JuicyTalk
Learn the difference between upright vs chest freezer and which to buy.
Need more cold food storage and can’t decide between an upright vs chest freezer?
We’re explaining the pros & cons and the best models to buy!
Pros of chest freezers:
- Comes with removable hanging baskets or dividers
- Offer more usable space
- More energy efficient
- Less likely to cause freezer burn on food since they don’t self-defrost like uprights
- Cold temperatures stay consistently lower
- Keep food colder for longer if the power goes out
- Quieter than self-defrosting uprights
Cons of chest freezers:
- Harder to retrieve items from the bottom
- Larger footprint than upright models
- Manual defrosting is the only option that can be time-consuming
Pros of upright freezers:
- Smaller footprint than its equivalent size in the chest freezer.
- Easier to organize with vertical shelving
- Typically has adjustable shelves and bins
- Option to use manual or self-defrost
- Come in different finishes, such as slate or stainless steel
Cons of upright freezers:
- The door doesn’t stay as cold as the rest of the freezer
- Typically noisier than chest freezers
- Allow more air to circulate around food (i.e. higher odds of freezer burn)
- Shelves & bins use up to 20% more space than chest freezers, reducing food storage
- Easy to leave open by accident (not as kid-friendly)
Here are the 5 top-rated freezers for 2026:
Hip Tip for long trips: Before long trips, freeze a cup of water with a quarter on top and place it in your freezer. If the quarter is at the bottom upon return, it suggests a prolonged power outage and potential food safety issues.
1. Most spacious: Garage Ready Chest Deep Freezer
Go big or go home! This freezer offers 21.7 cubic feet of storage, which is plenty of space for everything you need (if you’ve got the room and budget). Sliding baskets keep items easy to find, while LED lighting, simple temperature controls, and an exterior lock add convenience and organization.
2. Best overall value: GE Appliances Chest Freezer with Manual Defrost
This top-rated deep freezer offers the best price when comparing upright vs chest freezer options. You’ll surely get the best bang for your buck, and it’s ultimately why our recipe blogger, Lina, opted for this freezer over all others on the market.
You’ll get 10.7 cubic feet of space and many luxury features, such as two lift-out sliding bulk storage baskets, temperature controls, LED interior lighting, and the GE Power Outage Promise that your food will stay frozen 48 hours after a power outage.
Hip Tip: Watch for hot deals on Ziplock freezer bags or grab a FoodSaver so you’re better prepared to stock up on big meat packs that cost less per pound. Be sure to date what you put in your freezer!
3. Most affordable: GE Appliances Garage Ready Chest Freezer
It probably comes as no surprise that the GE takes the top spot for best value in a compact freezer. It’s a reliable, budget-friendly option in a smaller size. With 5 cubic feet of space, it fits easily in basements or tight spots, and recessed handles give it a clean, seamless look.
4. Best longevity: GE Appliances Garage Ready Chest Freezer
You can easily store a year’s worth of meat in this 15.7 cubic feet deep freezer. Plus, in the event of a power outage, food remains frozen for 48 hours, and the exterior light and alarm alert you if there’s been a temperature change. Like all the other models, this one still boasts all the same bells and whistles to give you the top-of-the-line experience, such as 4 sliding bulk storage baskets, an exterior key lock, and bright LED lighting that automatically turns on if the door is left open.
5. Best stand-up deep freezer: GE Appliances Garage Ready Frost Free Upright Freezer
This top-rated stand-up freezer is the only self-defrost model in our top picks, with performance that rivals a chest freezer. It features Turbo Freeze for quick cooling, an easy defrost drain, and sleek glass shelves and drawers. You’ll also get LED lighting, a door alarm, and a built-in key lock for added convenience.
So what’s the Hip2Save team verdict on our Upright vs Chest Freezer debate?
One of my Hip sidekicks loves her deep freezer:
“We had a small chest from Costco and just needed a bigger option and upgraded a couple of years ago to a highly-rated GE deep freezer. I wanted a stand-up, but my husband is a research guru and read that the doors don’t get as cold as a chest. 💁♀️
We were also already using the space above our old deep freezer to hang ladders so it just made sense to get a chest freezer again. Plus, it was a little less expensive. I’m for either, though! Such a great way to stock up on meat and frozen items.
If you’re ditching an old freezer too, we sold our smaller one on Facebook quickly which helped with the cost of a new one.” – Lina
Here’s what a Hip team member said about their stand-up freezers:
“We have an upright freezer, and I love having it! We originally bought it when we were getting a quarter cow, but that’s all gone now, and we still love having it for all of the extra meat, food items, and bags of ice. I prefer the upright so you can actually see what is in your freezer without having to dig.” – Angie
Which model do you prefer to freeze your food in? Let us know in the comments below!
