When you can't fit all of your bulk grocery deals in your refrigerator, it's time to consider a standalone freezer unit. An upright freezer has a small footprint and keeps all of your items organized. If you tend to "lose" items in a chest freezer or hate digging through layers of frozen goods, an upright freezer might be for you.
If you're in the market for a new upright freezer, take a look at our reviews of the best upright freezer models of 2020! They're numbered for your convenience but are listed in no particular order.
Table of Contents
- Frigidaire Gallery FGVU21F8QG
- Frigidaire FFFU14M1QW
- GE FUF14DLRWW*
- Whirlpool WZF56R16DW
- Frigidaire FFFH20F2QW
- GE FUF21DLRWW*
- Whirlpool WZF79R20DW
Models marked with a * are compatible with garage installations.
3 Quick Tips for Buying an Upright Freezer
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Planning to install your upright freezer in the garage? You'll need a model specifically rated for installations in non-temperature controlled areas. While your home may fluctuate between 60 to 85 degrees, your garage can get a lot hotter and a lot colder depending on the time of year! Know the temperature range your garage experiences throughout the year. Check the installation section of the freezer's owner's manual to make sure it can tolerate that range! Garage freezers are insulated better. If your garage gets very cold in the winter, this can actually harm your freezer's performance - your items might actually thaw out and spoil! You should also know that models labeled for "outdoor" use have been tested to withstand wet weather, and this doesn't necessarily mean they can handle big ambient temperature fluctuations.
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Automatic vs Manual Defrost. Today it's easy to find "frost free" freezers that automatically defrost the evaporator coils throughout the day. Terms like "automatic defrost," "frostless," or "no-frost" all refer to this technology. Read more about it in our article on frost free freezers.
- Temperature and Door Alarms. Some models have the capability of letting you know if the door hasn't been shut all the way or something funky is going on with the temperature via indicator lights or audible alarms. These are useful features to quickly cue you in on issues that could otherwise result in food spoilage.
1. Frigidaire Gallery FGVU21F8QF - 20.5 cu ft - $1,299
The Frigidaire Gallery line offers practical designs in premium finishes. The Frigidaire Gallery FGVU21F8QF upright freezer from this line offers a unique extra feature: it's actually a 2-in-1! You can convert it to a freezer or refrigerator depending on your needs. And with 20.5 cubic feet of capacity, you'll have plenty of room no matter which option you choose!
Available in smudge-proof stainless steel at $1,299, this convertible upright freezer features the SpaceWise adjustable organization system and bright LED theater lighting. The ArcticLock walls will keep food frozen for over two days in the event of a power outage. Plus, it's Energy Star Certified and is 24% more energy efficient than comparable 2013 models from Frigidaire. It's a frost free freezer as well so you won't have to manually defrost it periodically.
If you're looking for a premium upright freezer with a high-end look, this model could be a great fit!
Features
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2-in-1 Convertible to freezer or refrigerator
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SpaceWise adjustable storage system
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Energy Star Certified
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ArcticLock extra-thick walls
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LED lighting
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Soft Freeze Zone
- Frost free defrost
Dimensions
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Height: 72.5"
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Width: 34"
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Depth: 32.25"
Click here to read over 130 real customer reviews of this product!
Frigidaire Gallery FGVU21F8QF - $1,299
2. Frigidaire FFFU14M1QW - 14.4 cu ft - $599
The Frigidaire FFFU14M1QW from Frigidaire is a more basic upright freezer model available in classic white at $599. Although not Energy Star Certified, like the previous model it's 24% more efficient than 2013 Frigidaire models. A power-on indicator light lets you know your freezer is working, and a defrost water drain offers a convenient way to remove water during defrosting.
If you have curious kids in your home, you may appreciate the lock with pop-out key that comes with this upright freezer model. Mechanical dial controls allow you to adjust the temperature, and bright lighting ensures you don't lose anything in dark corners. Like the premium model above, this model features ArcticLock walls that keep food frozen for over two days without power. However, it's a manual defrost model. If you're looking for the best upright freezer with basic helpful features, this model might be for you!
Features
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ArcticLock walls
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Power-on indicator light
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Lock with pop-out key
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Defrost water drain - Manual Defrost
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Adjustable temperature control
Dimensions
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Height: 61.75"
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Width: 29.6"
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Depth: 32.1"
3. GE FUF14DLRWW - 14.1 cu ft - $799
The GE FUF14DLRWW is one of the best upright freezer models in the 14 cubic foot capacity range, offering slightly more advanced features than the previous Frigidaire model. With four glass shelves in the main cavity, two of which are adjustable, and touch panel controls, this upright freezer offers a premium feel in a classic white finish.
This is definitely one of the best upright freezers for garage storage since GE freezers are proven to perform in temperatures from 0 up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. If you need a place to store meats and other items throughout the season, this model can work well in your garage or in your home.
