Upright Freezers: Frost-Free Defrost, Sizes and Garage Use
Frost-free vs manual defrost, how to size an upright freezer and what garage ready means, with four full-size models compared.
- All four upright freezers here are frost-free (automatic defrost), so there is no ice to chip out.
- Capacities run from 13 cu. ft. (Frigidaire FFUE1326AW) to 21 cu. ft. (Frigidaire FFUV2126AW).
- Three of the four are listed as garage ready; the Maytag MZF34X18FW is not.
- Three can be switched to work as a refrigerator: both Frigidaire models and the Summit UF18W.
An upright freezer stands like a refrigerator, with shelves and door bins, so food is easy to see and reach. That is the main reason people pick one over a chest freezer. The trade-offs are defrost style, size and where you plan to put it, especially if that place is a garage.
This guide explains frost-free vs manual defrost, how to size an upright freezer, and what garage ready means. It compares four full-size upright freezers we carry from Frigidaire, Summit and Maytag, using the specs on each product page.
Our top picks at a glance
Compare them side by sideGarage Ready Pick: Frigidaire FFUE1326AW 13 cu. ft. Upright Freezer
Frigidaire FFUE1326AW 28 inch Garage Ready Upright Freezer with 13 cu. ft. Capacity, Convertible, Door Ajar and High Temp Alarm, and Frost-Free Design (White)
The FFUE1326AW holds 13 cu. ft. and is the narrowest model here. It is frost-free, garage ready, ENERGY STAR certified and convertible to a refrigerator. It adds a door ajar alarm and a high temperature alarm, LED lighting, a reversible door and Sabbath mode, and it is listed as ADA compliant and Star-K certified.
- Garage ready
- Door ajar and high temp alarms
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Converts to a refrigerator
- 13 cu. ft. is smaller than the others
- 1-year warranty
Convertible Pick: Summit UF18W 17 cu. ft. Upright Convertible Freezer
The UF18W holds 17 cu. ft. and can run as a freezer or a refrigerator. It is frost-free and garage ready, with wire shelves and door storage. It is the shortest model here at 64 inches tall. The door is right-hinged and is not listed as reversible.
- Converts between freezer and refrigerator
- Garage ready
- Frost-free
- 64-inch height
- Door is not reversible
- Not ENERGY STAR certified
Fast Freeze Pick: Maytag MZF34X18FW 18 cu. ft. Upright Freezer
Maytag MZF34X18FW 31 inch Upright Freezer with 18 cu. ft. Storage Capacity, Fast Freeze Option, LED Lighting, Reversible Door, in White
The MZF34X18FW holds 18 cu. ft. and has a Fast Freeze option to chill new groceries quickly. It is frost-free with LED lighting, wire shelves, a reversible door and top-mounted controls. Its warranty is 1 year on parts and labor plus 10 years on certain parts. It is not listed as garage ready, so it is meant for a heated indoor space.
- Fast Freeze option
- 10-year coverage on certain parts
- LED lighting
- Reversible door
- Not garage ready
- Not ENERGY STAR certified
Large Capacity Pick: Frigidaire FFUV2126AW 21 cu. ft. Upright Freezer
Frigidaire FFUV2126AW 30 inch Garage Ready Upright Freezer with 21 cu. ft. Capacity, Switch From Freezer to Fridge, ENERGY STAR Certified and EvenTemp Cooling System in White
The FFUV2126AW is the largest freezer here at 21 cu. ft. It is frost-free, ENERGY STAR certified, garage ready and can be switched from freezer to fridge. Frigidaire's EvenTemp cooling system is built to keep temperatures steady, and it has LED lighting and a reversible door. It is also the deepest model here at 32 13/16 inches.
- 21 cu. ft. capacity
- Garage ready
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Converts to a refrigerator
- Deepest model here
- 1-year warranty
Upright Freezers Compared
Frigidaire FFUE1326AW | Summit UF18W | Maytag MZF34X18FW | Frigidaire FFUV2126AW | |
| Model | FFUE1326AW | UF18W | MZF34X18FW | FFUV2126AW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $759 | $1,456 | $768 | $984 |
| Capacity | 13 cu. ft. | 17 cu. ft. | 18 cu. ft. | 21 cu. ft. |
| Width | 27 3/4" | 32 3/4" | 30 1/4" | 29 11/16" |
| Depth | 26" | 29 1/4" | 29 1/8" | 32 13/16" |
| Height | 67 3/4" | 64" | 66 3/4" | 66 5/8" |
| Defrost | Frost Free | Frost Free | Automatic | Automatic |
| Garage Ready |  | | Indoor only | |
| Converts to Fridge | | | Freezer only | |
| ENERGY STAR | | Not certified | Not certified | |
| View | View | View | View |
Frost-Free vs Manual Defrost
A frost-free (automatic defrost) freezer warms its cooling coils for short periods to melt frost, so ice never builds up on the walls. You never have to empty it to defrost. All four models in this guide work this way.
Manual defrost freezers do not do this, so frost slowly builds up and you need to empty and defrost them every so often. In exchange, they tend to use a little less energy and keep temperatures very steady, which is why manual defrost is common on chest freezers. If you want manual defrost, compare our chest freezers.
- Frost-free: no ice buildup, no defrost chores
- Manual defrost: periodic defrosting, very steady temperatures
- Upright = easier to organize; chest = more food per cu. ft.
How to Size an Upright Freezer
A common rule of thumb is about 1.5 to 2 cu. ft. of freezer space per person, more if you buy in bulk, hunt or batch-cook. A 13 cu. ft. model suits a couple or small family as extra space, while 18 to 21 cu. ft. suits larger households.
Measure width, depth and height, and leave room for air around the cabinet and for the door to swing open. Check the path in, too: doorways, stairs and tight corners.
What Garage Ready Means
A garage ready freezer is built to keep food frozen when the room around it gets hot or cold, like an unheated garage. Regular freezers can struggle or shut off in a cold garage because their thermostat thinks the job is done.
If your freezer is going in the garage, choose one listed as garage ready, like the Frigidaire FFUE1326AW, Summit UF18W or Frigidaire FFUV2126AW. For more on garage storage, see our guide to garage-ready refrigerators.
How to Choose an Upright Freezer
- 01
Pick the locationGarage, basement or kitchen decides whether you need garage ready.
- 02
Pick the capacityPlan about 1.5 to 2 cu. ft. per person, more for bulk buying.
- 03
MeasureCheck width, depth, height and door swing, plus the path in.
- 04
Choose featuresAlarms, fridge conversion and ENERGY STAR certification vary by model.
Our Picks by Need
Compare every upright freezer we carry by size and features.
Shop Upright FreezersFrequently Asked Questions
Is an upright or chest freezer better?
Upright freezers are easier to organize and take less floor space. Chest freezers hold more food for their size and often use manual defrost. Choose upright if you want to see and reach food easily.
Can an upright freezer go in the garage?
Yes, if it is listed as garage ready. In this guide the Frigidaire FFUE1326AW, Summit UF18W and Frigidaire FFUV2126AW are garage ready. The Maytag MZF34X18FW is not.
Do frost-free upright freezers need defrosting?
No. Frost-free models defrost themselves, so you do not need to empty them to remove ice.
What size upright freezer do I need?
Plan about 1.5 to 2 cu. ft. per person. A 13 cu. ft. model works as extra space for a small household; 18 to 21 cu. ft. suits larger families or bulk buying.
Can an upright freezer be used as a refrigerator?
Some can. The Frigidaire FFUE1326AW and FFUV2126AW and the Summit UF18W can switch to refrigerator mode.
