Chest Freezer vs. Upright Freezer: Which Is Best for You?
Updated: Jan. 04, 2023
You need more freezer storage—but you're unsure whether to go with a chest or upright freezer. Here's a look at the pros and cons of both.
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Buying a second freezer will not only expand your freezer capacity, but it also allows you to make meals in bulk and save money in the long run. (Here’s a list of surprising foods you can freeze!) But what’s better—a chest freezer or an upright freezer? Both offer their own pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide what’s best for your storage needs.
Don’t miss our ultimate guide to freezing food!
Upright Freezers
These freezers can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,500, and may have less storage space than a chest model. Before buying an upright freezer, make sure you know if it has a manual or auto defrost feature. (Any model labeled “Frost Free” or “auto defrost” means you shouldn’t have any nasty ice build-up.)
The Pros
Easy to Organize. You’ll be able to see all the contents of your items better in an upright, so sorting and organizing items will be easier than in a chest freezer. Keep your upright freezer tidy with these freezer organization tricks!
Smaller and More Compact. An upright takes up less space in your garage or basement than a chest freezer. When you’re finding the perfect spot for your new deep-freeze, be sure to consider how much room you’ll need to swing open the door.
The Cons
Less Flexible Storage Space. Since upright freezers have up to 15 percent less storage space than chest models, storing larger items can be difficult. It may be hard to stash things like large cuts of beef or venison, whole turkeys and other odd-shaped items.
Stays Frozen Only 1-2 Days Without Power. If your power goes out, food will spoil faster when it’s in an upright freezer. It will generally stay frozen for one to two days, which may or may not be long enough, depending on where you live.
Shorter Lifespan. Uprights tend to have a shorter lifespan than chest freezers. Chest freezers can last up to 20 years while uprights generally last up to 15. Hopefully you don’t have any frozen pizzas or gallons of ice cream hanging around that long!
Our Favorite Upright Freezers
Chest Freezers
When it comes to chest freezers, every inch of the freezer is usable storage space. (More room for these make-ahead freezer meals!) Most chest freezers must be defrosted manually, although some models are frost-free or have an automatic defrost option.
The Pros
More Cost Efficient. Chest freezers hold temperature well and use the least amount of energy to run. That means a lower energy bill for you—nice!
Easy to Organize. They make it easy to organize frozen food. You can use bins like these to help keep items together, such as frozen produce, meats and make-ahead meals.
Huge, Open Interior. Since chest freezers have so much storage space, they are a great option for storing large or awkwardly shaped items. Just make sure you know how long food lasts in the freezer.
Stays Frozen 2-3 Days Without Power. Chest freezers can keep food frozen for up to three days during a power outage.
The Cons
Bulky Shape. The shape of chest freezers can be a con since they take up more space. You’ll need to make sure you have a large enough footprint, along with enough headroom to fully open the door.
Hard to Reach Food. Chest freezers require you to bend and reach for items, which can be a strain on those who are shorter or have mobility issues. It’s also tough to reach things that get stuck at the bottom.
Our Favorite Chest Freezers
Whatever type of freezer you do choose, go for an Energy Star model—it will help save you money and use less energy! Save room for our best freezer-friendly cookie recipes, too.
Slow Cook These Meals Now & Freeze for Later
Garlic Chicken & BroccoliThis simple riff on Chinese chicken proves you can savor the takeout taste you crave while still eating right. —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Beef Tips BurgundyHere's a heartwarming classic that's so simple in the slow cooker. Mushrooms, red wine and tender beef make for an easy, elegant supper. —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker MinestroneThere's nothing quite like the comfort of warm homemade soup, and it's even better when your slow cooker does most of the work for you! This slow-cooker minestrone is easy to put together but has all the flavor of a high-effort dish. —Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois
Check out these Crockpot cooking tips.
Lamb Pitas with Yogurt SauceThe spiced lamb in these stuffed pita pockets goes perfectly with cool cucumber and yogurt. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
No-Guilt Beefy NachosNachos you can feel good about! This meaty topping has less fat and sodium than typical nacho beef because you use lean meat and make your own seasoning. The versatile dish is a tasty go-to for a party. —Carol Betz, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Squash and Lentil Lamb StewMy family lived in New Zealand many years ago. Every Sunday my mother made a lamb stew—it was Dad's favorite! I changed the recipe to suit my family's more modern palates, but it still seems just as exotic and delicious. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Warm up with more savory slow-cooker stew recipes.
