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Are you on the hunt for a high-quality chest freezer that’s got your back during this pandemic? Whether it be holiday leftovers or stocking up before quarantine, these seven selections are bound to provide durability along with the capacity to store all of your bulk purchases. Besides limiting your trips to the grocery store, a high-grade chest freezer also comes in handy whilst meal prepping, resulting not only in healthier eating habits but also less food wastage subsequently. After a thorough analysis of the various top-rated picks in the market, we came up with a list of the 7 best chest freezers in 2023. Starting from $163, here’s a compilation of the best chest freezers in 2023 and what you can expect from each one.
Comparing the Best Chest Freezers
Koolatron Chest Freezer
– Top Pick
If you’re considering a mini freezer, the Koolatron is definitely worth checking out. Not only is it spacious (which is crucial in a mini freezer), this 7.0 cubic foot freezer with a flip-up lid is garage-ready to store all your favorite cuts of meat and seafood. The exterior drain plug saves the hassle of bending over to clean the freezer, ultimately saving a ton of precious time and potential headaches. The CFC-free compressor cooling system keeps contents between 0°C and -24°C (32°F and -11.2°F), while the magnetic door seal ensures the cold air stays where it belongs. Other than this, the clean white design makes it both versatile and easy to clean, “It really looks aesthetically pleasing“ a pleased customer quotes. Still, there have been complaints about minor noise pollution which won’t be a bother if the freezers’ in your garage or basement.
Northair Chest Freezer
– Runner Up
Probably one of the most hyped-up chest freezers in retail, the Northair 7 Cu Ft. compact freezer is an absolute lifesaver for organized folks and we can see why. Besides coming with four removable baskets for efficient storage, this freezer includes 7 different temperature settings along with a quiet compressor to reduce noise distractions. Not only does the Northair have the ability to shelter various large and oddly shaped objects, but it’s also super simple to install. The freezer is slightly on the pricier side, however, if you have the budget for it then it’s a valuable investment for sure.
Kismile Chest Freezer
– Honorable Mention
With adjustable 7-grade temperature controls to choose from, the Kismile chest freezer conveniently features a red light (power-on) and a green light (run) that signifies a properly operating unit. Along with using an R600a low power consumption compressor, this freezer cools quickly at 0.66 kW/day. Other features include vinyl-coated wire baskets for on-the-go items available upfront to avoid rummaging the chest in search of lost products. Even so, this chest freezer is better suited for large-scale storage due to its bulky frame and not so much for domestic use, where compactness is a vital trait.
ADT Chest Freezer
– Also Consider
Are you looking for a premium quality chest freezer that’s easy on the pockets? This black, 3.5 cubic feet design is by far the best chest freezer with an affordable price point. Starting from $163, the dainty price tag accompanies some fancy features as well. For starters, the freezer has an embossed aluminum liner that provides environmental protection along with corrosion resistance, to provide safety in all types of weather. Its pure copper wire and a high-caliber compressor both work to amplify the freezers’ longevity, whereas, the compact design makes it the perfect fit for a modern home. The only drawback we’ve come across is the absence of an interior light which may cause slight inconvenience if your freezer is located somewhere dark, such as the basement.
Avanti Chest Freezer
– Also Consider
The Avanti chest freezer offers 2.5 cubic feet of generous storage space to home all your preferred frozen goodies. The freezer is befitting for confined areas like small homes and apartments, where space is limited. In fact, a customer reports that it’s the “perfect size“ which further emphasizes Avantis’ high value. A component that makes this freezer unique and stand out from others, is the presence of small rollers at the base of the freezer. The wheels not only make it easy to maneuver the freezer, but they also protect the floor from becoming marked, as the weight of the freezer is distributed evenly. However, the interior is covered by a shiny fabric-like material (similar to wallpaper), so one should be careful to avoid using a scraper.
Arctic King Chest Freezer
– Also Consider
This 5 cubic feet chest freezer is perfect for all your domestic storage demands. The 2 shelves and a removable storage basket (for quick access to frequently used items) make it an optimally organized appliance. What makes this freezer stand out is the energy-efficient technology model which utilizes only 218 kWh, making it much more cost-effective than other chest freezers in the market. Apart from this, the unit contains a defrost drain located within reach for convenient cleaning. Other notable features include a quiet operation system installed in the freezer (practically silent when it runs) paired with a sleek black design that makes it the ideal freezer for a professional environment. However, it should be kept in mind that this freezer may not be ideal for commercial uses and bulk storage(meats if you’re into hunting) due to its petite size. That being said, the Arctic King is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment for your kitchen, cabin, or business.
