Chest Freezer vs Upright Freezer: Which Is Best for Your NZ Home? (+ Size Guide)
Chest freezer or upright freezer?
Quick answer: choose a chest freezer if you want the most storage for your money and have the floor space. Choose an upright freezer if space is tight and you want food organised on shelves you can see at a glance.
A second freezer is one of the most useful appliances in a Kiwi home. It lets you buy meat on special, store a home kill, batch-cook for busy weeks, or keep extra ice cream and ice for summer barbecues and Christmas.
But the first decision trips a lot of people up: chest freezer or upright freezer? Both keep food frozen. They differ in how much they hold, how much floor space they take, how easy they are to organise, and what they cost to buy and run.
This guide compares the two side by side, then helps you pick the right size for your household.
Chest freezer vs upright freezer at a glance
| Feature | Chest freezer | Upright freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Storage for the price | More litres per dollar | Usually costs more per litre |
| Floor space | Wide, needs room for the lid to open | Narrow footprint, like a fridge |
| Organisation | Baskets on top, items stacked below | Shelves and drawers, easy to see everything |
| Bulky items | Fits large cuts, whole fish, big tubs | Shelves limit very large items |
| Cold loss when opened | Low, because cold air sinks and stays in | Higher, as cold air spills out the door |
| Power cuts | Usually holds temperature longer | Warms up faster |
| Defrosting | Most need manual defrosting | Frost-free options are common |
| Best spot | Garage, laundry, spare room | Kitchen, laundry, apartment |
| Best for | Bulk buying, home kill, large families | Smaller spaces, everyday access, less bending |
In short, a chest freezer wins on capacity and efficiency, while an upright freezer wins on convenience and space.
Chest freezer: pros and cons
A chest freezer (often called a deep freezer) opens from the top and sits low and wide. It is the classic choice for families who buy in bulk.
Pros
- More space for your money. Chest freezers usually give you more litres per dollar than uprights of the same size.
- Energy efficient. Cold air is heavier than warm air, so it stays inside when you lift the lid.
- Holds temperature in a power cut. The thick, sealed box keeps food frozen for longer if the power goes out.
- Fits awkward items. Large roasts, whole fish, venison, big ice cream tubs and bags of ice all fit easily.
Cons
- Takes up floor space. You need room for the width of the unit plus clearance for the lid.
- Harder to organise. Food at the bottom can get buried, so baskets and a simple inventory help.
- More bending. Reaching the bottom can be awkward, especially for older family members.
- Manual defrosting. Most chest freezers need defrosting once ice builds up.
Browse our full range of chest freezers NZ, from compact models to large 688L units.
Upright freezer: pros and cons
An upright freezer (sometimes called a stand up freezer) looks like a fridge, with a front door and shelves or drawers inside.
Pros
- Small footprint. It takes about the same floor space as a standard fridge, so it suits kitchens, laundries and apartments.
- Easy to organise. Shelves and drawers let you see what you have and grab it without digging.
- Less bending. Most food sits at waist or eye height.
- Frost-free options. Many models defrost automatically, so there is no chipping away at ice.
Cons
- Usually costs more per litre. You often pay more for the same storage than with a chest freezer.
- More cold air lost. Each time the door opens, cold air spills out and the freezer works to recover.
- Less flexible for bulky items. Shelves can make large or odd-shaped items harder to fit.
- Frost-free can use more power. Automatic defrosting is convenient but can add to running costs.
See our range of upright freezers NZ for space-saving options.
What size freezer do you need?
Size matters more than most people expect. A freezer that is too small fills up fast, while one that is too big costs more to run and often sits half empty. A fuller freezer also runs more efficiently, because frozen food helps hold the cold.
Use this as a starting point:
| Household | Suggested capacity | Good fit |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 people, extra space for meals and ice | 100–200L | Small chest freezer or compact upright |
| 3–4 people, regular bulk buying | 200–300L | Mid-size chest or full-height upright |
| 5+ people, home kill, hunting or fishing | 300L and up | Large chest freezer |
| Small business, bach or farm | 400L and up | Large chest freezer |
Before you buy, measure the space, including room for the lid or door to open fully and a small gap around the unit for airflow. Check the product page for exact dimensions and ventilation clearances.
Small chest freezers and small upright freezers
If you live in an apartment or a small home, or just want a bit of overflow space, a compact freezer may be all you need.
A small chest freezer (roughly 100–200L) fits neatly in a laundry, garage or spare room. It gives you plenty of room for meat, frozen vegetables and summer ice, and it costs little to run. Our Midea 143L Inverter Chest Freezer is a popular pick at this size.
