Choosing Between Upright and Chest Lab Freezers

Here at Biocompare, we have extensively covered cold storage solutions, including the best ULT freezers and lab freezer selection and failure prevention, but recently when we were asked for guidance on how to choose between upright or chest freezers we didn’t have a good answer, other than “it depends”. So, we turned to experts from Eppendorf, PHC Corporation, and Thermo Fisher Scientific for details on the important factors to consider when deciding between the two types of lab freezers.

Our experts, Dr. Jan-Hendrik Bebermeier, Global Marketing Manager at Eppendorf; Joe LaPorte, Chief Innovation Officer at PHC Corporation of North America, and Haley Caddell, Product Manager, Ultra-Low Freezers & Accessories, Thermo Fisher Scientific, shared their insights and suggestions below. While the short answer in many cases is probably still “it depends”, their longer answers give you the information you need to choose between the two confidently.

Biocompare: How do the storage capacity and sample organization options compare between chest and upright freezers for typical lab use?

Joe LaPorte: "Both chest and upright ultra-low temperature freezers (ULTs) offer similar cubic-foot capacities, but organize space in different ways. Upright models use shelves and inventory racks with sliding drawers, making it quick and easy to access and identify stored samples. Chest freezers, on the other hand, use vertical racks that allow for more dense storage, but require more heavy lifting and deep reaching to retrieve samples.

"While previously chest freezers were the go-to option, changes in lab workflows and user needs mean that today upright freezers represent over 80% of the market. The ease of sample access and space efficiency make upright models better suited for today’s busy, fast-paced labs, while chest freezers tend to be chosen more for long-term sample storage where capacity and temperature stability during lid opening matter more than convenience and equipment footprint."

Haley Caddell: "The right freezer for your lab will depend on your lab space and research needs. There are a few main differences between chest and upright freezers for typical lab use, which can help you determine the proper setup for your lab. For example, upright freezers use horizontal racks, whereas racks in chest freezers stand vertically. Chest freezers also often require more floor space than upright freezers because of their orientation. Upright freezers offer a higher volume of usable storage capacity relative to their footprint and can provide easier, more visible sample access and organization. Additionally, more organizational accessories and configurations are typically available for upright freezers than for chest freezers. You should take all of these differences into consideration when selecting a lab freezer."

Dr. Jan-Hendrik Bebermeier: "Rack systems are available for both, but racks for upright units can still stand on a shelf when you pull them out. For chest freezers, you have to pull them up to get access to sample box, which is especially challenging when you are smaller. In addition, the last row of tower racks requires the complete opening of the chest freezer door."

BC: Can you describe the energy efficiency differences between chest and upright freezer models?

LaPorte: "Chest and upright ULTs differ in energy efficiency primarily due to their designs. Every time an upright freezer door opens, warm room air rushes in while cold air spills out, creating the frost cloud you see hitting the floor. Once closed, the freezer must work harder to remove that heat and restore the set temperature, burning extra energy with every opening.¹ Chest freezers, by contrast, minimize air exchange thanks to the natural temperature inversion effect, meaning less heat enters and less energy is needed to recover."¹

"Modern ULTs in both configurations use innovations like advanced inverter compressor technology and eco-friendly natural refrigerants, dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to older designs (which could consume as much energy as an average household²). Today, buyers can use ENERGY STAR^® to compare energy performance across models based on standardized, real-world testing.

"In practice, the most efficient option depends on how the freezer is used. Considering ENERGY STAR data alongside the needs of the lab will allow teams to make a choice that best suits their daily operations. If frequent access is part of workflows, chest freezers can deliver superior energy efficiency over time, but upright freezers may be preferred where space constraints and quick access to samples are higher priorities."

Caddell: "Overall, chest freezers tend to be more energy efficient because their horizontal design retains cold air more effectively during door openings. They also use fewer seals and have a simpler construction, resulting in less heat infiltration and energy loss than upright freezers. However, newer upright freezer models feature improved compressor technology, making them more energy efficient than comparable chest freezers.

"As lab freezers can account for significant energy consumption, there has been a push in recent years to improve their energy efficiency. New ultra-low temperature chest and upright freezers are far more energy-efficient than older models. These models feature advances in compressor technology, insulation, and refrigerants that have cut energy use by 30–70% while maintaining reliable temperature stability and performance, making them a more sustainable option for lab cold storage."

Dr. Bebermeier: "A far lower but more long-term loss of cold air is the door gasket, which is always the weakest point of a ULT freezer’s insulation. As chest freezers have no vertical opening, no cold can leave the freezer via the gaskets as in an upright freezer. Cold air is always falling down."

