What Is The Difference Between A 12 Volt Refrigerator & A 12V Cooler?
If you are in the market for a portable 12v fridge you’ve probably come across both 12 volt refrigerator freezers and 12v coolers.
While 12 volt coolers sound awesome and are much more budget-friendly than 12v refrigerators they don’t have the same purpose.
Related Product: Power your 12 volt fridge when camping using the Ecoflow Delta Portable Power Station & 160W Solar Panel Kit (click to view on Amazon).
12v coolers usually can only cool around 32 degrees colder than the temperature outside.
Many people see the number 32 degrees and think, perfect it can cool to 32 degrees. That isn’t the case though.
If it’s 80 degrees where the cooler is then it’s only going to be 48 degrees in the cooler. That’s 8 degrees higher than fridge safe temperature.
12 volt refrigerators are built more robust than 12 volt coolers and are made to keep food at fridge safe temperatures no matter how hot it is outside.
Some can even reach below freezing temperatures and can be used as a freezer.
These portable refrigerator freezers are perfect for those how camp or live out of a car, truck, or van.
They are even excellent for long road trips, you can bring snacks, store food safely and save money.
The best part is there’s no ice involved. No more food floating around in an ice water bath or having to buy ice every day.
See Also: BougeRV CR45 Portable Fridge Freezer Reviewed For Camping/RV
In this review, I outline the unique features and rate some of the best portable camping 12 volt refrigerator freezers on the market today.
If you are looking for cold food storage options for a newly renovated van or just need an extra fridge or freezer space for your RV, you’ve come to the right place.
Best 12 Volt Refrigerator
Most Portable
Last update on 2023-03-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best 12 Volt Refrigerator Freezers Reviews
1. ARB Portable 12v Fridge Freezer
The ARB portable 12 volt refrigerator freezer is one of the most heavy-duty, energy efficient, and easy to use portable fridges on the market today.
They also have lots of size and style options to fit any kind of camper or traveler.
The most popular version is the ARB Zero 12 volt fridge freezer. It’s the one I’m going to focus on the most in the review below.
Size
The 63 quart single zone size (linked to in the picture above) is ARB’s most portable and usable for campers and travelers but they also make models from 36 quart (click to view on Amazon) to 101 quarts (click to view on Amazon).
There’s even an extreme heavy-duty weatherproof 63 quart version (click to view on Amazon) with a stainless steel exterior and a weatherproof control panel.
There’s something for everyone with ARB, but for camping, van life, or road trips their 63-quart version is going to be a fantastic option.
It’s a good portable size while still being able to hold enough food for a few days.
I’m going to be talking about that version the most in the review below.
The outside measurements of the 63 quart size are 30 inches long, 18.5 inches wide, and 19.5 inches tall.
The interior has two wire basket compartments for dairy and regular food.
The dairy side is narrow but it’s deep enough to hold a couple 2 liter bottles of sodas and half gallon jugs of milk.
The food side is wider and longer but not quite as deep since the compressor is taking up some of that space.
The empty 63 quart version weighs 61.7 lbs.
Features
An important feature of ARB Zero 12V fridges is the adjustable automatic battery protection system.
You can leave it plugged into your vehicle’s 12v outlet while the engine is off without worry.
The 12 volt refrigerator will continue to actively cool and shut off when your battery gets drained a certain amount.
This keeps your battery from dying or getting damaged.
It’s also very efficient. Using thick insulation and special hardware the camping fridge can maintain sub-zero temperatures in 90-degree heat.
The 63 quart version only uses 0.8 amps per hour when set at 32°F in mild temperatures.
The larger sizes of ARB Zero 12V fridges will use a little more power than the other the external temperatures are the more work the compressor has to do to keep the inside cold.
The smaller sizes can be either a fridge or a freezer and the larger sizes have two compartments and can be both a fridge and a freezer at the same time.
See Also: Best Portable Foldable Solar Panel Chargers For Camping
The ARB is built for off-roading and getting bounced around.
The compressor is a heavy-duty Danfoss that can get the portable fridge temperatures down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
The ARB can sit at angles up to 30 degrees without being affected.
The control panel is mounted to the front and uses an LED display.
