Best Freezer for Breast Milk

Trying to find the best freezer for breast milk so you can store your breastmilk long term?

Then this guide to the best freezer for breast milk storage is for you!

Breastfeeding moms often pump more milk than they need for that day, so finding a freezer for breast milk makes sense. However, chances are you don’t have enough breast milk storage available in your freezer attached to your refrigerator. You need somewhere else to store your milk.

Having a freezer for storing breast milk is convenient. Not only is freezing the best way to preserve expressed breast milk, but it means you have a stash for whenever it is needed.

You may even be able to donate to families in need with your stash!

Even if you plan to nurse and do not often pump, having a freezer for breast milk is handy. You may need to pump if you take specific medication or have an upcoming surgery. Also, if you are separated from your nursling, having extra milk comes in handy.

No matter why you want frozen breast milk, having a reliable freezer is a MUST. It’s the only way to guarantee your breast milk is stored safely for long periods.

We put together a list of some of the best mini freezer for breast milk and best deep freezer for breastmilk storage based on several factors, such as the size, warranty, and overall customer reviews. So, let’s look at some of our best picks that are worth the money.

And if you love this guide the best freezers for breast milk, then make sure to check out these guides on best mini fridge for breast milk, best bottles for breastfed babies, and how to power pump with Spectra S2. Or even our guide on can you reuse breast milk storage bags.

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Best Freezer For Breast Milk Storage

1. Midea Upright Freezer 3.0 Cubic Feet

Midea is an excellent company that keeps customer satisfaction as their most important duty, so you know this freezer will keep your breast milk frozen.

We love this freezer for breast mill because of its energy efficiency, compact size, and ease of use!

This upright freezer has three cubic feet of storage, the perfect size for storing plenty of milk or food later. It holds up to 150 pounds of food, and it has a small footprint, making it an excellent option for small apartments or basements.

It also comes with three fixed shelves, which make it easy to organize and access your frozen items.

One of the standout features of the Midea freezer is its energy efficiency. It is Energy Star certified, which means that it meets the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. This can result in significant savings on your energy bills over time.

The freezer is designed with a mechanical control with an adjustable thermostat, which allows you to set the temperature to your desired level. It also has a manual defrost system, which makes it easy to clean and maintain.

The Midea WHS-109FW1 is also built to be durable and reliable. It features a solid exterior construction and a reversible door that can be adjusted to open from the left or right side, depending on your needs. The freezer is also designed with leveling legs that allow you to adjust the height for optimal placement.

In terms of noise, the Midea freezer is relatively quiet compared to other upright freezers on the market. It produces 42 decibels of noise, which is about the same as a normal conversation.

What We Like:

• 3.0 cubic feet capacity
• Energy Star certified
• Removable Wire Shelf
• Adjustable thermostat
• Manual defrost system for easy clean and maintenance
• Reversible door
• Quiet
• Affordable

What We Don’t Like:

• Inconvenient placement of the thermostat

2. Whynter 1.1 Cubic Feet Upright Freezer

If you don’t want a large freezer for breast milk, the Whynter Upright Freezer is an energy-efficient external temperature control system wrapped in a budget-friendly option. It’s one of the most energy-efficient options on this list, using less energy than a single light bulb!

This freezer has a glossy black exterior with an internal capacity of 1.1 cubic feet. This makes it the smallest on our list, but it only weighs 42 lbs. While that’s not necessarily a portable size, it is excellent if you don’t want to store a ton of breast milk.

Here are some of the features we like about the Whynter Upright Freezer.

• Whynter added reversible door hinges so that you can open the freezer from either side. It also comes with a child lock option that prevents your kids from opening the freezer and leaving the door open.
• This freezer has an overall sleek look with the recessed handle.
• An adjustable thermostat lets you set the ideal temperature for your breast milk storage.
• It comes with a removable wire shelf, making it easy to organize your breast milk bottles or storage bags based on their storage dates.

What We Like:

• Budget-Friendly
• Removable Wire Shelf
• Sleek Design
• Low Energy Consumption
• Great for Small Spaces

What We Don’t Like:

• Loud humming sound

3. Kismile 2.7 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer

Kismile Chest Freezer is a high-quality, budget-friendly freezer that meets your needs without maxing out your bank account. It’s a highly functional freezer that works fast and keeps your milk at a safe temperature.

