To help narrow down to the above list, we tested models for freezing capabilities, choosing products that descended to freezing temperatures in an hour or so, with adjustable thermostats, for making changes on the fly. We also made sure to include a range of storage size options, some small, in the 1-3 cubic feet range, and some extremely large, five and seven cubic feet. We even tested some of the best chest freezers on the market to add variety to our list.
We also wanted to make sure that these freezers wouldn’t rapidly increase your electricity bill, favoring products with Energy Star certification. Additionally, we liked freezers with a range of options on the interior, such as temperature alarms, wire shelves, removable shelving and baskets, so you can stack foodstuffs using your preferred method.
Finally, we made sure each and every product on the above list offered a warranty of at least one year, with some ascending to two years or more. As far as accessories go, some of the above products come with durable locks, making them perfect for outdoor use.
Another popular brand that just missed our list was Best Buy. Best buy produces fantastic ENERGY STAR certified chest freezers boasting a variety of useful features from power-on indicator lights, temperature alarms, adjustable leveling legs, and quick freeze capabilities. There’s also the Frigidaire brand, and more specifically the Frigidaire FFFU17F2QW upright freezer with interior light, two adjustable leveling legs, wire shelves, adjustable temperature control, and a temperature range of -10 to 10°F. The Frigidaire has a white exterior, a capacity of 17.4 Cu Ft, and taking up a 12 square feet floor space. And in case of a power outage, this Frigidaire model can keep frozen food good for two days. Whirlpool is another good brand too. The Whirlpool WZC3122DW chest freezer scores 4.5 stars on Lowe’s and is a huge unit that can store frozen food for the long term. This Whirlpool model has a storage space of 22 Cu ft.
Upright Freezer Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Cooling Range
Typically, a freezer that operates at 0 degrees fahrenheit will be adequate for most applications. The above list is populated with products that handily descend zero degrees, however, with many going to -10 F and beyond like the Frigidaire FFFU17F2QW. Additionally, look for products that feature adjustment knobs, so you can change settings on the fly. - Storage Size
An upright freezer’s storage capacity is extremely subjective, as there is a trade off one must consider. Sure, bigger may be better in some respects, as you will get to store more foodstuffs, but the bigger the freezer, the heavier and bulkier the unit. You’ll have to figure out the best ratio for your lifestyle. For our tests, we were more than happy with something in the three cubic foot range, though we highlighted many products with more storage. - Three crispers are convenient
Large kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators, are notorious resource hogs, often ratcheting up electricity bills. That is why you may want to make sure any upright freezer you purchase is Energy Star compliant, meaning it has been manufactured to use as little electricity as possible, thus keeping your energy bill in the normal range. Most of the above products feature compressors that are Energy Star compliant. Upright freezers can cost as much as $125 per year to run, but we have products on our list that cost as little as $28 per year to run, with most hovering somewhere in the middle.
