Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best stand up glass door freezer

By Tyler Wells Lynch and Winnie Yang

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Everything we recommend

Top pick

This garage-ready, frost-free freezer includes all of the most important features, plus a few extra perks, for less money than most comparably sized freezers. However, it does not have a reversible door.

Runner-up

This Frigidaire is a little smaller than our top pick, with all of the critical features you’d expect. And it has a reversible door.

Top pick

This garage-ready, frost-free freezer includes all of the most important features, plus a few extra perks, for less money than most comparably sized freezers. However, it does not have a reversible door.

Like most upright freezers, the GE FUF17DLRWW Upright Freezer has a frost-free cooling system, which means you’ll never need to defrost it yourself. This model has a power-on indicator light, leveling legs (to balance it on uneven floors), a safety lock, and a bunch of storage baskets.

This 17.3-cubic-foot GE also has nice bonus features, like glass shelves, external temperature controls, and a temperature alarm (which alerts you if the door has been left open).

Unlike many of its competitors, this model can be placed in the garage, in temperatures ranging from zero to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This freezer does not have a reversible door, however, so if you need a model that opens from the right, you should consider our runner-up pick.

Runner-up

This Frigidaire is a little smaller than our top pick, with all of the critical features you’d expect. And it has a reversible door.

The Frigidaire FFFU16F2VW Upright Freezer is similar to our top pick, but with a smaller capacity (16 cubic feet). It still has all of the most important features—including a frost-free cooling system, a power-on indicator light, a temperature alarm, leveling legs, and plenty of storage shelves.

The Frigidaire doesn’t have external temperature controls or glass shelving, but it does have a reversible door, which makes placement more flexible.

Why you should trust us

Tyler Wells Lynch, who wrote the original version of this guide, covered appliances for more than three years at Reviewed.com, and then for nearly three more years at Wirecutter. Winnie Yang is Wirecutter’s former appliance editor.

We’ve been evaluating upright freezers since . For this guide, we’ve done the following:

• We spent more than 40 hours researching upright freezers.
• We interviewed a variety of experts, including Heather Marold Thomason, a butcher and founder of Primal Supply Meats in Philadelphia; Michael Dulock, a butcher and owner of M.F. Dulock Pasture Raised Meats (now called Highland Butcher Shop) in Somerville, Massachusetts, at the time of our interview; Benjamin Liebert, former vice president of cold products at Frigidaire; and some anonymous hunters in an online hunting forum.
• We pored over hundreds of customer reviews for a multitude of models, comparing all that we could with professional reviews, established wisdom, and our own research into what makes a good upright freezer.

Who should get this

Dedicated freezers are useful for anyone who wants extra space for long-term food storage, including large families, hunters, people who might have trouble getting to a store for an extended period, or really anyone who would like to make fewer trips to the grocery store.

Just make sure you keep it in a basement or an area of your home where the temperature tends to be stable. If you want to put a freezer in your garage, you should make sure it’s built for an environment with wide temperature swings. Such freezers are usually described as “garage-ready” in the specs. (We also have a guide to garage-ready refrigerators.)

This guide covers upright freezers, which look and operate just like a regular refrigerator with shelves—only at subfreezing temperatures and with a single door. The other main type of freezer is a chest freezer. Uprights offer more space with a smaller physical footprint.

Most of the experts we spoke with agreed that uprights are more convenient for retrieving and organizing food than chest freezers, because you don’t have to dig around for items buried at the bottom of a pile. Greg F, a hunter from California with decades of experience, told us that uprights are ideal for the same reason. “I piled elk on top of ducks and dove in a chest freezer and had to move the elk meat every time I wanted duck or dove,” he said. “I had a hell of a time just finding the dove.”

Also, unlike many chest freezers, the vast majority of uprights are frost-free, meaning you’ll never have to manually defrost the inside.

On the other hand, all of that shelving means there is more unused space than you’d find in a chest-style freezer, which you can stuff with more food. This makes uprights slightly less efficient than chests because all of that idle air forces the freezer to work harder to maintain temperature—costing you an extra $10 to $20 a year to operate, compared with chests. (Uprights tend to be a bit pricier than chest freezers, too.)

Upright freezers also allow more air to move around inside the freezer, exposing food to wider temperature swings and an increased chance of freezer burn. But you can avoid this risk by tightly wrapping or vacuum-sealing your food. Freezer burn may or may not be a problem for you; it depends on a lot of factors: how often you open the door, how much empty space is in the freezer, where in your home you place the freezer, and what foods you are freezing.

How we picked

We looked for freezers that struck the best balance of features, specs, reviews, price, and availability.

