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The best upright freezer energy efficient shoppers can buy saves money every hour of every day for ten years or more. An ENERGY STAR certified freezer must be at least 10 percent more efficient than the federal standard, so it is the easiest label to look for.
We compared uprights on Amazon that list ENERGY STAR status, plus their capacity, defrost type and owner feedback.
Quick Answer: The Best Upright Freezer Energy Efficient
- Best OverallBLACK+DECKER 14 Upright
- Best NarrowBLACK+DECKER 11 Upright
- Best LargeElement 21.2 Upright
- Best Auto DefrostCommercial Cool 11.1 Upright
- Best GarageKenmore 17 Upright
- Best MiniWhynter 3.1 Upright
BLACK+DECKER 14 is the best upright freezer energy efficient pick for most homes: ENERGY STAR listed, frost-free and convertible. BLACK+DECKER 11 is narrower, Element 21.2 is the largest, Commercial Cool 11.1 has auto defrost, Kenmore 17 is garage ready and Whynter 3.1 is the efficient mini.
Best Upright Freezer Energy Efficient Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER 14 Upright | Best Overall | Mid-size convertible upright | 14 cu ft, ENERGY STAR | Check Price |
| BLACK+DECKER 11 Upright | Best Narrow | Mid-size convertible upright | 11 cu ft | Check Price |
| Element 21.2 Upright | Best Large | Full-size convertible upright | 21.2 cu ft | Check Price |
| Commercial Cool 11.1 Upright | Best Auto Defrost | Mid-size convertible upright | 11.1 cu ft | Check Price |
| Kenmore 17 Upright | Best Garage | Large convertible upright | 17 cu ft | Check Price |
| Whynter 3.1 Upright | Best Mini | Mini upright with lock | 3.1 cu ft | Check Price |
The 6 Upright Freezers We Recommend
Measure the space, the door swing and the path into the room before you order an upright freezer. Specs below come from each Amazon listing.
1. BLACK+DECKER 14 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer Refrigerator BUC1400XW, ENERGY STAR, Frost Free
1. BLACK+DECKER balances size and savings.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Frost-free, so no defrosting
- ENERGY STAR listed
- Converts to a full refrigerator
- Glass shelves are easy to clean
Cons
- 68 in. tall needs room
- Pricier than manual-defrost models
- White finish only on this listing
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 14 cu ft
- Dimensions: 28" W x 27.9" D x 68.1" H (listed)
- Defrost: Frost free
- Certification: ENERGY STAR (listed)
- Controls: Electronic with LED display
- Shelves: 4 glass shelves
BLACK+DECKER’s BUC1400XW is a 14 cubic foot convertible upright with frost-free cooling, an LED control panel and an ENERGY STAR listing. It works as a freezer or a full refrigerator.
Frost-free.
2. BLACK+DECKER 11 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer Refrigerator BUC1100XW, Garage Ready, ENERGY STAR
2. BLACK+DECKER 11 is slim.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Narrow 23.6 in. width
- Frost-free
- Garage ready
- Reversible door
Cons
- Few owner reviews so far
- Smaller than 14 cu ft models
- Glass shelves add weight
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 11 cu ft
- Dimensions: 23.6" W x 29.3" D x 60.6" H (listed)
- Defrost: Frost free
- Certification: ENERGY STAR (listed)
- Garage ready: Yes (listed)
- Door: Reversible
BLACK+DECKER’s BUC1100XW is a narrow 11 cubic foot convertible upright with frost-free cooling, a reversible door, garage-ready design and an ENERGY STAR listing.
Garage ready.
3. Element 21.2 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer Refrigerator EHUF21CECW, Garage Ready, ENERGY STAR
3. Element is efficient at size.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Big 21.2 cu ft capacity
- Garage ready and frost-free
- ENERGY STAR listed
- Strong price per cubic foot
Cons
- 33 in. wide
- 74.6 in. tall
- Few reviews so far
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 21.2 cu ft
- Dimensions: 33.1" W x 29.5" D x 74.6" H (listed)
- Defrost: Frost free
- Garage ready: 0°F to 110°F (listed)
- Certification: ENERGY STAR (listed)
- Door: Reversible
Element’s EHUF21CECW gives you 21.2 cubic feet of frost-free storage that runs in 0°F to 110°F garages, converts to a refrigerator and carries an ENERGY STAR listing.
Garage ready.
4. Commercial Cool 11.1 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer Refrigerator CCUC1110GB, ENERGY STAR
4. Commercial Cool is easy care.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Auto defrost
- ENERGY STAR listed
- Narrow 23.6 in.
