The 7 Best Mini Freezers of 2023

Best Overall

Whynter 2.1 Cu. Ft. Cuf-210SS Stainless Steel Upright Freezer with Lock

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If you’re going to spring for additional freezer space, you may as well get as much as you can while still adhering to the dimensions you have available. The Whynter Stainless Steel Freezer with Lock is a great option for small-space dwellers, because it maintains a small footprint yet still provides 2.1 cubic feet of usable space. This means you’ll have sufficient room to keep a few frozen essentials in a convenient location. 

The freezer has plenty of convenience features, too, including a reversible swing door to suit the layout of your space. The thermostat is manually adjustable, the two shelves can be removed to reconfigure the design, and it comes with a cylinder lock and two keys in case you ever need to secure the contents. The small freezer also has a sleek design. The stainless steel composition is attractive, and the recessed handle is both easy to operate and aesthetically streamlined.

It’s also efficient, since it’s Energy Star-certified, and users say it’s relatively quiet. In terms of potential drawbacks, users report frost occasionally builds up inside, and defrosting is manual. The mini freezer also can't be used in extreme temperatures—the manufacturer recommends using it in temperatures ranging from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. But, if you're looking for an indoor mini freezer, this model has plenty of convenient features to meet your food-storage needs.

Price at time of publish: $210

_{Total Capacity: 2.1 cubic feet | Dimensions: 27 x 17.25 x 20 inches | Control Type: Manual | Defrost Type: Manual | Garage Friendly: No}

Best Budget

ROVSUN 1.1 Cu. Ft. Compact Upright Freezer

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The ROVSUN Compact Upright Freezer may be more budget-friendly than most, but you won’t want for much. It has just about everything our top pick does—it’s just a bit smaller at 1.1 cubic feet. The freezer has a sleek stainless steel exterior, complete with an easy-to-operate recessed handle. And the door can be installed to swing left or right, whichever is ideal for your space.

Inside, the freezer has a single removable shelf, which affords you plenty of space on both tiers and gives you the option of storing a few big items instead. The controls and defrost are manual, which may be a downside to some, but you can set the temperature within a satisfying range of minus 8 degrees to 7 degrees.

Overall, this mini freezer is a great option for most spaces, including dorm rooms and offices—just don’t put it in the garage.

Price at time of publish: $150

_{Total Capacity: 1.1 cubic feet | Dimensions: 19.6 x 17.5 x 18.6 inches | Control Type: Manual | Defrost Type: Manual | Garage Friendly: No}

Best Chest

Arctic King 3.5 Cu ft Chest Freezer

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Though they generally require a little bit more space, chest freezers (also called top-loading freezers) tend to be more energy-efficient. Plus, many people find them easier to access, since you don’t have to crouch down to see what’s inside. What’s more, you can stack things right on top of each other, often allowing for more efficient storage. This Chest Freezer by Arctic King, a big manufacturer of mini freezers, has all the perks of a chest-style freezer in a smaller package.

To help you dig around inside, the door stays open from 45 to 75 degrees. You can also remove the interior storage basket, so you can choose how to organize and store your food. There’s also an adjustable thermostat on the front of the freezer, so you can tailor the temperature to your needs. Just keep in mind that the manual control is at the base of the freezer, so you’ll have to bend down to use it.

Price at time of publish: $179

_{Total Capacity: 3.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 33.5 x 22.2 x 20.6 inches | Control Type: Manual | Defrost Type: Manual | Garage Friendly: No}

Best with Refrigerator

GE 3.1 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge with Top Freezer

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The GE GDE03GGKBB Double-Door Mini Fridge has a long list of useful features. First and foremost, the compact, Energy Star-certified unit has both a freezer and a refrigerator, making it a highly versatile appliance—particularly for someone, like a dorm dweller, who needs both options. But, unlike many mini fridge designs, the freezer in this appliance isn’t necessarily an afterthought. The 0.93-cubic-foot freezer is spacious enough to fit bulkier items like pints of ice cream. Each door opens independently, so you won’t waste energy or lower the temp in the freezer when you open the fridge. The freezer door also features a shelf to help you stay organized. The fridge is just as useful, thanks to two glass shelves, a crisper, and can storage in the door.

Adding to the list of conveniences is an interior light and a reversible door. Plus, the stainless steel exterior makes the unit relatively pleasing to look at—you won’t mind having it in a college dorm room, finished basement, or office. Just note: You can't install this model in a garage or outside. You’ll need to manually defrost it, too.

Price at time of publish: $409

_{Total Capacity: 3.1 cubic feet | Dimensions: 33.88 x 18.75 x 20.13 inches | Control Type: Manual | Defrost Type: Manual | Garage Friendly: No}

Best for Breastmilk

BLACK+DECKER 1.2 Cu. Ft. Compact Upright Freezer

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If you need a mini freezer for something specific (and temporary)—like storing breast milk—you don’t need anything too large or complicated. The BLACK+DECKER Compact Upright Freezer is a great option for nursing parents, because it’s small enough to stash on a countertop. It’s also the perfect footprint for stashing under your desk in your office, so you have a freezer close by for use after pumping sessions. The mini freezer also only weighs about 12 pounds, so it's easier to install (or even move to a new location) than heavier options. While the manufacturer lists the freezer as suitable for indoor use, including in garages, you should only plan to operate it in temperatures of at least 55 degrees.

In terms of organization, the freezer also has a removable wire shelf, so you can neatly stack bags or bottles of breastmilk. Just note: If you’re using bags, you may want to line the top shelf, so the bags don’t slip through the cracks.

Though relatively basic, this mini freezer does have an adjustable thermostat for customization. It’s also Energy Star-certified, so you don’t have to worry about pulling too much electricity. It’s efficient and quiet—you’d almost never even know it was there. 

Price at time of publish: $203

_{Total Capacity: 1.2 cubic feet | Dimensions: 19.72 x 19.69 x 19.29 inches | Control Type: Manual | Defrost Type: Manual | Garage Friendly: No}

Best Retro

Nostalgia 3.5 Cu. Ft. Classic Retro Chest Freezer and Refrigerator

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If your mini freezer will sit in one of your main living spaces—like in an RV—it pays to focus your attention on the design of the appliance. The Nostalgia Chest Freezer and Refrigerator is an excellent choice, since it comes in a beautiful aqua color and has tons of vintage appeal. 

But it’s not all about aesthetics. This mini freezer is just as functional as it is chic—possibly even more so, since you can use it as a refrigerator or a freezer. It has a manual temperature control that ranges from negative 20 degrees to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Use it simply to keep beverages cool, or turn it all the way down to use it as a freezer. Either way, you’ll love the removable wire storage basket, the included ice scraper and bottle opener attachment, and the fact that it comes with a lock and keys for security. Plus, its garage-ready construction means it can operate in temperatures as low as 23 degrees.

Like many other models, this freezer must be manually defrosted. At 3.5 cubic feet, it is on the larger side for a mini fridge, but if you have the space for it, you’ll find it isn’t at all cumbersome. In fact, it has caster wheels, so you can easily move it from place to place if need be.

Price at time of publish: $434

_{Total Capacity: 3.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 33.38 x 21.63 x 21.63 inches | Control Type: Manual | Defrost Type: Manual | Garage Friendly: Yes}