Last Updated on December 18, 2022 by CHANDRAMANI
Every time you go for a camping trip, whether nearby or far away, a camping fridge is a great appliance you should carry to keep your food from getting spoilt.
Whether you are on a campervan or on a trail a fridge allows you to store your food for a longer period without worrying.
The best camping fridge is a perfect appliance for storing all your food in it for many days and you can forget food from getting spoilt. It also consumes very low power and is almost silent in operation.
Points to consider before buying a Camping Fridge
- Size: Camping fridges come in different sizes. You should choose a size depending on the amount of food you have to store in it. It depends directly on the number of people camping together.
- Duration of Camping: For how long will you camp is an important factor in determining the type of fridge. If you want to camp for a longer duration, then you should choose a fridge with low amps consumption so that you can power it for a longer duration.
- Type of food: For cooling just beverages thermoelectric coolers can do the job for you but for storing food you need a true fridge that can consistently store perishable food at lower temperatures. A model with a fridge as well as a freezer option has an added advantage as you can also store frozen food.
Table of Contents
Best Camping Fridges
Product Table | Highlights | Check Price/BUY |
---|---|---|
1. Dometic CFX28 12v Electric Powered Cooler, Fridge Freezer (Overall Best) | #Works as Fridge/Freezer #Wi-Fi connectivity #removable wire baskets #USB Port #LED Interior Light #Digital temperature display #Works with AC/DC power #Two separate compartments (both can be used as fridge/freezer/one fridge & other freezer | Buy on AMAZON |
2. Alpicool C20 Portable Refrigerator 21 Quart (Smaller alternative) View 42 Quart/40 Liter (Larger) View 48 Quart/45 Liter | #Lightweight #Works as Fridge/Freezer #Works with AC/DC power #Digital temperature display #USB port #Car battery protection | Buy on AMAZON |
3. Whynter FM-85G 85 Quart Portable Fridge (Largest) | #LED temperature display #Works with AC/DC power at the same time #Works as Fridge/Freezer #Two removable wire baskets #Power low indicator #Drain Plug #Reversible door #Fast Freeze Mode | Buy on AMAZON |
4. ICECO JP40 Portable Refrigerator | #LED temperature display #Works with AC/DC power at the same time #Works as Fridge/Freezer #One removable wire basket #Insulated Protective Cover | Buy on AMAZON |
5. SetPower AJ30 32 Quarts | #LED temperature display #Works with AC/DC power at the same time #Works as Fridge/Freezer | Buy on AMAZON |
1. Dometic CFX28 12v (Best Camping Fridge)
Dometic fridges are known for their excellent quality. This fridge has a storage capacity of 27 quarts/26 liters. It is almost silent in operation.
You can power this fridge with your vehicle battery as well as an AC supply at home. There are connection cables for both power types included in the package.
There is a digital temperature display and multiple buttons for various functions. It has wifi connectivity, for activating wifi you have to press the set button five times.
You have to press the power button to turn this on and off this fridge. For changing temperature there are two buttons one for increasing and another for decreasing the temperature.
There is also a USB port that you can use for charging your smartphone. It has an interior LED light for easily accessing the food even in a dark environment.
Another great advantage is that it has two compartments. You can use one compartment as a fridge and the other as a freezer or both as a fridge or vice versa.
The drain plug is there for easily cleaning the fridge and allowing the waste water flows out of the fridge.
It consumes very low power at just 0.75 Ah/h when the temperature is 41F at the interior.
Specifications
- Brand: Dometic
- Capacity: 1 cu ft
- Shelf: 3 Wire Shelves
- Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 24.4 x 16.7 inches
- Item Weight: 29 pounds
2. Alpicool C20 Portable Refrigerator 21 Quart (best mini fridge for camping)
This is a great small fridge that also works as a freezer. It has a capacity of 21 Quart(20 Liter). It is a lightweight & portable fridge.
You can adjust the temperature between -4℉~50℉ by its LCD control panel. By its control panel, you can easily monitor the running of the refrigerator, increase or decrease the temperature, choose battery protection modes or change between Max and ECO.
It is not only useful for chilling fruits, vegetables, drinks, etc but also helps to freeze ice cream, meat and fish as it has freezing as well as chilling.
There is battery protection system in-built with three different modes of Low, Mid and High to protect your vehicle battery without run down.
You can not only power this appliance with your vehicle battery but also with AC power at home as well as small solar system. Both AC and DC power cords are provided with the appliance.
Specifications
- Brand: Dometic
- Capacity: 1 cu ft
- Shelf: 3 Wire shelves
- Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 24.4 x 16.7 inches
- Item Weight: 29 pounds
3. Whynter FM-85G 85 Quart Portable Fridge
If you are looking fora larger camping fridge, then this is a perfect option. The capacity of this fridge/freezer is 85 Quarts or 120 cans and has dimensions of 18.25 x 28.1 x 23.5 inches.
