Understanding the differences between types of freezers is important if you’re on the hunt for the best upright freezer or chest freezer on the market today. For example, do you know the pros and cons of chest vs upright freezers? What’s the best chest freezer brand? Should you go with a standalone freezer? With so many freezer manufacturers in the marketplace today, it can be hard to decide on the size, style and brand of freezer that will serve you best.

That’s why we’re breaking down what to look for when shopping for a new freezer in 2024. We’ll review the different types of freezers you can choose from and go over what you need to consider. We’ll also share some of the most reputable manufacturers and offer other useful information – like when to defrost your freezer and how to best-store your foods inside it.

So keep reading if you’re in the market for a new freezer in 2024.

In this article, we’ll cover:

Types of Standalone Freezers

The best stand up freezer or the best deep freezer for you will ultimately depend on your unique needs. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of upright freezers, chest freezers, under-counter ice makers, built-in freezers and self-defrosting freezers.

Upright Freezers

Upright freezers feature a refrigerator-style design, making it easy to see and reach the foods inside. You don’t have to bend over, reach in or move items away to access what you’re after, as opposed to when you have a chest freezer.

Upright vs Chest Freezer

The best upright freezers will automatically defrost when needed, meaning hands-free, no muss, no fuss maintenance for you. The drawback to upright freezers is they typically cost more than chest freezers. They’re also more expensive to operate in terms of power usage.

Chest Freezers

Also called deep freezers, the best chest freezers offer several benefits. First and foremost, they typically consume less energy to operate than some upright units. Chest freezers are also well-suited for storing large items, like whole turkeys or large animal cuts.

Chest Freezer vs Upright Freezer

With larger storage capacities, quieter operation and lower energy use, many people prefer deep chest freezers over upright freezers. However, chest freezers can be somewhat inconvenient for everyday use. 

Because they’re bulky, they’re often stored in basements, garages or utility rooms, which means taking a walk every time you need something from your freezer. Depending on your needs, small, portable chest freezers can be an option that’s excellent for RVs and other camping needs.

Under Counter Ice Makers

Available in bin, pan and bucket styles, under-counter ice makers are perfect for entertaining. Sleek, modern designs and attractive sell points like clear ice technology make these units ideal for anyone who wants extra ice on demand. While convenient and accessible, under counter ice makers can be quite expensive, and some brands are loud. 

Under counter ice makers are excellent for homes, offices, locker rooms, home theaters and lobbies. There are even options specifically designed for outdoor use to keep your summer BBQs cool no matter what the temp is outside.

Built-in Freezers

Many homeowners appreciate the high-end, seamless design and look of built-in freezers. They’re manufactured with 24 inches of depth to match standard kitchen cabinetry. This allows them to be installed flush with the cabinetry, so they blend in perfectly to your kitchen. Because they might not be as deep as other freezers, they’re often taller. While they do tend to be energy-efficient, built-in freezers are pricey, so be prepared for potential sticker shock!

Manual Defrost vs Self-Defrost

Self-defrosting freezers cycle a heating element on and off throughout the day to keep ice from building up. Manual defrost freezers have to be unplugged and cleaned and defrosted by hand. While self-defrosting might seem like an obvious choice for convenience, these units are known to make more noise than manual defrost freezers, and they’ll likely cost you more.

How to Measure a Freezer?

Refrigerator and freezer sizes are typically measured in cubic feet. To figure out if the capacity of a freezer will be sufficient for your needs, you need to measure the height, depth and width of the unit. Then, you multiply those three numbers together to determine the cubic footage of your freezer.

For example, if your freezer measures 36 inches (3 feet) across the front, 24 inches (2 feet) from front to back, and 24 inches (2 feet) in height, then its capacity would be as follows:

3 x 2 x 2 = 12 cubic feet

You could also do it in inches:

36 x 24 x 24 = 20,736 cubic inches

12 x 12 x 12 = 1,728

Divide 20,736 by 1728 to get 12 cubic feet

Which Are the Best Freezer Brands?

What’s the best chest freezer brand? Which company makes the best small upright freezer? It can be somewhat difficult to answer those questions accurately since there are so many buying points to consider. 

However, we have a variety of freezers available, and carry only themost trusted manufacturers. They produce the highest-performing, most energy-efficient freezers on the market. Let’s consider some global leaders like Frigidaire, Samsung and Whirlpool.

Frigidaire

Does Frigidaire manufacture the best upright freezer Canada has to offer? Many people think so! Upright freezer reviews in Canada often mention this subsidiary of European parent company Electrolux. For many consumers, the Frigidaire company name is synonymous with trusted, high-end refrigerator and freezer appliances. The company was founded in 1918 and continues to thrive and grow today.

