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The best 17 cu ft upright freezer gives a large family, hunter or bulk shopper room for several months of food while taking up about the same floor space as a refrigerator. Most models in this size are frost-free and convert to a refrigerator when you need it.
We compared 17 cubic foot uprights on Amazon on dimensions, defrost type, garage ratings, storage layout and owner feedback, plus one size down and one size up.
Quick Answer: The Best 17 Cu Ft Upright Freezer
- Best OverallBLACK+DECKER 17 Upright
- Best White FinishHamilton Beach 17 Upright
- Best Quick FreezeKenmore 17 Upright
- Best With DrawersSmad 17 Upright
- Best Smaller OptionBLACK+DECKER 14 Upright
- Best Bigger OptionHamilton Beach 20 Upright
BLACK+DECKER 17 is the best 17 cu ft upright freezer for most homes: frost-free, garage ready and ENERGY STAR listed in a 28-inch width. Hamilton Beach HZ8971 is a strong white alternative, Kenmore 17 adds quick freeze, Smad 17 adds drawers, BLACK+DECKER 14 is smaller and Hamilton Beach 20 is bigger.
Best 17 Cu Ft Upright Freezer Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER 17 Upright | Best Overall | Large convertible upright | 17 cu ft, ENERGY STAR | Check Price |
| Hamilton Beach 17 Upright | Best White Finish | Large convertible upright | 17 cu ft, frost free | Check Price |
| Kenmore 17 Upright | Best Quick Freeze | Large convertible upright | 17 cu ft, garage ready | Check Price |
| Smad 17 Upright | Best With Drawers | Large convertible upright | 17 cu ft, 2 drawers | Check Price |
| BLACK+DECKER 14 Upright | Best Smaller Option | Mid-size convertible upright | 14 cu ft | Check Price |
| Hamilton Beach 20 Upright | Best Bigger Option | Full-size convertible upright | 20 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 17 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer Refrigerator BUC1700XB, Garage Ready, ENERGY STAR
1. BLACK+DECKER does it all.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Big capacity in a 28 in. width
- Frost-free and garage ready
- ENERGY STAR listed
- Converts to a refrigerator
Cons
- Nearly 32 in. deep
- Heavy to move
- Black finish shows dust
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 17 cu ft
- Dimensions: 28" W x 31.9" D x 68.1" H (listed)
- Defrost: Frost free
- Certification: ENERGY STAR (listed)
- Garage ready: Yes (listed)
- Finish: Black
BLACK+DECKER’s BUC1700XB packs 17 cubic feet into a 28-inch-wide cabinet. It is frost-free, garage ready and ENERGY STAR listed, and it converts to a refrigerator when you need fresh-food space.
Garage ready.
2. Hamilton Beach HZ8971 17 Cu Ft Upright Convertible Freezer/Fridge, Frost Free, White
2. Hamilton Beach is simple and roomy.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Frost-free in both modes
- Reversible door
- LED lighting
- Converts to a refrigerator
Cons
- 155 lb to move
- Nearly 32 in. deep
- Fewer reviews than smaller models
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 17 cu ft
- Dimensions: 28" W x 31.9" D x 68" H (listed)
- Defrost: Frost free (automatic)
- Shelves: Removable glass shelves, 4 door shelves
- Light: LED interior
- Door: Reversible
Hamilton Beach’s HZ8971 is a 17 cubic foot frost-free convertible upright with removable glass shelves, LED lighting and a reversible door.
LED light.
3. Kenmore 17 Cu Ft Upright Convertible Freezer/Refrigerator KKUF17-W, Garage Ready, Auto Defrost
3. Kenmore freezes big hauls fast.
👍 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.
Auto defrost.
4. Smad 17 Cu Ft Upright Convertible Freezer FBM-DSD-625WMU, Frost Free, Stainless Steel
4. Smad mixes shelves and drawers.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Drawers plus shelves
- Quick freeze
- Stainless finish
- Under 66 in. tall
Cons
- Wide at 32.8 in.
- 179 lb
- Lesser-known brand
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 17 cu ft
- Dimensions: 32.8" W x 28.9" D x 65" H (listed)
- Defrost: Frost free
- Storage: 4 shelves, 2 drawers, 4 door bins
- Extras: Quick freeze, LED display
- Finish: Stainless steel
Smad’s 17 cubic foot stainless upright is frost-free with four shelves, two drawers, four door bins and a quick-freeze function.
Stainless.
5. BLACK+DECKER 14 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer Refrigerator BUC1400XW, ENERGY STAR, Frost Free
5. BLACK+DECKER 14 fits shallower spaces.
👍 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.
6. Hamilton Beach 20 Cu Ft Upright Convertible Freezer/Refrigerator, Frost Free, Stainless Steel
6. Hamilton Beach 20 adds space.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 20 cu ft in a 29.3 in. width
- Frost-free
- Stainless look
- Five door shelves
Cons
- 72.4 in. tall
- Few owner reviews
- Heavy
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 20 cu ft
- Dimensions: 29.3" W x 32.7" D x 72.4" H (listed)
- Defrost: Frost free
- Storage: 4 shelves, 5 door shelves
- Finish: Stainless steel
- Weight: 176.4 lb (listed)
Hamilton Beach’s 20 cubic foot convertible upright is frost-free, stainless and about 29 inches wide, with four shelves and five door shelves.
Stainless.
How We Chose the Best 17 Cu Ft Upright Freezer
To choose the best 17 cu ft upright freezer, 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 17 Cu Ft Upright Freezer
Depth matters at this size
Many 17 cubic foot uprights are about 32 inches deep, so they stick out past kitchen counters. Measure the depth of the spot and the door swing.
Frost-free is standard
Nearly every 17 cubic foot model is frost-free, which saves defrosting a big cabinet.
Garage use
Check the listed room temperature range if the freezer will live in a garage.
Weight and delivery
These freezers weigh 150 to 180 pounds, so plan the delivery path and help.
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Upright Freezer
- Use bins for small items. Easier to find.
- Keep it two-thirds full. Holds cold better.
- Check the door seal. A dollar bill test works.
- Vacuum the coils yearly. Better efficiency.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best 17 cu ft upright freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best 17 cu ft upright freezer?
BLACK+DECKER 17 for most homes, Kenmore 17 for quick freeze and Smad 17 for drawers.
How big is a 17 cu ft upright freezer?
Usually about 28 to 33 inches wide, 29 to 32 inches deep and 65 to 68 inches tall.
How much food fits in 17 cu ft?
Roughly 500 to 600 pounds of frozen food, depending on packaging.
Is a 17 cu ft upright good for a family of five?
Yes, especially if you buy in bulk.
Do 17 cu ft uprights convert to fridges?
Most of the picks here do.
Final Verdict
BLACK+DECKER 17 is the best 17 cu ft upright freezer for most homes, with Kenmore 17 for quick freezing and Smad 17 for drawer storage. Measure the depth first, and the best 17 cu ft upright freezer will fit right in.
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Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer listing for the current price, warranty and exact dimensions before you buy.
