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The best frost free upright freezer saves you from chipping ice and emptying the cabinet once or twice a year. A fan and short defrost cycle keep frost from building up, so shelves stay clear and the freezer keeps its full capacity.
We compared frost-free uprights on Amazon on size, listed efficiency, garage ratings, alarms and owner feedback.
Quick Answer: The Best Frost Free Upright Freezer
- Best OverallBLACK+DECKER 14 Upright
- Best 17 Cu FtHamilton Beach 17 Upright
- Best LargeElement 21.2 Upright
- ColdestSmad 21 Upright
- Best NarrowCommercial Cool 11.1 Upright
- Best Mid-Size ValueTechomey 13.8 Upright
BLACK+DECKER 14 is the best frost free upright freezer for most homes: ENERGY STAR listed with glass shelves and a fridge mode. Hamilton Beach HZ8971 is the 17 cu ft pick, Element 21.2 is the biggest, Smad 21 reaches -11°F, Commercial Cool 11.1 is narrow and Techomey 13.8 is the mid-size value.
Best Frost Free Upright Freezer 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 |
| Hamilton Beach 17 Upright | Best 17 Cu Ft | Large convertible upright | 17 cu ft | Check Price |
| Element 21.2 Upright | Best Large | Full-size convertible upright | 21.2 cu ft | Check Price |
| Smad 21 Upright | Coldest | Full-size convertible upright | -11°F | Check Price |
| Commercial Cool 11.1 Upright | Best Narrow | Mid-size convertible upright | 23.6 in. wide | Check Price |
| Techomey 13.8 Upright | Best Mid-Size Value | Mid-size convertible upright | 13.8 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 is balanced.
👍 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.
Glass shelves.
2. Hamilton Beach HZ8971 17 Cu Ft Upright Convertible Freezer/Fridge, Frost Free, White
2. Hamilton Beach is 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.
Reversible door.
3. Element 21.2 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer Refrigerator EHUF21CECW, Garage Ready, ENERGY STAR
3. Element is huge and efficient.
👍 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. Smad 21 Cu Ft Upright Convertible Freezer DSD-772WSMU, Frost Free, Door Alarm, Stainless
4. Smad goes colder.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cold -11°F setting
- Door ajar alarm
- Quick freeze
- Frost-free
Cons
- 76.8 in. tall
- Right-hinge door
- Lesser-known brand
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 21 cu ft
- Dimensions: 32.8" W x 28.9" D x 76.8" H (listed)
- Freezer range: -11°F to 10°F (listed)
- Defrost: Frost free
- Alarm: Door ajar alarm
- Extras: Quick freeze, LED panel
Smad’s 21 cubic foot upright reaches -11°F, has a door ajar alarm and quick freeze, and converts to a refrigerator from 35°F to 46°F.
Door alarm.
5. Commercial Cool 11.1 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer Refrigerator CCUC1110GB, ENERGY STAR
5. Commercial Cool fits tight spots.
👍 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.
ENERGY STAR listed.
6. Techomey 13.8 Cu Ft Frost Free Upright Convertible Freezer/Refrigerator, White
6. Techomey is compact.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 13.8 cu ft under 62 in. tall
- Frost-free
- Electronic mode switch
- Reversible door
Cons
- Very few reviews
- Freezer only reaches -4°F
- Handle-free door
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 13.8 cu ft
- Dimensions: 28" W x 29" D x 62" H (listed)
- Freezer range: -4°F to 6.8°F (listed)
- Fridge range: 32°F to 50°F (listed)
- Defrost: Frost free
- Door: Reversible, no handle
Techomey’s 13.8 cubic foot frost-free upright switches between freezer and fridge mode electronically and stands 62 inches tall.
Electronic switch.
How We Chose the Best Frost Free Upright Freezer
To choose the best frost free 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 Frost Free Upright Freezer
How frost-free works
A fan circulates cold air and a heater melts frost briefly on a timer, then the water drains away.
Trade-offs
Frost-free freezers use a bit more energy and can dry out poorly wrapped food.
Wrap food well
Use freezer bags or vacuum sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Noise
Fans make a soft hum; keep that in mind near bedrooms.
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
- Wrap food tightly. Prevents freezer burn.
- Do not block the fan. Air must flow.
- Wipe spills quickly. Avoid sticky shelves.
- Check the drain pan. Keep it clean.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best frost free upright freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best frost free upright freezer?
BLACK+DECKER 14 for most homes, Element 21.2 for the most space and Commercial Cool 11.1 for narrow spots.
Do frost-free freezers cause freezer burn?
They can dry out loosely wrapped food; airtight packaging prevents it.
Do frost-free freezers use more electricity?
Slightly, but ENERGY STAR models keep it low.
Are frost-free uprights noisy?
They have a fan, so they hum more than manual-defrost models.
Can I store breast milk in a frost-free freezer?
Yes at 0°F or below, though some parents prefer manual defrost for steadier temperatures.
Final Verdict
BLACK+DECKER 14 is the best frost free upright freezer for most homes, with Element 21.2 for big families and Commercial Cool 11.1 for tight spaces. Wrap food well, and the best frost free upright freezer will stay clear and organized.
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Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer listing for the current price, warranty and exact dimensions before you buy.