Samsung

Samsung freezers and refrigerators feature advanced smart features and are Energy Star certified. Samsung is a highly rated company and has received numerous various J.D. Power Awards for its kitchen appliance product line. Samsung is also a consistently top-rated company for overall customer satisfaction.

Whirlpool

For decades, consumers have consistently asserted that Whirlpool manufactures the best chest freezer Canada appliance stores have to offer. The company was founded in 1911 and has developed a history marked by product quality, dependability and durability. Whirlpool has a strong reputation for manufacturing freezers and other home appliances that are problem-free and long-lasting.

Which Freezer is Best for Me?

Now that we know about all the different types of freezers, let’s look at some important key details to consider before purchasing one.

Size

Measure the space that your new appliance will fit into to ensure there’s plenty of room around it to fully open the doors. Consider if the freezer will have coils inside that could warm other appliances in the area.

Both chest and upright freezer sizes come in the following ranges:

  • Compact (up to 5 cubic feet)
  • Small (6 - 9 cubic feet)
  • Medium (12 -18 cubic feet)
  • Large (over 18 cubic feet)

As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended that you have a minimum of 1.5 cubic feet of freezer space for each member of your household. Each cubic foot of space in a freezer holds approximately 35 pounds of food. So, for a family of four, you’d want to look for a freezer with a minimum of 6 cubic feet capacity in the freezer. 

Shopping Habits

Consider your shopping and lifestyle habits when you’re choosing any appliance. Do you buy food in bulk quantities? Are you a hunter? Do you fish? Do you regularly bring home large quantities of meat that will need to be kept frozen? Give some thought to the amount of food you need to store in your freezer.  

Other Freezer Features

There are various other optional features that you’ll want to think about before purchasing a new freezer. For example, a new freezer may or may not feature:

  • Energy Star Qualified: Energy Star qualified appliances can save you a bundle annually on your overall energy costs. The additional cost to get the Energy Star seal on your appliance can typically be offset by the savings you’ll enjoy in the long run, making these a great option.
  • Adjustable Thermostat: Adjustable thermostats let you keep your freezer (and refrigerator!) set at optimal temperatures, so your food stays fresh and lasts as long as possible.
  • Door Alarm: Door alarms reduce the risk of you leaving a freezer door open, which can result in spoiled food that must be tossed. 
  • Reversible Doors: Reversible doors make setting up your new freezer a snap, eliminating at least some of the concerns you may have about how well your new appliance will fit in your space. 
  • Counter Depth: Counter depth freezers can offer a sleek, streamlined finish to your space, giving the illusion of high-end, custom, built in appliances. 

Depending on when you last shopped for a new freezer, you might be surprised at all the features available today. Get to know them first, then consider how important each one is to you, because most of them will increase the cost of the unit.

Find the Best Selection of Standalone Freezers at Coast Appliances!

The friendly and knowledgeable team at Coast Appliances has decades of combined experience assisting customers just like you. Take your time browsing our full selection of quality upright, chest and built-in freezers. We’re confident you’ll be impressed!

We understand that you may have various concerns about buying a new freezer, and we welcome your questions. Contact us anytime. Browse our full selection of freezers to get started today.

Freezer FAQs

How often should I defrost my freezer?

Freezers should be defrosted at least once every year. Many professional service techs recommend defrosting a freezer whenever the ice builds up more than ¼-inch. If you notice your freezer is building up more ice than this, you may need to defrost it more often. Remember to check your freezer’s manual for the right information!

What foods go where in the freezer?

Properly loading your freezer will maximize usability, efficiency, hygiene and performance. Stock your freezer as follows:

  • Prepared foods, ice cream, frozen foods and baked goods in the top drawer or shelves
  • Vegetables, soups and bagged items in the middle drawer or space
  • Fish, poultry and other meats belong in the bottom drawer

Don’t overload your freezer. Keep it loaded at about 75% of its maximum capacity for best performance. Rotate your frozen foods periodically, so you don’t forget about them and eventually have to toss them.   

Is it OK to put a freezer in the garage?

Upright and chest freezers both tend to work well in average garage settings. Make sure that a freezer you’re considering is rated to perform in your garage if the temperatures drop or rise significantly. Also, take careful measurements of your space to ensure your new freezer will not only fit in its space, but it’ll also have room to open its doors fully.

What is the best brand of freezer to buy?

Finding the best small freezer, the best chest freezer, or any other type of freezer you might need can be challenging. There are tons of optional features to consider and various manufacturers with excellent reputations to choose between. Here are some of the brands popular with our customers:

The information on this article is not a promise of service. While we present the most accurate information we can, customers must check each brand and model for the manufacturers' information. Each model has their individual care and maintenance guidelines, normal expected use and lifespan with proper maintenance and care. Customers are responsible for checking information for their appliance, the user manual, manufacturer guidelines as well as using professional services.

Freezers