Freezing meals for later consumption can make our daily lives much easier. Beyond just having a freestanding refrigerator at home, an extra freezing device that can help us store a larger number of vegetables, ice cream buckets or various types of meats will come in handy to save us a few bucks, as long as we’re smart enough to choose an appliance that is energy efficient and of good quality.
Some mini freezers come with removable bins, baskets, or slide-out shelves for easy storage of your foods, even in reduced storage spaces such as 1, 2, 3, or 4 cubic feet. Some mini freezers can store buckets of ice, ice cream bottles, or frozen pizzas with no problems.
By the way, never put soda cans or glass bottles in a freezer for long periods of time! They’re explosive!
In this article, we have put together a buying guide for you to learn more about the specifications of mini freezers and some of the great brands that manufacture them.
Review of the 5 Top-Rated Mini Freezers
Our editors have picked for you 5 different mini freezer products that come from renowned brands that excel at manufacturing refrigerating devices, AC devices, and ice makers such as Whynter, Euhomy, Hicer, Homelabs, and Midea you’d like to review.
EUHOMY MF-3.0-H 3-Cu. Ft. Upright Mini Freezer
Manufacturer, color, type: The popular brand Euhomy, which is well known in the compact freezers and ice makers business, releases the Euhomy Upright Freezer, a small freestanding freezer that is ideal for offices, dormitories, and small apartments, it is a sturdy mini station for you to keep your favorite ice cream at hand! It can fit in reduced spaces as it comes with the reversible door option and an inbuilt handle. This appliance cools with Euhomy 3D freezing technology that provides an even coolness in your stored foods. It comes in a stainless-steel silver color with a smooth finish.
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This rectangular compact freezer measures 20.1 x 21.3 x 31.4 inches and weighs 53.2 pounds. Its overall capacity is 3 cubic feet, it is a lightweight, compact appliance that is easy to carry around the house, it has two inner non-removable shelves for you to organize your frozen foods and adjustable feet to place the appliance on uneven floors. Never cover its vents, do not plug it where direct sun rays may reach its surface.
Efficiency, Energy Consumption: The Euhomy Upright Freezer is a low consumption appliance, its yearly electricity use is 270 kWh (Kilowatt per hour) and the estimated annual electricity cost for using this appliance at home would be just $32 dollars! This freezer operates connected to a 115V, 60 Hz AC power source. It is not recommendable to use extension cords with it.
Safety: Although mini freezers may look like a toy-like device that can be carried and used everywhere, bear in mind refrigerants used in freezers and fridges can be highly flammable under abusive conditions. This particular model by Euhomy uses an energy-saving R600a compressor; R600a is an environmentally friendly refrigerating gas, but it is also hazardous if not handled properly.
Other features: Just like most Euhomy refrigerant devices, the upright freezer is equipped with a 7-level thermostat system, you can choose a temperature range between -7.6°F to 6.8°F. (-22°C to -14°C). This is an appliance that is easy to carry and transport, if moved, make sure you leave it to rest for 24 hours, before plugging it again.
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Internal Capacity | 3-Cu. Ft. |
Freezer Capacity | 3-Cu. Ft. |
Total Capacity | 3-Cu. Ft. |
Dimensions | 21.3″ x 20.1″ x 31.4″ |
Weight | 53.2 lbs. |
Annual Energy Consumption | 240 kWh |
Shelves | 2 |
Baskets/Bins | 0 |
Ice Maker | No |
Defrost Type | Manual |
Noise Level | N/A |
Certifications | N/A |
Warranty | 1-year |
Pros
- Energy efficient
- Reversible door
- Affordable
- Quick freeze
Cons
- Stationary shelves
Additional Resources
Whynter CUF-110B 1.1-Cu. Ft. Upright Freezer w/ Lock
Manufacturer, color, type: The bestselling brand Whynter is well-known thanks to its high-efficiency refrigerating appliances and portable AC devices. They feature the Whynter CUF-110B Upright mini freezer, an Energy Star certified compact freezer that is ideal to store delicate products such as breast milk, dairy products, or medication, it is a freestanding unit that comes with a reversible door option, a cylinder lock and two small keys for your safety, it comes in elegant black color with a smooth finish.
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This upright squarish Whynter freezer measures 24 x 20.8 x 19.5 inches and barely weighs 35.6 pounds. Its overall capacity is 1.1 cubic feet, it has one inner slide-out wire shelf for your convenience.
Efficiency, Energy Consumption: The Whynter Upright Freezer is an energy-efficient appliance, its yearly electricity use is 215 kWh (Kilowatt per hour) with a cheap estimated annual electricity cost for you of $26 dollars. This appliance uses a 115V, 60 Hz AC outlet.
