The Best Upright Freezers for the Home or Garage

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Upright Freezers for the Home or Garage and hope the blog can help you.

Shop less often and store more food efficiently with one of these convenient, cost-saving appliances.

If you’re looking to control the household food budget or simply want to limit trips to the grocery store, stand-alone freezers can be an excellent investment. They offer long-term storage space for perishable foods while helping owners take advantage of grocery store sales. These large-capacity freezers also can be essential for those who garden, fish, or hunt.

The best upright freezers allow for better organization of stored foods and utilize less floor space than chest freezers. Upright freezers are available in different capacities and finishes that match other appliances in the home. This buyer’s guide includes important factors that will help you narrow down the options for the best upright freezer and provides a list of some of the top-performing models on the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: GE 17.3 cu. ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Frigidaire 16 cu. ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer
3. BEST FOR GARAGE: Gladiator 17.8 cu. ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer
4. BEST FOR SMALL SPACES: Whynter 2.1 cu. ft. Energy Star Mini Upright Freezer
5. BEST MINI FREEZER: Magic Chef 3.0 cu. ft. Compact Upright Freezer
6. BEST MIDSIZE FREEZER: GE 14.1 cu. ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer
7. BEST LARGE FREEZER: GE 21.3 cu. ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer
8. BEST FROST-FREE: Whirlpool 18 cu. ft. Upright Freezer
9. MOST ORGANIZED: Frigidaire 20 cu. ft. Upright Freezer

How We Chose the Best Upright Freezers

We researched the most sought-after freezers in their respective categories and discovered that the best upright freezer models are determined by their size, capacity, temperature range, and other special features included by select brands.

While searching for the best upright freezers available, we found that the most popular units among users had temperature ranges of 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit; were compact enough to fit in closets, garages, and even apartment spaces; and had capacities ranging from 2.1 to 21.3 cubic feet of storage space. Plus, some of these picks were even large enough to hold hundreds of pounds of food products.

We also looked for freezers with adjustable shelving, deep storage baskets or bins, audible door-open and temperature alerts, wheels, and leveling feet. Plus, select models are UL certified and Energy Star certified for their energy-efficient features.

Our Top Picks

Whether a shopper is looking for the best upright freezer for a garage space, basement, or another spot in a home, selecting the right upright freezer can be challenging. In addition to the type of freezer or the size and energy efficiency, there are several other optional features to compare. To help shoppers as they consider their options, below are some of the best upright freezers organized by category.

Best Overall

GE 17.3 cu. ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer

Product Specs 

• Size: 64.75 inches high by 32.875 inches wide by 31.375 inches deep
• Capacity: 17.3 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• 2 adjustable shelves and 2 fixed shelves for ample storage and versatility
• 1 shallow drawer, 2 deep drawers, and 4 door bins for food, ice trays, bottles, and more
• Comes with a lockable door and an LED light for added convenience
• Comes with Energy Star certification; exterior temperature controls keep all the cool air in

Cons

• Door is not reversible; may not work ergonomically in some spaces

GE’s 17.3-cubic-foot frost-free model has plenty of extra freezer space to load up with meat, ice cream, and frozen veggies. The interior is well organized to help keep track of inventory, with two adjustable shelves in the midsection, a fixed shelf at the top with a shallow drawer beneath, another fixed shelf in the lower section with two deep drawers beneath, and four bins attached to the door.

Other convenient features include interior LED lights, a lockable door for safety and security, an exterior electronic temperature control, and a high-gloss handle that looks great and cleans easily. This stand-alone freezer is Energy Star certified for efficiency and is rated for use in ambient temperatures between 0 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Get the GE 17.3 cu. ft. upright freezer at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Best Buy.

Best Bang For The Buck

Frigidaire 16 cu. ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer

Product Specs 

• Size: 67.75 inches high by 27.75 inches wide by 26.625 inches deep
• Capacity: 16 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• 4 adjustable shelves and 5 interior bins (including a deep bottom bin) provide plenty of versatile storage
• Smart-sensing technology adjusts airflow to maintain a uniform interior temperature
• Interior LED light provides visibility; suitable for dark spaces such as garages and pantries
• Audible door-ajar alarm lets the user know that the door is still open or the temperature is rising

Cons

• Some users report difficulty adjusting the door from side to side
• Internal temperature control; may lose some of the cold temperature within

This 16-cubic-foot upright freezer from Frigidaire is perfect for a large household without a lot of floor space to spare. It offers a variety of ways to organize the interior on four adjustable shelves, a deep bottom bin, and five bins on the interior of the reversible door.

Frigidaire’s unique cooling system constantly circulates cold air throughout the freezer with smart-sensing technology that adjusts airflow to maintain a uniform temperature. It also features bright interior LED lights, a door-ajar alarm that audibly alerts if the door is left open or the temperature rises, a floor-projected power-on indicator, and an internal dial temperature control.

Get the Frigidaire 16 cu. ft. upright freezer at The Home Depot.

Best for Garage

Gladiator 17.8 cu. ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer

Product Specs 

• Size: 72.25 inches high by 30.875 inches wide by 32.375 inches deep
• Capacity: 17.8 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• 3 adjustable shelves, 2 drawers and full-width bins, and 2 half-width bins
• The unique step-to-open door provides hands-free access to the freezer’s interior
• Made with a sleek hammered granite and matte black door finish

Cons

• Some users report poor quality and construction compared with similar models
• Pricey relative to other options on the market

The Gladiator upright garage freezer features plenty of frozen storage space for large households or the hunting camp. Flexible organizing options include three adjustable shelves and two interior drawers, plus two full-width bins and two half-width bins on the door interior.

