Best chest freezers 2024: dependable, spacious & practical | Homes & Gardens

I spoke to the experts, visited showrooms, and read over 1,000 customer reviews to find the best chest freezers for your home

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You'll never regret choosing a top-quality chest freezer. They may not take center stage in your kitchen, but they play a vital supporting role – providing accessible storage for bulk groceries, meal prep and entertaining.

So, what makes a chest freezer stand out? Much like the best refrigerators, the experts agree that the best chest freezers are efficient, spacious, and practical. As a professionally trained cook, I value a chest freezer that offers ample space for large cuts of meat and is easy to organize. I also spoke to appliance repair expert, Ian Palmer-Smith, who emphasized choosing a reliable, energy-efficient brand. This is essential intel; nobody wants to risk a freezer meltdown.

With these criteria in mind, I’ve meticulously reviewed over 1,000 customer reviews and relied on appliance expert opinion to pinpoint the best chest freezers of 2024. The GE Appliances 10.6 cu ft. model emerged as our overall winner. I've also listed the most energy-efficient option, the best chest freezer for large families, and the perfect pick for garages and small spaces. Whatever your needs, you’re bound to find valuable insights here.

Here's a short introduction to our top picks. If you want to find out more, we dive deep into the details further down the page.

Best overall

The best overall

GE make high-quality, spacious chest freezers. Customers rave about the energy efficiency, helpful lights, and the sliding storage baskets for flexible organization. Ideal for family homes.

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Best value

The best value

For well under $300, the Midea offers excellent value. It's durable, easy to use, and super quiet. It's not very capacious, however.

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Best large

The best large

Frigidaire offers immense capacity for large joints of meat, bulk groceries, and more. Customers appreciate the organized storage and the wheels, which make it easy to move around.

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Best for garages

The best for garages

Hardy and spacious, this will keep your food chilled even in ambient rooms. The customer ratings average 4.8 stars, which is equal to our best chest freezer overall.

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Best small

The best small chest freezer

A mini option for tiny kitchens, beach houses, or individuals. Customers say it's just the right size to put next to a kitchen counter and praise the 'near-silent' volume – essential for small living spaces.

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Best for efficiency

The best for energy efficiency

Crafted with environmentally conscious materials and certified by Energy Star, this Danby model is a great choice for cutting down on energy bills.

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Here's what you should consider before you buy:

Capacity This depends on two factors: the needs of your home and the space that you have. Small chest freezers start around 3.5 cubic feet, but they can get even smaller. A large chest freezer would be over 20 cubic feet. Most experts aim for about 2.5 cubic feet per person. Appliance repair expert Ian reminds us, 'Ultimately, the bigger the appliance, the higher the energy usage will be.'

Size & Design Big chest freezers are also harder to store: they'll be wider, deeper, and longer. Think about the space that you're willing to dedicate to your freezer. If you're going to put it in the garage or shed, make sure that it can handle ambient temperatures because not all of them can.

High-quality features Most chest freezers will come with storage baskets, but their lids might not stay in place when you're looking inside, there might not be an LED light, safety lock, or a temperature control panel. Think about which you want and which features you're willing to pay more for.

Reliability When it comes to chest freezers, reliability is crucial. You want a model that will maintain consistent temperatures and perform well over time. Ian says, 'Try to opt for a chest freezer which operates an automatic defrost. This helps to reduce the need to manually defrost the appliance making it much easier to maintain, helping it last that little bit longer.'

Value for money A more energy-efficient, highly-regarded model might cost a bit more upfront but will save you money in the long run. Consider the size, efficiency, and special features you need, then weigh up the cost.

Our expert review:

If you've owned a GE appliance before, it won't come as a surprise to you that their garage-ready, 10.6 cu ft, manual defrost chest freezer is the best on the market. The general consensus (between customers and experts alike) is that it's a brilliant investment for family homes. GE are proud to have the highest-rated chest freezer lineup in the industry, based on aggregated ratings and review data from leading retail websites.

A 10.6 cubic feet capacity might not sound like much, but it's very capacious. When I saw it in the showroom, there was plenty of room, but not so deep that I couldn't reach the bottom. If that sounds like too much for you, GE makes an identical model, just 2 cu ft smaller, perfect for smaller families.

