The best upright freezers give you vertical, shelved storage that is easier to organize and search than a chest freezer, in a footprint that fits a kitchen, garage or apartment. We lined up ten models on the same facts, capacity in cubic feet, price, configuration and how shoppers rate them, then sorted them so you can match a freezer to your space instead of wading through marketing copy. The list runs from a 1.1 cubic foot countertop unit to a 21 cubic foot convertible, with budget and premium options in between.
Best Upright Freezers, ranked
4.5
(6,818)
$194.99112+ bought last month
- Capacity 1.1 cu ft
- Installation Freestanding
- Shelves 1
- Door Reversible
- Color Stainless Steel
- Weight 15.97 lb
The Whynter CUF-112SS packs a lot of practicality into 1.1 cubic feet of stainless steel, with a built-in lock and an Energy Star rating. It holds a 4.5 star rating across more than 6,800 reviews, by far the strongest demand signal on this list, and over a hundred buyers picked it up in the last month. The reversible door and freestanding design make it easy to place on a counter or shelf.
Best for: Anyone who wants a proven, lockable compact freezer for overflow storage in a kitchen, office or dorm.
Get it if: Kitchen or office overflow storage · Dorm rooms and small apartments · Buyers who want a lock · Anyone wanting a proven, top-rated unit
Skip it if: You need family-sized capacity · You want more than one shelf
Pros
- Excellent 4.5 star rating from more than 6,800 reviews
- Built-in lock and Energy Star rating
- Compact 1.1 cubic foot stainless steel cabinet with a reversible door
Cons
- Only 1.1 cubic feet, strictly an overflow or secondary freezer
- Single shelf limits how you organize the interior
Bottom line: The most-reviewed, best-rated freezer here, and the safest small-capacity pick for most buyers.
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#2
Best budget
HOMCOM US800-127V80WT0131 Upright Freezer
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4.4
(416)
$129.99
At $129.99 the HOMCOM countertop freezer is the lowest-priced pick on the list, giving you 1.1 cubic feet of frozen storage with removable shelves and a reversible door. It carries a 4.4 star rating from its buyers, so the savings do not come at the cost of a weak track record. It is built for a home, dorm, apartment or office where counter space is the only space you have.
Best for: Budget shoppers who need a little extra frozen storage on a counter without spending much.
Get it if: Tight budgets under $150 · Countertop or shelf placement · Renters and apartment dwellers
Skip it if: You want detailed published specs · You need more than 1.1 cu ft
Pros
- Lowest price on the list at $129.99
- Removable shelves and a reversible door for flexible placement
- Solid 4.4 star rating
Cons
- Compact 1.1 cubic foot capacity only
- Fewer published specs than competing models
Bottom line: The cheapest way onto this list, and a well-rated one, ideal for tight spaces and tighter budgets.
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#3
Best premium
KoolMore KM-RUF-21S Upright Freezer
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4.6
(43)
$1339.00
- Capacity 21.0 cu ft
- Configuration Freestanding
- Installation Freestanding
- Doors 1
- Defrost Automatic
- Cooling Compressor
The KoolMore KM-RUF-21S is the heavyweight here, a 21 cubic foot convertible that works as a freezer or a refrigerator with automatic defrost and a compressor cooling system. It comes with four clear shelves and drawers for serious organization, in a 225 pound silver cabinet. With a 4.6 star rating, it is the highest-rated pick on the list despite a smaller review base.
Best for: Bulk buyers and large households who want maximum capacity plus the option to run it as a fridge.
Get it if: Bulk buyers and large households · Anyone wanting fridge/freezer flexibility · Buyers who want automatic defrost · Shoppers prioritizing top ratings
Skip it if: Your budget is under $1,000 · You lack space for 225 lbs
Pros
- Huge 21 cubic foot capacity with four shelves and drawers
- Convertible freezer/refrigerator with automatic defrost
- Highest rating on the list at 4.6 stars
Cons
- By far the most expensive at $1,339
- At 225 pounds it needs real floor space and a dedicated spot
Bottom line: The most freezer on the list, with top-rated build and convertible flexibility, if your budget and space allow.
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#4
Best for families
Hamilton Beach HBFRF1115 Upright Freezer
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4.0
(344)
$670.8311+ bought last month
- Capacity 11.0 cu ft
- Installation Freestanding
- Door Right
- Color Stainless
- Weight 110.0 lb
- Voltage 115 Volts
The Hamilton Beach HBFRF1115 offers 11 cubic feet of upright storage with drawer compartments that make it easy to sort a family's worth of frozen food. The stainless steel cabinet stands just over five and a half feet tall and weighs 110 pounds, so it is a permanent floor appliance rather than a countertop unit. A 4.0 star rating across 344 reviews backs it up.
