How much food does it hold?

About 15.6 cubic feet, roughly a half side of beef or several months of bulk groceries for a family of four. Plan on filling it about three-quarters full for efficient cooling.

Does it need to be defrosted by hand?

Yes. It is manual defrost, so frost builds up on the walls and you empty it and defrost once or twice a year. The interior drain makes that job easier.

Can it go in an unheated garage?

It is marketed as garage-ready and handles cold ambient temperatures better than a fridge-freezer. Check the manual for the exact temperature range before relying on it in extreme heat or cold.

Does it have a lock, light or alarm?

No. There is no lock, no interior light and no temperature or power alarm, so add a separate freezer alarm if you want warning of a failure.

What comes in the box?

The freezer, a hanging wire storage basket and the owner's manual. It does not include a lock or an alarm.

Insignia 15.6 Cu. Ft. Manual Defrost Garage-Ready Chest Freezer

Best price now

$449.99at Best BuyChecked Nov 8

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Best Buy

Insignia 15.6 Cu. Ft. Manual Defrost Garage-Ready Chest Freezer

Best price now

$449.99at Best BuyChecked Nov 8

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Best Buy

Ask our agent about this product

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Price facts

Last seen at $449.99 at Best Buy on Nov 8.

Our take on the Insignia 15.6 Cu. Ft. Manual Defrost Garage-Ready Chest Freezer

The Insignia 15.6 cu. ft. chest freezer is a large manual-defrost freezer built for garages and basements. It holds roughly 500 pounds of frozen food, with a counterbalanced lid, a hanging storage basket and an interior drain for defrosting. It suits households that buy in bulk or freeze a season's harvest. Against smaller name-brand chest freezers it offers more capacity for the money, but it lacks the power indicator, temperature alarm and lock that some rivals include, and it must be defrosted by hand.

Best forLarge families buying in bulkGarage or basement overflow freezingHunters and gardeners freezing a season's haulAnyone replacing a small, cramped freezer

Pros

Very large capacity for its footprint
Counterbalanced lid stays open while you load
Interior drain makes manual defrosting easier
Hanging basket keeps small items within reach
Simple dial thermostat with no electronics to fail

Cons

Manual defrost, not frost-free
No temperature alarm, power light or lock
No interior light
Bulky footprint limits where it fits
Basic warranty compared with some rivals

Insignia 15.6 Cu. Ft. Manual Defrost Garage-Ready Chest Freezer prices at every store

Best BuyNew
In stock
$449.99Checked Nov 8
Visit Best Buy

Insignia 15.6 Cu. Ft. Manual Defrost Garage-Ready Chest Freezer price history

Lowest price we've seen: $449.99 on Nov 8 at Best Buy. Tracked across 1 store since Nov 8.

What reviewers say

Owners generally find it a straightforward, roomy freezer that does its job in a garage. Most praise the capacity and the counterbalanced lid; complaints center on manual defrosting and the lack of an alarm or light.

What people mention

CapacityPraisedOwners say it swallows a bulk-shop haul or a whole season's harvest with room to spare.
DefrostingCriticisedBuyers note it is manual defrost and needs emptying and scraping every so often.
LidPraisedThe counterbalanced lid stays open while you load and sort food.
AlarmsCriticisedReviewers miss a temperature alarm and power indicator, especially in a garage.
NoisePraisedMost owners find it quiet enough to sit in a garage or utility room.

Specifications

Capacity: 16 cubic feet
Height: 34 in tall
Depth: 31 in deep
Volume (cu. ft): 13.1Source
Color: WhiteSource

Questions and answers

How much food does it hold?: About 15.6 cubic feet, roughly a half side of beef or several months of bulk groceries for a family of four. Plan on filling it about three-quarters full for efficient cooling.
Does it need to be defrosted by hand?: Yes. It is manual defrost, so frost builds up on the walls and you empty it and defrost once or twice a year. The interior drain makes that job easier.
Can it go in an unheated garage?: It is marketed as garage-ready and handles cold ambient temperatures better than a fridge-freezer. Check the manual for the exact temperature range before relying on it in extreme heat or cold.
Does it have a lock, light or alarm?: No. There is no lock, no interior light and no temperature or power alarm, so add a separate freezer alarm if you want warning of a failure.
What comes in the box?: The freezer, a hanging wire storage basket and the owner's manual. It does not include a lock or an alarm.
Where is the Insignia 15.6 Cu. Ft. Manual Defrost Garage-Ready Chest Freezer cheapest?: At Best Buy, for $449.99, as of our latest check.