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    Freezer Buying Guide

    Freezer Buying Guide

    Maybe youā€™ve always been one of those people who plans aheadā€”making an extra pan of lasagna and sticking it in the freezer or stocking up on groceries at the warehouse club. If so, you were more prepared than most for the lifestyle adjustments many of us made during the pandemic: shopping less often and buying more food per trip.

    But even though you may be shopping more often these days, with food prices ticking up you may still need extra freezer space to take advantage of the bargains you find.

    Before you stock up, youā€™ll want to decide whether a chest freezer or an upright model would best meet your needsā€”and your available floor space. Next, consider size, capacity, and energy use. To help you, weā€™ve subdivided our freezer ratings by size (small, medium, large) and type (chest, upright). So now you can compare freezers of the same or similar capacity by features and price.

    One thing to keep in mind as you shop is that freezers are basically big empty boxes and can be hard to organize. Fortunately, some manufacturers are addingĀ smart storage featuresā€”tiered bins and adjustable drawers and shelvesā€”that make it easier to find what youā€™re looking for.

    Here are the types of freezers youā€™ll find on the market and the pros and cons of each. For detailed test results, see ourĀ full freezer ratings and recommendations.

    How CR Tests Freezers

    To test freezers, our engineers fill each model with boxes of frozen spinach and run them in our test chambers for approximately six weeks to evaluate how well they keep the packages frozen.

    The results allow us to judge their thermostat control and temperature uniformity (the ability to maintain the same temperature throughout the freezer cavity). Our engineers also measure usable storage capacity, which doesnā€™t always match what manufacturers claim.

    In addition, we calculate energy efficiency, evaluate noise output, and judge how long a freezer can keep food frozen during a power outage. All this data is folded into an Overall Score for each model and appears in our freezer ratings charts.Ā 

    Stand-Alone Freezer Types

    When it comes to the two most popular categories of freezersā€”upright and chest modelsā€”we find that thereā€™s no clear winner. Below, we consider the pros and cons of each type. Other options include freezer drawers and portable freezers, but theyā€™re a much smaller part of the market (and we donā€™t test them).

    Chest Freezers

    Chest Freezers

    Pros:Ā Chest freezersā€™ interiors are wide open, except for removable hanging baskets or, sometimes, dividers, so they offer more usable space than uprights. These models also tend to be slightly more energy efficient and are less likely to cause freezer burn on food. Because they donā€™t self-defrost like uprights, the temperature stays consistently lower. Theyā€™re also the better choice if the area where you live is prone to brownouts or power failuresā€”they tend to keep food frozen longer than uprights when the power is off. We also find that theyā€™re typically quieter than self-defrosting uprights.

    Cons:Ā Despite their hanging baskets, they can be harder to organize than upright models, and retrieving items buried near the bottom of the chest can be a reach. Their footprint is also larger than equivalent upright modelsā€”a 22-cubic foot chest freezer takes up a 2 x 6-foot area vs. the 2 Ā½ x 2 Ā½-foot area of a same-sized upright. Manual defrost (which can be time-consuming) is the only option.

    Price:Ā From about $200 to $1,200.

    Upright Freezers Ratings
    Upright Freezers

    Upright Freezers

    Pros:Ā Uprights take up less floor space than chest freezersā€”2 Ā½ square feet for 22 cubic feet of storage compared with a chestā€™s typical 2 x 6 feet. Theyā€™re also easier to organize. As with a fridge, shelves and bins inside and on the door make it easy to find things. You have the option of manual or self-defrost models. Note that manual defrosting takes hours and you have to empty the freezer. But self-defrost freezers allow temperatures to rise temporarily, which might compromise performance. And, unlike chest freezers, uprights are available in a variety of finishes, such as slate and stainless steel.

    Cons:Ā In our tests, manual-defrost uprights had a hard time keeping their door shelves as cool as the rest of the interior. The shelves in these models also canā€™t be adjusted to improve storage. Self-defrost uprights tend to be noisy and may cost more to run. They also allow more air to circulate around food, making food more likely to get freezer burn. In our power failure simulation, all uprights allowed a relatively large temperature uptick after only 9 hours. And the shelves and bins in uprights take up more space (up to 20 percent) than in chest types.

    Price:Ā Usually higher than chest models, from $350 to $2,000.

    Upright Freezers Ratings

    Video Buying Guide

    For more, watch our freezer buying guide video below.