Best for: Households that buy in bulk and want drawer organization without stepping up to a 20-plus cubic foot unit.
Get it if: Families buying in bulk · Buyers who want drawer organization · Garage or basement installation
Skip it if: You need countertop portability · You want a 20-plus cu ft unit
Pros
- Generous 11 cubic feet of family-sized storage
- Drawer compartments keep frozen food organized
- Stainless steel finish with a right-hinged door
Cons
- At 110 pounds it needs dedicated floor space
- Mid-pack 4.0 star rating
Bottom line: A roomy, well-organized freezer sized right for a busy family kitchen or garage.
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4.2
(550)
$382.98
The Magic Chef MCUF3S2 hits a sweet spot at 3.0 cubic feet in a stainless steel finish, enough room for one or two people without the bulk of a full-size unit. Its 4.2 star rating comes from 550 reviews, one of the larger review counts on the list, which makes it a well-proven mid-size choice. At $382.98 it slots neatly between the compact and family-sized picks.
Best for: Singles or couples who want a proven mid-size freezer without paying for capacity they will not use.
Get it if: Singles and couples · Buyers who want a proven track record · Mid-size storage seekers
Skip it if: You need detailed spec sheets · You want the highest rating here
Pros
- Practical 3.0 cubic foot size for one or two people
- Backed by a large 550-review track record
- Clean stainless steel finish
Cons
- Few published specs beyond capacity and finish
- 4.2 star rating is good but not the best here
Bottom line: A reliable, well-reviewed 3 cubic foot freezer that balances size, price and track record.
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#6
Best compact
BLACK+DECKER BUFK12W Upright Freezer
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4.2
(236)
$216.30
- Capacity 1.2 cu ft
- Installation Freestanding
- Shelves 1
- Door Top
- Color White
- Voltage 120 Volts
The BLACK+DECKER BUFK12W is a 1.2 cubic foot compact upright with a full-width wire shelf, built as a mini deep freeze for a small space. The white freestanding cabinet keeps things simple and it carries a 4.2 star rating from its buyers. It is a tidy second freezer for a kitchen, apartment or office where every inch counts.
Best for: Shoppers who want a recognizable brand on a compact deep-freeze for extras.
Get it if: Compact second-freezer buyers · Fans of a known brand · Small kitchens and offices
Skip it if: You need more than 1.2 cu ft · You want multiple shelves
Pros
- Compact 1.2 cubic foot footprint from a known brand
- Full-width wire shelf for easy organization
- Freestanding white design fits most spaces
Cons
- Small capacity limits it to overflow storage
- Single shelf and minimal published specs
Bottom line: A no-fuss compact freezer with a trusted name and a useful full-width shelf.
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#7
Best large capacity
Whynter UDF-139SS Upright Freezer
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4.2
(313)
$975.57
- Capacity 13.8 cu ft
- Installation Freestanding
- Door Left
- Color Stainless Steel
- Weight 149.0 lb
- Voltage 115 Volts (Ac)
The Whynter UDF-139SS delivers 13.8 cubic feet in an Energy Star rated, digitally controlled cabinet that converts between deep freezer and refrigerator duty. The stainless steel unit weighs 149 pounds and is built to anchor a garage, basement or utility room as a serious storage workhorse. A 4.2 star rating across 313 reviews supports the larger investment.
Best for: Buyers who want big convertible storage that can flex between freezer and fridge with digital controls.
Get it if: Heavy freezers wanting 13.8 cu ft · Buyers who want digital controls · Garage or utility-room installs · Anyone wanting fridge/freezer flexibility
Skip it if: You only need a compact freezer · You lack floor space for 149 lbs
Pros
- Large 13.8 cubic foot convertible capacity
- Energy Star rated with digital temperature control
- Stainless steel build for a permanent installation
Cons
- Heavy at 149 pounds and priced near $1,000
- Needs dedicated floor space and an outlet
Bottom line: A high-capacity, energy-conscious convertible for households that freeze a lot and want flexibility.
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#8
Best convertible
Hamilton Beach HBFRF6892-WHITE Upright Freezer
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4.0
(175)
$480.00
- Capacity 6.8 cu ft
- Configuration Upright
- Installation Freestanding
- Doors 1
- Defrost Automatic
- Cooling Compressor
The Hamilton Beach HBFRF6892 is a 6.8 cubic foot convertible that switches between fridge and freezer using adjustable controls, with four removable glass shelves and a reversible door. It runs a compressor cooling system with automatic defrost, so there is no manual ice scraping. At 80 pounds and $480 it is the most affordable true convertible on the list.
Best for: Anyone who wants one appliance that can flex between extra fridge and extra freezer through the year.