- LED lighting
Cons
- Only 3 shelves
- Few reviews
- Black finish
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 11.1 cu ft
- Dimensions: 23.6" W x 29.3" D x 64.7" H (listed)
- Defrost: Automatic
- Certification: ENERGY STAR (listed)
- Controls: Electronic
- Shelves: 3 glass shelves, 4 door shelves
Commercial Cool’s CCUC1110GB is an 11.1 cubic foot convertible upright with automatic defrost, electronic controls, LED lighting and an ENERGY STAR listing.
LED light.
5. Kenmore 17 Cu Ft Upright Convertible Freezer/Refrigerator KKUF17-W, Garage Ready, Auto Defrost
5. Kenmore is garage ready.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Garage ready with auto defrost
- Quick freeze for big hauls
- ENERGY STAR listed
- Kenmore name
Cons
- Higher price
- Few reviews
- Deep cabinet
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 17 cu ft (480 L)
- Dimensions: 27.95" W x 31.81" D x 68.03" H (listed)
- Defrost: Automatic
- Garage ready: Yes (listed)
- Extras: Quick freeze, meat storage
- Certification: ENERGY STAR (listed)
Kenmore’s KKUF17-W is a 17 cubic foot garage-ready convertible with automatic defrost, a quick-freeze setting, four door compartments and an ENERGY STAR listing.
Quick freeze.
6. Whynter CUF-301SS 3.1 Cu Ft Upright Mini Freezer With Lock, ENERGY STAR, Stainless
6. Whynter is small and efficient.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Keyed lock
- ENERGY STAR listed
- Thousands of reviews
- Fits under a counter
Cons
- Manual defrost
- Only 3.1 cu ft
- One removable shelf
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 3.1 cu ft
- Dimensions: 19.5" W x 21" D x 33.5" H (listed)
- Lock: Keyed cylinder lock
- Defrost: Manual
- Certification: ENERGY STAR (listed)
- Door: Reversible, stainless
Whynter’s CUF-301SS is a 3.1 cubic foot mini upright with a keyed cylinder lock, a stainless door, manual defrost and an ENERGY STAR listing.
Lock.
How We Chose the Best Upright Freezer Energy Efficient
To choose the best upright freezer energy efficient, we compared upright freezers sold on Amazon in the U.S. on listed capacity, outside width, depth and height, defrost type, the coldest listed temperature, garage-ready ambient ratings, ENERGY STAR status, locks, shelves, drawers and door bins. We checked whether each model is a dedicated freezer or a convertible unit that can also run as a refrigerator, and we read owner reviews for recurring problems such as frost build-up, doors that do not seal, noisy fans and units that arrive dented. We left out listings whose specifications contradicted themselves, and we say so where a figure is the maker’s own claim.
We checked efficiency claims against ENERGY STAR refrigerator guidance and food-safety temperatures against the FDA’s food storage advice (40°F or colder in the fridge, 0°F in the freezer). Our full process is explained on our How We Test page. We do not list prices or star ratings because they change daily.
How to Choose the Best Upright Freezer Energy Efficient
ENERGY STAR basics
Certified freezers use at least 10 percent less energy than the federal minimum.
Read the EnergyGuide
Compare the yearly kWh figure and estimated cost.
Right-size it
An oversized, half-empty freezer wastes energy.
Location matters
Cool, shaded spots help freezers run less.
Upright or chest freezer
An upright freezer takes up less floor space and keeps food at eye level on shelves and in door bins, so it is easier to organize and find things. A chest freezer usually holds more for the money and keeps cold air in when you open the lid. Choose an upright when floor space is tight or bending into a chest is hard, and a chest when you want the most storage per dollar.
Frost-free or manual defrost
Frost-free uprights run a short heating cycle to melt frost, so you never chip ice, but the cycle uses some energy and can slightly warm the cabinet for a few minutes. Manual-defrost uprights hold a very steady temperature and usually cost less, but you will need to empty and defrost them when frost reaches about a quarter inch. Many owners choose manual defrost for long-term storage and frost-free for everyday convenience.
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Upright Freezer
- Keep it full. Frozen mass holds cold.
- Clean the coils. Less strain.
- Check the door seal. No leaks.
- Avoid hot spots. Away from furnaces and sun.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best upright freezer energy efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best upright freezer energy efficient pick?
BLACK+DECKER 14 for most homes, Element 21.2 for big families and Whynter 3.1 for a mini.
How much does an upright freezer cost to run?
Often about $40 to $90 a year depending on size and rates.
Are chest freezers more efficient?
Usually, but ENERGY STAR uprights close the gap.
Does frost-free use more energy?
A little, because of the defrost heater.
Does a full freezer use less energy?
Yes, frozen food helps hold the temperature.
Final Verdict
BLACK+DECKER 14 is the best upright freezer energy efficient pick for most homes, with Element 21.2 for big families and Whynter 3.1 for small spaces. Check the ENERGY STAR label, and the best upright freezer energy efficient choice will pay you back every year.
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