Stand-alone freezers used to be little more than open boxes. That was especially true for chest freezers, though even uprights were short on organization. But just as we’ve seen improvements to freezer styling, including stainless steel and slate finishes, more thought is going into freezer interiors. Consumer Reports' latest tests of nearly 40 models turned up several organization features that you’ll appreciate if you need your freezer to hold a variety of items, such as trays of homemade lasagna and those five-pound bags of frozen veggies from the warehouse club. Here are five storage standouts from our freezer Ratings.

Frigidaire FFFH17F4QT. This $800 self-defrost upright freezer has the new slate finish mentioned above, but it’s the adjustable baskets with color-coordinated chips that make it an organizational all-star. The unit's door bins and shelf dividers are adjustable, so they can be customized to your storage needs. In terms of performance, this model is a top scorer thanks to its superb temperature control and energy efficiency, though it’s a bit noisy and was supbar in our power outage test.

Whirlpool WZF79R18DM. This $800 self-defrost upright freezer also claims 18 cubic feet of storage capacity, as well as a stainless steel finish. And its interior is very well-appointed, with a pair of slide-out wire baskets, four shelves, and four door compartments. What sets the Whirlpool apart from the competition, however, is the optional ice maker (sold separately for $100). Instead of storing bags of ice in the freezer, you can simply put the ice maker to work. That could save you time and money over the long run, plus the extra bit of storage space.

Kenmore Elite 17802. With its 18 cubic feet of claimed capacity, this manual-defrost chest freezer is among the roomiest in our Ratings. That kind of ample storage might easily turn into a jumble of frozen items, if not for the freezer's assortment of bins and compartment dividers. The bins come in four sizes and they slide along three tiered tracks, making it easy to create a multi-level storage system that works for you. The Kenmore delivered excellent temperature control and energy efficiency in our tests. As with all manual-defrost freezers, you need to periodically remove items and turn the unit off to melt away ice buildup.

Kenmore Elite 27002. This $800 Kenmore’s 21 cubic feet of claimed capacity is tied for tops in our Ratings, “enough to store over 711 lbs. of summer fruits and vegetables, or your bulk meats and frozen goods,” says the manufacturer. Space inside the self-defrost upright freezer is organized around a trio of pullout storage baskets, four glass freezer sleeves, and five freezer door bins (including one that’s designed to keep ice cream at a soft-freeze temperature). Temperature performance was superb in our tests, and the touchpad digital controls are conveniently located on the front of the door.

Frigidaire Gallery FGVU17F8QT. Frigidaire’s $900 self-defrost upright freezer is unique in that it can covert from a freezer to a refrigerator with the flip of a switch. That’s helpful if you want a stand-alone freezer that occasionally doubles as an extra fridge, maybe to hold catering trays and drinks before a big holiday party. Its slate finish adds a touch of style if you plan to keep the freezer in a living area, as opposed to a dark corner of the basement or garage. We’ve only tested the Frigidaire in freezer mode, where it delivered solid temperature control and energy efficiency, though it scored poorly in our power outage test.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

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