These are the best options for bulk food storage.
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Better Homes & Gardens / Alli Waataja
For anyone who loves doing grocery hauls, buying bulk meat, and prepping meals in advance, even the best refrigerator may not have enough storage space. A chest freezer gives you way more storage space for frozen food items, leading to savings (in money and time) in the long run.
Eva Lorena, commercial kitchen consultant at Zanduco says, “They are larger than standard drawer or door freezers that come attached to residential refrigerators. The equipment is also better insulated and tends not to be opened as often, improving their temperature control.”
What We Researched
To find the best chest freezers, we researched and evaluated top options, looking at size, energy usage, temperature range, features, and defrosting style. We also consulted an expert for additional insight.
Best Overall: GE Garage Ready 7.0 cu. ft. Manual Defrost Chest Freezer
Why You Should Get It
If there’s a power outage, this freezer will keep food frozen for up to 48 hours.
Keep in Mind
There is no interior LED light.
An affordable price and adequate storage space make the GE Garage Ready Manual Freezer the best overall chest freezer on our list. It features a 7 cubic foot capacity, which is plenty of room to hold frozen fish and meat and other bulk purchases.
While there is a temperature control at the bottom of the freezer, allowing you to set and adjust the temperature as needed, it would also be nice if the freezer came with a digital display that could show the current temperature.
This freezer has gone through extensive GE lab testing to ensure proper temperature regulation and will keep items frozen for as long as two days if there is a blackout. A power light on the outside indicates if the freezer is on or off. We just wish there was an interior LED light as well.
To organize the chest freezer, there are two plastic sliding baskets at the top to store commonly used items in close reach. You can also move the baskets around when you want to reach for the food below. Keep in mind that it is a manual defrost freezer, so you’ll need to watch out for icy buildups.
Product Details: Dimensions: 21.7 x 33.5 x 32.1 inches | Capacity: 7 cubic feet | Temperature Range: -5°F to 5°F
Best Budget: Kismile 3.5 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer
Why You Should Get It
This chest freezer has a quiet compressor.
Keep in Mind
The light on the front only illuminates when it’s actively cooling.
If you’ve been dissuaded from buying a chest freezer in the past because of price, then you need to check out the super affordable Kismile Chest Freezer. The freezer has a 3.5 cubic feet capacity—ideal for a small space or apartment.
The compressor is quiet, so you won’t ever be irritated by buzzing noises coming from the freezer. And it requires only 0.6 kilowatt hours of power, so it won’t send your electricity bill soaring. Note that the green light on the front of the unit is only illuminated when the freezer is actively cooling.
It has an adjustable control system that allows you to set the temperature between 1 (the warmest setting) and 7 (the coldest setting). Also, the freezer door hinges are angled, so you don’t need to flip it wide open (and let all the cold air out) when you’re getting an item out.
There are two sliding baskets at the top of the freezer to organize food items better, and it has a handy ice shovel to break up any ice that forms inside. While this is the best compact chest freezer for an apartment or RV, if you freeze food in bulk, it may not provide enough storage.
Product Details: Dimensions: 21.18 x 21.77 x 32.72 inches | Capacity: 3.5 cubic feet | Temperature Range: -7.6°F to 6.8°F
Best Splurge: Whirlpool 19.65-cu ft Frost-free Upright Freezer
Why You Should Get It
The freezer comes with an interior light, shelves, and a basket to stay organized.
Keep in Mind
The freezer door is not reversible.
The Whirlpool Frost-Free Upright Freezer has more than double the space of the average chest freezer, which is beneficial for those who want maximum storage. While it is considerably more expensive, you get premium features such as temperature alarms that let you know when it gets too warm and shelves, just like a refrigerator.
This is definitely the best chest freezer for those who want to stock up on make-ahead frozen goods and keep them neat and organized. It also comes with LED lighting, so you can easily see what you are reaching for.
You don’t need to worry about young children getting into the freezer, as it has a child-lock feature to prevent little hands from opening the door. In addition, it is a frost-free model and comes with heating elements that automatically prevent ice from forming on the walls.
The brand says that it’s important to keep the freezer in an area that’s not below 40°F or over 110°F for optimal function. You should also note that the doors on this freezer are not reversible, so you might not have the flexibility to fit it in any space.
