Styles

• You'll need to choose between an upright freezer and a chest freezer. It can be easier to reach items in an upright due to its refrigerator-like design, but Consumer Reports says chest models typically offer more storage space for your money and lower operating costs.
  
  

Storage Space

• Chest freezers sold by a major retailer in September 2010 offered 5 to 24.9 cubic feet of space for frozen foods. Uprights offered 12.1 to 24.7 cubic feet.
  
  

Defrosting

• Many upright models offer a frost-free design that keeps ice from forming inside the freezer. Most chest freezers require manual defrosting.
  
  

Prices

• Upright freezer prices started at $230 and rose to $1,400 on a major retailer's website in September 2010. Chest freezers cost $162 to $790.
  
  

Reviews

• Check out customer comments on retailers' websites to find out which freezer models are most popular. Consumer Reports subscribers can also access the organization's independent reviews of appliances.