What to consider when buying a portable camping refrigerator?
When considering buying a portable fridge you have to look at certain things. Firstly, you have to look at the quality of the fridge. Having poor quality is a deal-breaker since you are paying a lot of money for these portable fridges you want something that is going to last. Secondly, portable means portable so I wouldn’t consider something that an average person would not consider mobile. Lastly and most importantly, making sure the refrigerator keeps your food and drinks cold.
I am going to list the best portable refrigerators for camping under different headings below. I will include details of each one, and attached are the most recent prices available.
Tent camping with a fridge?
When camping in a tent it is difficult to have a fridge on hand. As a tent camper myself if you are going to use a fridge you need to choose the correct size and portability. The fridges listed can all be taken in a vehicle and powered with the correct power source, just be aware of how much power they use. Usually, the fridge has a 12V plug that is great for many power sources, it might need the correct AC power adapter. If you want to take things off-grid, the Yeti solar generator setup can make that possible.
How to power up portable fridges when camping?
Are you heading on an adventure out into the wild and need electricity? If that’s the case, you need a portable generator. The Yeti Generator on Amazon is a well known portable generator, it can be solar-powered and it can easily be charged by any ordinary outlet. If you want to power a portable refrigerator for camping you need a portable power source. Read our Yeti Solar Generator Series Review or check out our other generators on our Best Solar Power Camping Gear article. Solar power is my recommended source of electricity while camping. If camping in campgrounds you might have access to electricity.
7 Best Portable Refrigerators for Camping
These fridges are a little more high-tech and costly. They are actual real fridges and are made by companies who put in the quality effort. Many people use them for campervan renovations, or out at the cabin. However, let us keep in mind that they can easily be used during a camping adventure!
1. Dometic CFX-28 12V Fridge Freezer
- Quarts size 27
- Holds 43 cans
- 29 Lbs
- 40 Watts
- 12 Volts
2. ARB Portable Fridge Freezer 50 Quarts Electric Powered
If you are looking to use this fridge you can plug it into a standard home AC power outlet or use the 12/24 volt DC power outlet. When running off a battery it has an adjustable and automatic battery protection system that is designed to prevent the fridge from draining your car battery.
- 2 power cables – 12/24v DC and standard AC power plug
- Exterior Size – 27.75 L x 14.96 W x 20 H inches
- Holds 72 cans
- Quart size is 50
- 12V/110V
3. Alpicool C15 Portable Refrigerator – Best Bang for Buck
The Alpicool fridge on Amazon is a more affordable portable refrigerator for camping. Just because it is not as well known as the Dometic and ARB series, doesn’t mean it can’t get the job done. Just like the other fridges, it has 12/24V DC and 110V to 240V AC power inputs. Which is how it becomes a portable fridge, easily plug-able into your portable power source.
The Alpicool C15 has a thick layer of foam installed for better insulation. It is rated to have a -20°C cooling performance, however, after I have read reviews it is easily maintained at -15°C. The fridge is 18.96 lbs, much lighter because it is made with more plastic material than the other high brands. Though it is made of plastic, the quality is known to be great, leaving this fridge the lightest and most portable on our list.
If looking to save a dollar and still have a nice portable refrigerator for camping, then grab an Alpicool because it will keep your food and drinks cold.
Alpicool now has a full series. They have multiple size mini-fridges, giving you the option of larger sizes at better prices. The series includes the C15, C20, C30, C40, CF35, CX40, CF45 C50and the CF55. The number is related to their quart size and you can find all of these options by clicking below.
4. ENGEL 40 Qt AC/DC Portable Tri-Voltage Fridge/Freezer
The Engel Fridge series was actually introduced to us from the audience of our website. I got in touch with one of our guest comments and asked this Engel owner how the portable fridge actually works. With his permission I add his word below:
“It’s not often I hear from somewhere I left a review.
I’ve had my Engel for over 15yrs and the best thing about it is it continues to function like new. I have had several factory camper fridges and several very expensive “marine” fridges and they don’t hold a candle to my Engel.
Engel uses a sterling engine to cool. If you don’t know what that is look them up. (See Below) It never wears out. Very low power draw 3.2 amps on full blast. My solar panels had no trouble keeping up with the draw. Important stuff if you use the same battery to start your camping vehicle.
My Engel sat in a closed up sailboat for several years where the inside temperature would get well over 100f. With the dial set to about 1/3 of full power, it would keep my beer ice cold. It ran like this for about 10yrs. It’s the only thing on the boat I wouldn’t let go when I sold it.
I use it now when we go camping along with our yeti to keep the important stuff cold. The only time I EVER use the factory-installed Dometic is for water and vegetables.
I have the extra outside jacket accessory and the locking plate that keeps the fridge from moving in rough seas and in one case kept someone from stealing the fridge. My radios were not so lucky.
Thanks for the opportunity to tell people what a great tool the Engel is. As you can tell I love mine.
Thanks. Martin.”
Many portable fridge owners say that the Engel fridge is the best they have ever owned. It is known to keep food and drinks ice cold. They are a high priced fridge, but with Engel, you get what you pay for.
5. NORCOLD INC 1.1 cu. ft. Portable Refrigerator/Freezer
The Norcold NRF30 on Amazon is known to last and keep your food at the right temperatures. The fridge has a built-in control panel great for choosing the temperature you want. It maintains its cold temperatures because of its insulated foam design. While on the road or camping it is always a need to keep food fresh.
