Best Mini Freezers For Apartments And Tiny Houses (With Buying Guide)
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Extra fridge storage space is always practical for large families or for those who rely on frozen meals due to the busy schedule like me. Moreover, having a freezer can cut down on cost since buying groceries in bulk is always cheaper.
A freezer doesn’t have to be huge. There are a lot of mini freezers with big capacity, yet, small footprint. We’ve scoured the Internet for the top-notch small upright and chest freezers that fit your budget.
Here is the list of best mini freezers we’ve found for you. If you are a first-time buyer, make sure you check our throughout buying guide with key features you should look for when buying a small freezer for your home.
| Image | Product | Features | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall Midea WHS-109FW1 |
| |
 | Best With Lock For Security Whynter CUF-112SS |
| |
 | Best See-Through Northair Upright Freezer with glass door |
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 | Most Energy-Efficient Midea WHS-129C1 |
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 | Affordable For Bulk Freezing Snow Shop Everything Chest Freezer |
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Best Mini Upright Freezer
Midea WHS-109FW1Best Overall
Pros
- Compact, yet be able to hold a lot of food
- Energy-efficient with Energy Star Certificate
- Adjusted legs to level very easily
- Run quietly
- Good looking
Cons
- No interior light
- The temp control knob is located inconveniently in the back of the freezer
Midea WHS-109FW1 is the most popular mini upright freezer in the market. If you are wondering why many people are charmed by this freezer, let us explain to you.
First, its sleek appearance with clean clines creates a good first impression. Coming in 3 cool and basic colors, this small unit can blend in well with your home or office decor without a hitch. It boasts a large capacity of up to 3.0 cubic feet in a small silhouette of just 18.5"D x 19.7”W x 33.9"H. The unit claims to be able to store up to 105 lbs of food. How amazing is that?
The selling point of this mini freezer is an Energy Star Certificate which every electrical appliance manufacturer strives for. It only consumes 240 kWh of energy yearly, which means you only have to pay about $29 a year.
Its temperature control knob is located at the bottom left side of the freezer, allowing you to adjust the temp from -11.2℉ to 8.6℉ to meet the requirements of the foodstuff that you are storing in the freezer.
The recessed door handle provides a sleek and ergonomic finish. Its flat back allows you to place it against the wall without worrying about damaging the compressor. The door installation is reversible, so whether you are left-handed or right-handed, this unit is perfect.
The unit is also UL certified, which makes it one of the most secure appliances on this list. The freezer comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Cu.Ft.) | 3.0 |
| Temperature Range | From -11.2℉ to 8.6℉ |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 240 kWh |
| Defrost | Manual |
| Dimension (D x W x H) | 18.5 x 19.7 x 33.9 inch |
| Weight (lbs) | 57.3 |
| Highlight Features | Reversible door, Energy Star Rated, Adjustable legs |
If you want the best upright mini freezer then look no further than Midea WHS-109FW1. It's an energy efficient, quiet and pretty cute mini freezer.
Whynter CUF-112SSBest With Lock For Security
Pros
- Come with a lock for better security
- Use little electricity
- Freeze quickly and keep the temp well
- Fit flush against the wall
- Noise is minimal
Cons
- The thermostat is in the back of the unit
- Need to be defrosted periodically
If you wanna keep your Ben & Jerry’s out of the wrong hand at the office, dorm room or even at home, consider this Whynter CUF-112SS. It comes with a cylinder lock and 2 keys for better security, keep the prying eyes away from your food or your compassionate child from opening the freezer.
Though this Whynter tiny freezer doesn’t take up much floor space thanks to the free-standing design, it can hold a surprisingly huge amount of food with 2.2 cubic feet of interior capacity. I got this freezer for my daughter’s dorm room and she totally loves it. We usually send her prep meals to help her cope with her hectic schedule and it works well.
If you are wondering if this teeny freezer consumes a lot of electricity, the answer is absolutely no. It is Energy Star rated and claims to only use 219 kWh of energy within the whole year. It also features a black reversible-swing door with recessed handle for a more sleek and modern look.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Cu.Ft.) | 2.1 |
| Temperature Range | From -10℉ to 2℉ |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 219 kWh |
| Defrost | Manual |
| Dimension (D x W x H) | 20 x 17.5 x 27.5 inch |
| Weight (lbs) | 44 |
| Highlight Features | Energy Star Rated, Cylinder door lock, Reversible door |
Put a stop to food (especially ice-cream) theft with Whynter CUF-112SS mini upright freezer that features a lock for better security.
Northair Upright Freezer with glass doorBest See-Through
Pros
- Glass door design give a sense of openness
- Extra display area
- Energy-efficient
- Compact design that fits every corner
- Operate quietly
Cons
- No interior light
A glass door freezer will give you a sense of openness and save the energy when you stay in front of the freezer choosing which ice cream you should eat without having to open the doors. If you like a glass door freezer, consider this unit from Northair.
It is the smallest mini freezer on the list, with only 1.1 cu.ft of interior capacity and a dimension of 17.5 x 18.6 x 19.6 inch, perfect for space limited places like dorm, office, garage or tiny house.