One of the features that’s great for garage spaces is the step-to-open door that makes it easy to open up when arms are full. Even in extreme temperatures between 0 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit, this garage freezer operates efficiently. Heavy-duty casters allow for easy movement when needed.

Get the Gladiator upright freezer atLowe’s, The Home Depot, or Best Buy.

Best for Small Spaces

Whynter 2.1 cu. ft. Energy Star Mini Upright Freezer

Product Specs 

• Size: 27 inches high by 17.25 inches wide by 20 inches deep
• Capacity: 2.1 cubic feet
• Temperature range: -10 to 2 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• Comes with a sleek stainless steel door; can be reversed to fit a given space
• Built with 2 removable wire shelves, a recessed handle, and a locking door that comes with 2 keys
• UL-certified and Energy Star–rated model saves energy and provides reliability
• Suitable for dorm rooms, home or professional bars, garages, use in pantries, and more

Cons

• Must be manually defrosted when no longer in use

Small spaces such as home bars, dorm rooms, and man caves can benefit from the compact and reliable Whynter upright freezer. This stainless steel mini freezer is sized to fit into small spaces while having a 2.1-cubic-foot capacity. It has a recessed handle, a reversible swing door to accommodate the space it is placed in, and the adjustable thermostat allows the user to set the interior temperature between -10 and 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, there are two removable wire shelves for organizing ice, frozen foods, glassware, and more.

This small but mighty 75-watt unit also comes equipped with a cylinder lock with two keys, a UL certification, an Energy Star rating, and it runs at a 45-decibel noise level, which should not disturb anyone in the immediate vicinity. The only downside to this option is that it must be manually defrosted.

Get the Whynter upright freezer at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair. 

Best Mini Freezer

Magic Chef 3.0 cu. ft. Compact Upright Freezer

Product Specs 

• Size: 34 inches high by 20.3 inches wide by 22.2 inches deep
• Capacity: 3 cubic feet
• Temperature range: -4 to 6.8 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• 2 wire shelves keep ice trays, drinks, and food items separate and organized
• Made with a reversible door with a recessed handle and a magnetic gasket to keep cold air in
• Adjustable leveling feet keep the unit balanced on uneven surfaces
• Front-door temperature controller keeps all the cool air in while the user makes adjustments

Cons

• Some users have reported that this model frosts quickly; may require frequent defrosting

If a household has been relying on a refrigerator’s top or bottom freezer compartment for all frozen storage needs, this mini stand-up freezer from Magic Chef can double the available space. It is 34 inches high by 20.3 inches wide by 22.2 inches deep and includes two wire shelves to help organize the space. This is a good choice for small spaces, apartments, condos, or offices.

The reversible door has a recessed handle that saves space and works conveniently in any location. A magnetic gasket seal improves energy efficiency, and adjustable leveling feet take the wobble out of any uneven base. The cabinet is finished in black, and the door features a stainless finish. A front interior temperature controller allows for easy adjustment of the setting. Manual defrosting is required as needed.

Get the Magic Chef upright freezer at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Best Midsize Freezer

GE 14.1 cu. ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer

Product Specs 

• Size: 62 inches high by 28 inches wide by 32 inches deep
• Capacity: 14.1 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• Comes with 4 wire shelves and 2 clear slide-out bulk bins
• Digital thermometer and temperature control panel integrated
• Key lock on the door makes this freezer suitable for offices, dorm rooms, and other shared spaces
• Interior LED light provides visibility in dark environments

Cons

• Some users have reported a loud operating volume

The GE 14.1-cubic-foot frost-free upright freezer offers plenty of freezer space to feed five with energy-saving operation. It is 62 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 32 inches deep. Organizing features include four wire shelves and two clear slide-out bulk bins. The digital thermometer and temperature control panel are conveniently located on the exterior of the door. This garage-ready freezer is tested to perform in temperatures between 0 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

The included key lock helps to keep kids out of this midsize freezer, and it provides a measure of security when the freezer is in a shared space. Interior LED lighting allows for finding things quickly, and turbo Freeze boosts the cold to restore the storage temperature quickly after the door is closed. An alarm alerts if the storage temperature rises or if the door is left open. This frost-free freezer eliminates the need for manually defrosting.

Get the GE 14.1 cu. ft. upright freezer at Lowe’s or The Home Depot.

Best Large Freezer

GE 21.3 cu. ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer

Product Specs 

• Size: 76.5 inches high by 32.875 inches wide by 31.375 inches deep
• Capacity: 21.3 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• 4 adjustable shelves and 4 full-width inner door-mounted bins for storage
• Audible temperature alarm sounds when the temperature drops or the door is left open
• User-friendly design with LED interior lights and a door lock with a key

Cons

• High price point relative to other options currently available
• Some users report poor quality construction or difficulty using

The GE 21.3-cubic-foot frost-free upright freezer is the largest-capacity residential upright freezer available. There are plenty of ways to organize the space as well. This unit features four adjustable shelves, dual bottom bins, and four full-width inner door-mounted bins to organize meat, produce, and frozen treats.

This unit is rated for use between 0 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit and is an excellent choice for an unheated garage or basement. It features an audible temperature alarm, LED interior lights, a locking door with a key for safety and security, and exterior electronic temperature control. Turbo Freeze provides an extra boost of cold air to restore the interior temperature after loading.

Get the GE 21.3 cu. ft. upright freezer at The Home Depot or Walmart.