Your refrigerator’s freezer may not be enough to hold a large volume of frozen items. Suppose you normally stock frozen food items. You want to minimize your trips to the grocery or just because there is a great deal on your favorites. A separate freezer is ideal, where the best chest freezers come into play.
There are several types in the market, with the upright one and the chest freezer being common. An upright one typically looks like a refrigerator. The door is on the long side of the unit. The downside with this type of freezer is the utilization of available space. You will not be able to fill it with food because you will have to consider the food items from falling. A chest freezer would be a better choice. It is a rectangle-shaped or square-shaped one that opens from the top. You can fill it with items without having to worry about safety.
Summary
As we tested different products, it became clear to us that the best chest freezers were Frigidaire and GE. Here are our various category winners
- Best overall (10-cubic foot): GE FCM11PHWW
- Best 3.5-cu ft: Magic Chef HMCF35W2
- Best 5-cu ft: Insignia NS-CZ50WH6
- Best 7-cubic foot: GE FCM7SKWW
- Best 15-cu ft: Frigidaire FFFC15M4TW
Why you can trust us & how we picked
You can trust us because we bought each of the recommended chest freezers before writing this summary of the best ones. We picked and tested chest freezers at different price points and different cubic feet capacities to ensure a product for different families.
Best chest freezers for the garage
3.5-cu ft
A 3.5-cubic foot option falls under the compact size category and typically measures 21–28″ Width x 32–34″ Height x 19–22″ Depth.
1. Magic Chef HMCF35W2
A great example of this is the Magic Chef HMCF35W2. It is a chest-type model and has a capacity of 3.5-cu ft. It weighs about 65 lbs. It has dimensions of 22.2″ x 32.6″ x 22.0″. Some of the key features of this product are as follow:
- The stylish all-white exterior design allows it to match well with all types of decorations at home.
- Manual defrost keeps the inside clean and in top shape.
- A storage basket that comes out of the box allows for easy access to small frozen delights.
- The temperature knob allows you to control the temperature, helping you set it at an optimal level.
- When defrosting, a water drain provides an easy way for water to leave the inside of the unit.
- For a more streamlined and modern look, the door handles in this model are recessed.
Pros
- If you don’t need more food frozen, it will help save space.
- It comes at an attractive price point.
- We had great experiences when we tried it.
- We loved the storage basket.
Cons
- It’s often not available on Amazon.
- We wish it looked more modern.
[amazon box=”B08D8MVJ6V” title=”Magic Chef” description=”It’s not very big.”]
Other notable brands that sell these models are Igloo and Insignia. Should you wish to look into these brands, we suggest visiting their website.
5-cu ft
A 5-cubic foot freezer can fall under the compact or small categories. They typically measure 21–38″ width x 32–34″ height x 19–27″ depth.
2. Insignia NS-CZ50WH6 model
We have two great examples for the 5-cubic foot options. The first one is the Insignia NS-CZ50WH6 model. It weighs about 70.5 lbs. and has dimensions of 33.5″ x 28.67″ x 20.6″. It features the following:
- The 5-cubic foot storage capacity gives enough storage space for a family of up to 3.
- Door hinges are counter-balanced hinge, which allows you to open and stay at different angles ranging between 45 degrees to 75 degrees.
- The removable storage basket lets you arrange food items easily. Sliding it out gives you extra room.
- A water drain provides a path for water to exit when defrosting.
- The legs in this unit are adjustable, ensuring the unit is always level. It also helps in insulation.
- The power indicator light indicates the unit is running normally.
The Insignia NS-CZ50WH6 has an estimated annual electricity consumption of 218-kilowatt hours. Its defrosting type is manual and does not come with a defrost indicator. Overall, this beast does not have any special features to it. If you are looking for a basic unit that can do the job right, this one is for you.
| Name | Insigna |
| Brand Name | ICF |
| Capacity | 5 Cubic Feet |
| Item Weight | 55 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 24.9 x 24.9 x 33.5 inches |
| Voltage | 115 Volts |
Pros
- It provides enough space for 2-3 people.
- We love the counter-balance feature.
- The defrosting water drain is very convenient.
- We liked the light indicating proper performance.
Cons
- It’s more expensive than the previous model.
[amazon box=”B08R92NLCP” title=”Insignia” description=”It’s a bit bigger.”]
3. Kenmore 17552
The second option is the Kenmore 17552. It weighs about 68 lbs. and measures 28.13″ width x 33.25″ height x 21.81″ depth in dimensions. It is a perfect size that can accommodate the food your family loves. Some of its key features are as follows:
- The 5-cubic storage capacity is ideal for storing food items in bulk.
- Mechanical temperature control lets you adjust the temperature manually.