HomeLabs Chest Freezer
– Another Option
With a 3.5 cubic feet margin, the HomeLabs top-door chest freezer offers an on-hand defrost drain equipped with a manual defrost setting for smooth functioning. The thermostat knob that’s situated externally, at the base of the freezer, can be used to adjust the temperature from 10.4*F to -0.4*F. The 115V Chest freezer consumes only 0.53 kWh while producing minimal noise, making this version supremely energy-efficient. The hinges located on the top door balance the freezer, eliminating the need to hold it up while rummaging inside, while the sleek white finish provides a classy exterior. This small chest freezer may not be able to host hunters’ meat however it’s a perfect fit for your home and office food storage. “ I finally have the freezer room I need! no longer do you have to dig to find things. Everything is easy and convenient now!“ a satisfied buyer explains.
Buying Guide for the Best Chest Freezers
Defrosting – Manual or Auto?
When it comes to defrosting your chest freezer, either an automatic or a manual approach is used. What’s the difference? Put simply, manually defrosting the freezer requires all the food to be taken out while the door is left open as the ice is allowed to melt. Not only is this approach more laborious and time-consuming, but the melted ice can also produce a mess (keep those buckets handy). Having said that, chest freezers that manually defrost do allow the food to be preserved for longer periods of time without power. On the other hand, automatic defrost freezers save the hassle of having to physically defrost the freezer. The auto-defrost feature turns on immediately upon any temperature shift. The only drawback is that food does not stay fresh for as long compared to the manually defrosting versions.
Interior Light
Having some light inside comes in handy when depositing or extracting packages from the freezer. This feature is particularly convenient for dark locations such as the garage or basement. We wouldn’t call this trait an absolute necessity, however, it has its perks.
Accurate Temperature Controls
The FDA sets a bar of 0 degrees Fahrenheit as the temperature required to keep the food generally edible. The vast variety of controls could prove helpful in case of a faulty adjustment, to ensure your food isn’t going bad. Another aspect that deserves attention is the location of said controls. Many would prefer these to be upfront and accessible; however, if you have kids in the house, then you may want to consider a freezer with controls that are out-of-reach for your little ones to get to.
Is Your Freezer Large Enough?
With so many different sizes available in the market, it can get incredibly complicated when choosing a freezer. A general rule of thumb is to ask yourself the following questions before you make your purchase:
- How many people is the freezer serving?
- How much food actually needs freezing?
- How much space are you willing to donate to the freezer?
Once you’ve got all the answers to these questions, you can start narrowing down your options. The most popular size range is between 10 and 18 cubic feet-enough for 2 weeks’ worth of food storage. A medium to large freezer chest of around 12 – 18 cubic feet would be best suited for a large family, whereas a mini-fridge is an excellent choice if you live on your own.
Keep in mind that the best chest freezer is the one that best serves your needs. So if you spot one that’s got enough room to fulfill your storage requirements paired with a sturdy rep, then you’re good to go.
Safety Locks
Needless to say, locks are crucial. Especially if you’re looking for a garage-ready freezer. Most deep freezer chests include this nifty feature which usually comes with a key that should be kept safe and easily accessible. If by any chance your preferred freezer doesn’t already have a built-in security lock, then a wide variety of cheap heavy-duty locks are available to quickly be installed, without any hassle.
Garage-Ready Quality
Freezers that are garage-ready contain heavy-duty insulation that is designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of the garage and basement. This means that the food stays at the correct temperature in both chilly winters and on extra-hot summer days. Most models that we’ve listed above are garage-ready to serve all your mass storage needs, away from the hustle-bustle of the kitchen.
How Many Baskets Is Too Many?
Let’s be honest, one can never have enough baskets. This is especially true in the case of chest freezers, where the organization is key. For starters, we recommend looking out for a freezer with at least four baskets. Not only will this drastically cut down the time it takes to find stuff, but it will also bring about a sense of structure amidst the chaos. Baskets larger than 15 cubic feet are generally preferred for optimal storage. You can either sit them down on the freezer floor or situate them on a rack (which comes with most freezers) depending upon your convenience.
Chest Freezer FAQ
Q: Why is my chest freezer leaking water?
A: A blockage in the drain tube is one of the most common culprits of water leakage. This is caused by small debris or particles that clog up the drain hole, not allowing a proper channel for the water to pass through. An easy fix is to turn on defrost mode and unblock the drain tube to allow the water to escape. Please make sure to remove any power cables attached to your freezer before attempting to unclog it to avoid potential shocks or accidents.
Q: What’s the average lifespan of a chest freezer?
A: 4 years is the standard lifetime of a basic chest freezer. However, this time can be increased or decreased depending upon how well it is maintained. A few ways to elongate the timeline of your freezer chest is to regularly defrost it (at least twice a year) along with keeping hot sources-like a furnace- away from your freezer.
Q: How to prevent frost build-up?
A: If you notice frosty clusters on the inside of your freezer, it’s generally due to the moisture from your food coming in contact with the devices’ coils. To avoid this, make sure to only open the freezer as often as required and for shorter periods of time. Along with this, also make sure the freezer door is sealed tightly shut after use to prevent moisture in the air from entering your freezer and causing frost to develop.