BC: What maintenance challenges and expected lifespan differences do you see with chest versus upright lab freezers?

Caddell: "The maintenance challenges and expected lifespan of a lab freezer depend on the specific chest or upright model and lab demands. For example, higher throughput labs may need to access samples more frequently. This can mean the freezer door is opened more often, requiring the freezer to work harder to maintain temperature. More frequent door openings can also put greater stress on freezer seals and hardware, potentially requiring more frequent maintenance.

"Across both chest and upright freezers, however, there are similar regular maintenance requirements. These include removing frost and ice buildup, checking and maintaining doors, lids, seals, or gaskets, ensuring adequate ventilation clearance, cleaning filters and condensers and instituting regular inspection and defrosting routines. Regular maintenance is critical to ensuring your lab freezer is functioning properly, regardless of model or lab needs."

BC: What are the main spatial and installation considerations labs should be aware of when choosing between chest and upright freezers?

Caddell: "When selecting between a chest and an upright freezer, the main spatial considerations depend on the freezer's orientation. Chest freezers require more floor space than upright models, which are taller. However, both require some clearance vertically and horizontally. For chest freezers, you must allow vertical space for the lid to open, whereas upright freezers require frontal clearance for the door to swing out. Both chest and upright models tend to have similar electrical requirements and recommended ambient conditions, so those factors, while still important, won’t differ as much."

Dr. Bebermeier: "Footprint: A chest model has a much bigger footprint than an upright freezer. For example, a 570 L upright freezer has a net footprint of 0.87 m², whereas a 660 L chest freezer needs 1.75 m² of free space. Space-wise, you can store two upright freezers instead of one chest freezer. Additionally, the space above a chest freezer can’t be used for storage shelves as the chest freezer door needs an opening height of nearly 90 cm.

"Transportation: Transport into the building and within the building itself is more complicated for a chest freezer compared to upright freezers. Many lifts and narrow corridors do not fit 2 m x 0.9 m boxes. And despite all hopes, an 85 cm freezer will never fit through an 84.5 cm door frame."

BC: Which types of research applications, sample types, or workflows are best suited for chest freezers versus upright freezers?

LaPorte: "The choice between chest or upright freezers often relates to workflow. If the freezer is being accessed often, chest freezers are often the best choice as less warm air entering the freezer means less frost buildup, and often quicker recovery. That said, labs must consider the practicalities of a chest freezer for their workspace. These units have a larger footprint, and teams need to ensure there is adequate doorway, hallway, and elevator clearance to move the unit into its final location.

"Upright freezers, by contrast, offer a smaller footprint and make more efficient use of vertical space, which can be an advantage in busy or space-restricted labs. Upright models tend to suit applications where clear organization and fast sample identification are priorities. Their shelving and compartment layouts make it easier to separate projects, manage mixed sample types, and support shared-use."

Caddell: "Chest freezers are better suited for applications that require less frequent access to samples, such as long-term archival or bulk storage. Their horizontal design helps minimize warm-air infiltration, can reduce door-opening recovery times, and allows for vertical storage of boxes.

"Upright freezers are best for frequent-access workflows, including labs needing quick visibility to samples and more streamlined organization, such as clinical trials. They are also well-suited for labs with limited floor space, as they have a smaller footprint than chest freezers."

BC: How does the temperature recovery time compare between chest and upright lab freezers after the door has been opened?

Caddell: "The individual temperature recovery time for a specific lab freezer will be dependent upon the model selected, as some lab freezers offer technologies that improve temperature recovery time. For upright freezers, which are suited to workflows that require frequent use, it’s essential to look for a model with fast temperature recovery times.

"The horizontal design of a chest freezer helps keep colder air near the bottom of the freezer and reduces the potential for warm air ingress. This means there are fewer temperature excursions during door-opening events and a quicker overall recovery time back to setpoint. However, they are also typically opened less often than an upright freezer. Floor space, lab use, workflow requirements, energy efficiency and temperature recovery times are all factors you should take into account when selecting the right lab freezer for you."

Dr. Bebermeier: "Uprights lose cold air quite faster than chest freezers. The compressor power is normally in a similar range."

References

1. Chest vs. Upright Freezers: Which is More Efficient in a Lab?. UC Santa Barbara Sustainability. Accessed Dec 8, 2025.

2. Low Temperature Freezer Technology and Energy Efficiency. Energy Star. Accessed Dec 8, 2025

3. Footprint Versus Effiency. Eppendorf. Accessed Dec 8, 2025.