A small upright freezer suits tight spaces where floor area matters more than capacity. Some compact uprights fit under a bench, which makes them handy in a kitchen or flat.
As a rule, choose a small chest freezer for the most storage per dollar, and a small upright freezer when you need the narrowest footprint.
Which freezer is cheaper to run?
Chest freezers are generally cheaper to run than upright freezers of a similar size. The lid traps cold air, and most chest models skip the extra energy used by automatic defrosting.
The best way to compare models is the Energy Rating label on every freezer sold in New Zealand. Look for two things: the star rating (more stars means more efficient) and the yearly energy use in kWh.
To estimate the yearly running cost, multiply the kWh figure by your power price:
| Yearly energy use | At 33c per kWh (example rate) |
|---|---|
| 200 kWh | about $66 per year |
| 300 kWh | about $99 per year |
| 400 kWh | about $132 per year |
Check your own power bill for your actual rate, as it varies by retailer and region.
A few habits keep running costs down in any freezer:
- Keep it reasonably full, using bottles of water or ice packs to fill gaps.
- Place it away from ovens, direct sun and hot water cylinders.
- Leave space around it for airflow.
- Defrost a manual freezer once ice is more than about 5mm thick.
- Check the door or lid seal regularly.
Which should you buy?
Buy a chest freezer if you bulk buy, store a home kill or catch, have space in a garage or laundry, and want the lowest cost per litre.
Buy an upright freezer if you are short on floor space, want to see everything at a glance, or prefer not to bend down to reach food.
Here are some of our chest and upright freezers by household size (check the product page for current pricing):
| Model | Capacity | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midea Inverter Chest Freezer MDRC211FZE01APE | 143L | $279 (was $399) | Couples, flats, overflow space |
| Midea Chest Freezer MDRC284FZE01APE | 198L | $309 (was $449) | Small families |
| Midea Chest Freezer MDRC411FZE01APE | 293L | $399 (was $599) | Families of 3–5, regular bulk buying |
| Imprasio Chest Freezer IMCF508 | 493L | $849 | Large families, home kill |
| Imprasio Chest Freezer IMCF708 | 688L | $849 (was $1,099) | Farms, baches, small businesses |
| Midea Upright Freezer MDRU229FGF01AP | 172L | $499 | Smaller households, everyday access |
| Imprasio Upright Freezer IMUF242 | 242L | $699 | Families that buy in bulk |
| Imprasio Frost-Free Upright Freezer IMUF366 | 366L | $899 | Larger households, frequent access |
For upright models, browse our upright freezers NZ range.
Frequently asked questions
Are chest freezers expensive to run?
No. Chest freezers are among the most efficient freezers you can buy, because the lid keeps cold air in. Check the Energy Rating label for the yearly kWh figure and multiply it by your power price for an estimate.
What temperature should a chest freezer be set at?
Set any freezer to -18°C or colder. This keeps food safely frozen and maintains quality. Use a freezer thermometer to check, as dial settings are not always exact.
How cold does a chest freezer get?
Most household chest freezers reach around -18°C to -25°C, and some models go colder. For example, our Midea 143L Inverter Chest Freezer has a range of -30°C to 10°C, so it can also run as a fridge.
Can you transport a chest freezer on its side?
It is best to keep a freezer upright when moving it. If it has to be laid down, let it stand upright for several hours before switching it on, so the compressor oil can settle. Check your user manual for the exact waiting time.
Can you put a chest freezer on carpet?
Yes, but it is not ideal. Carpet can restrict airflow under the unit and trap moisture. Place it on a flat board or mat and leave space around the sides and back for ventilation.
Is a chest freezer or upright freezer better for a garage?
Chest freezers are a common choice for garages. NZ garages can get very cold in winter and hot in summer, so check that the model is rated for the temperatures in your garage before buying.
Find the right freezer at Appliance World
There is no single best freezer, only the best one for your space and the way you shop. If you want maximum storage for the lowest price, go for a chest freezer. If you want convenience and a small footprint, an upright freezer is the better fit.
Shop our full ranges of chest freezers NZ and upright freezers NZ online, with interest-free payment options available.
Prefer to see them in person? Visit our team at one of our three stores:
- Mid Auckland: 707C Great South Road, Penrose. Phone 09 930 0902
- East Auckland: 2/212 Burswood Drive, Burswood. Phone 09 930 0622
- Christchurch: 17 Winchcombe Street, Christchurch Central City. Phone 03 222 2488
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