Freezers: Reviews

Many users prefer upright freezers to chest freezers because they are easier to organize. The 20.5-cubic-foot Frigidaire freezer is a solid performer in tests, and like most upright models it has automatic defrost,… expandinterior lighting and several shelves. It also includes bonus features such as an open-door alarm and digital controls. The Frigidaire is not Energy Star-rated, however. Owners say the freezer is spacious and good-looking, and most find it quiet. A few complain that the door seal is too tight, making it hard to open. This freezer has a one-year warranty. collapse

Chest freezers offer more storage capacity for the price, and they're quieter and more energy efficient than upright models. Of course, they also have a larger footprint, and all chest freezers require manual defrosting.… expandWe found good recommendations for the 14.8-cubic-foot GE FCM15PUWW, which includes a keyed lock -- an important safety feature for families with small children. The Kenmore freezer also includes interior lights, a power indicator light and a defrost drain. Users find the freezer spacious and quiet, and they appreciate the sliding baskets to help with organization, which can be hard to tackle efficiently with chest freezers. This GE freezer is Energy Star-rated and comes with a one-year warranty. collapse

If your storage needs are smaller or you don't have a lot of extra space, the 8.8-cubic-foot Kenmore 16922 is a solid performer in tests and receives excellent owner reviews. This chest freezer includes a keyed lock,… expandinterior light, power-on light and two lift-out baskets, but it isn't Energy Star-rated. However, it's still fairly efficient because of its smaller size. It gets good scores in professional tests for its temperature control, and users find it quiet. The Kenmore 16922 has a one-year warranty. collapse