The unit features a 3-layer glass door that protects the cool air inside from light and room temperature, maintaining the interior temperature well. The glass door also helps expand your space visually and take the bite out the heaviness of a conventional solid-front model.
Northair freezer comes with a whisper-quiet compressor with a noise level of only 38 dbA, making it suitable to be in your bedroom or nursery to store breastmilk. Adjustable foot allows you to adjust the height of the freezer, preventing water stains resulting in its shorter lifespan.
Moreover, it is super energy-efficient with only about 241 kWh of energy consumed in a whole year.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Cu.Ft.) | 1.1 |
| Temperature Range | From -22℉ to -10℉ |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 241 kWh |
| Defrost | Manual |
| Dimension (D x W x H) | 17.5 x 18.6 x 19.6 inch |
| Weight (lbs) | 36.38 |
| Highlight Features | Three-layers glass door, Low energy consumption, Adjustable leveling leg |
Add a modern touch to your space with this glass door Northair Upright Freezer.
Best Mini Chest Freezer
Midea WHS-129C1Most Energy-Efficient
Pros
- Most energy-efficient on the list
- External thermostat with a wide temperature range
- Hold temperature well
- Noise is minimal
- Easy to defrost
Cons
- Frost builds up fast on the gasket
- Door installation cannot be reversed
For those who are looking for a compact and energy efficient chest freezer sized perfectly for small spaces, Midea WHS-129C1 is a perfect match.
Inside the unit, there is 3.5 cubic feet of storage space which can hold an unexpectedly big amount of food. A large removable wire basket is also included for convenient access to frozen foods, preventing you from reaching deep into the bottom.
What makes this Midea chest freezer model is Energy Star certification that reduces strain on your electricity bills. It consumes 192 kWh electricity, costing just $23 on average yearly. This places it among the most energy saving mini freezers in its class. Maintenance itself is easy and minimal.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Cu.Ft.) | 3.5 |
| Temperature Range | From -28℉ to -12℉ |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 192 kWh |
| Defrost | Manual |
| Dimension (D x W x H) | 33.5 x 22.2 x 20.59 inch |
| Weight (lbs) | 59.5 |
| Highlight Features | 1 hanging wire storage basket included, Hinge-style door, Energy Star rated |
This Midea WHS-129C1 compact freezer answers the need of those wanting to hold oodles of frozen foods while maximizing space. Its high energy efficiency is an attractive aspect for budget-conscious buyers.
Snow Shop Everything Chest FreezerAffordable For Bulk Freezing
Pros
- Perfect size for family’s bulk buying
- User-friendly
- Energy-efficient for its size
- Affordable
Cons
- None!
I love buying groceries in bulk because it’s cheaper and saves me from many trips to the supermarket. That’s why this 5 cu.ft. Snow Shop Everything Chest Freezer is ideal for those who have samme shopping habit as I do.
At first glance, it may seem more expensive than other models in the list. But as it features a huge capacity for 5 cu.ft. (nearly as twice as other models), it is actually the best value for your money. Your family will never run out of freezer storage space for your kids’ ice cream.
I also love the sleek black color that can blend easily into nearly any personal or professional space decor. This 5.0 cu ft chest freezer is amazingly energy-efficient, consuming just an estimated 218 kWh of energy yearly. It is also shipped in double-layer packaging so you don’t have to worry about dents on your freezer.
This unit is packed with user-friendly features such as a removable storage basket, easy-access defrost drain, and recessed handle, making it the best bang for your bucks.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Cu.Ft.) | 5 |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 218 kWh |
| Defrost | Manual |
| Dimension (L x W x H) | 24.9 x 21.7 x 33.5 inch |
| Weight (lbs) | 59.5 |
| Highlight Features | Removable storage basket, Easy-access defrost drain |
Snow Shop Everything 5 cubic feet Chest Freezer is perfect if you do a big weekly shopping trip or buy in bulk thanks to the extra large storage space it offers
How To Choose The Best Mini Freezer (Buying Guide)
Upright vs Chest Freezer
Appearance
Chest freezers lay horizontally on the floor, so you will have to make sure that you have enough space for them before buying one.
Meanwhile, upright freezer design is like a refrigerator. They stand vertically and have shelves and compartments to hold items. They occupy less floor space than chest freezers, which makes it perfect for space limited places.
Energy-efficiency
Manufacturers offer many energy-efficient models of both kinds, though chest freezers cost a little less to run than upright units, however, to the models of this mini size, the difference is less than $10 a year.
Since an airtight locking seal seals the cold air inside the chest freezer, it uses less energy to keep the content frozen. Upright freezers have small gaps in their door mechanism, so more energy is needed to keep the air inside cold.
Also, in the event of a blackout, chest freezers can keep your food frozen for up to 2 or 3 days while their upright counterparts can only do so for only 1 day.
Storage
Chest freezers usually come with one wire basket for food organisation, which means you have to pile other food on top of another. In order to find what you need, you will have to bend, lift and move the food on top. However, some mini models are not that deep as people think so quick access to the bottom of chest freezers is easy.