    What to Think About When Buying a Freezer

    Stand-alone freezers used to be all about utility, with no-frills designs and an open-box interior that made it a challenge to keep foods organized. Those bare-bones freezers are still availableā€”and many of them do well in ourĀ freezer ratingsā€”but weā€™re also seeing a lot of improvements to the look and functionality of freezers. Consider these factors before you hit the store:

    Location, Location
    If you plan to keep the freezer in a living area, consider how noisy it is (and also how it looks). Most manufacturers say that their freezers can operate in a room where the temperature can reach up 110Ā° F, but check product specifications if you plan to put the freezer in an unheated area,Ā such as a garage. Make sure that the unit is not exposed to temperatures above 110Ā° F or belowĀ 0Ā° F, because that may damage the freezer.

    Freezers Come in Three Sizes
    Freezers, whether chest or upright, come in three basic sizes: compact or small (5 to 9 cubic feet), medium (12 to 18 cubic feet), and large (more than 18 cubic feet). Upright freezers have a smaller footprint for the equivalent storage space.

    What if the Power Goes Off?
    Most manufacturers claim that their freezers can keep food adequately frozen for 24 hours with the power off, as long as the freezer remains unopened. But our tests simulating a prolonged power failure showed that some uprights allowed a relatively large increase in temperature after only 9 hours.

    Temperature Control
    Most of the freezers in our tests maintained a consistent temperature. Manual-defrost uprights were the exception. Without fans to circulate cold air, temperatures of on-door shelves were between 9 and 19 degrees higher than in the rest of the freezer.Ā 

    Energy Use
    Donā€™t expect your new freezer to be quite as energy efficient as its yellow EnergyGuide label implies. Thatā€™s because our tests are tougher and, we believe, more like real-world conditions than those specified by the U.S. Department of Energy. But Energy Star products must meet certain governmental energy-efficiency standards.

    Help Your Freezer Work Better

    Once youā€™ve gotten your freezer, you may want to give it a little help keeping its coolā€”and making food last longer. Check out these simple tips from our experts:

    Save Energy
    Keep your freezer in a cool spot, such as the basement, where it tends to stay well below normal room temperatures. Even though most manufacturers say models will operate in temperatures up to 110Ā° F, check the product info for specifications.

    Minimize Frost
    Keep the lid or door closed as much as possible. Take an inventory of whatā€™s inside so that you donā€™t have to hunt around. Label food well for the same reason.

    Store Food Correctly
    Repackaging food in several layers of plastic wrap helps reduce moisture loss and freezer burn. SomeĀ common freezing rules of thumb: You can freeze ground beef for up to 4 months, and a whole chicken for as much as a year. A pack of hot dogs should stay frozen only for 1 to 2 months.Ā 

    Freezer Brands That Matter

    Amana is a small brand that manufactures upright and chest freezers, with capacity ranging from 5 to 16 cubic feet. Amana freezers can be found at Best Buy, Home Depot, Loweā€™s, Sears, and independent dealers. Prices range from $250 to $750.

    Frigidaire is one of the largest freezer manufacturers; it also produces models for a number of other brands. Frigidaire offers a wide selection of upright and chest configurations ranging from 5 to 25 cubic feet. Its upright line includes a number of self-defrosting models and a pro-style model. Prices range from $300 to $1,300. The freezers can be found at Best Buy, Home Depot, Loweā€™s, and independent appliance dealers.

    GE offers a wide range of products in both chest and upright configurations, with a concentration in manual-defrost models. Sizes range from 5 to 25 cubic feet; prices range from $200 to $850. GE freezers are sold at Best Buy, Home Depot, Walmart, warehouse clubs, and independent appliance dealers.

    Haier is another large manufacturer that produces models for other brands. It offers a wide selection of chest and upright freezers ranging from 5 to 20 cubic feet. Prices range from $250 to $900. Haier is sold at Best Buy, Target, Walmart, warehouse clubs, and independent appliance dealers.

    Igloo offers products ranging from 3.5 to 7 cubic feet in upright and chest configurations. Prices range from $250 to $500. Products are widely available at retailers, including Home Depot, Kmart, and Walmart.

    Kenmore offers a wide assortment of products in both chest and upright configurations. It also offers a number of self-defrosting upright models in various sizes, as well as a pro-style product. Prices range from $350 to $1,500. Kenmore is sold through Sears and other retailers.

    Maytag manufactures upright freezers, which are sold at Home Depot and independent appliance dealers. Prices range from approximately $500 to $700.

    Whirlpool offers freezers in both chest and upright configurations. Self-defrosting upright models are available in two-door and professional styles. Sizes range from 7 to 25 cubic feet. Prices range from $350 to $1,500. Whirlpool is sold through independent appliance dealers, home centers, and regional appliance centers.

    Additional freezer brands include Danby, Idylis, Magic Chef, and Midea.