You can use it a freezer or refrigerator. You can adjust its temperature by the digital control panel between -8°F to 50°F. The fast freeze mode rapidly cools down to -8°F.
You can powered this appliance by AC or DC power. Both AC and DC power cords can be plugged together and in this case the unit will primarily operate on AC. If the AC power source fails, DC will become primary power supply source.
There are two removable wire baskets for easily organizing your food. It has power low indicator which indicates about your vehicle battery power and it turns on even when the vehicle is turned 30°.
For easy cleaning this appliance there is a drain plug. It easily allows the defrosted water to flow outside.
Specifications
- Brand: Whynter
- Capacity: 2.83 Cubic Feet
- Shelf: 1 Wire shelf
- Door Hinges: Reversible
- Product Dimensions: 18.25 x 28.1 x 23.5 inches
- Item Weight: 71 pounds
Also read: Best Glass Door Mini Fridges
4. ICECO JP40 Portable Refrigerator
This is another great option that works as a fridge as well as freezer. It has a capacity of 40 Liters.
This model too works with both AC and DC power. There are both power cords included in the package.
You can adjust its temperature between -7℉~50℉(-22℃~+10℃) with its LED control panel. You can turn it off and on it with the help of the power button. It has max and eco modes for protecting your vehicle battery. The compressor also works at 40 degrees of slope.
There is a removable basket that easily helps you organize the ingredient and take it out easily. Also, the LED light is useful to access the contents in a dark room.
Specifications
- Brand: ICECO
- Capacity: 40 Liters
- Shelf: 1 Wire shelf
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 14 x 18 inches
- Item Weight: 1.06 ounces
Also read: Best Mini Fridges with Lock
5. SetPower AJ30 32 Quarts
This fridge/Freezer has an adjustable temperature between 0℉-50℉ by its control panel. There is a power button beside the temperature adjusts button for turning off/on it. A high-speed cooling fan is also built-in for the heat dissipation of the compressor.
There are two modes, the max mode is for quick cooling, and the eco mode is for saving your vehicle power during long hours of use outdoor.
It can be powered by AC, DC, a portable power station, or a solar system. This model works in slopes at 30 degrees or below it.
The LED interior light helps to access stored food at night.
Specifications
- Brand: SetPower
- Capacity: 40 Liters
- Shelf: 1 Wire shelf
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 14 x 18 inches
- Item Weight: 1.06 ounces
Conclusion
Dometic CFX28 12v Electric Powered Cooler, Fridge Freezer is the best camping fridge. You can take this for long camping trips as it consumes very low power, so you don’t have to worry about the battery draining quickly. It has two compartments, either of can be used as fridge or freezer or both simultaneously. The wifi connectivity makes it easy to operate hands-free.
The cooling is fast and long-lasting because of its excellent sealing. Additionally, it has LED lights for the night, a removable wire basket, USB port, and is almost silent in operation.
However, if you want a smaller & affordable alternative, then Alpicool C20 Portable Refrigerator 21 Quart is a great option. It has almost all the features of the Dometic fridge but it is less power efficient.
For storing lots of food Whynter FM-85G 85 Quart Portable Fridge is the best option. This a large capacity option if you want to camp with many people or for many days.
FAQs
What is a 3-way camping fridge
A 3-way camping fridge is a model which can be powered by AC, DC, or by propane gas cylinder. It is the best option for a long duration of camping as you don’t have to worry about your vehicle battery getting drained. However, they are less power efficient if you will power them with a DC source.
Are camping fridges worth it?
A camping fridge is a necessary appliance for camping as you can freeze and chill your stored food so that it stays fresh for a longer period. You don’t have to worry about food poisoning. They can be easily powered by your vehicle battery by cigarette plug/solar system/portable power.
Why are 12-volt refrigerators or camping fridges so expensive?
A camping fridge or 12 v refrigerator is expensive as they have advanced features such as wifi connectivity, they have to be energy efficient & light in weight so that they are portable. Brands design them with more features in a smaller space.
Will the camping fridge drain the car battery?
A camping fridge if it is plugged into your vehicle’s DC supply for long hours when your car or other vehicle is off can drain your battery. To prevent this many fridges have battery protection features and they remind you when power is low.
Hi, I am Chandramani Bhushan. I have worked in the home appliances industry for more than 5+ years where my primary work was to check the performance and quality. I am also the owner of many home appliances in my home and love to share my experience through this blog.
I started this blog in 2020 to help users find solutions related to freezers, refrigerators, and other home appliances. Also, through this blog, I help people find the right option by giving a detailed guide and help them decide on a product.