Learn the difference between a solid versus chest freezer and what you can buy one for.
Need a place to store cold food and can’t decide between an upright freezer and a chest?
We explain the pros and cons and the best models to buy!
Advantages of chest freezers:
- Comes with removable hanging baskets or dividers
- Provide the most usable space
- More energy saving
- It’s less likely to cause freezer burn in food because they don’t defrost on their own like uprights
- Cold temperatures are always low
- Keep food cold longer if the power goes out
- It’s quieter than the melting pot
Advantages of chest freezers:
- It is difficult to bring things back from the ground
- Larger feet than straight models
- De-icing by hand is the only option that can be time-consuming
Advantages of upright freezers:
- A foot smaller than its equivalent size in a chest freezer.
- It’s easy to organize with a vertical shelf
- It usually has adjustable shelves and bins
- Option to use manual or self-defrost
- Come in different styles, like slate or stainless steel
Disadvantages of upright freezers:
- The door is not always as cold as the rest of the fridge
- It is usually noisier than chest freezers
- Allow more air to circulate around the food (ie higher chance of freezer burn)
- Shelves and bins use up to 20% more space than chest freezers, which reduces food storage
- Easy to accidentally leave open (not as child friendly)
Here are the top 5 refrigerators of 2026:
Hip tip for long walks: Before a long trip, freeze a quarter cup of water and put it in your freezer. If the quarter is down when it returns, it suggests long-term power outages and potential food safety issues.
1. Very open: Garage Convenient Chest Freezer
Go big or go home! This refrigerator offers 21.7 cubic feet of storage space, which is plenty of room for everything you need (if you have the room and the budget). Sliding baskets keep items easily accessible, while LED lighting, easy temperature controls, and an exterior lock add convenience and organization.
2. Best overall value: GE Appliances Chest Freezer with Manual Defrost
This top-of-the-line refrigerator offers the best value when compared to upright and chest freezer options. You’ll get the best bang for your buck, and that’s why our recipe writer, Lina, chose this refrigerator over all the others on the market.
You’ll find 10.7 cubic feet of space and plenty of luxury features, like two slide-out lift-out baskets that store bulk, temperature controls, LED interior lighting, and the GE Power Outage Promise that your food will stay frozen for 48 hours after a power outage.
Hip Tip: Check out the hot deals on Ziplock freezer bags or grab a FoodSaver for a better fit to stock up on larger packages of meat that cost less per pound. Make sure you put it in your fridge every day!
3. Very affordable: GE Appliances Garage Ready Chest Freezer
It’s probably no surprise that GE takes the top spot for the best compact refrigerator price. A reliable, budget-friendly option in a small size. With 5 cubic feet of space, it fits easily in basements or tight spaces, and the recessed handles give it a clean, seamless look.
4. Best long life: GE Appliances Garage Ready Chest Freezer
You can easily store a year’s worth of meat in this 15.7 cubic foot deep freezer. Also, in the event of a power outage, food stays frozen for 48 hours, and an external light and alarm alert you when there is a change in temperature. Like all the other models, this one still boasts the same bells and whistles to give you a high-end experience, like 4-slide multi-storage baskets, an external key lock, and a bright LED light that turns on automatically when the door is left open.
5. The best deep freeze freezer: GE Appliances Garage Ready Frost Free Upright Refrigerator
This top-rated refrigerator is the only self-contained model in our top selection, with performance equivalent to a chest freezer. Features Turbo Freeze for faster cooling, easy drain defrost, and clear glass shelves and drawers. You’ll also get LED lighting, a door alarm, and a built-in key for convenience.
So what’s the Hip2Save team’s verdict on our Upright vs Chest Freezer debate?
One of my Hip sidekicks likes his deep freezer:
“We had a small chest from Costco and needed a larger option and we upgraded a few years ago to a full-size GE refrigerator. I wanted to stop, but my husband is a research expert and learned that doors don’t get as cold as a chest. 💁♀️
We were already using the space above our old fridge to hang ladders so it just made sense to get a chest freezer too. In addition, it was less expensive. I’m yours anyway! An excellent way to store meat and frozen items.
If you take out the old fridge again, we sold our small one on Facebook immediately which helped with the cost of the new one.” – It’s raining
Here’s what a Hip team member had to say about their freezers:
“We have an upright freezer, and I love having it! We originally bought it when we got our fourth cow, but that’s all gone now, and we still like having it with all the extra meat, food, and ice packs. I prefer the upright so you can see what’s in your fridge without having to dig.” – Angie
Which model do you prefer to freeze your food? Let us know in the comments below!
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