Best Compact Upright Freezers for Apartments and Dorms
For an apartment or dorm, a compact upright freezer under 4 cubic feet adds frozen storage without taking over the room. The Whynter CUF-112SS is the strongest small pick thanks to its lockable, Energy Star design and huge review base, while the quiet 3.2 cubic foot BODACIOUS gives you the most room within a small footprint.
How small is small enough
Compact uprights for apartments and dorms generally sit under 4 cubic feet, small enough to live on a counter, in a closet or beside a desk. The lightest options here, the 1.1 cubic foot Whynter CUF-112SS and HOMCOM countertop unit, weigh under 20 pounds and fit almost anywhere. Step up to the 3.2 cubic foot BODACIOUS and you get noticeably more storage in a 44 pound cabinet that is still easy to place. Decide how much frozen food you actually keep, then pick the smallest unit that covers it.
Our top compact picks
The Whynter CUF-112SS leads for small spaces with a built-in lock, an Energy Star rating and a 4.5 star rating across more than 6,800 reviews, all in 1.1 stainless cubic feet with a reversible door. For the lowest price, the HOMCOM countertop freezer offers 1.1 cubic feet with removable shelves and a 4.4 star rating at $129.99. If you want maximum capacity in a compact body, the BODACIOUS upright packs 3.2 cubic feet into a quiet 40 decibel cabinet with a -13 degree fast freeze, three baffles and a reversible door.
Placement in a small space
In an apartment or dorm, footprint and door swing matter as much as cubic feet. Reversible doors, found on the Whynter, HOMCOM and BODACIOUS picks, let you orient the freezer to open away from a wall or walkway. Light weight helps too, the sub-20-pound countertop units move easily if your layout changes. Leave a little clearance around the cabinet for airflow, and choose a freestanding model so you are not committed to a built-in spot in a rental.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying a full-size freezer for an apartment when a sub-4 cubic foot compact unit would fit the space and the need.
- Overlooking door orientation, then finding the freezer opens into a wall or walkway in a tight room.
- Choosing the smallest unit to save space, then running out of room because you freeze more than 1 cubic foot of food.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best compact upright freezer for an apartment?
The Whynter CUF-112SS is our top small pick, a 1.1 cubic foot stainless unit with a lock and Energy Star rating that earns a 4.5 star rating from more than 6,800 reviews. For more room in a compact body, the 3.2 cubic foot BODACIOUS is a strong alternative.
How many cubic feet do I need in a dorm?
For a dorm, 1 to 1.2 cubic feet usually covers a single student's frozen extras, which is the range of the Whynter CUF-112SS, HOMCOM and BLACK+DECKER BUFK12W. Two people or someone who batch-freezes may prefer the 3.2 cubic foot BODACIOUS.
Are compact upright freezers quiet enough for a small room?
Many are. The BODACIOUS upright is rated at 40 decibels, quiet enough to sit near a desk or bed, and the other compact picks here are small sealed units that run unobtrusively in an apartment or dorm.