Chest Freezer vs Upright Freezer: Which Costs Less to Run?
Same capacity, different door orientation — and cold air behaves very differently in each.
Chest Freezer · per month
$12.08
24 hours/day (always on) · 60–150 W
Upright Freezer · per month
$16.11
24 hours/day (always on) · 80–180 W
Verdict
The chest freezer wins on running cost by 20–40%: cold air stays pooled inside when the lid opens, seals are simpler, and most models skip energy-hungry auto-defrost. The upright wins on organization and floor space. If it lives in a hot garage, the chest freezer's advantage grows.
Side by side
| Chest Freezer | Upright Freezer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical power | 60–150 W | 80–180 W |
| Typical usage | 24 hours/day (always on) | 24 hours/day (always on) |
| Energy per month | 66 kWh | 88 kWh |
| Cost per month (US avg) | $12.08 | $16.11 |
| Cost per year (US avg) | $145 | $193 |
| Cost per month in Hawaii | $34.15 | $45.53 |
Rates as of May 2026. Adjust the assumptions on each appliance's page: Chest Freezer · Upright Freezer.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to run: a chest freezer or a upright freezer?
At typical usage and the current U.S. average rate (18.4¢/kWh), the chest freezer is cheaper: about $12.08/month versus $16.11/month for the upright freezer — a difference of $4.03 per month.
How much could I save per year by choosing the chest freezer?
About $48.33 per year at typical usage and average rates. In Hawaii (52¢/kWh) the annual gap grows to roughly $137.
Do these numbers apply to my state?
The ratio between the two stays the same everywhere, but the dollar gap scales with your rate — from Idaho at 12.4¢/kWh to Hawaii at 52¢/kWh. Open each appliance's page for the exact cost in your state.