The Arctic King 5.0 chest freezer promises space-efficiency for storing frozen food and has lots of positive feedback.
But… is it really that good ?
Here is a full review of the Arctic King ARC050S0ARBB where you’ll see the good, the bad, and the ugly about this deep freezer.
Pros: Stay-open lid, ice scraper included, silent operation, great performance, reliable and space efficient solution, adjustable legs.
Cons: Bit pricey, easy to dent, no wheels, no power on indicator.
Our Rating: 4.6/5.0
Arctic King 5 cu ft Chest Freezer Review Summary
Our Rating
4.6
Price: Compared with similar capacity and feature units, this chest freezer is a bit pricey right now, yet sometimes you can get it for less than 200 USD, which is a great price.
4/5
Space Efficiency: 5 cu ft is a lot of space, and the compact design of this freezer makes it truly space efficient. Be sure to consider 3 to 5 inches extra on each side for proper heat dissipation.
5/5
Sealing: This freezer seals perfectly. Its soft plastic gasket and the freezer’s frame are a great combination. Its leveling legs help it seal better even in not leveled surfaces.
5/5
Performance: Silent operation, quick to freeze, reliable and low power consumption.
5/5
Additional Features: The balanced hinge design and the drain plug make it user friendly and easy to use.
4/5
Arctic King 5.0 Deep Freezer Price Check
When it comes to price, this 5 cu ft chest freezer is right in the middle of the range of prices you can find for deep freezers with similar loading capacity and features.
Something worth mentioning is that the Arctic King 5 freezer is a straight forward appliance, and does not come with all the bells and whistles that other units have.
On the other hand, Arctic King is a well established brand and their units have passed the test of time. People share lots of positive feedback online about these and they are known for its reliability and performance.
If you want a basic freezer that does what it promises, and want to invest in a solid brand, there is no better choice than this.
✅ Conveniently fits any space with its compact design and dimensions of 21.7″D x 24.9″W x 33.5″H
✅ Exterior Adjustable Thermostat for higher efficiency
✅ 1x Removable basket for easy storage organization
✅ Front Defrost Drain for easy cleaning
✅ Hinge type lid for hands-free use
✅ Easy to clean interior walls and lid
The Arctic King Chest Freezer 5 cu ft Compared with Similar Items
If you are having second thoughts and what to check some alternatives in terms of price and features, here is a comparison table with similar capacity freezers that offer different features and prices.
Space Efficiency: The Arctic King 5.0 Cu Ft Chest Freezer Dimensions vs Inner Capacity
The ratio between its inner and outer volume is 47%, meaning the inner cabinet is almost half of the total volume of the unit. The higher the number the more efficient the space is used.
This 5 cubic foot chest freezer has enough space to hold 37.4 gallons of food. Also, each cubic foot can hold approximately 25 pounds of meat, meaning this freezer can take up to 125 pounds of meat.
An interesting note about the Arctic King 5 cu chest freezer in terms of space is it has external hinges at the back, and it needs approximately 3 inches from the wall, so be sure to consider this space when doing your estimations.
Also, the heat dissipation and air ventilation is a big thing with this freezer, so consider something like additional 8 inches on each side for optimal performance.
According to our observations and based on experience, you need to add those extra inches to the dimensions of this unit to allow for enough space for it to operate in optimal conditions.
The Sealing of the Arctic King Freezer 5 cu ft
Ensuring your chest freezer is completely closed is essential for operation. That is why we consider the seal a crucial check to evaluate a freezer. Without it, not only the unit will cost more to run, but your food may de-ice and go bad.
The Arctic King 5 cf chest freezer seal is achieved using a soft plastic gasket and a hard plastic frame, which in essence is what most freezers and fridges use today.
In our case, the sealing of the unit was excellent since both the frame and the gasket were completely clean and without frost. Also, the unit was level and there were no dents or damages near any part that could compromise the sealing.
A good way to check if your unit is sealing properly is to close the lid and try to open it right after. If the seal is right, it should cost you a bit to open it. This is what happened in our case, so we know the unit seal is good and the cold air will stay inside.
The reason this happens is because right after closing the lid, the pressure inside and outside of the unit are different. It is only after these stabilize (which takes a few seconds) that the lid is easy to open again.
If you have issues with the seal of this Arctic King 5.0 freezer, make sure the unit is level. The adjustable legs at the bottom of the unit can help with this.
Performance – Is it Reliable?
This is arguably the reason why the reviews of the Arctic King 5.0 chest freezer are so positive. Arctic King made a straightforward deep freezer with their 5 cubic foot version and it delivers every time.
As we always say here, when it comes to the performance of these freezers, it has a lot to do with how you use and where you place them.
For Optimal Performance
Place your freezer in a well ventilated area and with proper heating as well. This chest freezer is not intended for use in places under 55℉, which means you should not place this in your garage. Avoid direct sunlight as well as moist.
Another common mistake we see often is not giving enough space between the freezer and its surroundings. Failing to do so makes the compressor to work harder and overheat, which has an impact in performance.
Cleaning and Maintenance
When doing cleaning, be sure to use a clean cloth and water. Don’t use abrasives or sharp or metallic objects to clean the inside as they may damage the aluminum liner the inside is covered with.
This unit requires manual defrosting. For this, remove all your food items, the inner basket, unplug the freezer and let the door open. The best practice is to leave the freezer like this all night and clean it the day after. This will ensure all the ice melts and simply opening the drain plug will do most of the job.
If you are in a hurry, then let the frost melt for about 2 hours and then use the plastic ice scraper provided to remove anything that is left. Be gentle as you don’t want to damage the interior of the freezer.
