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The best 5 cu ft upright freezer adds a few weeks of frozen food storage without taking much floor space. This compact size fits apartments, kitchens, laundry rooms and offices, and it is a popular second freezer for families who run out of room in the fridge.
We compared 5 to 7 cubic foot uprights on Amazon on height, width, shelves, defrost type and owner feedback.
Quick Answer: The Best 5 Cu Ft Upright Freezer
- Best OverallCommercial Cool 5.0 Upright
- Best Step UpCommercial Cool 6.0 Upright
- Most ReviewedFrigidaire 6.4 Upright
- Best NarrowBANGSON 6.5 Upright
- Best ConvertibleHamilton Beach 6.8 Convertible
- Best Smaller PickWhynter 3.1 Upright
Commercial Cool 5.0 is the best 5 cu ft upright freezer for most people: under 48 inches tall, flat-backed and affordable. Commercial Cool 6.0 adds a shelf, Frigidaire 6.4 is the most reviewed, BANGSON 6.5 is narrow, Hamilton Beach 6.8 converts to a fridge and Whynter 3.1 is the smaller pick with a lock.
Best 5 Cu Ft Upright Freezer Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Cool 5.0 Upright | Best Overall | Compact manual-defrost upright | 5.0 cu ft, 47.8 in. tall | Check Price |
| Commercial Cool 6.0 Upright | Best Step Up | Compact manual-defrost upright | 6.0 cu ft, 5 shelves | Check Price |
| Frigidaire 6.4 Upright | Most Reviewed | Compact upright | 6.4 cu ft | Check Price |
| BANGSON 6.5 Upright | Best Narrow | Compact upright | 6.5 cu ft, about 20.5 in. wide | Check Price |
| Hamilton Beach 6.8 Convertible | Best Convertible | Single-door convertible upright | 6.8 cu ft | Check Price |
| Whynter 3.1 Upright | Best Smaller Pick | Mini upright with lock | 3.1 cu ft, lock | 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. Commercial Cool 5.0 Cu Ft Upright Freezer CCUL50W, Manual Defrost, White
1. Commercial Cool is right-sized.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Under 48 in. tall
- Flat back saves space
- Reversible door
- Low price for 5 cu ft
Cons
- Manual defrost
- Wire shelves
- Plain styling
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 5.0 cu ft
- Dimensions: 21.5" W x 22.2" D x 47.8" H (listed)
- Defrost: Manual
- Shelves: 4 full-width wire shelves
- Design: Flat back, recessed handle
- Door: Reversible
Commercial Cool’s CCUL50W is a 5 cubic foot manual-defrost upright under 48 inches tall, with four wire shelves, a flat back and a reversible door.
Flat back.
2. Commercial Cool 6.0 Cu Ft Upright Freezer CCUL60B6, Manual Defrost, Black
2. Commercial Cool adds room.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flat back fits against a wall
- Five shelves for organizing
- Reversible door
- Good value per cubic foot
Cons
- Manual defrost
- Wire shelves let small items tip
- Basic thermostat
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 6.0 cu ft
- Dimensions: 22.2" W x 21.5" D x 55.1" H (listed)
- Defrost: Manual
- Shelves: 5 full-width wire shelves
- Design: Flat back, recessed handle
- Door: Reversible
Commercial Cool’s CCUL60B6 is a 6 cubic foot manual-defrost upright with five full-width wire shelves, a flat back and a recessed handle for tight corners.
Reversible door.
3. Frigidaire 6.4 Cu Ft Upright Freezer EFRF696AMZ, Platinum Design Series
3. Frigidaire is proven.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Trusted brand name
- Six shelves
- Flush back for tight corners
- Thousands of reviews
Cons
- Wire shelves
- Retro script styling is not for everyone
- Defrost type not listed
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 6.4 cu ft
- Dimensions: 23" W x 21" D x 56" H (listed)
- Shelves: 6 vinyl-coated wire shelves
- Design: Flush back, recessed handle
- Door: Reversible
- Model: EFRF696AMZ
Frigidaire’s 6.4 cubic foot Platinum Design upright has six wire shelves, a flush back, a recessed handle and a reversible door, and it is one of the most reviewed compact uprights on Amazon.
Six shelves.
4. BANGSON 6.5 Cu Ft Upright Freezer US-BSR-038, Silver
4. BANGSON fits slim gaps.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Narrow footprint
- Six storage zones
- Reversible door
- Budget price
Cons
- Lesser-known brand
- Few reviews
- Defrost type not listed
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 6.5 cu ft
- Dimensions: About 20.5" W x 21.5" D x 55.5" H (listed)
- Storage: 5 shelves, 6 storage zones
- Thermostat: Adjustable
- Door: Reversible, stainless
- Model: US-BSR-038
BANGSON’s 6.5 cubic foot upright is about 20.5 inches wide, with five shelves, an adjustable thermostat and a reversible stainless door.
Six zones.
5. Hamilton Beach HBFRF6892 6.8 Cu. Ft. Upright Convertible Fridge/Freezer, White
5. Hamilton Beach switches to fridge.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fridge or freezer
- Low price
- Reversible door
- Compact column shape
Cons
- Small capacity
- One mode at a time
- Basic interior
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 6.8 cu ft
- Dimensions: 22.24" W x 21.26" D x 55.91" H (listed)
- Modes: Fridge or freezer, one click
- Door: Reversible, recessed handle
- Defrost: Automatic
- Ratings: 91 on Amazon
Hamilton Beach’s 6.8 cubic foot upright switches between fridge and freezer, a budget take on the column idea.
Reversible door.
6. Whynter CUF-301SS 3.1 Cu Ft Upright Mini Freezer With Lock, ENERGY STAR, Stainless
6. Whynter adds a lock.
👍 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.
ENERGY STAR listed.
How We Chose the Best 5 Cu Ft Upright Freezer
To choose the best 5 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 5 Cu Ft Upright Freezer
Height is the key size
5 cubic foot uprights are usually 45 to 56 inches tall, so check under cabinets or shelves.
Defrost type
Most compact uprights are manual defrost; plan to defrost once or twice a year.
Shelves
More shelves mean easier sorting in a small space.
Reversible door
Lets you fit the freezer next to a wall on either side.
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.
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Upright Freezer
- Leave room at the back. Coils need air.
- Defrost when frost hits 1/4 inch. Keeps efficiency.
- Use flat packages. Fit more.
- Keep a thermometer inside. Check 0°F.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best 5 cu ft upright freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best 5 cu ft upright freezer?
Commercial Cool 5.0 for most spaces, Frigidaire 6.4 for a trusted brand and Hamilton Beach 6.8 for convertible use.
How much food fits in a 5 cu ft freezer?
About 150 to 175 pounds of frozen food.
How tall is a 5 cu ft upright freezer?
Usually 45 to 56 inches.
Are 5 cu ft uprights frost-free?
Most are manual defrost.
Is a 5 cu ft freezer enough for two people?
Yes, as a second freezer for most couples.
Final Verdict
Commercial Cool 5.0 is the best 5 cu ft upright freezer for most small spaces, with Frigidaire 6.4 for brand trust and Whynter 3.1 for a locking mini. Measure the height, and the best 5 cu ft upright freezer will slip 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.