Safety: Whynter advises us to use only mild soap/detergents or glass cleaning products to clean your unit. Do not under any circumstance use harsh chemicals or solvents to clean the interiors of the freezer, as the plastic parts may get damaged or punctured allowing the R600a refrigerant to leak, which can make the freezer highly flammable.
Other features: This is a space-saver compact freestanding freezer that was designed with a flush (Empty) back, allowing it to fit against the wall or into corners with no problems. Also, this freezer comes with an adjustable thermostat for temperature control.
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Internal Capacity | 1.1-Cu. Ft. |
Freezer Capacity | 1.1-Cu. Ft. |
Total Capacity | 1.1-Cu. Ft. |
Dimensions | 17.7″ x 18.5″ x 19.5″ |
Weight | 44 lbs. |
Annual Energy Consumption | 215 kWh |
Shelves | 1 |
Baskets/Bins | 0 |
Ice Maker | No |
Defrost Type | Manual |
Noise Level | 42 dBA |
Certifications | UL-Listed, ENERGY STAR-Certified |
Warranty | 1-year limited |
Pros
- Low electricity consumption
- Lightweight
- Takes up minimal space
- Comes with security lock and keys
- Some customers have used in RVs with no problems
Cons
- Reduced storage capacity
- Complaints about products arriving damaged from manufacturer
Whynter CUF-110B 1.1-Cu. Ft. Upright Freezer w/ Lock
Whynter CUF-110B 1.1-Cu. Ft. Upright Freezer w/ Lock
Additional Resources
3. HICER Mini Upright Freezer Only Countertop
Manufacturer, color, type: The innovative company HICER presents the beautifully designed HICER Mini Upright Freezer Only Countertop, a fun appliance that comes with an eraser-board smooth frontal glass-door surface that can work as a blackboard for you to draw, write notes or memos to your family. Kids have lots of fun with it! Its LED frontal display is always showing you the inner temperature of the freezer. It is made of stainless steel and comes in elegant black color.
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This freestanding HICER freezer measures 17.5 x 22 x 25.4 inches and weighs 50.1 pounds. Its overall capacity is 2.1 cubic feet, and unlike freezers of this size that may include just one inner non-removable shelf, The Mini Upright Freezer Only Countertop includes both a wire shelf and a wire removable basket for you to keep and organize your frozen meals easily. It is a strong appliance that can store 124 pounds of food inside it.
Efficiency, Energy Consumption: This HICER Upright Freezer is an energy-efficient appliance, its yearly electricity use is 240 kWh, with daily use of 0.66 kWh. It uses a common 115Volts outlet to operate. Please make sure the appliance is plugged directly into the electrical outlet. Never pull its cord, unplug the connector carefully.
Safety: Although this appliance is advertised to have an eraser board inbuilt on its frontal door, make sure you only use chalk/dry erase markers to draw on it, do not use any painting-related chemicals, oil paintings, white gasoline, thinner, or any solvent to sketch or paint on it as you may severely damage the unit’s door and its inner mechanism may be affected.
Other features: This freezer presents the advantage of being easy to clean, as it has a removable door seal, also, it is equipped with improved thermal insulation and a microcrystalline foamed door that helps to reduce the loss of cold air when opening and closing the door.
SUMMARY
Pros
- Its door can be used as an eraser board to write notes.
- It has thermal insulation on its door.
- It comes with removable shelves/baskets.
- Its frontal LED display shows the current temperature of the freezer.
Cons
- There isn’t enough information online about the specs or certifications of this product.
- Some customers have claimed to have received units that were returned from previous owners; therefore, the freezers were not new.
HOmeLabs HME030365N 2.1-Cu. Ft. Upright Freezer
Manufacturer, color, type: The American hOmelabs, which is widely known for manufacturing quality dehumidifiers, AC devices, microwave ovens, and ice machines present their hOmelabs Upright Freezer, a compact freestanding freezer that comes with adjustable feet, a cylinder lock with two keys to protect your frozen goods if this appliance is set in an office or commercial place, it is made of stainless steel and plastic, it comes in elegant silver color.
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This rectangular-styled freezer measures 17.52 x 21.25 x 25 inches and weighs 39.8 pounds. Its overall capacity is 2.1 cubic feet, it is a lightweight appliance that can be ideal for reduced spaces, as it comes with a reversible hinge for its door, it includes two-wire non-removable inner shelves for you to store your favorite ice cream or frozen meals.
