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The best small upright freezer adds frozen storage under a counter, in a dorm, office or bedroom, or beside a kitchen fridge that never has enough freezer room. Most hold 2 to 3 cubic feet, enough for ice cream, frozen meals, meat and ice packs.
We compared mini uprights on Amazon on height, width, depth, coldest setting, locks and owner feedback.
Quick Answer: The Best Small Upright Freezer
- Best OverallWhynter 3.1 Upright
- Best BasketsKoolatron 3.1 Upright
- Best BudgetEUHOMY 3.0 Upright
- Best ConvertibleFrigidaire 3.0 Upright
- Best ValueKismile 3.0 Upright
- SmallestWhynter 2.1 Upright
Whynter 3.1 is the best small upright freezer for most people: a keyed lock, ENERGY STAR listing and thousands of reviews. Koolatron 3.1 has pull-out baskets, EUHOMY 3.0 is shallow and affordable, Frigidaire 3.0 converts to a mini fridge, Kismile 3.0 is a value pick and Whynter 2.1 is the smallest.
Best Small Upright Freezer Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whynter 3.1 Upright | Best Overall | Mini upright with lock | 3.1 cu ft, lock | Check Price |
| Koolatron 3.1 Upright | Best Baskets | Compact manual-defrost upright | 3.1 cu ft | Check Price |
| EUHOMY 3.0 Upright | Best Budget | Mini upright | 3.0 cu ft, -7°F | Check Price |
| Frigidaire 3.0 Upright | Best Convertible | Mini convertible upright | 3 cu ft | Check Price |
| Kismile 3.0 Upright | Best Value | Compact upright freezer | 3.0 cu ft | Check Price |
| Whynter 2.1 Upright | Smallest | Mini upright with lock | 2.1 cu ft, -10°F | 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. Whynter CUF-301SS 3.1 Cu Ft Upright Mini Freezer With Lock, ENERGY STAR, Stainless
1. Whynter is proven.
👍 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.
2. Koolatron 3.1 Cu Ft Compact Upright Freezer KTUF88, Manual Defrost, White
2. Koolatron baskets slide out.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Pull-out baskets
- Quiet compressor (listed)
- Flat back
- Reversible door
Cons
- Manual defrost
- Small capacity
- White plastic door
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 3.1 cu ft (88 L)
- Dimensions: 19.75" W x 21" D x 33.75" H (listed)
- Defrost: Manual
- Storage: 3 pull-out wire baskets
- Design: Flat back, recessed handle
- Door: Reversible
Koolatron’s KTUF88 is a 3.1 cubic foot manual-defrost upright with three pull-out baskets, a flat back and a quiet compressor.
Flat back.
3. EUHOMY 3.0 Cu Ft Upright Mini Freezer UF004-30, Reversible Door, Silver
3. EUHOMY is shallow.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Low price
- Shallow 18.8 in. depth
- Low-noise compressor (listed)
- Over a thousand reviews
Cons
- Manual defrost
- Small capacity
- Basic controls
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 3.0 cu ft
- Dimensions: 20.08" W x 18.82" D x 31.5" H (listed)
- Temperature: -7°F to 11°F (listed)
- Thermostat: 5-level
- Shelves: Adjustable
- Door: Reversible
EUHOMY’s UF004-30 is a 3 cubic foot mini upright with a five-level thermostat reaching -7°F, adjustable shelves and a shallow 18.8-inch depth.
5-level thermostat.
4. Frigidaire EFRF317AMZ 3 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer, White
4. Frigidaire switches to fridge.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Converts to a mini fridge
- LED light
- Frigidaire name
- Under 33 in. tall
Cons
- Only 2 shelves
- Very new listing
- Small capacity
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 3 cu ft
- Dimensions: 22" W x 21" D x 33" H (listed)
- Modes: Freezer or refrigerator
- Shelves: 2 wire shelves
- Light: LED
- Door: Reversible
Frigidaire’s EFRF317AMZ is a 3 cubic foot upright that switches between freezer and refrigerator mode, with two wire shelves and LED lighting.
LED light.
5. Kismile is affordable.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Upright shelves are easy to organize
- 7-level thermostat
- Reversible door
- Counter-height
Cons
- Manual defrost
- Only two shelves
- 3 cu ft fills quickly for events
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 3.0 cu ft
- Dimensions: 20.5" W x 20.3" D x 31.7" H
- Thermostat: 7 settings, down to -7.6°F
- Listed energy use: 0.6 kWh/day
- Shelves: 2 removable
- Door: Reversible
Kismile’s 3.0 cubic foot upright freezer puts frozen food on shelves instead of in a chest, which makes it easier to find items. It has a seven-level thermostat down to -7.6°F, two removable shelves and a reversible door, and lists about 0.6 kWh per day.
Stainless look.
6. Whynter CUF-210SS 2.1 Cu Ft Upright Mini Freezer With Lock, Stainless
6. Whynter 2.1 fits on a counter.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very small footprint
- Cold -10°F setting
- Lock with two keys
- Fits on a counter
Cons
- Only 2.1 cu ft
- Manual defrost
- One shelf
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 2.1 cu ft
- Dimensions: 17.25" W x 20" D x 27" H (listed)
- Temperature: -10°F to 2°F (listed)
- Lock: Cylinder lock, 2 keys
- Shelf: Removable slide-out wire shelf
- Certification: ENERGY STAR (listed)
Whynter’s CUF-210SS is a 2.1 cubic foot mini upright that reaches -10°F, has a cylinder lock with two keys and stands just 27 inches tall.
Lock.
How We Chose the Best Small Upright Freezer
To choose the best small 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 Small Upright Freezer
Under-counter height
Most mini uprights are 31 to 35 inches tall; standard counters are about 36 inches.
Depth
Shallow models around 19 inches deep sit flush with cabinets better.
Coldest setting
Look for 0°F or colder to keep food safe.
Defrost
Mini uprights are almost always manual defrost.
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
- Leave space behind it. Heat must escape.
- Do not overfill. Air needs to move.
- Defrost when frost builds. Keeps space usable.
- Use stackable bins. Better organization.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best small upright freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best small upright freezer?
Whynter 3.1 for most people, EUHOMY 3.0 on a budget and Whynter 2.1 for the tightest spaces.
Can a small freezer fit under a counter?
Yes, most mini uprights are 31 to 35 inches tall.
Do small freezers get cold enough?
The picks here list 0°F or colder settings; check with a thermometer.
Are small freezers noisy?
They hum like a mini fridge; manual-defrost models have no fan.
Can I store breast milk in a small freezer?
Yes if it holds 0°F or below.
Final Verdict
Whynter 3.1 is the best small upright freezer for most people, with EUHOMY 3.0 for a budget pick and Whynter 2.1 for the tightest spaces. Measure the height, and the best small upright freezer will tuck right under your counter.
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Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer listing for the current price, warranty and exact dimensions before you buy.
