A fridge is going to be one of your biggest expenses during your van conversion, but one of the most essential items to keep your fresh food from going bad. Most importantly, you’ll want something that is economical to run, and fits to your budget and lifestyle.
We’ve researched dozens of camper van fridges to find the best makes and models for any budget or lifestyle. Whether you’re living the van life in a Sprinter, cargo van, VW, skoolie, RV, SUV, minivan, truck or small car, we have a fridge that will be the right fit for you.
Types of Fridges [Short Comparison]
There are three types of portable fridges for camper vans:
Compressor Fridges – A.K.A. Two-Way Fridges
Recommended Option
Compressor fridges are cooled by a compressor which circulates a refrigerant liquid, similar to a standard home refrigerator. If you’re a full-time van dweller or on the road quite often, a compressor fridge is probably your best option. They’re incredibly efficient as they only run when the interior temperature increases, plus they’re relatively affordable, safe, reliable and easy to install. They can be used on an incline and are unaffected by the ambient temperature. The only downside is the motors produce some noise, but this is not loud enough to disturb your sleep.
Absorption Fridges – A.K.A. Three-Way, LPG, or Gas Fridges
As the name implies, these fridges are gas-powered. If you don’t have solar panels, or you don’t want to risk discharging your batteries, then a gas fridge will be your best option. If you’ve ever owned or driven an old camper van or RV, chances are it will have come fitted with one of these. Newer gas fridges run efficiently, silently, and typically have a long lifespan, but they require professional installation, can be dangerous due to carbon monoxide, and the cost of gas may increase your long-term expenses overall. They cannot be used if you are parked on an incline and will only cool to a certain amount below the ambient temperature. You can also power these fridges with electricity, however this works out as a pretty inefficient way to keep your food cool due to the large amount of power required in comparison with a compressor fridge.
Thermoelectric Coolers
Best for Occasional Road Trips
Thermoelectric coolers require a constant 12V supply which they use to power a fan which removes hot air from inside the cooler, creating a cold environment to refrigerate your food and drinks. They can also be used to remove cold air, creating a warm environment. These are very affordable, but much less efficient as they can only cool a certain number of degrees below the ambient temperature of the room.
[Read our full comparison of these three types of fridges]
The Best Campervan Fridges
Compressor Fridges
Dometic CFX Portable Fridge Freezers – Most Efficient
Recommended model: Dometic CFX3
Price: $1079.99
Other sizes/models include:
Dometic CFF45 44L – $899
Dometic CFX3 25L – $799.99
Dometic CFX3 36L – $879.99
Dometic CFX3 45 L – $949.99
Dometic CFX3 55L – $1079.99
Dometic CFX3 100L – $1349.99
Dometic CFX3 95DZ Dual Zone 95L – $1399.99
Dometic portable fridge/freezers have become known as the best campervan fridges for many reasons. They are one of the most efficient portable fridges on the market with an incredibly low power draw (50W cooling / 1W maintaining). They’re reasonably priced, durable, and loaded with useful features. Standard Dometic coolers include a digital control panel, LED interior light, USB port for charging your phone or other electronics, a drain plug, and removable wire baskets. There are other additional features depending on the specific Dometic model, which are detailed below.
There are 3 main product lines for Dometic fridges/freezers that are best for camper vans:
CFF
The CFF cooler is Dometic’s no frills standard cooler, which is capable of acting as a fridge or freezer. It comes with a double-sided lid and LED screen, and can be set to cool between 0ºF and 50ºF.
CFX3
Every CFX model of Dometic cooler has integrated WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, which allows users to adjust the fridge temperature remotely via a smartphone app as well as providing energy consumption ratings and diagnostics tools. This model is capable of cooling as low as -22ºC / -7ºF, and is equipped with a separate ice compartment. It uses just 1Ah or 0.56 kWh in a 24 hour period.
CFX-DZ
The DZ stands for Dual Zone, meaning there is a separate freezer compartment with a divider. Although it is a dual zone, it still only has one temperature gauge. But don’t worry, the freezer compartment will still stay colder because the majority of the cold air is trapped in that compartment. If you don’t want to use the freezer, you can remove the divider to allow for more fridge space. The CFX-DZ also comes with all of the same features as the CFX3. The key difference is that this model is unfortunately less efficient in terms of power draw, consuming 3.04Ah or 1.68kWh in a 24 hour period. It’s also a bit more expensive.
ARB Portable Fridge Freezers – Durable & Long Lasting
Recommended model: ARB ZERO
Price: $1568
Other sizes include:
ARB ZERO 38 Quart – $1100
ARB ZERO 47 Quart – $1136
ARB ZERO 63 Quart – $1332
ARB ZERO dual zone 73 Quart – $1568
ARB ZERO dual zone 101 Quart – $1743
The ARB portable fridge is overall a fantastic fridge for a camper van and a firm favourite with overlanders, with its super durable steel frame capable of withstanding a fair few knocks. It has a digital control panel, LED interior light, drain plug, and removable wire baskets.
