The 5 Best Upright Freezers

A chest freezer is great until you need that one bag of peas buried at the very bottom. That’s why I’m a huge fan of upright freezers. They make organizing and finding your food so much easier. You just open the door and everything is right there on a shelf.

But not all upright freezers are created equal. Some are loud, some build up frost like crazy, and others can’t handle the temperature swings in a garage. I tested the most popular models on the market to find the best freezers for 2026, focusing on storage, reliability, and real-world features that actually make a difference.

 

 

My Upright Freezer Reviews

GE FUF17DLRWW 17.3 Cu. Ft. Frost-Free Garage Ready Upright Freezer

The GE FUF17DLRWW costs $949. If you have a big family or just need a ton of space, this is the one. I put this in my garage, and its “garage-ready” claim is no joke. It handled fluctuating temperatures from near-freezing to sweltering summer heat without any issues.

The best part is the frost-free operation. I never had to spend an afternoon chipping away at ice buildup. The capacity is massive, with adjustable shelves and bins that make it simple to organize everything from bulk meat to frozen pizzas. The door alarm is also a nice touch, especially with kids around.

The Downside: This thing is huge and heavy. At over 180 pounds, you’ll need help getting it into place. And make sure you have enough clearance for the door to swing all the way open.

 

 

Frigidaire FFFU16F2VW 15.5 Cu. Ft. Garage Ready Upright Freezer

This Frigidaire freezer runs for about $800. It’s another solid garage-ready option that I found to be incredibly reliable. Its main selling point is the EvenTemp cooling system, which really did keep a consistent temperature on every single shelf. No weird warm spots.

I was also impressed by its power outage promise. It’s designed to keep food frozen for up to two days if the power goes out, which gives you serious peace of mind. It’s quiet, spacious, and just a workhorse for anyone needing bulk storage without any fancy frills.

The Downside: It isn’t ENERGY STAR certified. So, you might see a slightly higher electricity bill compared to some of the other models on this list.

 

 

Samsung RZ11M7074SA 11.4 Cu. Ft. Convertible Upright Freezer

The Samsung RZ11M7074SA is priced at $895. This is my top pick for smaller spaces or for people who want flexibility. The killer feature is that you can switch it from a freezer to a refrigerator with the touch of a button. It’s perfect for parties when you need extra fridge space for drinks.

Instead of just shelves, this model uses a mix of shelves and clear drawers, which I found amazing for organization. No more digging around for small items. It’s sleek, quiet, and the multi-vent cooling keeps everything evenly chilled, whether it’s in freezer or fridge mode.

The Downside: The door seal is extremely tight. This is great for efficiency, but it can be a little hard to pull open immediately after you’ve closed it. You have to give it a second.

 

 

Hamilton Beach HBFRF1100 11 Cu. Ft. Upright Freezer

At just $360, the Hamilton Beach is the clear budget winner. For the price, you get a surprising amount of space at 11 cubic feet. I liked that it uses drawer compartments instead of open shelves, which helps keep smaller items from getting lost.

It’s very lightweight and easy to move around, making it a good fit for a basement or a spare room. The temperature control is simple and effective, and the reversible door is a great feature for fitting it into tight spots. It just gets the job done without breaking the bank.

The Downside: You get what you pay for. Some user reviews point to concerns about long-term reliability compared to the more expensive brands. It feels a bit less robust than the GE or Frigidaire.

 

 

Whirlpool WZF57R16FW 15.7 Cu. Ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer

This Whirlpool freezer costs around $900. It’s a fantastic, no-nonsense freezer that excels at keeping a super consistent temperature. The electronic controls are easy to use, and the temperature alarm saved me once when the door was accidentally left slightly ajar.

Like the GE, it’s frost-free, so you don’t have to worry about defrosting it. The interior is bright and spacious, with adjustable glass shelves that feel very sturdy. It’s a quiet and reliable choice for any family that just wants a freezer that works well without any complications.

The Downside: A few users have reported some minor frost buildup around the door seal over a long period of time, but I didn’t experience this during my testing.

 

 

What to Look For in an Upright Freezer

When I was testing these, a few things really stood out. First is the frost-free feature. Manually defrosting a freezer is a huge, messy chore. Paying a little extra for a model that does it automatically is absolutely worth it, in my opinion.

Second, consider where you’ll put it. If it’s going in a garage or basement that isn’t climate-controlled, you need a “garage-ready” model. These are built to handle a wider range of ambient temperatures, ensuring your food stays frozen solid whether it’s July or January.

Finally, think about organization. I personally prefer a mix of shelves and drawers, like in the Samsung model. It just makes it easier to see and access everything. But if you’re mostly storing big, bulky items like whole turkeys or large cuts of meat, wide-open adjustable shelves might be better for you.