Product Details: Dimensions: 66.75 x 33.25 x 20 inches | Capacity: 19.6 cubic feet | Temperature Range: -15.3°F to 15.8°F
Best Small: Wanai 3.5 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer
Why You Should Get It
It has an easy-to-set dial to adjust the temperature.
Keep in Mind
The manufacturer recommends placing the freezer upright for 24 hours before using it for the first time.
The Wanai 3.5 Cubic Foot Chest Freezer is a nice option for an apartment or someone who wants a smaller freezer for a garage or office. It’s also a really good choice if your household is small and you don’t need a large-capacity freezer.
You can set the temperature by turning the dial to one of the seven cooling settings. Choose 1 for drinks and fruit and 7 if you want to freeze meats, ice cream, and other foods. The freezer comes with a removable basket for frequently used items.
It also has a manual defrost option and has a drain located on the side of the freezer for the water to drain out when it’s time to defrost. We like how easy it is to open and close the freezer, as there are two molded side handles, and it has an angled lid that can swing from 45 to 90 degrees.
An energy-conserving lid prevents too much outside heat from getting in whenever it’s open. We love that it doesn’t use a ton of power (0.56 kilowatt per hour). The manufacturer recommends placing the freezer upright for 24 hours before using it for the first time.
Product Details: Dimensions: 30.3 x 28.5 x 18.8 inches | Capacity: 3.5 cubic feet | Temperature Range: -11.2°F to 32°F
Best Large: Frigidaire 24.8-cu ft Manual Defrost Chest Freezer with Temperature Alarm
Why You Should Get It
You adjust the temperature with a digital display that is outside of the freezer.
Keep in Mind
You’ll need assistance installing the wheels to the bottom of the freezer.
The Frigidaire Manual Defrost Chest Freezer features a 24.8 cubic foot capacity, which is a dream for anyone wanting to store enough food products to last for months at a time. In addition to size, it allows you to control the temperature in Fahrenheit or Celcius.
The digital display is outside the freezer, which is beneficial if you don’t want hot air to affect the freezer’s temperature when you open the lid. It also has a freeze boost function, which quickly freezes food so it can stay fresh.
The freezer has a key that pops out as soon as you lock it, preventing you from accidentally leaving it behind. You’ll always know if the freezer is on or off, as it has a signal light that stays on as long as the freezer is running. A frozen temperature indicator signals when the freezer is running warm.
Plus, there are interior lights inside the freezer, so you can see clearly. Before buying this freezer, we suggest measuring your space to ensure it will fit. At 220 pounds, it’s quite a heavy option, so you’ll need assistance installing the wheels at the bottom.
Product Details: Dimensions: 31.5 x 31.75 x 83.12 | Capacity: 24.8 cubic feet | Temperature Range: -11°F to 10°F
Best Portable: Ecoflow Glacier
Why You Should Get It
You can use it as a fridge and freezer at the same time.
Keep in Mind
It weighs over 50 pounds when empty, so you may need help transporting it.
We could think of a hundred reasons why a portable freezer like the Ecoflow Glacier could be a handy appliance to own. Works as both a freezer and fridge, with separate compartments for each function. It’s also battery-powered and can run for 40 hours at a time without recharging.
It has a 40-quart capacity (the size of a medium to large outdoor cooler) and is designed to be pulled like a suitcase with wheels and a handle. Use it to keep food fresh on camping trips. It’s also handy for traveling with ice cream and other cool treats to enjoy after a hike or during a picnic or road trip.
Not only that, you can also use it as a backup to store perishables in case of a blackout or other emergency. The featured temperature range is between -13°F to 10°F, which is as cold or colder than some other chest freezers on this list. It is fast-cooling and can go from 86°F to 32°F in just 20 minutes.
You can recharge the freezer via a solar panel or plug it directly into a power source (it takes 2 hours for a full charge). The battery lasts for 40 hours straight. And the freezer makes ice cubes, too—it takes just 12 minutes to make a tray of ice.
Note that it weighs over 50 pounds when empty, so make sure you have the upper body strength or someone to help you transport it if you plan to take it on your travels.
Product Details: Dimensions: 30.6 x 15.2 x 17.5 inches | Capacity: 40 quarts | Temperature Range: -13°F to 10°F
Best Upright: Midea Upright Garage Ready 17 Cubic Foot Freezer
Why You Should Get It
It’s Energy Star certified for energy efficiency.
Keep in Mind
It might be too tall for smaller spaces.