Efficiency, Energy Consumption: The hOmelabs Upright Freezer is low in electricity consumption, its annual approximate energy use is 256 kWh and the estimated equivalent in dollars would be $31 dollars. This freezer requires a 115V, 60 Hz AC power source to operate properly (Plug it directly into the socket).
Safety: Although this freezer can work properly in a working/industrial environment, its mechanism and inner refrigerant (R600a) does not make it suitable to store products other than perishable foods, beverages, ice, or medication, never store spray cans, or any flammable product inside it, as aerosols will become explosive under low temperatures, causing unpleasing, regrettable accidents.
Other features: This upright freezer is conveniently equipped with a 7-level thermostat control system; (Option 1 is the warmest, option 7 is the coldest). You can choose a temperature range between -4°F to 6.8°F. (-20°C to -14°C). It keeps ice cream consistent, protects breast milk, and preserves seafood for many days. Its door includes foam insulation for better coldness-inner preservation.
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Internal Capacity | 2.1-Cu. Ft. |
Freezer Capacity | 2.1-Cu. Ft. |
Total Capacity | 2.1-Cu. Ft. |
Dimensions | 21.2″ x 17.5″ x 25″ |
Weight | 39.8 lbs. |
Annual Energy Consumption | 256 kWh |
Shelves | 2 |
Baskets/Bins | 0 |
Ice Maker | No |
Defrost Type | Manual |
Noise Level | 42 dBA |
Certifications | UL-Listed |
Warranty | 1-year |
Pros
- Door lock
- Energy efficient
- Cost-effective
- 7-level control thermostat
Cons
- Some customers have complained of chemical smell that gets worse over time
- Highly flammable under abusive conditions
- User’s guide gives incorrect information about location of thermostat
Additional Resources
Midea MRU03M2ABB 3-Cu. Ft. Upright Freezer
Manufacturer, color, type: The veteran Midea (Midea Group) that has been a longtime expert in the manufacture of electrically powered appliances, feature their Upright Freezer Midea MRU03M2ABB, a resistant mini freezer of freestanding installation that is equipped with a secure children’s lock and a reversible door hinge to be placed in reduced spaces. It is wide enough for storing frozen pizza and ice cream buckets. It comes in elegant black color.
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This rectangular-styled compact freezer measures 21.37 x 19.72 x 33.9 inches, it is a sturdy model as it weighs 57.2 pounds. Its overall capacity is 3 cubic feet. It has two inner removable drawers for you to organize your frozen foods and adjustable frontal legs that help you level the appliance in different heights. It can store up to 105 pounds of frozen goods inside.
Efficiency, Energy Consumption: This Midea mini freezer is Energy Star certified, which means it has been tested to be energy-efficient, its yearly electricity consumption is 240 kWh (Kilowatt per hour) and the estimated annual cost for using this appliance at your home or office would be as low as $29 dollars. This freezer uses 120 volts to operate and it can be connected to a common AC wall outlet, but do not use extension cords with it, or ungrounded 2 prong connectors/converters to plug it into a power source.
Safety: Midea advises us to not place multiple portable socket-outlets or portable power supplies at the rear of the appliance as the refrigerant circuit and inner mechanism could get damaged in case of electrical overload of the appliance, and the resulting damage from such mishandling of the freezer wouldn’t be covered by its warranty.
Other features: This is a quiet freezer of 42dB that can be placed in a bedroom and will not disturb your sleep with loud internal noises. It also comes with a mechanical adjustable thermostat for you to keep your foods at an optimal temperature (cooler for plates of seafood for example).
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Internal Capacity | 3-Cu. Ft. |
Freezer Capacity | 3-Cu. Ft. |
Total Capacity | 3-Cu. Ft. |
Dimensions | 18.5″ x 19.7″ x 33.9″ |
Weight | 57.2 lbs. |
Annual Energy Consumption | 240 kWh |
Shelves | 2 |
Baskets/Bins | 1 |
Ice Maker | No |
Defrost Type | Manual |
Noise Level | 42 dBA |
Certifications | ENERGY STAR-Certified |
Warranty | N/A |
Pros
- Security lock
- Adjustable feet
- Reversible door option
- Stores up to 105 lbs. of food
- Mechanical thermostat control
Cons
- Some customers have complained about a chemical smell that is absorbed by food inside
- Complaints about mishandled shipping where products are delivered dented and damaged
Additional Resources
Mini Freezer Buying Guide
What Are Mini Freezers Good For?
Well, to start, mini freezers are practical, compact appliances, usually of rectangular design and freestanding installation that can be easily placed in reduced spaces, such as students’ dorms, small apartments, offices, commercial places (such as stores, fast food chains) or wet bars.
