If You Have a Costco Membership, You Need a Chest Freezer: Here’s the Best One to Buy

If you feel like you’re constantly playing an advanced game of Tetris to close your freezer door, it’s probably time to invest in a chest freezer. Chest freezers are relatively inexpensive appliances that will help you avoid food waste and store more items, so you can make fewer trips to the grocery store.

Compared to upright freezers, the cold air stays inside a chest freezer for longer when the door is open, and it doesn’t escape as quickly. Chest freezers also come in handy for large families, dinner party hosts, hunters, and bakers who need to quickly cool down their baked goods.

The Best Chest Freezers

What to Consider

With constant supply chain shortages, it’s hard for homeowners to know which chest freezer is best to buy: After all, there are fewer options to choose from! Fortunately, chest freezers don’t need repairing as frequently as other major appliance categories. But there are still some things to keep in mind when you’re making a buying decision.

Capacity

Chest freezers come in capacities as small as 3.5 cubic feet, all the way up to 25 cubic feet. We recommend families stay in the 7 and 16 cubic feet range. In general, a small freezer that’s between 6 and 9 cubic feet should be plenty for a family of three — especially if you have a traditional freezer attached to your refrigerator.

However, if you have a large family or plan to buy meat in bulk, consider opting for a model that’s 10 cubic feet or larger. A good rule of thumb is 1 cubic foot of freezer space for every 35 to 40 pounds of packaged meat. You can also multiply the number of people in your family by 2.5 cubic feet to find an appropriate capacity.

Location

You’ll want to put some serious thought into where you store your chest freezer. Most weigh between 60 and 150 pounds, so you should absolutely measure in order to ensure you have enough space for one. (Don’t forget to measure doorways, too!)

Freezers should be located in a space that’s far away from heat sources and windows to ensure proper efficiency. If you plan to store a freezer in a garage, most manufacturers disclose if the freezer is “garage-ready” — meaning, it can withstand both low and high temperatures.

Features

Features like a power-on indicator light, a safety lock, an alarm when you leave the door open, and an interior light are all nice-to-haves. Some freezers go the extra mile and allow for precise temperature control, but most users will likely keep the freezer at just 0 degrees Fahrenheit — which is what the FDA recommends. You should also pay attention to how many storage baskets are included, since they come in handy for keeping your freezer tidy.

We're here to help you find the best chest freezer that suits your needs and budget constraints, and will keep your existing freezer from overflowing. Shop our recommended models below, and stock up on all the frozen goods you want!