This GE model features adjustable temperature controls and is one of the few chest freezers on the market to be Energy Star certified. Customers say that if you get disconnected in a power cut (or want to feel prepared for a hurricane), the GE will keep your contents frozen for two days and flash a warning light to let you know it's been disconnected. If this wasn't 'super-hero' enough, the GE can work in a range of ambient temperatures, from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and it's lockable too – ideal for garages, basements, or sheds.

GE appliances rate highly on reliability, with a 7.3% service rate according to the Yale Appliances survey. When it comes to organization, there are three interior baskets which can be lifted out, but the lid needs propping up, which can make access trickier. However, the light inside makes it much easier to find what you're looking for – especially if it's ice cream at midnight.

Our expert review:

Chest freezers can get expensive and, whilst I don't recommend cutting costs too much, there are places you can save money. Midea's 7.0 cu ft model is the perfect balance of cost and quality.

In reviews, the Midea is almost always praised as a durable chest freezer. It's not the biggest on the market, so the people who own one tend to describe their spaces as 'small' or 'urban'. In line with this, it's also lightweight and easy to move around the home, another perk of being a little smaller than others.

Even though this is inexpensive, lots of customer reviews say that this has exceeded their expectations and stood the test of time. They've had theirs for years and are still enjoying it. Some reviewers warn that it dents easily, which could be due to the cheaper price point. Others praised the quietness and adjustable thermostat which ranges from -12 degrees to -28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Accessing the Midea is also easy. The door stays open at whichever angle you choose, so you're free to dive deep into the freezer without the lid closing in on you. Midea includes a basket for smaller foods that you might want to keep high up. Most people thought this was really useful, but some felt that it got in the way of their storage capacity. If you want capacity, this might be a bit small. I'd recommend it for homes of one person or a couple, no more. Families will want to invest in something bigger and better.

Our expert review:

There are nearly 25 cubic feet of capacity inside this absolute cavern of a chest freezer. This is close to commercial. It's great for big families and for large joints of meat.

Frigidaire are masterminds when it comes to storage – they're our favorite refrigerator brand for the same reason. Within the huge, deep chest freezer there are useful, slide-able baskets at the top. If you have small items that you don't want to lose, they'll sit in here. For your bigger bags of ice and stackable goods, there's plenty of room down below.

Customers say the digital temperature control is easy to use, effective, and reliable. When the temperature changes and the Frigidaire isn't sure why, it has an alarm which will let you know that something needs checking.

Lots of customer reviews complement the temperature consistency, which is efficient and holds even in ambient, fluctuating environments such as garages and sheds. Even better, it has a freeze-boosting option if you need the cold to get to work, ultra fast. While it's not Energy Star rated, its annual energy consumption is 426 kWh – about double that of the most efficient 7-cubic-foot model on this list. So I think, given its size, this energy use is quite reasonable.

Overall, reviewers felt this was good quality, good value, and exceptionally spacious. Criticisms were few and far between. However, a few reviewers note that these arrive with scrapes and dents, so make sure you buy from a reputable stockist with guaranteed returns. Some people would have liked to see a few more baskets up top. Two seemed to be fine for most people, but you can purchase spares on Amazon relatively inexpensively.

Our expert review:

With the extreme weather we've been experiencing over the last few years, a garage-appropriate freezer needs to be pretty tough. Out of all those on the market, Frigidaire's 14.8 cu ft model is the best, according to both expert reviewers and everyday customers. This can keep a well-regulated temperature in unstable, hot and cold conditions, so you can leave it in the garage for reliably frozen foods.

Everyone praises this, especially those who have big homes. It's great for large families, offering slide-able baskets and plenty of depth for big bags of frozen food. There are useful LED lights which help you to see food inside, so you can make sure you're reaching for the right bag.

Customers also say that this is quiet and, once you've attached the caster wheels, easy to move around. When you want to close the lid, there's a lock, with a key that will pop out for safety. Lots of people liked this feature, but I found a number of people who would have liked a little more reassurance that this is properly sealed. Some freezers make a hissing noise when they shut, reassuring you that it is well and truly closed. The Frigidaire doesn't and also lacks a 'high temperature' alarm, leaving a few users on edge. Overall, it lacks the high-tech features of some other brands.

The other drawback is that this is a relatively expensive chest freezer and yet it needs manual defrosting. Lots of customers felt that the frost builds up quicker on here than on any other chest freezer, so this is a little higher maintenance than others on the market.