This freezer has 2.7 cubic feet of storage space, so it’s perfect for those lacking in space. However, that is large enough to store breast milk and other foods you might need around the house in storage.

Kismile added all sorts of features you want to have in a chest freezer. Let’s take a look at some of them that you might appreciate.

• It has recessed handles that make it easy to lift the lid on the freezer.
• An adjustable 7-grade temperature control lets you pick the temp you want for your breast milk.
• A red and green light lets you know when the power is on and when it is running.
• You can drain out the water quickly when defrosting and cleaning the freezer.
• Kismile has an overall compact design that won’t take up too much space, so you can keep it anywhere you want in your home.

What We Like:

• Easy to Clean
• Noiseless
• Temperature Control
• Compact Size
• Great for Small Spaces

What We Don’t Like:

• Dents Easily
• Small Storage Space

4. Arctic King 5 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer

One of the best freezers for storing breast milk is the Arctic King 5 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer. The size of this freezer is excellent; it takes up minimal space no matter where it is stored.

Arctic King includes a removable storage basket, allowing you to efficiently arrange and store your milk. When it comes to cleaning, a removable basket is ideal, and it has an easy-to-access defrost drain system that makes cleaning the interior and gasket so easy.

Arctic King offers five cubic feet of storage space despite having a smaller footprint. Let’s look at some of the other features you may appreciate about it.

• It has a front-mounted adjustable thermostat with a range of temperatures, so you can adequately store your breast milk.
• This model is energy efficient and only uses 218 kWh of energy each year. That means it won’t run up your electricity bill.
• It’s a durable, well-made freezer with a recessed handle and modern look.

What We Like:

• Energy Efficient
• Modern Design
• Easy to Clean Interior
• Defrost Drain
• Removable Storage Basket

What We Don’t Like:

• Several complaints about the freezers arriving daily
• No interior light

5. Midea Chest Freezer 7.0 Cubic Feet

The Midea MRC070S0AWW is a 7.0 cubic foot chest freezer that is huge; it gives you tons of space to store breast milk and all the frozen foods you want for your family. Midea uses a D+ system that makes this an efficient freezer with excellent cooling abilities. Their cooling system has cooling pipes and a well-designed insulation layer that keeps food at a consistent temperature.

There is a lot to appreciate about this chest freezer for breast milk. First, it has a built-in door hinge that lets you open the door widely from 45 degrees to 75 degrees. So, you don’t have to hold the lid open as you dig for the next breast milk bag.

Let’s look at some of the other features we like about the Midea Chest Freezer.

• Even though this is a larger freezer, they maintain a modern look with a recessed handle for convenient opening and modern finishes.
• It has an excellent defrost drain system, so it’s easier to defrost and clean the freezer periodically.
• The control system has an adjustable thermostat that lets you manually regulate the internal temperature. This ensures you keep your milk and food at the optimal temperature.
• Midea includes a removable hanging wire storage basket to keep your breast milk well organized and later use it to store frozen vegetables and other things.
• The freezer has adjustable legs that you can level at different heights, depending on where you want to keep the freezer.

What We Like:

• Comes with a 1 Year Warranty
• Defrost Drain for Easy Cleaning
• Adjustable Thermostat
• Compact Design
• Lots of Storage – 7 Cubic Feet

What We Don’t Like:

• No Power-On Light Indicator

6. Koolatron Compact Chest Freezer

Koolatron offers an excellent compact chest freezer for storing breast milk and frozen foods. It features a swing-top lid to easily access your items, and it’s easy to organize with baskets to keep your milk storage bags.

The freezer features 3.5 cubic feet of storage space for all of your frozen foods or breast milk. A removable basket at the top of the freezer holds small items, and it’s great for your breast milk storage bags.

Here are several things parents like about the Koolatron Freezer and why we think it is one of the best small chest freezer for breastmilk.