Having frozen food, ready-to-defrost-meals at hand, if we’re away from home, spares us from that daily supermarket visit, and if you freeze your own homemade meals for later, you will be saving money in the long run by having pre-made lunch every working day, instead of ordering take-out food every so often.
Also, a mini freezer can be of great help for doctor’s offices as it can store certain medical products/samples that require low temperatures to be properly handled, such as allergy vaccines, for example.
Looking for a mini-fridge with a freezer? Check out our top 5.
What Are The Common Prices Of A Good Mini-Freezer?
Depending on the specs and special features that the mini freezer includes, the price range of such appliances can go from $200 to $800 dollars. It is a good idea to check both online and in physical stores the deals that the sellers or manufacturers can offer you, before making a decision.
There are beautiful designs for mini freezers on the market that turn out to not be energy efficient or cost-effective as those stop freezing/cooling after a while, sadly, just the aesthetic of the appliance remains. The bad news is, that repairing a mini freezer at times would be pricier than acquiring a new one. Therefore, make sure you read the warranty clauses before deciding over a certain model. It doesn’t matter how pretty it looks! Check for its energy consumption and refund policies first!
Certifications and Energy Saving
Just like your kitchen refrigerator, if you are up to buy ‘unit 2’ for freezing extra meals, you’d want to check if the appliance is energy efficient by checking up its Energy Guide (you can check it online) and the estimated yearly cost for keeping the freezer at home. Some good rates for a mini freezer can be between 200 – 300 kWh of annual electricity use, and the approximate money amount you’d spend per year for using the appliance would be between 20-30 dollars. Not too bad, right?
Energy Star and UL (Underwriter Laboratories) are dedicated agencies/organizations that are in charge of testing certain electrically powered appliances from various brands for environmental, conscious energy use, plus they give us guidance about the companies that manufacture refrigerating units that would be affordable for us to sustain for many years. Make sure you check if your desired model has any certifications from either organization before you slide your credit card and you take it home.
Check Out More Of Our Freezers Reviews
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FAQs
Check Amazon for good deals on mini freezers that can be delivered to you for low shipping costs. Usually, Amazon includes a screen capture of the Energy Guide sheet of the advertised mini freezer, making it easier for you to look at the complete specs of it before buying it. If not available, check directly with the manufacturer’s website or tour around your local department store.
As a warning note; there have been complaints online about customers receiving dented or damaged units that were poorly handled or packed and were damaged on the delivery trip. Keep at hand your warranty and never accept a damaged unit. Claim for a replacement product, right away.
Just like any other refrigerating device, we may own; we must keep in mind that refrigerant gas is potentially flammable under critical conditions. Most mini freezers, coolers, use the environmentally friendly R600a refrigerating gas in their compressors; however, such gas can be explosive if the appliance is seriously mishandled.
Also, entrapment danger is also possible for small children and pets, make sure you dispose of a broken freezer according to your state laws, but before you do so, removing the door of it is a good idea, to avoid animals to get trapped inside it.
Most if not all compact freezers will need your help to completely defrost from time to time, unlike kitchen refrigerators that automatically defrost, mini freezers need manual defrosting.
Once you see there is excess frosting inside the appliance, it is time to unplug it for some hours, and carefully clean the water resulting from ice melting. Defrosting periodically not only adds more lifespan to your unit, but it also spares you from higher electricity consumption. More ice means more electrical use.
Do not use harsh chemicals, do not scrape the ice with sharp objects such as knives or scissors, as you may irremediably damage your unit. Also, if the mini freezer needs to be transported anywhere else, make sure you allow the refrigerant to settle at least for 24 hours, before plugging the device again.
Do not operate it outdoors, it is not a mobile device for camping excursions (For RV freezers and coolers, look for specialized reviews about them), a mini freezer is meant to be standing still at bedrooms, kitchens, offices and even basements, as long as they aren’t placed in extremely hot or cold environments.
The usual lifespan of a mini freezer is shorter than a regular-sized refrigerator. Meanwhile, kitchen refrigerators can last up to 20 years, small refrigerating devices tend to have more fragile mechanisms and their compressors/inner motors are meant to last for a maximum of 8, 10 years.
It depends on the overall care you give your small freezer, the useful life it will offer you. Of course, choosing a good brand is a key element for acquiring a long-lasting device. In this article, we presented you with a few good options for your next mini freezer purchase that we hope can work as a good reference guide. We wish you can have your new ice cream station delivered to your home, very soon!