Our expert review:

A shrunk-down version of our best value chest freezer, there's a lot to love about this mini model It's compact, space-efficient, and excellent value. If you live in a small home, but want a little extra storage space for your food, this is a solid choice.

On reading reviews, I realized this freezer has surprising capacity. Despite its compact size, the interior is well-designed, offering ample room for a variety of items. One customer noted, 'It's way bigger than I thought, it holds so much food.' I think it could be ideal for those who live alone or have limited space but still want to take advantage of bulk buying. It comes with a wire hanging basket, but it's a bit too small for slide-able storage and flexible options.

Many reviews have had their Midea chest freezers for years, which is a good sign of durability. Customers say this model maintains a consistently low temperature, ensuring that your food stays frozen without any issues. Running super quietly with minimal vibration, it’s clear that the unit is well-insulated and designed to maintain low temperatures without consuming excessive energy.

However, there was mention of some cosmetic damage, mostly due to rough handling during shipping. This seems to be a running theme in many appliance reviews I've read, while this doesn’t affect the freezer’s performance, it’s something to be aware of when you're choosing a retailer.

Our expert review:

The Danby is only available in a black colorway. I like the sleek design and wish more chest freezers came in this colorway, but that's the first thing you should know about this chest freezer. You'll either love how it looks, or you'll hate it.

Looking past the aesthetics, this has some great eco-credentials. Danby were using an eco-friendly refrigerant (R600a, which doesn't deplete the ozone layer like other chemicals formerly used) before it became a requirement. It has also been designed according to the US Environmental Protection Agency Standards and comes with good energy efficiency ratings. If you care about the environment (and your utilities) that will be music to your ears.

This has a reasonable 7.2 cubic feet capacity. It comes with one basket for storing smaller items in too, so it's easy to organize your storage well. In reviews, people commented on the spacious interior as well as the quality of this refrigerator. Generally, customers say this feels premium and runs very quietly.

There are some criticisms of the Danby. It has a certain 'manufacturing odor' which you'll notice as soon as it arrives. Customers all said that one clean with water and vinegar can get rid of this, but it's worth noting. Also, if you receive an old instruction manual, you'll be told that this can't be kept in the garage. If you consult Danby directly or look at their website, you'll see that it can. However, going against the instruction manual can feel a little risky.

We would love to fill a home with all these chest freezers – and more – so that our experts could interrogate each and every feature. However, it was not possible to do so. In the absence of in-person tests, I have read through thousands of customer reviews, spoken to showroom experts and interviewed appliance repair specialists to get their real-life insight.

I also visited showrooms where some of these chest freezers are on display, so that I know how they function in person, too. Hundreds of hours of chest freezer research have gone into this list, so we hope you find some valuable guidance. If you'd like to know more about our testing process, we have a dedicated page to how we test and review appliances.

It depends on your needs, space and budget. Chest freezers tend to be more energy-efficient, offer greater storage capacity, and can maintain highly consistent temperatures. This is ideal for bulk buys and larger frozen items. However, they are big appliances, they require more floor space and can be harder to organize. They usually need to be manually defrosted, too.

Upright freezers are more slender, easier to organize (thanks to shelves and drawers) and they take up less floor space. They often come with automatic defrosting, but they tend to be less energy-efficient – and in my experience, a bit more expensive upfront.

If you love meal prepping, entertaining and you have plenty of space, a chest freezer is a great choice. I think they're also a good back-up if you experience power outages and hurricane risks. If don't have many things to freeze, an upright freezer may be a better, space-saving option.

Maintaining your chest freezer is essential for keeping it in peak condition and ensuring your food stays perfectly preserved. Start by routinely checking the temperature, ideally set at 0°F (-18°C), and inspect the door seals for any signs of wear – they need to maintain that all-important airtight seal.

When ice buildup exceeds a quarter of an inch, it’s time to defrost to keep things running smoothly. Unplug the freezer, remove the contents, and gently clean the interior with warm water and gentle dish soap.

Don’t forget to wipe down the exterior, paying close attention to the seals. Allow everything to dry completely before plugging it back in and restocking. You'll definitely want to check our expert guide on how to organize a chest freezer, before you do that!

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Lydia is the Kitchen Appliances Editor for Homes & Gardens, testing everything from air fryers and mixers to juicers and coffee machines. She trained in Culinary Arts at Leiths School of Food & Wine and previously served as the Recipe Editor for Mindful Chef.

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