First, we focused on a few crucial features:

• A capacity between 14 and 22 cubic feet: This is the sweet spot—not too big, not too small. It’s also the most popular range of capacities based on what manufacturers are selling. Most experts agree it’s wise to overestimate rather than underestimate your needs. Heather Marold Thomason, a butcher at Primal Supply Meats, told us there’s nothing worse than running out of space. “Freezers are like purses,” she said. “The bigger they are the more you fill them up."Remember, though: A full freezer is an efficient freezer. Less empty space means less air moving around inside, and it’s air that forces the machine to work harder while increasing the risk of freezer burn.

• A power-on indicator light: This lets you know at a glance whether the freezer is working, which is useful for preventing spoilage.
• Leveling legs or wheels: Leveling legs or wheels allow you to properly balance the machine on uneven floors.
• An interior light: This makes it easier to see inside your freezer.
• At least three adjustable storage shelves: This is the standard number of shelves in an upright freezer, though plenty of models (particularly at larger capacities) have four. All shelves should be adjustable and removable.
• Generally positive reviews: We dismissed any freezer that didn’t have at least 150 reviews from at least one major retailer, as well as those with an average customer rating of fewer than 4½ out of 5 stars. (Most top-selling freezers at Home Depot, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and the like have very positive customer reviews.)

We then considered specs and features that are typically just a matter of personal preference.

• Frost-free: Frost-free freezers periodically rise from 0 degrees Fahrenheit (the ideal freezer temperature) to about 32 degrees Fahrenheit, to melt any frost buildup. This means you’ll never have to manually defrost the inside, as you would likely have to with a chest freezer. The downside to frost-free is a heightened risk of freezer burn. The majority of upright freezers are frost-free, but there are some manual defrost options, which just hold a constant temperature.Manuals need to be defrosted once a quarter-inch of ice has built up. You do this by unplugging the freezer, emptying it, pulling a drain plug on the bottom, and letting the whole thing melt over the course of a few hours. How often you need to do this depends on a bunch of factors, but at the most it will need to be done once a year.

• A reversible hinge: Some freezers allow you to put the door hinge on either side, which gives you more flexibility in where you can place them. If you need your freezer to open from the right, be sure to check that the model has a reversible hinge, because the ones with a fixed hinge tend to open from the left.
• A temperature alarm: This audibly alerts you if the freezer door is left open or if the internal temperature gets too high. It’s not a super-common feature, so we didn’t require it, but it can provide some peace of mind.
• Temperature control: The FDA-recommended setting for freezers is zero degrees Fahrenheit. There aren’t many reasons why you’d want to deviate from that, but precise temperature control could be helpful in a freezer that isn’t properly calibrated.
• A door/safety lock: A lock helps ward off children or nosy guests and housemates.
• Storage bins: Some upright freezers come with storage bins, sort of like the crisper drawers you find in fridges. They can add a bit more organization to your freezer, but they’re not going to change your life.

We also looked at warranty, annual energy consumption, and general availability.

But honestly, most upright freezers should work great, so don’t stress over this purchase too much. If our picks are out of stock, or you want something with different features or in a different size, go for it. They’re all very well reviewed and reliable.

Our pick: GE FUF17DLRWW Upright Freezer

Top pick

This garage-ready, frost-free freezer includes all of the most important features, plus a few extra perks, for less money than most comparably sized freezers. However, it does not have a reversible door.

The GE FUF17DLRWW Upright Freezer is the best upright freezer because it offers the best balance of necessary features, plus a few extras, with plenty of capacity for most people. It’s a frost-free machine with a 17.3-cubic-foot interior, a temperature alarm, exterior temperature controls, storage bins, and a slightly better efficiency rating than most other models we’ve found. The owner reviews we’ve found are overwhelmingly positive.

The FUF17DLRWW has everything you should expect from an upright freezer: There’s a light to let you know that the machine is running, and there are leveling legs to balance it on uneven flooring. The GE has four adjustable glass shelves, three baskets, and four in-door shelves, providing plenty of options for storage.

This model comes with some additional perks: The GE FUF17DLRWW is one of the few freezers we’ve come across with a temperature alarm. If the door is left open or if the internal temperature gets too high, the freezer will beep a warning. This freezer also has a door lock, which can be useful for keeping out children or neighbors in a shared space. We also like that it has glass shelving (versus the wire shelving on many other models we looked at), which adds a nice aesthetic touch (and catches potential drips or spills) without any obvious price hike.

The GE also has a slightly better energy rating than comparably sized machines. With a power draw of roughly 441 kWh per year, on average this thing will cost about $53 per year to operate (according to the estimate on the EnergyGuide label). That’s pretty typical, and slightly more efficient than many other freezers of the same size.