The dual zone models can both cool and freeze at the same time, or the 73 quart model has a removable divider to create one large cooler- there’s even a boost mode too for rapidly cooling down a six pack at your chosen campsite (or several six packs, as the cooler boasts a capacity large enough to whole 87 cans of beer).
The ZERO cooler comes with Bluetooth connectivity for monitoring and control, a like for like rival to Dometic, plus a 3,000mA outlet for charging mobile devices. The only key differences between the brands are price and power draw, with the ARB ZERO running at a minuscule 9W at a standard cooler temperature.
The ARB Elements range also provides stainless steel-enclosed coolers built to withstand all weathers.
Whynter Portable Fridge Freezers – Basic Essentials
Recommended model: Whynter FM-45G
Price: $595
Other sizes include:
Whynter FM-45G (45 Quart) – $595
Whynter FM-65G (65 Quart) – $645
Whynter FM-85G (85 Quart) – $760
The Whynter Portable Fridge Freezers are a good option for the price and are every bit as efficient to run as the Dometic range (80W). They have an LED temperature display a fast freeze mode, operating at -8°F to 50°F, and some models have a dual zone temperature option. They’re just as robust as the ARB range without the price tag, although a bit heavier than the Dometic fridges. A great entry-level option if you’re not looking for something with all the bells and whistles of WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Costway Portable Refrigerator Freezer – Most Affordable
Model: Costway 44 Quart
Price: $289.99
The Costway portable car fridge is for anyone living the van life on a budget. This is a very affordable fridge with all the basic features, plus a few surprises. The Costway cooler has Max and Eco modes which cool to between -4°F and 50°F, the outer case is shock-proof, and can run on 12V, 24V or 240V. It runs at a very modest 50W and can hold up to 60 cans of beer, just in case you were wondering.
Gas Fridges
Smad LP Gas Electric 3-Way Absorption Fridge
Price: $399 – $1029
Sizes include:
1.4 cu. ft. – $399.99
2.12 cu. ft. – $489.99
3.5 cu. ft. – $1029.99
The Smad Gas fridge is one of few decent three way gas fridges on the market. A gas fridge isn’t recommended for van life, but if you’re dead set on using gas, the Smad is the way to go. This fridge has adjustable and removable shelves, can be run on 12V, 110V or propane, and will allow for electric hookup if need be. The plus side to these fridges is that without a motor they run completely silently, and can cool to between 32ºF and 50ºF. The downside is they must be almost completely level to function, which means no parking on inclines.
Thermoelectric Coolers
Wagan Thermoelectric Cooler/Warmer
Size: 46 Quarts
Price: $289.95
You get what you pay for with this cooler. It’s one of the best fridges for roadtrippers on a budget. It will keep your food and drinks cold up to 36°F below the ambient temperature and keep your food warm up to 140°F above the ambient temperature. It’s very lightweight and comes with magnetic/removable doors to keep your food cold/warm. Just keep in mind that this fridge is going to take a toll on your battery and have a tough time storing frozen foods.
Koolatron Compact Cooler
Size: 18 Quarts
Price: $129
The Koolatron Cooler is another small, lightweight, affordable option for road trippers. It was designed specifically to fit right in between the driver and passenger seats in your car, truck, or minivan and runs on 12V, can cool food to 40ºF below ambient temperature or keep food warm up to 140ºF above room temp too.
What to Look for in a Portable Camper Van Fridge
Fridge Efficiency and Power Draw
Most modern 12V compressor fridges are very efficient, using power only to cool to the desired temperature without the need to be constantly running. The more advanced the insulation the better they hold their temperature, meaning less power is needed. Coolers however run constantly at a low wattage, meaning they will eventually drain your batteries.
Good fridge efficiency is really important for van life. If you have yet to buy solar panels and batteries, keep in mind that you may need to spend more money on these to compensate for an inefficient fridge.
Additionally, the power draw listed by manufacturers is not always completely accurate. Testing conditions vary, making it difficult to provide accurate numbers. To ensure that we provide as accurate information as possible, we looked at the power draw listed by manufacturers along with numerous tests done by independent sources and customer reviews.
Fridge Capacity, Size & Layout
Buying a mini fridge without enough capacity will require you to grocery shop more often and require you to dig around in your fridge when you need to find things which can be annoying. On the contrary, buying a fridge that is too big will cost more, draw more power and take up more precious space in your van. Most van dwellers traveling solo will use something like a a 20 – 40 quart fridge, while couples could expect to double this up to a 40 – 60 quart fridge. A dual zone fridge will take up significantly more space, but this could be a good trade off for a more domestic-style set-up. Ultimately it comes down to the physical space in which you plan to install your fridge.
Layout is an additional factor that will depend entirely on your van build. For some an upright fridge integrates perfectly into a van kitchen, for others a top-loading fridge is ideal as it can be stored under a bench seat, or used as a seat in its own right. A cooler can be stashed into small spaces such as between the cab seats or under the bed, providing it has adequate ventilation.
Quality, Reliability, and Warranty
You don’t want a fridge that’s going to break down on you or a fridge made with cheap parts that you will need to replace. Having a fridge with a longer warranty like an ARB (3 years) or Dometic (2 years), will not only ensure that you are covered if something happens to your fridge, but it also shows that they are confident that their product will last a long time.
