Step-By-Step Guide to Choosing The Best Camping Fridge
When considering truck camping as a family, one of the biggest hurdles was deciding on a portable 12v camping fridge. We had spent years using a traditional cooler while tent camping, and there was no way we were going back to sloshing ice chests and soggy food.
But there are SO many portable 12v camping fridge options out there that it can be hard to know where to start.
So in this post we cover the entire decision process to help you select the best camping fridge for your truck camper, overland rig, van, car, or tent camping setup!
We’ll discuss the three primary categories of portable 12v camping fridge, go over a few important considerations when looking for a quality camping fridge, and then provide you with a few quality recommendations from two of the most highly regarded camping fridge manufacturers.
Three CATEGORIES of Camping Fridge:
1. Thermoelectric Camping Fridge
Cheapest option, most quality units are under $300
Generally more compact than other camping fridge options
Uses two power sources: 12v and 110v
Operates as more of a cooler than a fridge (keeping an interior temp 35-40 degrees lower than ambient air temperature), but can also be used to keep food warm as well
Though most have a power consumption between 3-5 Amps, because they are inherently less efficient (especially when outside temps are above 80 degrees) they run almost constantly creating an even higher net power usage as compared to other types of camping fridge.
Verdict: This option is best used for short road trips or grocery runs. Not ideal for truck bed camping, vehicle camping, or long term overland travel.
2. Absorption Camping Fridge
Typically can be purchased for under $500
Use three power sources: 12v DC, 110v AC, and Propane Gas
Extremely efficient on Propane - we once ran our 30+ year old Dometic 4 cu ft unit in our Sunrader RV for over 3 weeks using a single small 11lb tank on one of our trips out west
Very inefficient on 12v DC power, really not even a viable option if you’re not running the vehicle because it will deplete your battery in no time
Generally no accurate temperature adjustment/setting
Must be kept almost perfectly level to operate correctly, and must be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide buildup when operating on propane
Usually don’t cool well when temps are above 80 - keeping an interior temp about 30 degrees lower than ambient. On more than one occasion we found ourselves sticking ice bags in the units in our old RVs to help keep things cool when travelling in the heat of summer
Verdict: Due to thier bulky size, venting, and level operating requirements this option is better suited for RVs or camper van builds where the majority of your camping is done in traditional campgrounds that offer nice level parking places (and hook-ups if you want to run it on electric). But it’s not ideal for truck bed camping, car camping, or overlanding.
3. Compressor Camping Fridge
Expensive, cost $500-$1800 depending on size/model/manufacturer
Can operate effectively up to 30 degrees off-level - this is a huge benefit if wild camping or overlanding through uneven terrain
Cools effectively to below freezing, despite high ambient temps
Most have accurate temperature adjustment controls, and some models even offer dual-zone temperature control - so one compartment can be a freezer and the other a fridge
Very energy efficient on 12v DC - most models consume an average of 1 Amp/hr once they reach operating temperature - and they can also be plugged into 110v power when you have access to shore power
They’re unaffected by the shaking and jostling of the off-road adventures and overland travel that get you to those picturesque camp spots
Verdict: A compressor fridge is the best camping fridge option. Period. Especially for truck camping, car camping, and overlanding.
How to Choose The Best Camping Fridge FOr You:
So at this point, you know why a compressor-based camping fridge is the way to go. But with so many camping fridge sizes, manufacturers, and models to choose from it can seem a bit overwhelming.
To help overcome this we recommend breaking your decision down into 3 parts:
STEP 1: Select the Camping Fridge Size/Capacity
First narrow down your desired size and capacity.
For you this may be enough space for a weekend of camping with your family, a short road-trip or overland adventure, or maybe - like us - you’ll use your camping fridge on the road for weeks or even months at a time.
Whatever your case may be, no one likes to run out of food earlier than expected.
Thankfully most manufacturers offer options from smaller 45 liter up to whopping 100+ liter models. For us, the sweet spot is around 60 liters - large enough to pack generously for a long weekend of family camping, or strategically get by for 5 or so days on the road.
But consider your own needs, vehicle space, and usage before selecting capacity - just remember, you won’t need room for ice!
STEP 2: Select a Camping Fridge Manufacturer
Once you’ve decided on how much capacity you need in your camping fridge, it’s time to narrow the scope by manufacturer.
There are dozens out there, and new manufactures are entering the market all the time. But we recommend sticking with manufacturers that have been in the camping fridge market long enough to develop a solid reputation for making a durable, high-quality camping fridge.
Whether you’re living it up at the local full-hookup campground or exploring the wilderness on old forest service roads (or no roads at all), you don’t want something that you’ll be constantly concerned with breaking down - you want something you can trust.
Dometic and ARB have been making them for decades, have proven reputations, and were our first choice when looking for a camping fridge. And we highly recommend them.
STEP 3: Select a Camping Fridge Model
Finally, you’ll refine your choices down to your favorite compressor-based model from each of the trusted manufacturers.
This is where personal preferences and feature-sets come more into play, but some criteria is pivotal to selecting the best camping fridge for your setup:
DC Power Consumption: No matter what your usage scenario - the lower the power consumption, the better.
In our case, we would be running our camping fridge 100% full time off our dual battery setup using our Inergy Kodiak solar generator - so this was a major factor in our decision making process. Thankfully ARB and Dometic lead the pack in energy efficient camping fridge models.
