7 Best Freezers of 2026, Lab-Tested and Reviewed
Whether you need extra freezer space for bulk groceries or meal prep, these standout models earn top marks for energy efficiency, thermostat performance, and more
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The freezer compartment of a standard refrigerator can be woefully inadequate if you buy food in bulk to save money. That’s one good reason to consider a stand-alone freezer. After testing dozens of models—by filling them with boxes of frozen spinach for six weeks—we found 11 chest freezers and 10 upright freezers we recommend for the job.
- Best Freezers: Chest Upright
- How CR Tests Freezers
Our test results are folded into an Overall Score for each model and appear in our freezer ratings charts. For more information on the pros and cons of each type, their features, and other tips, check out our freezer buying guide.
Best Chest Freezers
If you’re planning to put your freezer in a basement or another out-of-the-way place, consider a chest freezer. They don’t have a self-defrosting feature, which means you’ll need to take the food out periodically to defrost it manually. Also, be aware that the deepest of these deep freezers can be difficult to organize.
Below are the top-rated chest freezers from our tests in four size categories: small, midsized, large, and extra-large.
Best Upright Freezers
If you’re looking for a freezer for your kitchen, consider an upright model. You can find them in various finishes to match your kitchen suite, and a number come with a handy self-defrost feature. Note that upright freezers tend to cost more to run than chest freezers.
Below are our top picks in small, midsized, and large sizes.
How CR Tests Freezers
We test freezers in both normal and adverse conditions. If you live in an area with frequent power outages, you’ll want a model that keeps your food frozen for as long as possible.
We start by evaluating how well each freezer maintains food at a constant temperature on a daily basis. To do this, we pack each one with boxes of frozen spinach and measure the internal temperature of the cavity in 15 different places over roughly six weeks to assess how well the unit keeps the packages frozen.
The results allow us to assess each model’s thermostat performance and temperature uniformity (the ability to maintain the same temperature throughout the freezer cavity). Our engineers also measure usable storage capacity, which doesn’t always match manufacturer claims.
To see how well a freezer fares under adverse conditions, we simulate a power outage by raising the temperature in the test chamber to 90° F and unplugging the loaded freezer for 9 hours. “We test them in a warm room because summer is often when the power goes out,” says Breann Chai, who oversees freezer testing. In the best freezers, the temperature rises by just a few degrees. But the worst models show a spike of 25° F or more, which means food can start to thaw.
We also evaluate their ability to maintain cold temperatures in a hot garage environment (up to 110° F), calculate their energy efficiency, and measure the noise output to see how quietly they run.
To help you find the best model for your needs, Consumer Reports’ freezer ratings make it easy for you to compare options by size and capacity (small, midsized, large, and extra-large), as well as by configuration (chest or upright). That way, you’re not comparing the performance of a chest freezer as big as a bathtub with one the size of a dishwasher.
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