Here is the Arctic King 5 cu ft chest freezer manual in case you want to know more.
✅ Conveniently fits any space with its compact design and dimensions of 21.7″D x 24.9″W x 33.5″H
✅ Exterior Adjustable Thermostat for higher efficiency
✅ 1x Removable basket for easy storage organization
✅ Front Defrost Drain for easy cleaning
✅ Hinge type lid for hands-free use
✅ Easy to clean interior walls and lid
Additional Benefits of the Arctic King Chest Freezer 5.0 cu ft
Quiet operation: The ARC050S0ARBB is pretty silent and does not disturb at all. If for any reason your unit is noisy, you should contact Arctic King for assistance. You can either call 866-646-4332 or email them at [email protected]
Quick to freeze and keeps food frozen: It takes about 4 hours to freeze and be ready to store food. You may think this is a long time, but other units take up to 24 hours. Also, its seal keeps your food frozen and preserved. The only thing we miss here is a power on indicator, as it would give a quick visual confirmation that the unit is working.
Low Power Consumption: The energy guide of this freezer puts it in the 26 USD per year cost. This is just a reference and will vary depending on how you use it, where you place it, and how often you give it maintenance. However, this is a pretty good number as other freezers of this size can go beyond 30 USD.
Pro Tip: For optimal performance, make sure you place your freezer in a well ventilated/heated space and without direct sunlight or moist. Allow enough space on the sides and at the back for heat dissipation and defrost it when the ice build up is 1/4 to 1/2 of inch thick.
More features that make your life easier as a user
Here are a few things we liked about this freezer. As we’ve said, it is pretty basic but still it has some additional features that are worth mentioning because they make your life easier as a user.
Sliding Basket
The Arctic King 5 cubic foot freezer comes with a sliding and removable basket that facilitates access to food items. These are great because organization in chest freezers is key, and wire baskets do a lot for organization.
What you should know (and retailers don’t tell) is this basket is made of metal. To avoid corrosion, it is coated with paint, yet this coating deteriorates with time and use. We recommend moving these gently to preserve their coating as much as possible.
Also, when defrosting you unit, you may be tempted to scrape these using the plastic tool they give you, but be aware you could be damaging the coating. This is why by all means, it is best if you allow the unit to defrost itself over the night.
Adjustable Legs
These are great and not all freezers have them. Adjustable legs can do a lot to level your unit, which is crucial for a good seal. If you place this on an uneven surface, use the adjustable legs to ensure the unit is as horizontal as possible.
Stay Open Lid
The hinges of your Arctic King freezer are designed to keep the lid open without you having to hold it. This is handy for when you need to use both hands with bulky or heavy food items. On the other hand, know that keeping the lid open impacts performance, so this is one of those features that has its lights and shadows.
As a recommendation, we’ve seen that over time, these hinges start to make sounds because of normal use. This is not exclusive of this chest freezer but in general. To keep them in good shape, you can add some grease when you notice they start to make sounds. Don’t use oil because it will spill, use grease instead.
Frequently Bought Together
- EXTRA LARGE DIAL: The extra-large and colorful 3” analog dial makes it easy to read the measurements.
- MADE FOR DURABILITY: Constructed with a durable stainless steel casing for added strength and corrosion resistance.
Any downsides worth mentioning?
As with every product, this is not perfect. So here are a few things we consider are important to know before purchasing.
We’ve already said this is a basic chest freezer without extra features that make it expensive, however, a few things here could be improved since you can find those in other models around the same price.
Its price: While right now there are other models in the market that cost less and offer equal or more features than this, the Arctic King 5 cu ft freezer comes from a reputable and established brand and its reliability can’t be denied. From time to time, you can find discounts, so if you spot a deal, be sure to take it.
No power on indicator: This is not mandatory but still something that users appreciate. A power on indicator gives you a quick visual confirmation that your freezer is up and running. This still is not something that would discourage us from recommending this unit.
Closing thoughts: The Arctic King freezer 5.0 is a reliable and space efficient solution to store frozen food
Ok so for a freezer this size and with basic functions, the first thing we notice is its price is a bit high, yet not excessive. On the other hand, it truly delivers in terms of efficiency and performance, so you won’t be disappointed. Plus, we were able to confirm the customer service from Arctic King is really good.
Some users have complained about damaged units at arrival, and that is not because of the product, but because of the way the unit is handled when shipped. This is something common for all freezers and we recommend to not sweat it that much. Unless you see a big hole or dent that impacts the sealing or compromises the compresor, you unit should be fine.
Last but not least, the overwhelming positive feedback this unit gets, combined with how efficient and reliable it is make it a great buy.
The Arctic King 5 cu ft chest freezer is on sale now so get your unit today and start storing more frozen food and saving money by purchasing in bulk.
✅ Conveniently fits any space with its compact design and dimensions of 21.7″D x 24.9″W x 33.5″H
✅ Exterior Adjustable Thermostat for higher efficiency
✅ 1x Removable basket for easy storage organization
✅ Front Defrost Drain for easy cleaning
✅ Hinge type lid for hands-free use
✅ Easy to clean interior walls and lid
▷ Arctic King 5.0 Chest Freezer: Full Review, Pros, Cons
Arctic King 5.0 Chest Freezer: ✓ Detailed Review ✓ Features ✓ Pros ✓ Cons ✓ Pricing ✓ Comparison Table.
Product Brand: Arctic King
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 259.95
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.6
Pros
- Stay-open lid
- Ice scraper included
- Silent operation
- Great Performance
- Reliable
- Space efficient
- Adjustable legs
Cons
- Bit pricey
- Easy to dent
- No wheels
- No power on indicator.
