Digging through bags and boxes of frozen foods can be frustrating, and an overcrowded freezer struggles to maintain the right temperature and airflow. The best mini freezers are compact, durable and maintain a consistent temperature for excess groceries or long-term ingredients. Our top pick is the Summit Appliance Upright Freezer, which is quiet, long-lasting and has helpful features like a built-in fan to prevent frost buildup.
Mini freezers provide valuable storage space without taking up much room in the house.
Before making a purchase, consider the dimensions, capacity, defrost type, special features and ease of installation. Some models are installed beneath a kitchen counter for quick access, while others are left freestanding and used for long-term storage. To keep your kitchen stocked, we’ve rounded up the best mini freezers for every household.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen editors have extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best home products on the market. We’ve published scores of expert-backed roundups on kitchen and dining products, including the best refrigerators, best portable dishwashers and more.
- The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team includes three expert editors: deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala.
- Author of this piece Derek Rose is a regular contributor with extensive experience covering home, kitchen and lifestyle topics.
- Rose also gathered key insight and guidance from two industry experts: Margaret Robey, an appliance sales specialist at Metropolitan Appliance in Seattle, and Duffy Flynn, the head of marketing for Ice Mule.
How We Chose The Best Mini Freezers
To find the best mini freezers, we researched best-selling models, compared features and asked industry experts—as well as our team of experienced staffers—for product recommendations and insights on what to look for.
- Our home and kitchen editorial team focused on top-rated models from trusted brands and retailers such as Summit Appliance, Whirlpool, GE and more.
- We analyzed features including type, dimensions, capacity and defrost type to assess the overall value and help readers pinpoint the best option for their home.
- We consulted two experts to determine what specific features to look for in a good mini freezer. Then, our editors reviewed each freezer's dimensions, capacity, defrost type, installation and extra or advanced features.
- We took customer reviews and average star ratings into careful account, sticking to models that have garnered at least an average rating of 4 stars and only a negligible amount of concerning reviews, if any.
- The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and meticulous vetting by the editorial team.
What To Look For In The Best Mini Freezers
There are several factors to consider when shopping for the best mini freezers. Here’s what to look for.
Type
There are two primary kinds of mini freezers: upright and chest. Upright freezers are taller than they are wide and have front-opening doors, making them resemble refrigerators. Robey says, “access to what you want to get to is easier” with an upright freezer because the contents are usually visible and organized by shelves. In contrast, chest freezers are wider than they are tall and have top-opening doors, like a cooler. “Chest freezers are best for longer-term freezing,” Robey says, partially because the internal temperature fluctuates less than it does with an upright freezer.
Storage Capacity
Mini freezers typically have a capacity between three to five cubic feet. However, any freezer with at least ten cubic feet of storage is considered small. A key part of the buying process is deciding whether you prioritize saving space in the house or having more space to store food. If you only expect to freeze a small amount of goods, go with a freezer that has five cubic feet or less. If you want to store a lot, aim for something larger.
Defrost Method
Freezers have automatic or manual defrost. Automatic or “frost-free” freezers use evaporating coils and fans to melt potential frost buildup and evenly circulate air and moisture. They simplify the defrosting process but are usually pricier than a manual freezer, which requires users to prevent and eliminate freezer frost by hand.
Temperature Adjustment
Most mini freezers have a dial or digital thermostat that lets users adjust the temperature. It’s a feature that some freezer owners may never use, but it’s convenient if the contents you’re freezing have specific temperature requirements. The average freezer runs at 0 degrees and can be adjusted to be 10 degrees warmer or cooler. Duffy Flynn, the head of marketing for Ice Mule, tells us that a food-safe temperature to refrigerate food is 40 degrees or below.
Warranty
Ideally, a mini freezer lasts for years without issue, especially when it costs a few hundred dollars. However, it’s worth checking the manufacturer’s warranty before purchasing one. The standard warranty covers defects that occur within one year of purchase. Some brands offer a five-year warranty for issues with a freezer’s compressor.
Are Small Freezers Efficient?
Yes, small freezers are typically more energy-efficient than large ones. It requires more power to sustain a cool temperature in a larger space. Chest freezers tend to be more energy efficient than upright freezers because they are often better insulated and trap cold air at the bottom when the door is opened.
How Do You Defrost A Mini Freezer?
Start by removing all contents from the freezer. After that, unplug the freezer and let the ice melt. You can expedite the process by scraping the frost with a plastic or wooden utensil. Make sure you have a plan for getting rid of the excess water, whether it’s towels or a bucket. Finally, dry the inside of the freezer with towels and clean it with a solution of water and baking soda. Mini freezers likely need to be defrosted once a year, but it varies based on temperature fluctuations and the amount of moisture inside. To avoid freezer frost, Flynn recommends using “a vacuum sealer to remove the moisture from your food and prevent that moisture from freezing.”
What Can You Store In A Mini Freezer?
A mini freezer should be able to store the same items as a regular freezer. In fact, the average mini freezer has roughly the same capacity as a refrigerator's top freezer. Mini freezers are often used for excess groceries or long-term ingredients like fish, meat and stock. Many people use mini freezers daily for things like ready-made meals, frozen vegetables and sweets.