For anyone who hates digging through mountains of stuff to find what you need, an upright chest freezer like the Midea Upright Freezer is a great option to organize your frozen food. It’s a good alternative to a traditional freezer because it has a digital control that displays freezer temperatures and shelves.
The fridge even includes door shelves that store perishables in an organized way just like a home refrigerator. Additionally, it’s Energy Star certified, so it uses less energy and helps save money in the long run.
This freezer has a 17-foot cubic foot capacity and can store up to 600 pounds of food. You can also turn it into a fridge or freezer at the touch of a button based on what you’re storing. You can also lock it via the control panel to keep food secure.
It’s pretty tall and is suited to be placed in a basement or garage. But, if space is not an issue for you, this is a convenient chest freezer to easily see the food inside.
Product Details: Dimensions: 67 x 34 x 30 inches | Capacity: 17 cubic feet | Temperature Range: -11°F to 10°F
The Bottom Line
Our top recommendation is the GE Garage Ready 7.0 Cu. Ft. Manual Freezer because it’s spacious, affordable, and can preserve food for up to 48 hours if there is a power outage. If you’re looking for a smaller, more wallet-friendly option, we suggest the Kismile 3.5 Cu. Ft Chest Freezer. It’s reasonably priced and is a great option for those with limited space or living in small apartments.
What to Know About Chest Freezers Before Shopping
Size
To determine the right size freezer for your home, you must first look at the dimensions to see if it can fit in the designated space with sufficient room for proper ventilation. You’ll also want to consider the capacity, measured in cubic feet, to see how much the freezer can hold.
Chest freezers typically range from 3 cubic feet for a compact model to 20 cubic feet or more. There are also mini chest freezers with capacities under 3 feet, which are suitable to use when space is tight. Keep in mind that when the capacity increases, so do the dimensions of the freezer.
“A standard 10 cubic feet model will be around 44 x 33 x 26 inches. Some compact models are around 5 cubic feet and have dimensions of approximately 25 x 33 x 21 inches, making the appliance easier to store and likely to fit in an apartment,” says Lorena.
Lorena adds, “1 cubic foot can store around 20 pounds of food. For a family of four, usually, 10 cubic feet is enough. The most common residential chest freezer capacity is about 10 cubic feet in storage space. A large chest freezer that is closer to commercial size would be 18 plus cubic square feet.”
Energy
Lorena suggests opting for freezers with the Energy Star label. These freezers are certified by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and typically use less energy. “These freezers run on 215 kWh of electricity for the standard size which works out to about $30 (on your utility bill) a year,” says Lorena.
Temperature Range
Lorena says that freezer temperatures usually range from -5°F to 5°F (-18°C and 0°C), although this varies based on model and brand.
Features
Once you determine the right size and capacity, “other features to keep an eye out for include shelving or baskets, which make it easier to organize, and automatic lighting to make it easier to see inside the freezer,” says Lorena.
You can also find more expensive freezers with upgraded features like thermostats and digital panels to set and control temperatures. Additionally, almost all freezers will come with either a child lock or some type of locking mechanism to keep food secure.
Defrosting Type
There are frost-free freezers with automatic heat settings that prevent hard ice from forming inside. They are generally more expensive than manual defrost types but save you a ton of time because you don’t need to defrost the freezer yourself every year.
Your Questions, Answered
How is a chest freezer different from a deep freezer?
While the terms chest freezers and deep freezers are sometimes used interchangeably, a chest freezer is actually a type of deep freezer. “It opens from a top door like a lid, or a treasure chest, as the name suggests,” says Lorena.
Other deep freezers are upright and look like refrigerators with doors that swing open and shelves to neatly store food.
Is a chest freezer worth it?
For anyone who buys food items in bulk or likes to stock up on fresh meat and fish, a chest freezer is definitely worth buying. Unless you go for a freezer with a huge capacity (17 cubic feet or more), the majority of chest freezers are fairly inexpensive.
There are a number of quality models available with adequate storage space for less than $500. Many chest freezers are also Energy Star certified, which means that they don’t use a lot of energy, so you shouldn’t see a big jump in your utility bill.
Who We Are
Nor’Adila Hepburn is a freelance writer who specializes in writing in-depth buying guides for home and lifestyle publications. To find the best chest freezers, she researched different types of chest freezers and spoke to Eva Lorena, Commercial Kitchen Consultant at Zanduco.
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