A quality camping fridge will:Draw less than 1amp/hour at 12volts DC power
Include built-in battery protection - so that you don’t have to worry about the camping fridge leaving your vehicle with a dead battery.
For help understanding camping power, go check out this post - Portable Camping Power: Electrical Terms and Principles Made Simple.
Dimensions: Take into consideration the external dimensions of the each fridge and your available space if you’ll be mounting your camping fridge on the interior of your vehicle, as one model may prove to be a better fit over another.
Special Features: These are things like
remote temperature monitoring
how the lid opens or if the lid is removable
does it offer built-in battery protection
how weather resistant it is, etc.
if it is a fridge OR freezer (one setting) or a fridge AND freezer (dual zone temperature settings)
For our purposes, we needed our camping fridge to be weatherproof because of our custom hitch mount plan - a great alternative to the traditional fridge slide that frees up a ton of interior space. You can check out our post about it here.
Okay, now that you know what to look for, you’re ready to choose the best camping fridge for your next adventure! So next we’ll take a closer look at some of the best camping fridge options from our two favorite camping fridge manufacturers: Dometic and ARB.
*(This post contains affiliate links. This means we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. See our full disclosure.)
BEST Dometic Camping Fridge Options
We had great experience with Dometic’s absorption refrigerators in our RVs, and both the 30+ year old units were still running strong when we sold the RVs.
So when we started looking for a portable 12v camping fridge, Dometic was the first place we started.
They offer a variety of models, in a range of sizes and feature-sets - and most are extremely energy efficient.
All models include a wifi-connected remote monitoring app so you can make sure things are staying cool, and LED interior light, and 3-stage battery protection. However the exterior is generally plastic and their camping fridge models are not intended to be exposed to the elements for prolonged periods of time. This makes their 12v portable fridge options better suited for mounting inside the vehicle.
Dometic CFX3 35 Single Zone Camping Fridge
Dimensions: 16 x 27.32 x 15.67 inches
Quarts/Liters/Can Count: 38Qt/36L/50Cans
Amps/Hr (@12VDC): 0.98
Empty Weight: 37 Pounds
Single Zone Fridge OR Freezer
Dometic CFX3 75DZ Dual-Zone Camping Fridge
Dimensions: 37 x 21 x 21 inches
Quarts/Liters/Cans: 79Qt/75L/113Cans
Amps/Hr (@12VDC): 1.43
Empty Weight: 61.29 Pounds
Dual Zone Fridge AND Freezer
BEST ARB Camping Fridge Options
We were already familiar with ARB’s quality reputation in the overlanding and off-road vehicle markets, and the ARB on-board air compressor, Air Locker, and Bull-Bar bumper we installed on the truck have been nothing but rock solid.
So when considering ARB’s camping fridge line we assumed that they would be equally as high-quality and rugged - and they are!
They offer several models and sizes to choose from. Their newest “Zero” line has some great features, including dual-zone temp control, reversible/removable lids, a bluetooth-based remote monitoring app, and all models include 3-stage battery protection.
ARB ZERO Single-Zone 47 Qt Camping Fridge
Dimensions: 19.5in H x 16.7in W x 26.6in L
Quarts/Liters/Can Count: 47Qt/44L/66Cans
Amps/Hr (@12VDC): 0.8
Empty Weight: 47.6 Pounds
Single Zone Fridge OR Freezer
ARB ZERO Dual-Zone 73 Qt Camping Fridge
Dimensions: 22.2in H x 18.5in W x 29.7in L
Quarts/Liters/Cans: 73Qt/69L/108Cans
Amps/Hr (@12VDC): 0.8
Empty Weight: 68.3 Pounds
Dual Zone Fridge AND Freezer
ARB Elements Weatherproof 63 Qt Camping Fridge
Dimensions: 17.3in H x 19.3in W x 32.3in L
Quarts/Liters: 63Qt/60L
Amps/Hr (@12VDC): 0.89
Empty Weight: 70 Pounds
Single Zone Fridge OR Freezer
ARB ZERO Dual-Zone 101 Qt Camping Fridge
Dimensions: 20in H x 21.6in W x 36.8in L
Quarts/Liters/Cans: 101Qt/96L/144Cans
Amps/Hr (@12VDC): 0.8
Empty Weight: 80.7 Pounds
Dual Zone Fridge AND Freezer
We ultimately landed on the ARB Elements Camping Fridge* for our personal truck camping and overlanding setup.
Because the Elements Fridge is specifically designed to withstand the rigors of overlanding in an uncovered truck bed completely exposed to the elements 365 days a year, we were able to mount the fridge on the exterior of the truck, freeing up so much valuable interior space. Be sure to check out our detailed review of the ARB Elements Fridge if you’re interested in this model.
Whatever type of camper you may be - whether you’re tent camping, truck shell camping, overlanding, car camping, or living the #vanlife - we hope that this guide has helped you choose the best camping fridge for your adventures.
And if you’re curious about what else we’ve got in our camping kitchen, check out our post - How to Set Up a Portable Camp Kitchen Box Today.
If you have any questions, hit us up in the comments section!
As always, thanks for reading! We’d love for you to SUBSCRIBE to get updates on future posts and travels!
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Portable Camping Power Part 2: Determine Your Power Supply Needs
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