The 6 Best Upright Freezers That Maximize and Organize Your Food Storage Space

ProsGarage-readyNo need to manually defrost itBeeping alert when door is left openConsThe door isn't reversibleThis garage-ready upright freezer offers 17.3 cubic feet of freezer storage. That’s a lot of extra space, and it's a great choice for families or anyone who buys groceries in bulk.It’s frost-free, which means you don’t have to empty it and manually thaw it out. Its glass shelves are easy to clean and fully adjustable, which allows you to set up your freezer in a way that works best for you. Additionally, it comes with LED interior lighting that helps you find those frozen tater tots without your phone’s flashlight.GE says that the food inside this model stays frozen for up to 48 hours in a power outage. Also, if the temperature does start to climb in this freezer, an audible alarm sounds. Just note that the door is not reversible, so if a left-hand swing doesn’t work in the space you want to set this up, this model might not be the best choice.Key SpecsDimensions31.375 x 32.875 x 64.75 in.Capacity17.3 cubic feetShelvesFour freezer shelves, four door shelvesDefrost TypeFrost-freeProsGarage-ready designLarge capacity holds a ton of foodWe're big fans of the auto-defrost feature ConsDoor isn't reversibleIf you and your family shop in bulk, you’re probably someone who finds value in volume, and that’s what you get with this upright freezer. It's the same garage-ready model as our top pick, but with a massive 21.3 cubic feet of interior space.One handy feature we appreciate is that it quickly drops the temperature if the door has been left open or the freezer was loaded with warmer items straight from the grocery store. This minimizes the formation of ice crystals, which helps maintain your food's quality. There is also a power-on indicator light so you always know that it’s running, an alarm if the temperature rises so you don’t lose any food, and a safety lock.Inside, you’ll have access to four freezer shelves, four door shelves, and a pull-out bin. Again, the letdown here, same as our other GE choice, is that the door isn’t reversible.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSmall footprint with mid-size capacityConvertible design swaps between fridge and freezerAdjustable shelving and a reversible doorIf you’re just about out of space in your freezer and don't have room for some of the mammoth models above, a mid-size freezer is for you. This one from Samsung gives you 11.4 cubic feet of interior space, while it only takes up a little over four square feet of floor space, which makes it a smart choice for tighter spaces.It’s convertible, which means it switches from refrigerator to freezer, and it’s fine for garage use. The shelves, drawers, and door bins are all adjustable as well, which allows you to store just about anything you need to with a little bit of creativity. Plus, the door is reversible. All of this combined makes this model one of the most versatile we found. The drawback here is that the Samsung doesn’t have child safety locks. Key SpecsDimensions27.38 x 23.38 x 73 in.Capacity11.4 cubic feetShelvesThree freezer shelves, four drawers, three door shelvesDefrost TypeFrost-freeProsAmple adjustable shelves and storageReversible door means we can position it almost anywhereFast-freeze mode to drop temperatures quicklyConsNot garage-readyNo safety lockPerhaps the one biggest advantage that chest freezers hold over upright freezers is the ability to truly pack them full. Of course, with upright models, you trade that in for easier organization, but if maximizing space is a priority for you when looking for an upright freezer, this model from Whirlpool is for you.It comes with four adjustable cabinet shelves, one removable basket for items you can’t stack, and six door shelves. These all help you make the most of your available space, and as an added benefit, a tightly packed freezer improves your freezer's efficiency.But there's more to this freezer than just shelving. It’s frost-free and has 19.6 cubic feet of storage space inside, with a fast-freeze mode to quickly drop the temperature when the door has been opened during loading.It also has a reversible door, so you can position the hinges so it opens right or left, but it doesn’t have a safety lock, so keep that in mind if you have kids. Perhaps the biggest drawback, which may be a dealbreaker for some, is that it isn't garage-ready.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSuitable for temperatures from 0 to 110 degrees FAuto-close door to prevent spoilageFlexible shelves and door binsKeeps food safe for two days in power outageConsWe would love a bit more interior spaceIf you don’t have space in your kitchen for an upright freezer, but your garage has a nook perfect for supplemental freezer space, this Frigidaire model is a perfect option. It has 20 cubic feet of interior space and takes up a mere 6.77 square feet of garage floor space.It's garage-ready, withstanding external temperatures from 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. It also features an auto-close door that shuts itself to prevent food spoilage, and it’s guaranteed to keep food safe for two days in a power outage.Some other points to consider are that this model auto defrosts and the door is reversible, which gives you more flexibility over where you place it. Also, it has four full-width glass shelves, a basket, and five door bins for plenty of food storage. If we could change one thing about this freezer, we'd give it slightly more interior space in order to maximize the floor space it takes up.Key SpecsDimensions29.875 x 32.625 x 71.75 in.Capacity20 cubic feetShelvesFour freezer shelves, five door bins, one removable basketDefrost TypeFrost-freeProsTakes up less than 3 square feet of floor spaceReversible doorGarage-ready design ConsNeeds to be manually defrostedWe wish the shelving could be repositionedWhether you’re tight on space, don’t need year-round supplemental frozen food storage, or just want a small freezer for a cabin or vacation spot, Whynter’s compact freezer gets it done. This small freezer offers three cubic feet of interior space while taking up less than three square feet of floor space.The shelves are fixed in place, but there is a removable slide-out basket shelf. The door is reversible, and the built-in lock is also a huge plus, but the fact that this model isn’t frost-free means it needs to be thawed out about once per year (if you’re using it year-round).Overall, this is a very straightforward upright freezer designed to meet your needs if you just need a small boost to your food freezing capabilities.Tom Scalisi has written about tools, lawn equipment, and DIY projects for more than six years. His work has been published by Bob Vila, This Old House, Family Handyman, and Pro Tool Reviews. A former contractor and building mechanic, he’s spent countless weekends rehabbing his own home and yard, testing a wide array of power and hand tools along the way. Whether he’s tackling a home repair or just trying to spruce up the yard for a barbecue, he loves figuring out what actually works—and why. That hands-on experience, paired with years of research, helps him cut through the noise to recommend the tools worth your money.