One of the advantages of buying a chest freezer is the ability to fit in bigger things. The absence of racks and shelves make it simpler to squeeze in big food like a whole chicken. Chest freezers feature up to 20% more usable space than an upright freezer of the same size. Thus, if you need to freeze large items, chest freezers are the best bet.
Like a fridge, an upright freezer includes shelves for storage, offering an effortlessly way to organise the food neatly inside. Models that allow you to adjust the shelves are worth considering since you can make use of most of the internal space.
However, fitting in larger frozen items is going to be a challenge because the shelves limit the space vertically, giving little room for tall items, like a big turkey or ham.
Safety
There is no winner when it comes to safety, especially when children are around. A curious kid can open the chest freezer and climb inside just as he can get in an upright freezer.
There are models that come with locking mechanisms that keep your children out of danger. Locks can also be bought and added to some units.
Lifespan
Chest freezers tend to last between 15 and 20 years, longer than their upright counterparts who boast a lifespan of 10-15 years. This is because chest freezers don’t overheat and encounter leaking fluid issues.
Freezer Burn
Some upright freezer models with auto-defrost features tend to have more air circulation than chest units. While this feature keeps the maintenance to the minimum, freezer burn is more likely to happen.
There is less air circulating in the chest freezers so they are able to maintain a good temperature for your food compared to an upright freezer and prevent freezer burn that happens to your food.
Capacity
Freezer’s capacity is how much food you can squeeze into it, measured by cubic feet (cu.ft). Freezers come in various sizes now so it’s hard sometimes to imagine how large they are in cubic feet. So to be clearer, 1 cubic foot of storage space in a freezer will hold approximately 35 lbs of frozen food.
Keep in mind that the same capacity doesn't necessarily mean the same dimensions. Innovative manufacturers will find different ways to maximize space utilisation their products offer.
Energy Usage
Electrical appliances are now required by law to meet some efficiency standards (the most notorious one is Energy Star). So if you want to save some bucks on your electricity bills, it’s recommended to go for a unit that is Energy Star rated.
Maintenance
Frost will eventually build up on the walls of your edges, which can decrease its efficiency. Defrosting your freezer manually is everything but fun. You will have to do this at least twice a year, which means removing the content, waiting for the ice to melt and cleaning up after the mess.
Many upright models are now self-defrosting, which saves you a lot of time and labor. However, they are more expensive, noisier and more prone to freeze burn than models that need manual defrost.
FAQs
Yes totally, a freezer doesn’t require any special outlet to plug in. It takes a standard, 3 pin, 110 volt outlet.
Garage is a usual place to place your freezer. However, an unheated garage can be problematic to your appliance. In the hot weather of those summer months, the freezer’s compressor has to overwork to maintain the temperature inside the unit, ending up increasing your electricity bills.
In icy winter months, the freezer will think that the inside temperature is already maintained well, the compressor will shut down and probably never be able to start again.
However, not every region of the country encounters such extreme temperature. If your garage is insulated and climate-controlled, it’s totally fine to place a freezer there.
Make sure you keep your appliance in a dry spot far away from the window and direct sunlight. And avoid storing stuff around it since it needs plenty of space for air to circulate around the freezer, maximizing the performance.
Think of outdoor as an unheated garage, you can’t put a freezer in too hot or too cold places. Moderate climate regions are okay for outdoor placement, but your electricity bills will be more in the summer and less in the winter.
If you need a freezer in your home porch, deck or patio, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Coastal residents should not leave a chest freezer outside because the salty air can cause corrosion.
- If theft or animal activity is common in your area, put away the freezer in the garage or buy a unit with a lock for better security.
- Put on cover to protect your appliance from rain and snow.
- Make sure there is adequate airflow around the unit.
- Check for leaks or damage frequently and clean up garbage or leaves around the freezer to avoid fire risks.
- Unplug the unit when the outside temperature is extremely cold.
When you open the freezer, some warm air sneaks inside, and the internal cold air will cause the moisture in the air to accumulate as frost on the walls. If frost bulbs up thicker than 6mm, it can reduce your appliance’s energy efficiency and increase your electricity bills.
- First of all, unplug your freezer
- Empty it. Move the frozen food to a cooler for temporary freezing.
- Another easy and stress-free way to empty the unit is to eat up all the food in the freezer before unplugging. By this way, you can finish the food which you’ve paid for before the quality decreases with fluctuating temperature.
- Open it up and wait for the ice to melt. Place a pot of hot water inside to speed up the thawing process.
- Place a beach towel underneath the towel to soak up the water melting off the sides.
- Scrape the frost on the wall with a wooden spatula or spoon.
- Remove the pieces of ice falling on the floor before they melt.
Note: Don’t scrape the ice with a knife or any sharp thing, they can cause damage to the freezer’s liner and void its warranty if there is still one.
Once you’ve finished, give yourself a pat and receive the thank you from your electricity bills.
Conclusion
Having a mini freezer at home is very convenient, especially when you have to buy in bulk to prepare for the worst or just want to enjoy the every flavor of summer ice cream. I hope you have found yourself the best mini freezer that fits your space and your budget.
Thank you for reading to the end and happy shopping!