Saucy Indian-Style Chicken & VegetablesThis Indian-style dish seems to develop a devoted following. Prepared sauce makes
it easy to bring the rich flavors of Indian cuisine to your family. Feel free to use more or less tikka masala sauce according to your personal taste. —Erica Polly, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Italian Turkey MeatballsWhat's not to love about moist and tender homemade Italian meatballs? Because they're made with lean turkey, they're lower in saturated fat, too! —Mary Berg, Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Slow-Cooked Pepper SteakAfter a long day working in our greenhouse raising bedding plants, I enjoy coming in to this hearty slow-cooker pepper steak for supper. It's one of my favorite meals. — Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Simmered Turkey EnchiladasI discovered a different way to serve economical turkey thighs. I simmer them in tomato sauce, green chiles and seasonings until they're tender and flavorful, then serve them in tortillas with our favorite fresh toppings. —Stella Schams, Tempe, Arizona
Roast Beef and GravyThis slow-cooker roast beef and gravy is unbelievably easy. On busy days, I put this main dish in the crock and forget about it. My family likes it with mashed potatoes and fruit salad. —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa
Red Clam SauceThis recipe tastes like an Italian restaurant specialty and cooks while you take care of other things. What a marvelous way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Slow-Cooked RatatouilleI get my son to eat eggplant by cooking this classic French veggie dish low and slow. A side of rice and some garlic cheese bread also help. —Diane Goedde, Red Lodge, Montana
Thai Coconut BeefMy husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Cheesy Turkey Meat LoafNothing says comfort food better than meat loaf! Get this one started in the morning and you’ll have a fantastic hot meal ready even by lunchtime. —Deanna Martinez Bey, Wake Forest, North Carolina
Easy Portuguese-Style Bean SoupOne day I was looking at Portuguese recipes and decided to put together a bean soup that embraced the bright and spicy flavors of Portugal. My family liked it so much, it became a classic in our household. To save time and work, the sausage, vegetables and herbs can all be prepped in minutes with a food processor. —Steven Vance, Woodland, Washington
Pork Tacos with Mango SalsaI've made quite a few tacos in my day, but you can't beat the tender filling made in a slow cooker. These are by far the best pork tacos we've had—and we've tried plenty. Make the mango salsa from scratch if you have time! Yum. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Slow-Cooker Stuffed Pepper SoupI tweaked a recipe I got from one of my best friends, and I couldn't believe how much this soup really does taste like stuffed green peppers! With beef and brown rice, slow-cooker stuffed pepper soup makes a hearty meal on a cold day. —Gina Baxter, Plainfield, IL
Chicken Fajita ChowderThis south-of-the-border chowder is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes, and it's a winner at family dinners and potlucks alike. We like ours topped with fresh avocado, shredded cheddar cheese and chili cheese corn chips. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Buffalo Chicken SlidersI got the idea for these Buffalo chicken sliders from my mom and dad, who'd made a similar version for a family get-together. It's a versatile recipe, and I sometimes use several different styles of Buffalo sauce and let guests mix and match their favorites. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
Beef Brisket TacosBirthday parties back home were big gatherings of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and anyone else we considered family. As soon as guests arrived, hot pans of shredded brisket, or carne deshebrada, appeared, along with frijoles, tostadas, salsas and huge bowls of salad. We always counted brisket tacos because the brisket could be made in the oven or a slow cooker. —Yvette Marquez, Muy Bueno Recipes + Stories, Littleton, Colorado
Slow-Cooker Chicken BogChicken bog is a South Carolina tradition with lots of variations (think herbs, spices and fresh veggies), but the standard ingredients remain: sausage, chicken and rice. This slow-cooked rendition is a simple take on the classic. — Anna Hanson, Spanish Fork, Utah
Cabbage Roll StewA head of cabbage seems like it never ends. Here's a delicious way to use it up. My husband is this stew's biggest fan. —Pamela Kennemer, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Slow-Cooker Cordon Bleu SoupI've taken this creamy slow-cooker soup to potlucks and teacher luncheons, and I bring home an empty crock every time. When my son's school recently created a cookbook, this was the first recipe he asked me to submit, and his teachers were glad he did. —Erica Winkel, Ada, Michigan
Originally Published: July 13, 2018
