As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions never affect our picks. Read our affiliate disclaimer.
If you want the best chest freezer energy efficient enough to barely move your electric bill, start with the numbers each maker publishes. A few listings now give daily energy use in kilowatt-hours, and others carry ENERGY STAR status, which means at least 10 percent better than the federal minimum.
We compared chest freezers on Amazon that publish an energy figure or certification, and explain how to keep any freezer running efficiently.
Quick Answer: The Best Chest Freezer Energy Efficient
- Lowest Listed UseWANAI 3.5 Chest
- Best Small OverallKismile 3.2 Chest
- Best ENERGY STARDanby 3.5 Chest
- Best Large per Cubic FootVEVOR 17.2 Chest
- Best Mid-Size EfficientWESTLAKE 7.0 Lock
- Best Insulated CommercialMaxx Cold 12.7
WANAI 3.5 lists the lowest daily energy use we found at 0.56 kWh, making it the best chest freezer energy efficient pick for small households. Kismile 3.2 lists 0.68 kWh a day, Danby 3.5 is ENERGY STAR compliant with a five-year warranty, and VEVOR 17.2 lists 1.62 kWh a day for a large 17.2 cubic foot cabinet.
Best Chest Freezer Energy Efficient Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WANAI 3.5 Chest | Lowest Listed Use | Small chest freezer | 0.56 kWh/day | Check Price |
| Kismile 3.2 Chest | Best Small Overall | Small chest freezer | 0.68 kWh/day, 2 baskets | Check Price |
| Danby 3.5 Chest | Best ENERGY STAR | Small ENERGY STAR chest freezer | ENERGY STAR, 5-yr warranty | Check Price |
| VEVOR 17.2 Chest | Best Large per Cubic Foot | Large chest freezer | 1.62 kWh/day for 17.2 cu ft | Check Price |
| WESTLAKE 7.0 Lock | Best Mid-Size Efficient | Chest freezer with lock | DOE and ENERGY STAR (brand) | Check Price |
| Maxx Cold 12.7 | Best Insulated Commercial | Commercial chest freezer | Holds below 0°F, 2-day outage claim | Check Price |
The 6 Chest Freezers We Recommend
Daily figures are as listed by each brand; real use depends on room temperature, how full the freezer is and how often you open it.
1. WANAI 3.5 Cu. Ft. Small Chest Freezer, Black
1. WANAI lists 0.56 kWh a day for its 3.5 cubic foot chest.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Listed low of -11.2°F
- Only 16.3 inches deep
- Listed daily energy
- Over a thousand reviews
Cons
- Manual defrost
- Single basket
- 45 dB listed, not the quietest
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 3.5 cu ft
- Dimensions: 20.7" W x 16.3" D x 29.5" H
- Temperature: -11.2°F to 32°F freezer levels
- Energy: 0.56 kWh per day (listed)
- Noise: Below 45 dB (listed)
- Weight: 35 lb
WANAI’s 3.5 cubic foot freezer is only 16.3 inches deep, lists 0.56 kWh of electricity a day and reaches -11.2°F on its coldest settings.
That works out to roughly 204 kWh a year by the listing.
2. Kismile 3.2 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer, Small Deep Freezer, Black
2. Kismile lists 0.68 kWh a day with two baskets.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Two baskets included
- Listed daily energy use
- Thousands of owner reviews
- Narrow 17-inch depth
Cons
- Manual defrost
- Power cord placement noted in listing
- No lock
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 3.2 cu ft
- Dimensions: 20.67" W x 17.12" D x 31.89" H
- Temperature: 6.8°F to -7.6°F, 7 settings
- Energy: 0.68 kWh per day (listed)
- Noise: Below 40 dB (listed)
- Baskets: 2 removable
Kismile’s 3.2 cubic foot chest freezer is one of the most reviewed small chest freezers on Amazon. It lists 0.68 kWh of power a day, a 6.8°F to -7.6°F dial, two hanging baskets and a cabinet only about 17 inches deep.
One of the most reviewed small chest freezers.
3. Danby DCF035A5WDB 3.5 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer, White
3. Danby lists ENERGY STAR compliance for its 3.5 cubic foot chest.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 5-year in-home warranty
- ENERGY STAR listed
- Garage-ready range
- Compressor indicator light
Cons
- Higher price for 3.5 cu ft
- Manual defrost
- Single basket
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 3.5 cu ft
- Dimensions: 20.28" W x 20.67" D x 23.82" H (listed)
- Garage use: 0°F to 110°F ambient
- Efficiency: ENERGY STAR compliant (listed)
- Outage: Up to 48 h when 3/4 loaded (brand)
- Warranty: 5-year parts and labor, in home
Danby’s DCF035A5WDB stands out for its five-year in-home parts and labor warranty. The brand also lists ENERGY STAR compliance, a garage-ready range of 0°F to 110°F and about 48 hours of outage protection when the freezer is three-quarters full.
Five years of in-home parts and labor.
