This mini deep freezer doesn’t have to hide away in your garage or storage room. It’s compact enough to fit practically anywhere.
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If you’re anything like me, your kitchen freezer—and yes, maybe even the one in the garage—is packed. Does it need organizing? Absolutely. But on a busy weeknight, few things beat pulling a make-ahead meal from the freezer, reheating it in minutes and ending everyone’s hunger fast.
Maybe your freezer is bursting at the seams. Maybe you’re feeding a bigger family. Or maybe you just want frozen foods within easy reach. Cue the mini upright freezer.
While traditional chest freezers tend to be more energy-efficient, mini upright freezers win on accessibility and organization. “In compact freezers, a simple, sturdy design almost always outperforms bells and whistles over time,” says Hannah Pregont, Appliance Expert and Creative Director at AJ Madison. “Manual temperature controls are often more reliable than complex digital panels, and a reversible door can be a lifesaver in small spaces. A tight seal is essential for consistent freezing.”
I tested the Midea mini upright freezer, which now lives neatly under my basement stairs for convenient grab-and-go access. Here’s what to know before you buy.
I Tried It
Midea Upright Mini Freezer
With 3 cubic feet of capacity, this upright freezer offers plenty of frozen storage while fitting easily into tight spaces.
What is the Midea upright mini freezer?
The Midea upright freezer is an affordable, mini option that’s great for small families and singles. At just over 37 inches tall, it’s about half the size of a standard-size upright freezer.
The basic, compact mini freezer features a reversible door and an easy-to-use, manual temperature dial located at the back. It also has leveling feet on the bottom front and a garage-friendly rating. (Though, after testing, we recommend this one for climate-controlled environments for the best performance.)
The Midea mini freezer offers a total of three cubic feet at a fair price point, and its compact size makes it lightweight at around 50 pounds, so it’s easy to move around and quick to set up.
How We Tested
I set up the Midea mini deep freezer just ahead of the holiday season, which turned out to be clutch once the flood of cookies, leftovers and batch-made soups started rolling in.
The freezer arrived protected in thick Styrofoam and a snug shipping box. Despite seeing a few reviews mentioning shipping dents, mine arrived in good condition—no scratches, scuffs or dings. Unboxing was straightforward, and the unit was light enough for me to carry downstairs on my own. After peeling off the plastic and stickers, the setup was essentially as simple as plugging it in. I let it cool overnight and began putting items in the next day.
I placed the freezer under the stairs in our finished basement, in a small nook with hard floors and a conveniently placed outlet. The space previously housed vacuums and other daily-use appliances, but the space has never had a dedicated purpose. Since the basement is temperature-controlled, I felt comfortable installing the freezer there, even though it’s garage-ready. Judging by customer reviews and photos, many other buyers made the same call and use it indoors.
A few features stood out right away. The manual temperature control is located on the back of the unit. This is a plus, as Pregont says, since manual dials tend to be more reliable over time. I also appreciated the removable shelves and storage basket, which make it easy to accommodate everything from frozen pizzas to soup containers. The reversible door is another standout, especially for indoor use in tight or awkward spaces.
Like most deep freezers, this one emits a steady hum. It’s noticeable in our otherwise quiet basement but not distracting. Unless I’m standing right next to it, I barely register the noise.
I was especially impressed by the ultra-tight door seal. You can actually hear the freezer reseal when the door closes. That reassuring “whoosh” helped offset my initial concern about insulation, given how lightweight the unit feels. The adjustable leveling feet were also helpful for getting the freezer to sit evenly on hard floors.
The Midea upright mini freezer skips smart features and extras—and honestly, I don’t mind. It checks the boxes that matter: solid price, compact size, manual controls and a reversible door. The lack of bells and whistles made setup and everyday use simple. I love having easy access at the bottom of the stairs for grabbing meats for Sunday meal prep or leftover holiday treats.
