The 6 Best Freezers Money Can Buy in 2021

When it comes to standalone freezers, our overall top pick for 2021 is the GE FUF17DLRWW Garage Ready Frost-Free Upright Freezer. "Garage ready" means this freezer is not negatively impacted by how hot or cold it gets where you put it — its compressor will continue to run smoothly whether the ambient temperature around it is 110 or 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This Energy Star-rated upright freezer boasts 17.3 cubic feet of space and includes six shelves and sliding bins for plenty of storage and organization possibilities. The freezer has a lock with a key for protection and safety, as well as exterior electronic temperature control so you can adjust the temperature inside without opening the door. The GE FUF17DLRWW Garage Ready Frost-Free Upright Freezer also has interior LED lighting, a door ajar alarm, and a Turbo Boost option for an extra blast of cold air to quickly freeze foods back up. 

Ideal for: Homeowners looking for an Energy Star-rated standalone freezer built to work well in any ambient temperature. 

• Price: $899
• Type: Upright freezer
• Dimensions: 31.3 D x 32.8 W x 64.7 H inches
• Storage Capacity: 17.3 cubic feet
• Defrost: Frost-free auto-defrost system
• Storage: Clear sliding freezer bins, four glass shelves, two adjustable shelves
• Lighting: LED lighting inside
• Alarms: Door ajar alarm
• Child-Safe Lock: Yes
• Energy Star Rated: Yes
• Colors: White 
• Warranty: One year limited

Pros:

• Built to stay cold and work well in ambient temperatures from 0-110 degrees F
• Energy Star rated
• Lock with a key for protection and safety

Cons:

• Only available in white
• Door swings open to the right and is not reversible, which may impact where you can put it in your home

Best Chest Freezer: GE FCM16DLWW Garage Ready Chest Freezer

$819 at The Home Depot 

The chest version of our best overall standalone freezer for 2021. 

As the GE Garage Ready Upright-Freezer was our overall top pick for freezers, it's no surprise the chest freezer version is our best chest freezer for 2021. The GE FCM16DLWW Garage Ready Chest Freezer offers many of the same perks as the upright version, including the ability to reliably work and keep everything frozen solid in ambient temperatures of up to 110 degrees F. This makes this freezer a great pick for those who live in warm climates and want their standalone freezer in the garage. The 15.7 cubic foot chest freezer comes with four sliding baskets for storage, as well as a second-level rail so you can place the baskets at different heights. Easily see all your food with bright interior LED lighting, and keep everything protected with an included lock and key. The Energy Star-rated GE FCM16DLWW Garage Ready Chest Freezer also has a power "on" light outside the unit and a visual temperature alarm that alerts you if the temperature inside the freezer gets too warm.

Ideal for: Homes in areas where the temperature gets super-hot in the summer, and they need a garage chest freezer that can still keep everything frozen solid. 

• Price: $819
• Type: Chest freezer
• Dimensions: 28.5 D x 65 W x 33.38 H inches
• Storage Capacity: 15.7 cubic feet
• Defrost: Frost-free auto-defrost system
• Storage: Four sliding storage baskets
• Lighting: LED lighting inside; power-on light indicator
• Alarms: Visual temperature alarm
• Child-Safe Lock: Yes
• Energy Star Rated: Yes
• Colors: White 
• Warranty: One year limited

Pros:

• “Garage ready” for ambient temperatures up to 110 degrees F
• Four sliding baskets can be placed at various heights
• Visual temperature alarm that alerts you if the temperature inside the freezer gets too warm

Cons:

• Only available in white

Best Freezer for Small Spaces: Midea WHS-109FW1 Upright Freezer

~ $190 on Amazon 

An Energy Star-efficient compact standalone freezer perfect for small spaces. 

The Midea WHS-109FW1 Upright Freezer is an Energy Star-rated compact standalone freezer that offers a lot of conveniences of larger freezers in a smaller footprint. Offering three cubic feet of storage space, the freezer only weighs 57 pounds and is easy to move around. The freezer has a reversible door, which means you can have it open either to the left or right depending on your space's needs. The unit's two shelves and one removable wire drawer still let you stay organized, and its adjustable temperature control can be toggled between -11.2 to 10.4 degrees F. Designed to operate very quietly, this Best Freezer for Small Spaces also has a child lock (available in the black model only) and adjustable legs. 

Ideal for: Apartment dwellers, college kids, and RVers who want a little extra freezer storage. 

• Price: $190
• Type: Upright Freezer
• Dimensions: 21.37 D x 19.3 W x 33.9 H inches
• Storage Capacity: Three cubic feet
• Defrost: Manual defrost
• Storage: Two shelves; one removable wire drawer
• Lighting: None
• Alarms: None
• Child-Safe Lock: Yes (in black model only)
• Energy Star Rated: Yes
• Colors: White 
• Warranty: One year

Pros:

• Energy Star-rated
• Only weighs 57 pounds
• Operates very quietly

Cons:

• No interior lighting or temperature alarms
• Manual defrost

Best Freezer for Large Families: Frigidaire FFFC25M4TW Chest Freezer

$764-$854 at The Home Depot  

Keep your extended family’s tummies happy with a freezer that can fit all their favorite food. 

Store enough food for your large, hungry family with the Frigidaire FFFC25M4TW Chest Freezer. The freezer is available in two sizes — 19.8 or 24.8 cubic feet — with both including two slide plastic baskets with color-coordinated clips to help with organization. Regulate the cold inside through the exterior dial temperature control and easily see everything with bright LED interior lighting. The Frigidaire FFFC25M4TW Chest Freezer features optional caster wheels to help you move it to wherever works best for your home. And the freezer has a safety lock with a pop-out key, so you'll never have to worry about leaving your key behind. 