Get it if: Buyers wanting a flexible convertible · Households needing automatic defrost · Glass-shelf organization fans
Skip it if: You only need a freezer · You want a top-tier rating
Pros
- Flexible 6.8 cubic foot convertible fridge/freezer
- Automatic defrost with compressor cooling
- Four removable glass shelves and a reversible door
Cons
- 4.0 star rating is mid-pack
- Convertibility adds cost over a single-purpose freezer
Bottom line: The most accessible convertible here, with automatic defrost and glass-shelf organization.
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#9
Best for dorms
Koolatron KTUF34 AZ Upright Freezer
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4.5
(111)
$252.98
- Capacity 1.2 cu ft
- Installation Freestanding
- Shelves 0
- Door Reversible
- Color Milky White
- Weight 31.5 lb
The Koolatron KTUF34 is a 1.2 cubic foot white upright that is explicitly garage ready, with a single wired shelf and manual defrost to keep it simple and affordable. At just 31.5 pounds with a reversible door, it is easy to move into a dorm, apartment, basement or room. It holds a strong 4.5 star rating from its buyers.
Best for: Students and renters who need a portable, garage-ready freezer for a dorm or small room.
Get it if: Students and renters · Garage-ready freezer seekers · Buyers wanting a light, portable unit
Skip it if: You want frost-free operation · You need shelved organization
Pros
- Garage-ready rating in a compact 1.2 cubic foot body
- Light 31.5 pound cabinet with a reversible door
- Strong 4.5 star rating
Cons
- Manual defrost requires occasional thawing
- Single wired shelf and small capacity
Bottom line: A light, well-rated compact freezer that is happy in a dorm, basement or garage.
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#10
Best for small spaces
BODACIOUS Upright freezer
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4.4
(123)
$209.99
- Capacity 3.2 cu ft
- Shelves 3
- Door Reversible
- Color Silver
- Weight 44.0 lb
- Voltage 110 Volts
The BODACIOUS upright freezer fits 3.2 cubic feet into a portable, compact silver cabinet sized for one or two people, with three plastic baffles to organize the interior. It is rated at a quiet 40 decibels and reaches a fast-freeze temperature of -13 degrees Fahrenheit. The reversible door and 44 pound weight make it easy to tuck into a tight corner.
Best for: People in apartments or small homes who want quiet, compact freezing without a full-size unit.
Get it if: Apartments and small homes · Buyers wanting quiet operation · One or two-person households
Skip it if: You need family-sized capacity · You want full glass shelving
Pros
- 3.2 cubic feet in a compact, portable footprint
- Quiet 40 decibel operation and -13F fast freeze
- Reversible door and three baffles for placement and organization
Cons
- Best suited to one or two people, not a family
- Plastic baffles rather than full shelving
Bottom line: A quiet, small-footprint freezer that adds real storage where space is at a premium.
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Buying guide
Start with the capacity you actually need
Upright freezers on this list run from 1.1 cubic feet of countertop overflow up to a 21 cubic foot convertible that can swallow a bulk shop. A 1 to 1.2 cubic foot unit like the Whynter CUF-112SS or BLACK+DECKER BUFK12W suits a dorm, office or as a second freezer for a few extras. A 3 cubic foot Magic Chef or 3.2 cubic foot BODACIOUS handles one or two people. Once you are feeding a household, look at the 6.8 cubic foot Hamilton Beach convertible or the 11 cubic foot HBFRF1115, and reserve the 21 cubic foot KoolMore for serious bulk buyers.
Frost-free versus manual defrost
Larger models here lean automatic. The KoolMore 21 cubic foot and Hamilton Beach 6.8 cubic foot convertible both list automatic defrost, so you never scrape ice off the walls. Compact units such as the Koolatron KTUF34 use manual defrost, which keeps the price and parts count down but means occasionally emptying and thawing the cabinet. Decide whether you would rather pay a little more and forget about it, or save money and handle defrosting yourself.
Where the freezer will live
Footprint and weight matter as much as cubic feet. The countertop Whynter and HOMCOM units weigh under 20 pounds and sit on a shelf or counter, while the 11 cubic foot Hamilton Beach tips the scales at 110 pounds and needs floor space and a dedicated outlet. If the freezer is going in a garage or basement, check that the model is rated for it, the Koolatron KTUF34 is explicitly listed as garage ready. Reversible doors, found on several picks here, help when the unit has to slot into a tight corner.
Convertible freezers add flexibility
Three picks, the KoolMore 21 cubic foot, the Whynter UDF-139SS and the Hamilton Beach 6.8 cubic foot, are convertible units that switch between freezer and refrigerator duty. That is useful if your needs change seasonally or you want a second appliance that can flex from holiday freezer storage to extra fridge space the rest of the year. Convertibles cost more than a single-purpose freezer of the same size, so only pay for the flexibility if you will use it.