Price
If you’re a full-time van lifer, skimping on an efficient, quality fridge is not recommended. However, portable fridges can get expensive so it’s understandable if you can’t fit one of the best fridges into your budget. Just keep in mind that you will spend much more money in the long run if you buy a cheaper fridge because they may require regular maintenance and repairs, your food could spoil easier and most importantly they won’t be as efficient which will require you to spend more on batteries and solar panels or gas to make up for it. In terms of saving money, a refrigerator is one area you may not want to scrimp on in your van build.
Technology and Features
Portable campervan fridges sometimes come equipped with handy features that can help with efficiency and usability. Here are some of the features you may find useful to keep in mind:
- WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity to change the fridge temperature with a phone app
- Light up displays to show whether the fridge is currently running
- Low voltage protection which stops the fridge from running when the batteries get too low
- LED lighting inside the fridge
- Drain plug at the bottom of the fridge to make cleaning easier
- Removable wire baskets
- Separate freezer compartment
Direction the door/lid opens
Chest fridge
Chest fridges are more energy efficient, you can fit more items into them, they’re easily portable, and you also don’t need to worry about your food falling out after a bumpy drive. The only downside is it will be more difficult to find your food at the bottom of the fridge, and this can lead to the dreaded fridge juice if you forget about something down there.
Upright Fridge
Upright fridges will make it easier to find your food, but after a bumpy drive, you may find your food falling out. They’re also less efficient, not easily portable, and there will be wasted space because things aren’t stacked on top of each other.
Where to Put your Fridge
You will probably want to place your fridge near your sink and stove – whether this be in the front or back of your conversion van. Having it easily accessible to your entrance door will also make loading shopping easier. If you have a chest fridge, the two best options are to put it in a pull-out drawer, or use it as a part of your countertop.
You can see the fridge on the right side of the van. It’s built into the cabinet so the lid is part of the countertop. Credit to vancraft.com.
Freezer Compartment
There are numerous portable fridges that include a separate freezer compartment. Dometic’s CFXDZ models have a divider in their fridge that is removable to allow users to expand the fridge area. Even fridges that don’t have a separate freezer compartment can still reach a freezing temperature on the cooling element side of the fridge, allowing you to keep necessary items frozen for short periods. This, of course, isn’t reliable and you will inevitably end up with food items that are colder or warmer than desired. Generally freezers are considered a luxury unavailable to most vanlifers, taking up extra space and drawing additional power, but if you think a freezer is essential to your van conversion there are many choices available.
Types of Fridges [Full Comparison]
Compressor Fridges – A.K.A. Two-Way Fridges
Recommended Option
Powered by: 12v/24v DC or 120V/V240AC
Price: ranges from $300 to $1,500
Compressor fridges are powered by a compressor that circulates a cooling liquid, similar to a standard home refrigerator. They’re the best option if you live in a camper van full time or are on the road often.
Pros and Cons
They run much more efficiently than other options when using DC battery power
You will need an electrical source
Does a better job a keeping your fridge cool in hot environments
Up front cost is a bit more expensive
Can find in numerous shapes to fit your camper van
Cheaper in the long run
Very easy to install
They run well when you’re driving or parked on uneven terrain
They run quietly
Gas Fridges – A.K.A. Three-Way, LPG, or Absorption Fridges
As the name implies, these fridges are gas-powered, usually with options to run on 12V or 240V, however these will not be as efficient as compressor fridges. They’re not recommended for van life and should only be used if you don’t have an auxiliary power system.
Powered by: Gas/LPG or 12v/24v DC, 240V AC
Price: ranges from $400 to $700
Pros and Cons
They run silently
Installation is more difficult – it must be inspected by a registered gas fitter. If it’s not inspected, your warranty will be forfeited and your safety will be at risk.
They typically have a longer lifespan – only needs to be replaced after about 20 years
Gas always poses a safety threat
They run pretty efficiently when using gas
If you’re using batteries to power a gas fridge, it will drain the batteries very quickly
Cost of gas will increase your long-term expenses
Fridge doors typically only open from the front
Thermoelectric Coolers
Best for Occasional Road Trips
Thermoelectric coolers use a fan to remove hot air from inside the cooler, creating a cold environment to refrigerate your food and drinks. They can also be used to remove cold air, creating a warm environment. These fridges are only recommended for those taking an occasional road trip due to their inconsistent temperatures.
Powered by 12v/24v DC and some by 240v AC
Price: ranges from $100 to $300
Pros and Cons
Very inexpensive
Uses a lot more battery power
Light weight
Can’t set specific temperature
They don’t require ice
Will not come with a freezer compartment
They can keep warm as well
Can be noisy
Can only reach about 40 degrees Fahrenheit below the ambient air temperature
So there we have in! Your in-depth guide to the different kinds of refrigerators, freezers and coolers for your van conversion.
Read more van conversion kitchen essentials: Best Campervan Sink Options and Camper Van Hot Water Options
