8 Best Chest Freezers of 2023

Aug 15, 2023

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Stock up, save fridge space, and cut down on supermarket runs with one of these chest freezers.

Along with freeing up space in your refrigerator, investing in a chest freezer may help save you trips to the supermarket. Chest freezers tend to cost less than upright freezers and are designed to accommodate large, bulky items.

They have similar features, offer comparable capacity, and there are models designed specifically for the garage, built to withstand extreme temperatures. With a chest freezer, you can stock up on gallons of ice cream and stash away slices of your homemade pizza without worrying about maintaining food quality long-term—chest freezers do a better job of staving off freezer burn than their taller counterparts.

While there are benefits aplenty, there are also potential compromises to consider, so it's a good idea to have a complete understanding of the product before you buy. That's where we come in. Our buying guide breaks down all the need-to-know details and highlights the differences in models from major brands, so you can make an informed decision on the best chest freezer for your home.

Most of our recommendations are intended for general use and are ideal for the basement or garage. We also included freezers that work well in kitchens and other living spaces, with ultra-quiet operation and color selection, and one portable model designed for RVs, camping, or tailgating. Keep in mind that almost all chest freezers have manual defrost, though that's one reason that chest freezers are more energy efficient than upright freezers.

Start off by figuring the size you realistically need for your household. Small chest freezers are 3.5- and 5-cubic-foot models; mid-range models are typically 7 to 10 cubic feet; and anything above 10, all the way up to 20 cubic feet or more, is considered large. Around 2.5 cubic feet of freezer space per person is a good way to estimate how much space you need.

The tradeoff of having a large chest freezer versus an upright freezer is that it occupies more square footage. While small and some midsize freezer chests have comparable footprints, models that are 10 cubic feet and up can span five feet or more. Most are about 33 inches and slightly less deep.

Chest freezers typically include at least two removable storage baskets to keep smaller items at the top and within easy reach, and some larger models have additional baskets below as a way to organizing space. An interior LED light is a definite plus, as is a temperature control panel on the front of the freezer.

It's also helpful to have a power-on indicator light, and some models come with detachable wheels and have leveling legs. If there are young children in the house or if the chest freezer is in the garage, a safety lock is a must.

Our thorough research and selection process included looking at chest freezers made by reputable companies with a track record of producing high quality products, including GE, Frigidaire, and Midea. We also consulted other expert sources such as Wirecutter to inform our choices. The chest freezers we write about span different sizes and price points, and we considered key features like interior lighting, storage baskets, power-on indicator lights, front-panel temperature control, and whether models are garage-ready, all weighed against cost.

This garage-ready GE chest freezer wins our top spot because it checks all the boxes for the most desirable features, provides enough capacity for most households, and has a fair price tag for all it offers.

Inside, there are two removable heavy-duty plastic storage baskets with handles—a definite upgrade from standard wire baskets—that slide easily on a rail system, and an LED light inside. The chest freezer has front temperature controls, a power-on indicator light, and a safety lock—everything we look for in a chest freezer. But unlike Frigidaire, GE's chest freezers don't include detachable wheels or leveling legs, which may be drawback for some.

If you’re looking for a large chest freezer, this also comes in a 21.7-cubic-foot model.

For extra-deep storage, we recommend Frigidaire's high-capacity chest freezer. It offers 14.8 cubic feet of capacity and features easy-to-slide hard plastic storage baskets, a power-on indicator light, and an interior LED light.

There are also detachable wheels and leveling legs, plus a safety lock with a key for keeping kids and critters out, but the temperature control panel isn't on the front for easy access and it isn't garage-ready.

Midea's seven-cubic-foot garage-ready chest freezer offers solid value for the price. One of its best features is that it converts to a refrigerator, which gives you versatile food storage options. Other highlights include removable storage baskets, front temperature controls, and detachable wheels.

Another nifty plus is that the lid stays open in two positions so you can grab a gallon of ice cream with two hands, plus there's an LED light so you won't grab the wrong flavor.

GE's 15.7-cubic-foot garage-ready chest freezer is a larger version of the model we chose for out top pick, with more capacity and storage flexibility.

It features four heavy-duty plastic baskets that slide on two rails set at different heights—a smart organizational system that allows you to customize space to accommodate items as needed.

The chest freezer is Energy Star-certified, and other highlights include an interior LED, front temperature controls, and a power-on indicator light, plus a safety lock. But unlike Frigidaire's chest freezer models, GE's don't come with levelers or detachable wheels.

Saba's stainless steel freezer looks and performs as well as you’d hope, considering its price tag. The under-counter deep chest freezer is designed for commercial use, with self-closing double doors and a top that doubles as a prep station—but we recommend it for anyone looking for high-end features, most notably digital temperature control and auto defrost.

Other highlights include the locking casters and adjustable shelving, but this one may be costly to run compared to other chest freezers we cover as it isn't Energy Star-certified.

This Midea 3.5-cubic-foot freezer chest is a mini version of our best value pick above. Along with an excellent price point, it comes with many of the same features, including a removable hanging storage basket, an auto-holding hinged door, plus a thermostat that dips to 28 below.

There's also a two-year warranty on the compressor and a one-year warranty on other parts that comes attached. The biggest drawback is that it isn't garage-ready, though that's common among deep freezer chests this size.

Basements and garages are common places for chest freezers. But if you’d prefer to have one in the kitchen or anyplace else in your living space, quiet operation is key.

This chest freezer has an ultra-quiet noise rating of 39 decibels, and there's an adjustable thermostat on the front panel. Other top features include two removable wire storage baskets and a lid that stays open in two positions, so you can comfortably rummage around and find what you’re looking for.

It's available in white, black, or red to coordinate with your other appliances, though no interior LED light is a drawback.

This Whynter chest freezer works with a standard wall outlet or a vehicle's lighter socket. While it's not lightweight at 70 pounds, there are side handles for two people to grab. It also converts to a refrigerator, which is a nice option to have.

The chest freezer's holding capacity is 2.8 cubic feet and it comes with an eight-foot AC power cord, a 10-foot DC power cord, and two removable wire baskets. Whether you’re going camping with the family or you simply prefer a more portable option, this is a great selection.

Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.

This Hart Leaf Blower Bundle Is 64% Off at Walmart

How to Fasten Anything to Concrete

The Best Evaporative Coolers for Your Workshop

The Best LED Shop Lights for Your Workshop

This $26 Grout Cleaner Makes Cleaning Easier

The 35 Best Gifts for a Handyman

The Best Tool Gifts for DIY Dads

Save Up to 26% on Greenworks Lawnmowers

The Best Sleeper Sofas for Hosting Guests

8 Super-Effective Ways to Soundproof a Room

The Ninja Air Fryer This Restaurant Chef Suggests

Craftsman Mechanic Tool Set Is 35% Off at Lowe's