Also when out on your travels, keeping your battery charged up is very important. The Norcold has 3 adjustable levels which gives you the option to use more or less energy.
People say they wish their first choice was the Norcold because it is the product that lasted. This fridge has great quality and it is only a 39.6lbs fridge. A great weight for a portable fridge, making it easy to move around on the campsite. The fridge holds 30L or 31 quarts. Great size portable fridge for bringing on any trip.
6. Setpower FC12 13.5 Quarts Portable Freezer Fridge – Affordable Option
The Setpower camping fridge is a great low budget option if you don’t want to spend those big bucks. With the 12V DC cable and AC adapter for standard plugs, you can keep your food cool when camping. This fridge requires power but can be gathered from your solar power unit or campground outlets.
Choose to cool down in MAX mode or ECO mode, the ECO option lets you use less power which is ideal when off the beaten path. Plus if offroading the Setpower cooler can handle bumps and angled use, keeping your food fresh.
This fridge is available is 2 FC sizes and they also have a series the AJ30, AJ40, and AJ50, each number represents the quart size. Choosing this fridge is a way to get a nice camping fridge at a price you can agree with.
7. AstroAI Portable Freezer 12 Volt Refrigerator 58 Quart
Another feature that’s important for a mini camping fridge is the battery protection it offers. When it reaches the level set it will turn off and stop cooling to prevent a dead car battery. It doesn’t actually have its own battery inside, but to power this you need a source. Using solar power is popular if you don’t want to risk plugging it into your car.
The AstroAI has a LED display panel that has the on and off button along with the temperature changing buttons. Inside the fridge, you will find an internal basket that holds items perfectly, stack cans or bottles, or just toss in your food. In addition, the exterior handles make it easy to lift when needed but remember this fridge is heavy at 38.4 pounds empty, so if its filled up with camp food/drinks be careful!
Best Portable Fridge Brands Reviewed
Dometic CFX Series
I will list the series from small to large, including size volume in quarts, number of drink cans it holds, the weight, and power input in Watts. Each fridge is compatible with 12/24 volts DC and 120 Volts AC. Also included with each fridge is cords that accept a solar charge.
See the Dometic Series:
| Name | Size | Description |
CFX-35W | Quarts size 34 | Holds 47 cans | 39 Lbs | 43 Watts 12 Volts | The CFX-35W is a bit larger than the 28. It becomes larger in volume and 10 Lbs in weight. This fridge includes Wifi capabilities, meaning with the download of an app you can change and monitor fridge temperatures. |
CFX-40W | Quarts size 40 | Holds 60 cans | 41 Lbs | 48 Watts | The CFX-40W can hold more than the 35W. It becomes larger in volume and 2 Lbs in weight. Includes Wifi capabilities.
|
CFX-50W | Quarts size 49 | Holds 72 cans | 45 Lbs | 52 Watts |  The CFX-50W can hold more than the 40W. It becomes larger in volume and 4 Lbs in weight. Includes Wifi capabilities.
|
CFX-65W | Quarts size 64 | Holds 106 cans | 51 Lbs | 58 Watts | The CFX-65W can hold more than the 50W. It becomes much larger in volume and 6 Lbs in weight. Includes Wifi capabilities. |
ARB Series
The ARB fridge series is another great portable refrigerator for camping. Similar to the Dometic CFX series, they all differ in volume sizes. The ARB fridges all have a cooling capacity of +10°C to -18°C. Each fridge in this series is designed in a similar way, they include two separate compartments. One compartment is recommended for dairy and fruit, while the other is the main compartment. The main compartment is much larger, it is great for holding bottles and larger food items. ARB portable refrigerators are known to have the largest in its class for internal capacity for vehicle fridge freezers.
ARB series is known to have low amp draw, meaning it uses low amounts of power to stay running. Which is great for camping when you are using solar panels on a portable power source. Each fridge has built-in 12/24V DC and 100-240V AC power, making it easy to use on the road and compatible at home. The fridge thermostat is easily controlled, located on the front.
Alpicool Series
Alpicool now has a full series. They have multiple size mini-fridges, giving you the option of larger sizes at better prices. These portable camping fridges are a great option when looking for good quality but not wanting to spend up to a thousand dollars. Of course, when you pay for the top products like Dometic and ARB you get a long-lasting fridge for many years, but finally an affordable option like Alpicool offers a durable product for a price that is a bit more reasonable.
The series includes the (click photos for latest price):
C15-N15L or 16Q | 20 Cans |  |
C2020L or 21Q | 25 Cans |   |
CF3535L or 37Q| 36 Cans |   |
C3030L or 32Q | 42 Cans |   |
C4040L or 42Q | 42 Cans |   |
CX4040L or 42Q | 40Cans |   |
Final Thoughts
Thanks for reading! I hope you find a portable refrigerator for camping on our list and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
Comments
Thanks for the comment Martin! We will gladly add an Engel fridge to our Best Portable Refrigerator for Camping list.
Not even a mention of Engel? My Engel is going on 15yrs old. It ran a solid ten years on a sailboat never turned off. Draws 3.2amps on freeze mode and will freeze a gallon jug of water hard as a brick overnight. One moving part, will run on 110ac or 12vdc and you can leave both the plugs in at the same time so if the 110 goes out the 12v will kick right in. Engel IS the best. Dometic makes the worst camper fridge I’ve ever used.
Just my opinion of course.
If it don’t say Engel on it don’t buy it unless you like replacing stuff every couple of years.
Thanks. Martin.