• An efficient compressor keeps your breast milk and foods frozen at proper temperatures. It uses a CFC-free coolant to maintain those temperatures.
• An external thermostat allows you to adjust your freezer’s temperature with ease.
• After cleaning, Koolatron has a leak-proof external plug to allow the water to drain out. This defrost drain makes cleaning out the water a breeze.

What We Like:

• Easy to Organize
• Leak-Proof Drain
• Three Sizes Available
• Removable Basket
• Thermostat 

What We Don’t Like:

• Not Very Quiet
• Dents Easily

7. Danby 3.8 Cu. Ft Chest Freezer

If you want a chest freezer with an extended warranty, you’ll appreciate the Danby 3.8 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer. This freezer is energy efficient, created with foam insulated cabinets. It’s a medium-sized freezer with 3.8 cubic feet of storage; you’ll have plenty of space for plenty of milk bags.

Danby offers different storage configurations, including adjustable wire baskets. You have plenty of space to keep frozen breast milk storage bags in an orderly fashion. It has a flip lid that keeps the inside of the freezer at an ideal temperature.

Here are some other features we like about the Danby Chest Freezer.

• A thermostat is on the front of the freezer to ensure your freezer stays at an ideal temperature for breast milk.
• It has a front-facing defrost drain to help keep your chest freezer clean.
• Danby includes a five-year warranty that covers any damage or problems that may arise with your freezer.

What We Like:

• Adjustable Wire Basket
• Good Insulation
• Included Thermostat

What We Don’t Like:

• Heavy
• Manual Defrost Only
• Legs Aren’t Adjustable

8. Techomey Chest Freezer 7.0 Cubic Feet

Our final pick for the best freezer for breast milk is Techomey Chest Freezer. It has seven cubic feet of storage, a large capacity even though from the exterior it looks like a small deep freezer.

Technomey is a fast cooling freezer with a manually adjustable thermostat to keep the internal temperature between 7℉ and -4℉. That ensures your milk stays at the perfect storage temperature with a high-quality compressor-based cooling system that is energy efficient. It uses 0.5 kilowatts per hour, so it’s one of the most efficient models available.

Here are some other features of the Techomey Chest Freezer.

• The freezer is whisper quiet with a noise level below 40 dB.
• It has a built-in hinged door that lets you open your freezer and search for what you need without holding the door open the entire time.
• Techomey includes a stainless steel wire basket for holding breast milk or other small food items.
• You’ll notice dual lights – red for power and green for the compressor operation. This allows you to ensure the freezer is functioning correctly.
• A drain outlet allows for quick removal of water after defrosting.

What We Like:

• Energy Efficient
• Fast Cooling
• Noiseless
• Includes Stainless Steel Basket
• Drain Outlet for Defrosting

What We Don’t Like:

• Not easy to move

How to Pick the Best Freezer for Breast Milk

Freezers come in a variety of sizes with different features. If you’re solely using the freezer to store breast milk, we put together some factors to help you pick the right one.

The Type of Freezer

Have you ever wondered why the freezer attached to your refrigerator is not called a deep freezer like the stand-alone one in your basement? Deep freezers have more insulation, allowing the food to stay inside for long-term storage.

If you plan to store your breast milk for months, you need a deep freezer, and they have two styles: upright freezers and chest freezers. Each one has pros and cons to consider.

Chest Freezer

This type of freezer is shaped like a chest, so it’s a cube or rectangular. It’s ideal for large capacity storing, and it keeps food at a stable temperature, avoiding freezer burn.

However, the biggest problem is finding things stored inside the freezer. It ends up like a black hole with surprises at the bottom you forgot about until six months to a year later.

On the other hand, they tend to be more affordable than upright freezers.

Upright Freezer

On the other hand, Upright freezers look like regular refrigerators; you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference from the outside. However, when you open it up, it’s all freezer space.

This freezer style has two main benefits. First, they take up less space, so if you don’t have a lot of space to spare for a freezer, go with an upright. Second, they are much easier to organize; you are less likely to lose things inside of them.

However, you may notice these freezers tend to be more expensive and are less energy efficient. 

Size of the Freezer

Another one of the factors to consider is the size of the freezer, but it may be hard to figure out how much space you need.