There are a few drawbacks to consider, though none were surprising at this price point. The back of the unit is exposed, and the compressor area can get quite warm, which could be a concern around kids or pets. That said, the exposed back may make repairs easier down the line. I also noticed the freezer tends to tip forward slightly when opened, especially when empty. Once it was stocked, the issue mostly disappeared. One minor hiccup: the bottom basket arrived a bit bent, though it still works fine.
Finally, and this could be a deal-breaker for some, the freezer is manual defrost, meaning you’ll likely need to defrost it once or twice a year. That requires some planning (and ideally a second freezer), but I’m choosing to see it as an opportunity to take inventory and clear out anything past its prime. Time will tell.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Compact and space-saving
- Reversible door
- Removable shelves and storage basket
- Manual, adjustable temperature control
- Tight door seal
- Cools fast and holds temperature
- Technically garage-ready, though we do not recommend it for major temperature fluctuations
Cons:
- Exposed back panel (compressor area can get hot)
- Manual defrost
- Tends to tip forward when not full
- Not frost-free
- Emits a continuous hum
Comparison: Midea vs. Frigidaire
Generally speaking, Midea offers appliances at highly competitive prices and is often cited for producing reliable, sometimes energy-efficient products. Frigidaire, which benefits from stronger brand recognition, is frequently noted for its durability. Many freezers from both brands share similar core designs, however, so the decision often comes down to cost, efficiency and brand familiarity.
It’s also worth noting that Midea is a large global manufacturer that produces appliances for other brands, meaning you may encounter very similar (or nearly identical) units sold under different brand names.
Final Verdict
While some reviews mention reliability issues, I haven’t experienced any problems with the Midea upright mini freezer during the four months I’ve been using it. For its price point, it’s honestly hard to beat in terms of value. When you factor in its compact size, straightforward operation, reversible door, manual temperature control, adjustable shelves and garage-ready design, the Midea mini freezer feels well worth the purchase.
If you’re looking to add a bit of indoor freezer space without spending more than $300, this unit is definitely worth considering. It’s especially well-suited for small spaces like a kitchen, office or pantry. As mentioned, I keep mine tucked under the stairs in the basement, where it fits perfectly and makes smart use of space that would otherwise go unused.
Where to Order
I Tried It
Midea Upright Mini Freezer
This mini freezer's fast-cooling design lets you quickly adjust the temperature from 10.4℉ to -11.2℉
You can shop the Midea freezer on Amazon for $225, or for a few bucks more through Wayfair. For an upright deep freezer with a garage-ready rating, we think it’s an excellent value.
FAQ
Is Midea a good brand for freezers?
Midea freezers are widely seen as a good value, offering essential features at low prices. They’re a popular budget-friendly option, especially for garage use. Most users find them affordable, reliable and relatively quiet, though some report durability concerns.
How do you defrost a Midea freezer?
Midea freezers typically require manual defrosting, meaning you’ll need to empty the unit, unplug it and drain the meltwater. If there’s no drain plug, the process can get messy, so it’s wise to keep towels handy.
Where are Midea freezers made?
Midea freezers are primarily made in China, the company’s home base, though Midea also manufactures appliances in several other countries. China remains the core of its production, housing its headquarters and numerous manufacturing facilities.
Is the Midea mini freezer efficient?
The model reviewed here isn’t Energy Star–rated and has about average energy use for a compact freezer.
Why You Should Trust Us
The Taste of Home Test Kitchen and the collective of product testers have tested several upright freezers from brands like Whirlpool, Maytag, Hamilton Beach, Frigidaire and more. Shopping Editor Mary Henn has tested various home appliances for reviews on Family Handyman, Reader’s Digest and Taste of Home. She has also used and tested multiple deep freezers over the last few years, making her well qualified to review the Midea mini freezer.
We also spoke to Hannah Pregont, Appliance Expert and Creative Director at AJ Madison, for this piece.