We’ve found consistently glowing owner reviews for the FUF17DLRWW. As of summer it has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Home Depot, across about 7,000 reviews.

If this model’s 17.3-cubic-foot size isn’t quite right, GE makes versions that are 14.1 cubic feet (the FUF14DLRWW) and 21.3 cubic feet (the FUF21DLRWW), both of which have received mostly positive reviews. So far, the small percentage of reviewers who write that the FUF17DLRWW failed on them say that it didn’t work from the start. Freezers are all pretty simple machines that operate more or less the same way, though quality-control issues do happen from time to time. But if a freezer works well when it’s new, we think it’s likely to keep working for a decade or longer.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• It does not have a reversible door. The FUF17DLRWW opens only from the left, so make sure it works in the space you want to put it in.

Runner-up: Frigidaire FFFU16F2VW Upright Freezer

Runner-up

This Frigidaire is a little smaller than our top pick, with all of the critical features you’d expect. And it has a reversible door.

Like our top pick, the frost-free Frigidaire FFFU16F2VW Upright Freezer has all of the most important features, though in a slightly smaller package (15½ cubic feet). The Frigidaire is missing some of the nice perks found in the GE upright freezer, however, including glass shelves, a door lock, and external controls. But unlike the GE, the Frigidaire has a reversible door hinge, and it comes in a brushed stainless steel finish as well as the usual white.

Otherwise, they’re very similar freezers. The Frigidaire is also marginally more efficient in its energy usage than other models of comparable size, and it gets similarly glowing reviews among owners. It’s a frost-free machine with a floor-projected power-on indicator light, a temperature alarm, adjustable feet (which allow you to level it on an uneven floor), and an interior light, so you can see what’s inside.

This model also has four removable wire shelves (which is one more than a lot of comparably sized freezers have) and five in-door shelves, as well as a convenient storage basket.

The Frigidaire is well liked by owners, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars across nearly 18,000 reviews on Home Depot as of summer . We assume the reliability is about the same as with other brands’ freezers—if the Frigidaire works when it’s new, it should last at least a decade.

If you’re looking for a smaller upright freezer, the 13-cubic-foot version (FFFU13F2VW) could be a good option, and it has earned many glowing reviews.

Care and maintenance

Freezers are set-it-and-forget-it appliances. To keep your freezer in tip-top shape, you should keep it well stocked and free of frost buildup. A full freezer limits air circulation, making the machine more efficient overall and also preventing buildup of duct-blocking frost.

The great thing about frost-free systems, which most upright models have, is that you’ll never need to defrost the machine yourself. A well-stocked, low-frost freezer will live longer and keep your food frozen longer in the event of a power outage. You’ll also want to properly seal or wrap anything you put in there, to ward off freezer burn and air exposure and maximize shelf life. Vacuum-sealing is ideal, but a tight parchment wrap or Ziploc bag is also good.

The competition

A lot of the freezers we looked at were pretty much identical, with slight differences in features and scaled up or down for whatever capacity you’re looking for. Here are some other options that we think are decent if you can’t find our picks or are looking for something slightly different.

The GE FUF17SMRWW is nearly identical to our main pick except that it has wire shelves instead of glass ones, and opaque plastic door shelves instead of clear ones. Like the FUF17DLRWW, it comes in 21.3-cubic-foot and 14.1-cubic-foot versions.

The Maytag MZF34X18FW has many of the same features as our runner-up pick, including a reversible door. And it comes with Maytag’s 10-year warranty on compressor parts, in addition to the one-year warranty that most of the freezer makers offer. Unlike the Frigidaire FFFU16F2VW, the Maytag doesn’t have a power-on indicator or a door-ajar or temperature alarm, and its bottom compartment has a shallow storage gate that may not hold items as conveniently as the baskets in our picks. It also uses slightly more energy than either of our picks, but it’s still a fine option if the GE and the Frigidaire models are sold out. Maytag also makes a 15.7-cubic-foot upright freezer (MZF34X16DW) and a 20-cubic-foot version (MZF34X20DW) with similar features.

The 16-cubic-foot Whirlpool WZF57R16FW comes with all the features we think are most important, and it has an optional ice maker (sold separately). It has only three shelves, however, which is one less than most other models of similar size.

We were also impressed by the Gladiator GAFZ30FDGB—a heavy-duty, 17.8-cubic-foot freezer with caster wheels and a step-lever to open the door. At nearly $2,000, however, it’s expensive.

