The 6 Best Freezers You Can Buy in 2022

By Corrie Pelc

Even though the standard kitchen refrigerator comes with a freezer, many times it’s not enough space. Whether it’s because you have a small army to keep fed at home, or you’re a couponing diva who stocks up on frozen foods when they’re on sale, sometimes you just need a standalone freezer in your home.

If you’re looking for an extra freezer, there are plenty of options out on the market today. Here’s a look at what we consider the best standalone freezers you can buy in 2022.

How to Buy a Standalone Freezer

When purchasing a freezer, there are a few questions you need to think about to make sure you purchase the one that’s right for you:

• Upright or Chest? Standalone freezers come in two basic models. Upright freezers are vertical and look almost like a standard refrigerator, with a door that opens to the side. Chest freezers are more squat and horizontal, with a door that hinges open on the top. Upright freezers offer more shelving for organizational purposes, while chest freezers are deeper and can sometimes stay colder than an upright because cold air floats to the bottom. Your available space may also determine which type of freezer works best for you.
• How Much Freezer Space Do You Need? Generally speaking, freezers come in five sizes:
• Large: Over 18 cubic feet
• Medium: Between 12 to 18 cubic feet
• Small: Between six to nine cubic feet
• Compact: Five cubic feet or less
• What Features Are Important to You? Today's freezers come with many more features than the one your grandma used to send you into the basement to fish around in for an ice pop. Some are convertible freezers, which means you can switch it over to a refrigerator instead of a freezer if you find you need that extra space more. Some come with a temperature alarm that sounds if it is not hitting the correct temperature to keep your food frozen. And other models are Energy Star rated, helping you save money on your electricity bill by saving power. So take the time to get to know the features available out there, and narrow down the ones you can't live without.

Test Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Freezers

So which standalone freezers are best? Here are the test factors we used when compiling our list:

• Price: There are freezers available at every price point for every budget.
• Type: What type of standalone freezer is it — upright or chest?
• Dimensions: The depth, width, and height of the freezer. This is helpful in determining where it fits in the home and how much space it takes up.
• Storage Capacity: How many cubic feet of storage does the standalone freezer have? This determines how much food can fit in the freezer.
• Defrost: How is the freezer defrosted — manual or auto-defrost? Some of today’s freezers use the term “frost-free” defrost, which is another way of saying it has an auto-defrost system. Freezers without auto-defrost generally need to be manually defrosted once or twice a year, when there’s at least a quarter-inch of ice accumulated on the inside walls of the freezer.
• Storage: Does the freezer offer any types of storage, such as bins or shelving?
• Lighting: Does the freezer have an interior light and/or exterior light? This is helpful for the user if the freezer lives in a dark garage or basement.
• Alarms: Will the standalone freezer sound an alert if its temperature raises too much or if the door is left open?
• Child-Safe Lock: Does the freezer have a safety lock to ensure a child does not get stuck inside?
• Energy Star Rated: Is the standalone freezer Energy Star rated for electricity savings?
• Colors: What colors is the freezer available in?
• Warranty: Does the manufacturer back their freezer?

Now that we’ve covered the test factors we considered, let’s take a look at our choices for the best freezers of 2022:

How to Take Care of Your Freezer

Freezers are an investment, and if taken care of, will last for many years to come. Here are some top tips on keeping yours running perfectly:

• Read Your Owner's Manual: Our number-one tip is to take the time to read through the owner’s manual. You’ll learn all about your new freezer and the best way to keep it in tip-top shape.
• Keep It Clean: Even if your standalone freezer is tucked away in the basement or garage, make sure to keep it clean both on the inside and outside. Dirt and grime on the inside can lead to bad smells, and outside can possibly affect any vents or cooling mechanisms. Use a soft cloth and soapy water to clean the outside, and clean the inside while it’s defrosting or a few times a year when it's empty. You can also use baking soda to cut down on any bad smells on the inside—just set a shallow bowl filled with a scoop of baking soda on the bottom of the freezer.
• Keep An Eye On the Temperature: Always keep a close eye on the thermostat to make sure your standalone freezer is staying at the right temperature. You want foods to be cold enough to stay frozen, but not so cold that they develop freezer burn.
• Defrost As Needed: Unless you have a frost-free freezer where defrosting is not necessary, a few times a year you'll need to empty out the freezer and defrost it. Ice that builds up on the inside walls of the freezer can poorly affect the freezer’s efficiency, and it takes up storage space you could be using for more food. A good rule of thumb is when there's at least a quarter-inch of ice build-up inside the freezer, it's time to defrost.

Do you have a freezer that thaws your heart every time you look at it? Tell us about it in the comments below!