16 Cubic Foot Chest Freezer | Size, Specs & What Fits

Models from Amana, Maytag, and Whirlpool all share this capacity, but their dimensions, features, and prices differ enough to change which one fits your garage or mudroom. This size class hits a sweet spot for most households: big enough to store a quarter cow or a season of garden produce, yet it still fits through a standard 36-inch doorway. Here’s what the current 16-cu-ft models actually deliver.

What Size Is A 16 Cubic Foot Chest Freezer?

The current Amana and Maytag 16-cu-ft models share one platform with these common measurements:

• Width: 55 1/4 inches
• Depth: 28 11/16 inches
• Height: 36 inches
• Lid-open height: 63 inches

That last number is the one people miss. A chest freezer needs the lid to swing fully open, so you need about 63 inches of clearance above the unit, not just floor space for the footprint. Measure your ceiling height and any shelving above the spot before you commit.

How Much Does A 16 Cubic Foot Chest Freezer Cost To Run?

That’s one of the cheapest appliances in your home to operate, because chest freezers hold cold far better than uprights — the cold air stays put when you open the lid.

Both assume average US electricity rates, so your actual cost tracks your local utility price.

Electrical requirements are modest. A standard household outlet handles it — no dedicated circuit needed unless your garage wiring is already loaded.

Amana vs. Maytag vs. Whirlpool 16 Cu Ft Models

All three major brands sell a 16-cu-ft chest freezer, but they’re not the same machine. The Amana AZC5216LW and Maytag MZC5216LW share the same footprint and capacity, yet they carry different features, price points, and intended placements.

The Maytag’s “Garage Ready in Freezer Mode” label means it’s built to handle the temperature swings of an unconditioned garage. The Whirlpool model converts to a refrigerator, adding flexibility if your needs might change. The Amana is the value pick with the same 16-cu-ft capacity and the same basic performance.

That operating range matters if you’re considering a garage placement — and it’s why the Maytag’s garage-ready rating exists. If you’re comparing all three side by side, our tested roundup of the best 16 cubic foot freezers walks through which model suits which household.

What To Check Before You Buy

Capacity alone won’t tell you if a 16-cu-ft chest freezer fits your space. The same cubic footage appears across different brands with different dimensions, so verify the published measurements against your actual doorway, hallway, and final spot. A 55-inch-wide unit needs a clear path — measure every door it must pass through, not just the room it lands in.

Also confirm the features you actually need. The Maytag’s garage-ready rating only applies in freezer mode, and the Whirlpool’s convertible design adds refrigerator flexibility at a higher price. If you just need bulk frozen storage in a basement, the Amana does the job for hundreds less. If the freezer sits in an unheated garage, that Maytag rating is worth the premium.

One more check: manual defrost is standard on these models, so plan for an annual defrost session. It’s a few hours of work, but it’s also why chest freezers stay so energy-efficient — no auto-defrost heater fighting the cold.