Meet your guides

Tyler Wells Lynch

Winnie Yang

Winnie Yang is the former supervising editor of Wirecutter’s appliance coverage and formerly the editor of guides to baby and parenting gear. In a previous life, she served as the managing editor of Culinary Backstreets and The Art of Eating, and she has written for Condé Nast Traveler, Feast, Jamie, Saveur, and Tasting Table, among other publications.

Further reading

• The Best Chest Freezers

  by Tyler Wells Lynch

  After more than 40 hours of research, we think the GE FCM11PHWW is the best chest freezer for most people.

• The Best Side-by-Side Refrigerators

  by Rachel Wharton

  The GE GSE25G is a spacious, sturdy side-by-side fridge with an exceptionally adjustable interior layout from a brand known for high customer satisfaction.

  Link to Ice Forest

• The Best French Door Refrigerators

  by Rachel Wharton

  The LG LRFLCS is a handsome, capacious French-door refrigerator from a brand that ranks at the top of our surveys for customer satisfaction.

• The Best Popsicle Molds

  by Molly Simms, Jamie Wiebe, and Haley Sprankle

  We’ve made and consumed over 200 popsicles since , and we think the Tovolo Classic Pop Molds are your best bet for frustration-free frozen treats.

Advertisement

In today's dynamic homes, garage freezers have evolved into an essential addition, providing invaluable extra storage for frozen goods and serving as a handy backup during grocery runs. Impressively, over 16 million households across the United States have recognized the benefits of having a secondary refrigeration unit in their garages, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

In this comprehensive guide, our freezer experts at DeWaard & Bode will take you through everything you need to know about buying the best garage freezer for your home. Whether you're a seasoned homeowner or a new buyer, our team will help you make an informed decision. If you are interested in learning more about refrigerator and freezer solutions, head to our blog “ The Most Reliable Refrigerators For Your Kitchen”. 

What Is a Garage Ready Freezer?

A garage ready freezer is specifically designed to withstand the unique conditions present in a garage environment. Unlike traditional freezers meant for indoor use, garage freezers are built to endure varying temperatures, from hot summers to freezing winters. They're well-insulated and equipped with robust compressors to maintain a consistent internal temperature despite external fluctuations. This makes them an ideal choice for those who need extra freezer space for storing bulk purchases, garden harvests, or even for keeping beverages cool during outdoor gatherings.

Types of Garage Ready Freezers

As you continue to learn more about garage freezers, you will encounter two main types: upright freezers and chest freezers.

Upright Freezers

Upright freezers resemble standard refrigerators and offer the advantage of vertical storage. They come with shelves and drawers that make it easy to organize and access your frozen items. Upright freezers are a great choice to keep your frozen foods within easy reach and prefer the convenience of shelving.

Chest Freezers

Chest freezers, on the other hand, provide more storage capacity and energy efficiency. Their top-opening design traps cold air inside even when the lid is opened, making them ideal for long-term storage. They are often considered more space-efficient since they don't have shelves, allowing you to stack items on top of each other.

Garage Freezer Buying Guide

Buying the best garage freezer involves considering several important factors to ensure you get the most suitable unit for your needs. Please consider following these steps provided by our experts:

1. Size and Capacity

Begin by assessing the available space in your garage. Measure the dimensions accurately to determine the maximum size your freezer can be. Consider how much frozen food you typically store and opt for a freezer with ample capacity. Remember, a well-stocked freezer is more energy-efficient, so aim for a size that suits your needs without leaving too much unused space.

2. Temperature Range

One of the key features of a garage ready freezer is its ability to operate effectively in a wide temperature range. Look for a freezer that can maintain a consistent temperature even in extreme weather conditions. A reliable garage freezer should be able to function well in temperatures ranging from subzero to high heat.

3. Energy Efficiency

Since a freezer operates around the clock, it's important to choose an energy-efficient model to keep your electricity bills in check. Look for freezers with the ENERGY STAR label, as these are designed to meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

4. Security Features

Consider security features like lockable lids or doors, especially if you have children or pets around. Locks can prevent unwanted access and help keep your frozen items safe.

5. Price and Warranty

Set a budget for your garage freezer and explore options within that range. While it's tempting to go for the lowest price, prioritize quality and features that meet your needs. Also, check for a manufacturer's warranty that covers repairs or replacements in case of defects.

Garage Freezer Featured Models

If you are ready to buy a garage freezer, our experts have listed their favorite options to help you decide:

Garage Ready Chest Freezer 

Our Pick: Whirlpool 16 Cu. Ft. Convertible Freezer to Refrigerator with Baskets - WZCLW

Why We Like It:

Introducing the Convertible Freezer-to-Fridge – a versatile appliance that adapts to your family's varying needs. Whether you need extra freezer room or additional storage for fresh groceries, this flexible solution has you covered. The LED Lighting enhances visibility, making it easy to spot items with the illuminated interior. 