- The power indicator light easily tells you if the unit is running.
- The wire basket is removable, allowing for great customization.
- Simple and easy maintenance is made possible by its cleanable gasket.
- Manual defrost
Pros
- Kenmore is a more-trusted brand than Insignia.
- It still has a convenient size for 2-3 people.
- The cleanable gasket is a nice touch.
Cons
- It’s costlier than the previous model.
[amazon box=”B08R92NLCP” title=”Kenmore 17552 ” description=”It’s a trusted brand.”]
If you want to add a shower to a half bath, you can refer to our article about it to know more. We cover everything you need to know, such as conversion mistakes and 3/4 baths.
7-cubic foot
A 7-cubic foot freezer falls under the small category. These models typically measure 29-38″ width x 32-34″ height x 22-27″ depth.
4. GE FCM7SKWW
The GE FCM7SKWW is a 7-cubic foot manual defrost model. It weighs about 75 lbs. and measures 37.25″ in width x 33.5″ in height x 21.25″ in depth in dimension. These are some of its features:
- It works flawlessly in your garage for temperatures ranging from 0°F to 110°F.
- The power indicator light lets users see that the unit is running without having to open the door.
- Two storage baskets allow storage of your favorite foods.
- Manual temperature control allows for adjusting the temperature whenever needed.
- Recessed door handles offer a streamlined design.
- A water drain serves as a path for water to flow out of the unit when defrosting.
This GE chest freezer comes with a limited one-year part and labor warranty.
| Name | GE FCM7SUWW |
| Brand Name | General Electric |
| Capacity | 7 Cubic Feet |
| Item Weight | 122 pounds |
| Manufacturer Warranty | Free 10yr Warranty on Major Components |
| Product Dimensions | 22 x 37 x 33.25 inches |
Pros
- 7-cubic foot is great for 3 people.
- GE is a trusted name.
- The water drain makes defrosting very easy.
- The two individual storage baskets were appreciated.
Cons
- It’s more expensive than a 5-foot option.
- It’s commonly unavailable on Amazon.
[amazon box=”B0011YNH2W” title=”GE FCM7SKWW ” description=”GE is a trusted name.”]
Weight
There are no available run-on heavy or light 7-cubic foot options. When it comes to weight, several factors come into consideration. Things like the design and material contribute to the unit’s weight. For example, the GE FCM7SKWW weighs about 75 lbs. On the other hand, the Haier HF71CM33NW weighs about 83 lbs.
Factors to Consider
Picking which make and model to buy is a confusing task. The number of choices available in the market could easily turn into a nightmare. Lucky for you, we have a list of factors to consider when purchasing your chest freezer. You can use these factors as a guide when searching the market for the one that works best for you. Knowing these factors gives you more idea of the options available for you.
Cost
The cost of a one is most likely a huge determining factor of which make and model you will be buying. Cost is directly associated with your budget, so it is only logical to consider well within your project. If you think a certain model is way out of your budget, don’t consider it anymore. Also, keep in mind how the long-term costs would be. Buying a cheap one now may only cost you more in electricity bills in the long run. Compared to buying an expensive one now, paying less for your electricity might be better.
Suppose an energy-efficient model costs more upfront than other less efficient models. You may want to consider paying more upfront, as you will most likely save more money in the long run. Other features will likely cost you more, such as automatic defrost and no frost. When you think about it, the convenience of automatic defrost is worth the premium price. You will no longer be dealing with manual defrosting, which takes a lot of time.
Should you decide to purchase yours online, consider the shipping cost. They are heavy and large, so shipping costs will likely be expensive. Consider looking for a vendor that offers free shipping or offers the lowest total price.
Size
Households who already have a refrigerator and are thinking of buying a separate freezer should consider the amount of space it takes. Before you even start looking, measure how much space you have left at home. When you get this information, that is the time for you to browse for options. This way, you won’t be wasting your time looking into options that won’t fit at home.
| Most popular sizes, in cubic feet. | |||
| 3.5 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
| 10 | 15 | 22 |
You can find the dimensions in the specifications section on the manufacturer’s website. Sometimes, vendors have this information too. Chest freezers will likely need more space than an upright model, so make sure you have enough space at home before buying one. When picking a size, add a bit of allowance on each size to have some space to breathe.
Should you need to do metric conversions, refer to our article about SAE to the metric conversion chart.
Energy Efficiency
Not all models and brands are energy-efficient. Since they need to run continuously 24/7, it is advisable to look for one efficient in using energy. When looking at it long-term, you will see that energy-efficient ones will save you more running costs and footprint.
Energy Star-rated ones are great. When it is Energy Star qualified, you can easily identify if it is energy-efficient or not.
