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The best upright freezer depends on how much food you store and where it will go. A mini freezer under a counter, a compact model in a laundry room and a full-size freezer in the garage all solve different problems, so we picked a winner for each common need.
We compared upright freezers on Amazon from 3 to 21 cubic feet on size, defrost type, garage ratings, efficiency and owner feedback.
Quick Answer: The Best Upright Freezer
- Best OverallBLACK+DECKER 17 Upright
- Best Compact ValueMidea 7.1 Upright
- Best LargeElement 21.2 Upright
- Best OrganizationHamilton Beach 11 Drawer Upright
- Best Classic CompactFrigidaire 6.4 Upright
- Best MiniWhynter 3.1 Upright
BLACK+DECKER 17 is the best upright freezer for most families: frost-free, garage ready and ENERGY STAR listed. Midea 7.1 is the best compact value, Element 21.2 is the biggest, Hamilton Beach 11 is best for organization, Frigidaire 6.4 is the classic compact pick and Whynter 3.1 is the best mini with a lock.
Best Upright Freezer Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER 17 Upright | Best Overall | Large convertible upright | 17 cu ft, frost free | Check Price |
| Midea 7.1 Upright | Best Compact Value | Compact convertible upright | 7.1 cu ft | Check Price |
| Element 21.2 Upright | Best Large | Full-size convertible upright | 21.2 cu ft | Check Price |
| Hamilton Beach 11 Drawer Upright | Best Organization | Drawer-style upright | 11 cu ft, 7 drawers | Check Price |
| Frigidaire 6.4 Upright | Best Classic Compact | Compact upright | 6.4 cu ft | Check Price |
| Whynter 3.1 Upright | Best Mini | 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. BLACK+DECKER 17 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer Refrigerator BUC1700XB, Garage Ready, ENERGY STAR
1. BLACK+DECKER covers most needs.
👍 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.
ENERGY STAR listed.
2. Midea 7.1 Cu Ft Upright Freezer, Convertible Freezer/Fridge MERU07B0BBB, Black
2. Midea is affordable.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Converts between freezer and fridge
- Rated for 0°F to 110°F garages
- Thousands of owner reviews
- Fits under 50 in. tall
Cons
- Manual defrost in freezer mode
- No drawers or baskets
- Only 4 shelves
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 7.1 cu ft
- Dimensions: 21.7" W x 22.4" D x 50" H (listed)
- Modes: Freezer or refrigerator, one touch
- Garage ready: 0°F to 110°F rooms (listed)
- Shelves: 4 removable shelves
- Door: Reversible
Midea’s 7.1 cubic foot upright switches between freezer and refrigerator mode with one touch, runs in rooms from 0°F to 110°F and stands 50 inches tall, so it fits apartments, garages and basements.
Convertible.
3. Element 21.2 Cu Ft Convertible Upright Freezer Refrigerator EHUF21CECW, Garage Ready, ENERGY STAR
3. Element is the biggest.
👍 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. Hamilton Beach 11 Cu Ft Upright Freezer HBFRF1115 With 7 Drawer Compartments, Stainless Steel
4. Hamilton Beach sorts food.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Seven clear drawers keep food sorted
- Stainless door
- Easy to see contents
- No digging like a chest freezer
Cons
- Listing dimensions vary
- Drawers limit very large items
- Freezer only
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 11 cu ft
- Storage: 7 clear plastic drawers
- Height: About 66.5 to 68 in. (listing varies)
- Finish: Stainless steel door
- Design: Flush back
- Model: HBFRF1115
Hamilton Beach’s HBFRF1115 is an 11 cubic foot stainless upright with seven clear drawers, so you can sort meat, vegetables and meals and see what you have at a glance.
Stainless.
5. Frigidaire 6.4 Cu Ft Upright Freezer EFRF696AMZ, Platinum Design Series
5. Frigidaire is trusted.
👍 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.
Flush back.
6. Whynter CUF-301SS 3.1 Cu Ft Upright Mini Freezer With Lock, ENERGY STAR, Stainless
6. Whynter fits under counters.
👍 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.
Lock.
How We Chose the Best Upright Freezer
To choose the best 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 Upright Freezer
Match size to household
Small households can use 3 to 7 cubic feet; families who buy in bulk often need 14 to 21.
Frost-free or manual
Choose convenience or steadier temperatures and lower cost.
Location
Garages and unheated basements need garage-ready models.
Efficiency
ENERGY STAR models save money over a long life.
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
- Set it to 0°F. Food safety.
- Keep it organized. Use bins and labels.
- Clean coils yearly. Efficiency.
- Leave room for air. Prevents overheating.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best upright freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best upright freezer?
BLACK+DECKER 17 for most families, Midea 7.1 for small spaces and Element 21.2 for the most storage.
What size upright freezer do I need?
About 1.5 to 2 cubic feet per person, plus extra for bulk buying.
Are upright freezers worth it?
Yes if you want easy organization and less floor space than a chest.
Which brands make good upright freezers?
BLACK+DECKER, Frigidaire, Hamilton Beach, Midea, Kenmore and Whynter all appear in our picks.
Do upright freezers need to be level?
Yes, so the door seals properly.
Final Verdict
BLACK+DECKER 17 is the best upright freezer for most families, Midea 7.1 is the best compact value and Whynter 3.1 is the best mini. Decide on size and location first, and the best upright freezer for your home becomes clear.
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Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer listing for the current price, warranty and exact dimensions before you buy.