Enjoy the added convenience of the Counterbalanced Lid, which allows for effortless two-handed access to items or convenient organization of your food items while keeping the lid in place as you prefer. Simplify organization with the Raised Shelf and Divider, creating a designated accessible area for your family's preferred products. This adaptable appliance enhances your kitchen's functionality and versatility, seamlessly transitioning between freezing and refrigeration to match your evolving lifestyle.

Our Pick: GE ®7.0 Cu. Ft. Manual Defrost Chest Freezer - FCM7STWW

Why We Like It:
Experience peace of mind with this model equipped with the Power Outage Promise – during power disruptions, your frozen items remain preserved for up to 48 hours at temperatures of 32 degrees F or lower. Enjoy the convenience of Two Plastic Lift-Out, Sliding Baskets, allowing you to easily arrange and access your preferred foods. Additionally, the Exterior Power "On" Light eliminates the need to open the door to check if the freezer is operational, making it simple to verify its status at a glance.

Garage Ready Upright Freezer

Our Pick: Frigidaire 20.0 Cu. Ft. Upright Freezer - FFUEAW

Why We Like It:

Ensure your frozen foods remain in optimal condition with the Door Ajar and High Temp Alarm, which audibly notifies you if the freezer door is left open or if the temperature rises. Easily monitor your freezer's status with the Floor-Projected Power-On Indicator, providing visual assurance that your favorites are safely frozen and preserved. The Auto-Close Doors feature prevents food spoilage and melting treats by automatically shutting the door if left ajar by 5 or fewer inches. 

Avoid icy build-up with the Frost-Free Design that eliminates the need for manual defrosting. Enjoy increased capacity without compromising space, as the 20 cu. ft. upright freezer fits in the footprint of a traditional 17 cu. ft. model. 

Our Pick: GE ®17.3 Cu. Ft. Frost-Free Garage Ready Upright Freezer - FUF17DLRWW

Why We Like It:
Select the perfect match for your requirements from a variety of sizes available. Efficiently arrange items on four glass shelves in this upright freezer, two of which can be adjusted for added flexibility. Enjoy improved storage convenience using the clear slide-out bin, allowing easy organization and identification. Safeguard your valuable food with the lock and key security feature, preventing unintended access.

Experience the advantages of the Turbo Freeze function, which reestablishes the desired temperature to keep food fresh. Additionally, gain reassurance from the Power Outage Promise, which ensures frozen food remains preserved for up to 48 hours during power interruptions (at 32 degrees F or lower), providing peace of mind in unexpected situations.

Find Your Perfect Freezer at DeWaard & Bode

Whether you opt for an upright freezer for easy organization or a chest freezer for maximum storage, remember to prioritize features like size, temperature range, energy efficiency, and security. 

Discover a wider selection of upright and chest freezers available for purchase at DeWaard & Bode by exploring our online freezer inventory. Should you have additional questions about garage freezers, feel free to get in touch with us or visit our stores in Bellingham or Burlington, WA. Our team of freezer specialists is prepared to address any questions you may have.

If you already own a garage freezer, but it needs repairing, make sure to give us a call or request our repair services today. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Garage Freezers

What does "garage ready freezer" mean?

A garage ready freezer is a type of freezer designed to operate effectively in the varying temperature conditions typically found in garages.

Do I need a garage ready freezer?

If you plan to place the freezer in your garage, where temperatures can vary, a garage ready freezer is recommended to ensure optimal performance. However, if the freezer will be indoors, where temperatures are controlled, a regular freezer should be enough.

Are there any cons to buying a garage freezer?

While garage ready freezers are convenient for extra storage, one potential downside is that they might consume slightly more energy in extreme temperatures. 

Is it okay to have a fully stocked garage freezer?

Keeping your freezer fully stocked helps distribute and maintain the temperature more efficiently within the freezer, while also reducing the energy needed to maintain a cool temperature.

What should I look for when buying a garage freezer?

Consider factors like size, temperature range, energy efficiency, security features, and warranty when purchasing a garage freezer.

Can I place a regular freezer in my garage?

While it's possible, a regular freezer may not perform well in the fluctuating temperatures of a garage. It's better to invest in a garage ready freezer for optimal performance.

How do I maintain my garage freezer?

Keep the freezer clean, defrost it regularly, and ensure proper ventilation around the unit. Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance tips.

Are all chest freezers “garage ready”?

Not all chest freezers are garage ready. Make sure to check the features of your specific model to ensure that it is a garage ready model. 

For more information, please visit stand up glass door freezer.