Ideal for: Large families who want lots of space to hold their frozen foods. 

• Price: $764-$854
• Type: Chest freezer
• Dimensions: 19.8 Cubic Feet: 29.5 D X 73.7 W x 31.75 H inches; 24.8 Cubic Feet: 31.5 D x 83.13 W x 31.75 H inches
• Storage Capacity: 19.8 or 24.8 cubic feet
• Defrost: Manual defrost
• Storage: Two sliding plastic baskets
• Lighting: Interior LED lighting; power-on light indicator
• Alarms: No
• Child-Safe Lock: Yes
• Energy Star Rated: No
• Colors: White 
• Warranty: One year limited

Pros:

• Available in two sizes
• Two sliding baskets come with color-coordinated clips
• Safety lock with pop-out key

Cons:

• Manual defrost
• No temperature alarms

Best Budget-Friendly Freezer: Koolatron KTCF155 Compact Chest Freezer

~ $210 on Amazon 

An Energy Star-rated, budget-friendly chest freezer for extra food storage. 

Budget-conscious shoppers, rejoice — the Koolatron KTCF155 Compact Chest Freezer will give you five cubic feet of freezer storage space for only about $200. This Energy Star-rated standalone freezer comes with a cooling system designed to keep foods between 32 and -11.2 degrees F. The chest freezer's door seal is designed to stop cold air from leaking, and the interior wire basket helps with organization. An external drain plug allows for easy water drainage during manual defrosting, and the freezer has outside temperature control so you can manage the coolness inside without needing to open the lid. 

Ideal for: Those who don't want to break the bank, but need an extra place to put some frozen foods. 

• Price: ~ $210 
• Type: Chest freezer
• Dimensions: 21.75 D X 25 W x 32.75 H inches
• Storage Capacity: Five cubic feet
• Defrost: Manual
• Storage: One basket
• Lighting: No
• Alarms: None
• Child-Safe Lock: No 
• Energy Star Rated: Yes
• Colors: White
• Warranty: 90 days

Pros:

• Only around $200
• Energy Star rated
• Outside temperature control for managing coolness inside without needing to open the lid

Cons:

• Manual defrost
• No interior lighting or temperature alarms

Best Splurge Freezer: Gladiator GAFZ30FDGB Upright Rolling Garage Freezer

$1,199 at The Home Depot 

The Bentley of the standalone freezer offering lots of bells and whistles. 

If money is no object, then you'll definitely want to check out the Gladiator GAFZ30FDGB Upright Rolling Garage Freezer. First off, you don't even have to use the door handle to open it — instead, use the stainless steel step-to-open foot pedal on the bottom of the freezer. This 17.8 cubic foot freezer holds a ton of frozen foods, and all can be perfectly organized with the included three shelves, six door bins, and two bulk drawers. Through the freezer's internal temperature control you can set your own temperature setting or choose from three pre-set temps — soft serve (for perfectly servable ice cream), assorted, and deep freeze. Never worry about manual defrosting with this unit, thanks to its frost-free auto-defrost system. And the Gladiator GAFZ30FDGB Upright Rolling Garage Freezer adds a touch of elegance to your garage or home with its black matte door and hammered granite cabinet. 

Ideal for: Those who want elegance and convenience in their standalone freezer.

• Price: $1,199
• Type: Upright Freezer
• Dimensions: 32.38 D X 30.25 W x 72.25 H inches
• Storage Capacity: 17.8 cubic feet
• Defrost: Frost-free auto-defrost system
• Storage: Three shelves; six door bins; two bulk drawers
• Lighting: Interior LED lighting
• Alarms: None
• Child-Safe Lock: No
• Energy Star Rated: No
• Colors: Black matte
• Warranty: One year limited

Pros:

• Stainless steel step-to-open foot pedal allows you to open the freezer hands-free
• Lots of organizational tools
• Three pre-set temperatures or set your own

Cons:

• Not Energy Star-rated
• No temperature alarms or child-safe lock

How to Take Care of Your Freezer

Freezers are an investment, and if taken care of, will last for many years to come. Here are some top tips on keeping yours running perfectly: 

• Read Your Owner's Manual: Our number-one tip is to take the time to read through the owner’s manual. You’ll learn all about your new freezer and the best way to keep it in tip-top shape. 
• Keep It Clean: Even if your standalone freezer is tucked away in the basement or garage, make sure to keep it clean both on the inside and outside. Dirt and grime on the inside can lead to bad smells, and outside can possibly affect any vents or cooling mechanisms. Use a soft cloth and soapy water to clean the outside, and clean the inside while it’s defrosting or a few times a year when it's empty. You can also use baking soda to cut down on any bad smells on the inside—just set a shallow bowl filled with a scoop of baking soda on the bottom of the freezer.
• Keep An Eye On the Temperature: Always keep a close eye on the thermostat to make sure your standalone freezer is staying at the right temperature. You want foods to be cold enough to stay frozen, but not so cold that they develop freezer burn. 
• Defrost As Needed: Unless you have a frost-free freezer where defrosting is not necessary, a few times a year you'll need to empty out the freezer and defrost it. Ice that builds up on the inside walls of the freezer can poorly affect the freezer’s efficiency, and it takes up storage space you could be using for more food. A good rule of thumb is when there's at least a quarter-inch of ice build-up inside the freezer, it's time to defrost. 

Do you have a freezer that thaws your heart every time you look at it? Tell us about it in the comments below!