Features
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Energy Star rated
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Frost Free defrost
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Lock with pop-out key
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Exterior electronic temperature control touch panel
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Audible temperature alarm
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Turbo Freeze option
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Garage ready
Dimensions
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Height: 62"
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Width: 28"
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Depth: 32"
Click here to read over 255 real customer reviews of this product!
4. Whirlpool WZF56R16DW - 16.0 cu ft - $719
Next up on our list of best upright freezer models is a great option from well-known manufacturer Whirlpool. Available at $719, the Whirlpool WZF56R16DW offers 16.0 cubic feet of capacity. The optional icemaker makes this one of the best upright freezers for entertaining on hot summer days! With the Fast Freeze option, you can quickly chill newly added items. You can save time with the Frost-Free Defrost, too: no more manual defrosting by totally emptying the freezer!
This large-capacity upright freezer comes with five full-width door bins and three adjustable wire shelves to help you organize your space. The temperature alarm helps you avoid spoiled food by alerting you when the freezer's temperature rises.
Features
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Frost-Free Defrost
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LED interior lighting
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Electronic temperature control
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Fast Freeze
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Temperature alarm
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Door lock
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Optional icemaker
Dimensions
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Height: 60.25"
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Width: 30.25"
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Depth: 30.25"
Click here to read over 190 real customer reviews of this product!
5. Frigidaire FFFH20F2QW - 20.2 cu ft - $899
Store a ton of food with the 20.2 cubic foot Frigidaire FFFH20F2QW, available at $899. With four adjustable full-width wire shelves and six full-width door bins, you have plenty of room to stockpile your groceries. For about $50-100 more than a manual defrost model, you get Frost-Free Defrost capabilities.
With energy-efficient upgrades like LED interior lighting, this Frigidaire upright freezer is over 24% more efficient than 2013 Frigidaire models. The power-on indicator light lets you know at a glance if the freezer is working. Look to other models if you want door alarms or temperature alarms, but this model covers the basics at a great price.
Features
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LED interior lighting
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Power-on indicator light
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Frost-Free Defrost
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Mechanical dial interior temperature controls
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Door lock with pop-out key
Dimensions
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Height: 72.38"
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Width: 34"
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Depth: 27.5"
6. GE FUF21DLRWW - 21.3 cu ft - $1,049
Looking for the best upright freezer with a large capacity? The 21.3 cubic foot GE FUF21DLRWW might be for you! For $1,049 you get deluxe features like exterior electronic temperature controls and extra organization options. Two adjustable and two fixed glass shelves, four door bins, and three slide-out bulk storage baskets help you make the most out of that cubic footage.
This upright freezer is also Energy Star rated to help you save money on utility costs. The Frigidaire Gallery model on our list is Energy Star rated, too, but this GE option is available at a lower price and has a larger capacity. Plus it's garage ready, so it's designed to handle external temperatures from 0-110 degrees. It's worth checking out!
Features
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LED interior lighting
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Door lock
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Energy Star rated
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Exterior electronic temperature control
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Frost Free Defrost
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Door Alarm
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Audible temperature alarm
- Garage ready
Dimensions
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Height: 76.6"
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Width: 32.9"
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Depth: 31.25"
Click here to read over 135 real customer reviews of this product!
7. Whirlpool WZF79R20DW - 20.0 cu ft - $949
Last but not least on our list of best upright freezer options is a spacious Whirlpool model. The XL Whirlpool WZF79R20DW provides 20.0 cubic feet of capacity for $949. If your current refrigerator lacks an icemaker, you may like the optional icemaker available for this model. LED lighting, Fast Freeze, Frost-Free Defrost, door-ajar and temperature alarms, and up-front electronic temperature controls are some of the premium features you get with this model.
There are a ton of storage options in this upright freezer, including a "pizza pocket" door bin, ice cream compartment door bin, four adjustable full-width wire shelves, and two full-width wire bins. The storage options combined with the large capacity make this one of the best upright freezers for large households.
Features
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LED interior lighting
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Optional icemaker
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Fast Freeze
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Frost-Free Defrost
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Temperature Alarm
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Door Alarm
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Up-front electronic temperature control
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Door lock
Dimensions
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Height: 66.75"
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Width: 33.25"
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Depth: 29.1"
Click here to read over 430 real customer reviews of this product!
That completes our list of the best upright freezers for 2020! From basic models to more feature-rich options, you have a lot of choices. If you want an Energy Star rated model, take a closer look at the GE and Frigidaire Gallery models on our list (#1, #2, and #6). Models in the 14-16 cubic foot range include #2-4, while #1 and #5-7 are in the 20 cubic foot range.
Let us know which one you choose. Leave us a comment below - We’d love to hear from you!
Editor's Note: This blog was originally written in January of 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy as of the publication date noted above.
