A camping refrigerator is an essential accessory for off-road vehicles like trucks and camper vans. They’re great for keeping food and drinks cold while you’re adventuring, but they can also help extend the time you spend off the grid by reducing battery drain. This is especially true if you pair them with photovoltaic panels for a truly off-grid setup.
They’re most similar to the fridge you might have at home and consume a little more power than a thermoelectric fridge, but less than an absorption fridge. Most are designed to run off your car’s 12-volt system without drawing too much current, but they can also be used at powered campsites and in RVs. Some can even be hooked up to propane.
There are a lot of different fridge sizes, manufacturers, and models to choose from. Try to stick with the major brands and fridges that have a good reputation for reliability. Fridges that use Danfoss compressors are generally a safer bet than those with cheaper LG or Chinese compressors.
If you’re looking for a budget option we recommend checking out the Alpicool fridges. They’re a real brand with a reputation to uphold and they use efficient LG compressors, but at half the price of some other budget options.
For a more high-end option check out the Dometic fridges. Their CFX series uses the latest in compressor technology to make them as energy-efficient and rugged as possible. They’re a great choice for RVs and camper van builds where you’ll be staying in traditional campgrounds with nice level parking spots that can accommodate a fridge with venting and a power hook-up. camping refrigerator