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Frigidaire FFFU13F2VW Upright Freezer
Credit: Frigidaire
Our top pick provides about 13 cubic-feet of storage space with four adjustable wire shelves, a deep basket on the bottom, and five full-width door racks. Our evaluators liked that the base of the door racks are rounded and closed, keeping smaller items from sliding out as you open and close the door. It features an audible open door alert system which is important because when the door is left ajar, moisture is harvested from the air flowing in and ice accumulates inside.
The automatic defrost function also prevents ice build-up (which would otherwise need to be manually defrosted and cleaned out). A separate alarm is triggered when the internal temperature of the freezer rises, helping you quickly troubleshoot so that your food stays safely frozen. It has a bright interior LED light and an exterior light to indicate a power outage. The manufacturer claims that the freezer keeps frozen for two days during a power outage.
Dimensions: 25.6 x 67.8 x 27.8 inches
Capacity: 13 cu. ft.
2
Whirlpool Convertible Chest Freezer
The Whirlpool WZC5116LW provides a generous amount of storage without breaking the bank. It features a child-safe keyed door lock and interior LED lighting. The two sliding storage baskets are large enough to hold small items so that they do not get lost in the bottom of the freezer. Unlike most models we evaluated that have wire storage bins, these are made of durable plastic with narrow slats so that nothing falls through. Our favorite feature is that it's convertible: Switch to the "refrigerator" mode for when you need to double up on fridge storage.
Dimensions: 55.3 x 36 x 27.4 inches
Capacity: 16 cu. ft.
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3
Midea MRC070S0AWW Chest Freezer
When you need additional freezer space but do not have enough floor space for another kitchen appliance, we recommend this compact Midea freezer. It is small enough to fit under your hanging workstation or window in the garage. It features one removable wire storage basket for smaller items, a defrost drain for easy cleaning, adjustable legs, and an exterior, easy-to-control thermostat. Our favorite feature is the hinged door that locks into place between 45 and 75-degree angles, and does not slam shut. Also, the door handle is recessed so that it can easily fit into tight spaces.
Dimensions: 32. 1 x 21. 7 x 33. 5 inches
Capacity: 7 cu. ft.
The four sturdy shelves, one glass shelf, two see-through storage bins, and four door bins will provide you with as much storage space as is commercially available for residential use. The temperature control panel is easy to read and use. The best part is that it comes with an automatic defrost function that prevents ice build up and saves you the trouble of having to thaw and clean this giant freezer.
Dimensions: 33 x 75 x 29 inches
Capacity: 20.8 cu. ft.
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5
GE® Garage-Ready Defrost Chest Freezer
This chest freezer has one of the lowest annual energy usage estimates given by ENERGY STAR, a government-backed organization that tests and reports on energy efficiency of household products. Manufactured to withstand ambient temperatures from zero to 110ºF, the GE Garage Ready freezer has nearly 16 cubic feet of space and four removable and sliding wire storage baskets. It features an exterior power on light and temperature control, LED interior lighting, a child-safe keyed door lock, and a defrost drain.
Dimensions: 65 x 33.4 x 28.5 inches
Capacity: 15.7 cu. ft.
6
Hisense Manual Defrost Chest Freezer
The most budget-friendly option on our list, this Hisense model is great if you just want a basic, no-frills freezer to serve as a backup for food storage. It has a power indicator light in the front, and one sliding storage basket inside where you can keep items you might want to access more regularly.
Because it has an integrated handle and the door is completely flat, you can also use it as an extra work surface in your kitchen or studio: At just under 34 inches, it's about cabinet height.
Dimensions: 24.6 x 33.6 x 22 inches
Capacity: 5 cu. ft.
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Tall and narrow, Whynter's freezer is a good option if you have the available height for an extra freezer. Thanks to a powerful fan-circulated compressor, you can be sure that the temperature and airflow is equally distributed from top to bottom, preventing anything from leaking or melting.
It's on the pricier end of the spectrum, but that's because this particular pick is actually two things in one: This freezer switches to a refrigerator with the push of a button, complete with a different set of temperature ranges that will keep your food chilled but not frozen.
Dimensions: 23.4 x 67.8 x 24.9 inches
Capacity: 8.3 cu. ft.
8
Arctic King Chest Freezer
An Amazon best-seller, this compact option has over 6,000 reviews with an average 4.5 star rating—which we're guessing has something to do with its low price tag, coupled with its sleek matte black exterior. It comes with a removable storage basket and an easy-access defrost drain that makes it a cinch to clean out. It's also an energy-efficient option, given that it's estimated to use just 218 kilowatts of power per year.
Dimensions: 24.9 x 33.5 x 21.7 inches
Capacity: 5 cu. ft.

Myo Quinn is a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, food writer and on-air talent. When she’s not cooking or planning her next meal, Myo chases her three boys around Central Park in New York City. She is on an endless hunt for the best vanilla ice cream – it should be speckled, aromatic, not too sweet and the perfect balance of creamy and icy. She is also dipping her toes into improv.

Elly Leavitt is a fashion and luxury commerce editor with over seven years of experience covering fashion and design. Her writing can be found in Harper’s BAZAAR, ELLE, Town & Country, Esquire, ELLE Decor, and more. Previously, she was an editor at Domino magazine. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe's. You will never find her at SoulCycle.
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