Think about how much milk you want to have on hand. Some families want a large stash, like a three to six-month supply. Assuming that babies drink an average of 900mL per day, a six-month breast milk supply would be around 163L.

However, if you only want to store a month or two worth of milk, you won’t need as much space. You should also consider how you’ll use the freezer after it no longer holds milk solely.

Storage Configuration

Something else to consider is the storage configuration. For example, it’s nice when freezers include baskets or partitions to keep your breast milk (or food) storage well organized.

Temperature Controls

Look to see if the freezer has external temperature controls that allow you to ensure your frozen breast milk is at the right temperature. However, this isn’t a requirement, but it is a bonus feature.

Ease of Cleaning

You’ll have to clean your freezer from time to time, so having an easy-to-clean freezer makes your life a lot easier. Look for ones with an auto-defrost option and an outlet drain.

Portability

Do you want the freezer to be portable and easy to move? Some freezers have a set of caster or rollers at the base to make it easier to move around your basement.

Noise Level

Something else to consider is the noise level; appliances often make noises. For example, most chest freezers create less noise than upright freezers, but always read reviews since this is not always true. Ideally, you want a freezer with less than 45 dB noise level.

Warranty

Any appliance you buy should come with a warranty for the product. For example, look for a freezer with a three to five-year warranty, ideally to cover anything that might go wrong when using it to store your breast milk.

FAQs about Using a Freezer for Breast Milk

How to Properly Store Breast Milk

Wasting your liquid gold is a no-no, so you want to know how to store breast milk properly. Otherwise, you may store it incorrectly and end up losing parts of your stash.

Here are some tips you should know.

1. Store Milk in Small Batches

One of the most important tips is always to store your milk in small batches to prevent wasting the milk. It’s recommended to keep no more than four ounces of milk in each container, depending on how much your baby drinks each feeding.

Many mothers store in various sizes, from one ounce per container to six ounces. Once unthawed, milk has to be used within 24 hours, so make sure you don’t unthaw more than your baby will need.
 

2. Chill Right After Pumping

Another best practice is to chill your breast milk immediately after pumping. Ideally, you can keep fresh breast milk at room temperature for four hours; by then, it needs to go into the fridge or freezer. 

3. Label Your Containers

Whether you store frozen milk in bottles or storage bags, you always want to label your containers. The containers you select should be the oldest in the freezer to maintain a proper rotation.

You don’t want to lose any of your milk because it gets lost in the back for a year!

4. Don’t Store Breast Milk on the Door

It’s suggested to store breast milk in the back of the fridge or freezer because the temperatures are consistent and constant there. Opening and closing the door changes the temperature in the front.

How Long Can Breast Milk Last in a Deep Freezer?

Breast milk can last in the deep freezer for up to 12 months, as long as it is stored at 0℉ or lower. However, it typically is best when used within six months.

Can Breast Milk Get Freezer Burn?

Breast milk can get freezer burn, which happens when moisture leaves the frozen food, causing ice crystals to form on the food’s exterior. Breast milk isn’t safe from freezer burn, but you can reduce the possibility by storing it properly and rotating through the bags based on their age.

The good news is that freezer burn doesn’t ruin breast milk; it’s still safe to consume for your baby. Freezer burn doesn’t lead to unsafe food for consumption, but it might not be as hydrating since it causes the milk to lose moisture.

Can You Store Breastmilk in Ziploc Bags? 

Yes, it’s possible to store breastmilk in Ziploc bags as long as they are food safe and clean. If you run out of breast milk storage bags, this is the next best solution if you don’t want to use bottles.

However, Ziploc bags aren’t ideal for storing liquids; they are prone to holes, so losing some of your milk during the unthawing process is possible. Nevertheless, in a pinch, they are an excellent solution.

Final Thoughts on Best Breast Milk Freezer

Storing your breast milk properly for the long term is essential, and you’ll need to have a freezer for breast milk that maintains the proper temperatures and keeps everything organized. It will make your life a lot easier!

And if you loved this freezer for breast milk guide and want to check out any more of our guides, we recommend checking out these guides on best mini fridge for breastmilk, best milk storage bags, and Spectra S1 Breast Pump review.