4. VEVOR 17.2 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer with 4 Baskets
4. VEVOR lists 1.62 kWh a day for 17.2 cubic feet.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Four baskets
- Lockable lid
- On casters
- Listed daily energy use
Cons
- 65 inches wide
- Commercial styling
- Manual defrost
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 17.2 cu ft (488 L)
- Dimensions: 65.2" W x 29.3" D x 32.7" H
- Temperature: -18.4°F to 10.4°F (freezer)
- Energy: 1.62 kWh per day (listed)
- Extras: Lockable lid, LED light, 6 casters
- Baskets: 4 removable
VEVOR’s 17.2 cubic foot chest freezer includes four baskets, a lockable lid, an LED light and six casters, and lists 1.62 kWh of power a day with a freezer range down to -18.4°F.
Roughly 0.09 kWh per cubic foot per day by the listing.
5. WESTLAKE WK-BD200 7.0 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer with Lock
5. WESTLAKE says its 7 cubic foot model is DOE and ENERGY STAR certified.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lock included
- Long compressor warranty with in-home service
- Converts to fridge
- Interior light
Cons
- Few reviews so far
- Manual defrost
- Control on the back
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 7.0 cu ft
- Dimensions: 34.6" W x 22.7" D x 32.1" H
- Lock: Yes
- Efficiency: DOE and ENERGY STAR (brand)
- Warranty: 2 yr parts and labor, 6 yr compressor
- Power: 75 W (listed)
WESTLAKE’s 7 cubic foot WK-BD200 adds a lock, an interior light and an unusually long warranty: two years of parts and in-home labor plus six years on the compressor, per the brand.
Adds a lock and a six-year compressor warranty.
6. Maxx Cold MXSH12.7SHC 12.7 Cu. Ft. Commercial Chest Freezer
6. Maxx Cold says its insulation holds food frozen up to two days without power.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Holds below 0°F across its whole range
- Lock and key
- NSF listed
- Brand claims 2-day outage hold
Cons
- Commercial pricing
- Manual defrost
- 50 inches wide
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 12.7 cu ft (360 L)
- Dimensions: 50" W x 29.7" D x 33.63" H
- Temperature: -11.2°F to -1°F holding range
- Lock: Lid lock with key
- Outage: Up to 2 days (brand)
- Listing: NSF
Maxx Cold’s MXSH12.7SHC holds -11.2°F to -1°F, so even its warmest setting stays below 0°F. It adds a keyed lid lock and an NSF listing, and the brand says its insulation keeps food frozen for up to two days in an outage.
NSF listed with a lock.
How We Chose the Best Chest Freezer Energy Efficient
To choose the best chest freezer energy efficient, we compared chest freezers sold on Amazon in the U.S. on listed capacity, outside dimensions, the coldest listed temperature, defrost type, any listed daily or yearly energy use, garage-ready ambient ratings, locks, baskets and warranty length. We then read owner reviews for recurring problems such as lids that do not seal, frost build-up, noisy compressors and units that arrive dented, and we left out listings whose specifications contradicted themselves.
We checked efficiency claims against ENERGY STAR’s freezer guidance (certified freezers are at least 10 percent more efficient than the federal minimum, chest freezers are usually more efficient than uprights, and manual-defrost models use about half the energy of automatic-defrost ones) and food-safety points against FoodSafety.gov’s cold storage chart, which says food kept continuously at 0°F or below stays safe indefinitely. 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 Chest Freezer Energy Efficient
Prefer a chest over an upright
ENERGY STAR says chest freezers are usually more efficient because less cold air escapes.
Choose manual defrost
ENERGY STAR says manual-defrost freezers use about half the energy of automatic-defrost models.
Buy the right size
Larger freezers use more energy in total; an empty one wastes space you paid to cool.
Read the yellow EnergyGuide label
It shows yearly kWh and lets you compare models.
Look for low-GWP refrigerant
ENERGY STAR names R-600a as a low global-warming refrigerant; many picks here use it.
Place it well
Cooler rooms and good airflow help the compressor run less.
Keep frost under a quarter inch
Thick frost makes the freezer work harder.
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Chest Freezer
- Keep it three-quarters full. Mass holds cold.
- Open it less often. Plan what you need.
- Let food cool first. Then freeze it.
- Clean the coils area. Dust blocks airflow.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best chest freezer energy efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best chest freezer energy efficient model?
WANAI 3.5 lists the lowest daily use we found, 0.56 kWh; Danby 3.5 is the ENERGY STAR pick.
How much electricity does a chest freezer use?
ENERGY STAR says a certified chest freezer uses about 215 kWh a year on average.
Is manual defrost more efficient?
Yes. ENERGY STAR says manual-defrost freezers use about half the energy of automatic-defrost models.
Does a full freezer use less energy?
A fuller freezer holds temperature better when opened; keep it at least three-quarters full.
Are chest freezers more efficient than uprights?
ENERGY STAR says chest models are usually more efficient.
Final Verdict
For low running costs, WANAI 3.5 is the best chest freezer energy efficient pick by listed daily use, with Kismile 3.2 and Danby 3.5 close behind. Size it right and defrost on time to keep the best chest freezer energy efficient for years.
Related Guides
More refrigerator research from Best Refrigerator Deals:
Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer listing for the current price, warranty and exact dimensions before you buy.
