Key takeaways
- Manual defrost. Expect to defrost once or twice a year, more in humid spaces. The 12.0 cu ft model takes longer to empty and defrost.
- Digging for food. Items at the bottom get buried. Hanging baskets and stackable bins help.
- Brand support. TABU is a newer, smaller brand. Check warranty length and how to claim it before buying.
- Garage use. Not every chest freezer performs well in garages that get very hot or fall well below freezing. Confirm the listed operating temperature range.
- Floor space for the large model. The 12.0 cu ft unit needs a wide, level spot and enough headroom to open the lid fully.
TABU chest freezers are worth considering if you want a plain, black deep freezer at a competitive price, and the brand currently offers two very different sizes: a compact 5.0 cu ft model and a large freestanding 12.0 cu ft model. Choose the 5.0 cu ft if you are a household of one to three people looking for overflow storage in an apartment, laundry room or kitchen corner. Choose the 12.0 cu ft if you buy meat in bulk, raise or hunt your own food, or feed a family of four or more.
The main reasons to pick TABU are the size range, the black finish and the efficiency of the chest design. The main reasons to hesitate are the brand’s lower profile compared with names like Midea or Frigidaire, and the usual chest-freezer chores: manual defrosting and keeping things organized. If you are comfortable with those, either TABU model is a sensible way to add freezer space.
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TABU 5.0 vs 12.0 cu ft at a glance
| Spec | TABU 5.0 cu ft | TABU 12.0 cu ft |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5.0 cu ft | 12.0 cu ft |
| Approximate food capacity | About 175 lb | About 420 lb |
| Best for | 1–3 people, overflow storage | 4+ people, bulk meat, hunters |
| Typical width for the class | About 35–38 in | About 50–60 in |
| Typical annual energy use for the class | About 220–260 kWh | About 300–400 kWh |
| Finish | Black | Black |
| Typical price range | Usually around $200–$300 | Usually around $400–$600 |
Food capacity uses the common rule of about 35 lb per cubic foot. Width and energy figures are typical for chest freezers of these sizes; confirm the exact numbers on each listing.
Which TABU size should you buy?
TABU 5.0 cu ft: the compact all-rounder
Five cubic feet is the most popular chest freezer size for good reason. It holds roughly several weeks to a couple of months of frozen food for a small household, yet its footprint is only a little larger than a dishwasher. It fits in apartments, condos, laundry rooms and kitchen corners, and its top can work as a shelf when the lid is closed.
Pick it if: you batch cook, buy family packs on sale, or need space for frozen fruit, ice and holiday overflow.
Skip it if: you regularly buy large quantities of meat or need to store whole turkeys plus weeks of food.
TABU 12.0 cu ft: bulk storage
At 12 cubic feet, this is a true deep freezer for serious stocking. It can take a quarter beef, a deer harvest, large Costco runs or a garden’s worth of frozen vegetables. A large chest is also one of the most efficient ways to store a lot of frozen food per kWh, because of the chest design and the thermal mass of a full load.
Pick it if: you feed a large family, hunt or fish, or buy meat by the box.
Skip it if: space is tight; it needs a wide spot in a basement, garage or utility room, plus lid clearance.
What stands out across the range
Chest efficiency
Cold air sinks, so lifting a chest lid loses far less cold than opening an upright door. That means lower running costs and longer protection during power outages; a full chest freezer can usually keep food frozen for up to about 48 hours if you keep the lid closed.
Black finish
Most chest freezers come in white. TABU’s black exterior looks more at home in finished basements, kitchens and home bars, and it hides scuffs better in garages.
Simple operation
Chest freezers in this class typically use a straightforward thermostat dial and a standard 120V plug. There is little to go wrong and nothing to learn.
Trade-offs
- Manual defrost. Expect to defrost once or twice a year, more in humid spaces. The 12.0 cu ft model takes longer to empty and defrost.
- Digging for food. Items at the bottom get buried. Hanging baskets and stackable bins help.
- Brand support. TABU is a newer, smaller brand. Check warranty length and how to claim it before buying.
- Garage use. Not every chest freezer performs well in garages that get very hot or fall well below freezing. Confirm the listed operating temperature range.
- Floor space for the large model. The 12.0 cu ft unit needs a wide, level spot and enough headroom to open the lid fully.
Setup and organization tips
- Let the freezer stand upright for at least 4 hours after delivery, or 24 hours if it was transported on its side, before plugging in.
- Leave 3–5 inches of clearance around the sides and back for heat dissipation.
- Run it empty until it reaches 0°F (-18°C), then verify with a thermometer.
- Load in stages; adding a large amount of unfrozen food at once slows freezing and can partially thaw existing items.
- Organize by layers: use reusable bags or bins by category (meat, vegetables, meals) so you can lift sections out.
- Keep a simple inventory on a whiteboard or phone note to avoid forgotten food.
- Defrost when ice reaches about a quarter inch thick.
Running costs
At average US electricity prices, a 5 cu ft chest freezer typically costs around $35–$45 per year to run, while a 12 cu ft chest typically falls around $45–$70. Placing the freezer in a cool, shaded spot keeps costs at the lower end.
FAQ
Is TABU a reliable brand?
TABU is a smaller brand without the long track record of the major appliance makers. Its chest freezers use a conventional, well-proven design, but read the warranty terms carefully.
How much food fits in 12 cubic feet?
Roughly 400 lb or more of frozen food, enough for a quarter beef plus everyday items.
Can I use either model as a refrigerator?
Only if the listing specifies a convertible fridge mode. Otherwise treat them as freezers.