You can control the temperature settings electronically and there is an internal LED light that automatically illuminates when the fridge/freezer is opened.
The Zero 12 volt fridges are Bluetooth compatible which means you can monitor the temperatures via a smartphone and even adjust the temperature settings, the battery guard, and more.
Power
The 12 volt refrigerator comes with a DC (12v) power cord which connects to 12/24 volt DC power outlets.
There is also an AC power cord included which plugs into any common household outlet.
You can run this portable fridge in your vehicle or at home.
As an added bonus ARB has included a USB port next to the power cables you can use to charge your phone.
Accessories
ARB has some pretty awesome accessories to make their portable refrigerators even more durable, portable, and efficient.
The ARB Protective Canvas Cover (click to view on Amazon) adds another layer of insulation and protection to your camping fridge.
If you are planning on storing your ARB fridge under a bed or in a storage compartment you can buy the ARB fridge slide (click to view on Amazon) that allows you to easily slide the fridge in and out.
There is also a custom tie-down system (click to view on Amazon) to secure the portable fridge to the slide-out or the floor or a van or truck bed.
And last but not least, if you don’t have the proper plugin for your vehicle they sell an easy to install wiring kit (click to view on Amazon) with a 20 foot 10 gauge cable.
Using this kit you can keep your fridge powered without worrying about the wiring or outlet being compatible.
You can also install it in your truck bed so you can have your fridge running without having to have it in the cab.
Review
The ARB Portable 12v Fridge Freezer is one of the best products you can buy to keep your food at safe temperatures on any camping trip for any amount of time.
It’s easy to use, efficient and has many features that make it durable and long-lasting.
You can take it on crazy roads and park on uneven ground without having to worry about it shutting off and your food spoiling.
For keeping food cold while camping, or full time living in a van, car, or truck ARB is a fantastic way to go.
PROS
- Heavy Duty Design
- Battery Run Down Protection
- Large Inner Storage
- Can Freeze Or Refrigerate
- Bluetooth Compatible
- Lots Of Great Accessories
- Dual Zone Option
CONS
- Smartphone App Could Be Better
2. Whynter 12 Volt Portable Refrigerator/Freezer
Whynter is another great company that specializes in portable fridges and freezers.
Their 12 volt refrigerator freezer can get very cold and has some great features that make it perfect for using as a full-time RVing or camping fridge.
Size
Whynter has a couple of different size options but their 45 quart slim fit is the perfect size for cars, trucks, or vans.
If you prefer a version with fewer features they also sell the 45 quart FM-45G (click to view on Amazon) and a 34 quart version
If you want to go bigger and better there is the 62 quart dual-zone portable fridge and freezer (click to view on Amazon).
The dual zone is cool because it has two separate compartments for a freezer and a fridge.
If you live full-time in a van, car, or truck and have extra space, the dual-zone is more convenient.
Wynter also sells a regular 65 quart portable fridge (click to view on Amazon) with almost all the features of the 45 quart portable refrigerator.
The slim fit 45 quart Whynter 12 volt refrigerator freezer is 27 inches wide, 14.5 inches long, and 20 inches tall.
The inner compartment measures 21 inches wide, 10 inches long, and 15 inches tall.
It’s the perfect size for storing in a truck bed or under a counter or bed in a van.
The total weight when empty is 52 lbs.
Features
The Whynter FM-452SG or “Sim Fit” is portable and small in size but has the features of a larger 12 volt refrigerator.
It can reach temperatures as low as -8 degrees Fahrenheit and an alarm sounds if the lid is open for more than 60 seconds.
There are two removable wire baskets and an interior light.
Everything is controlled by a small LED screen and buttons on the front of the fridge.
There is also a “fast freeze” mode which will get the freezer down to -8 Fahrenheit as fast as possible. The screen also has a battery power indicator.
See Also: Best Portable Power Station/Solar Generator For Camping
The lid opens longways so you can easily get food in and out of it. There are two small metal handles on each side and you can lock the fridge as well.
Because it’s meant to go on camping trips and rough roads, the fridge can work like normal up to a 30-degree angle.
The body of the fridge is made with a powder coated steel outer shell and has a drain plug for easy cleaning.
Power
It comes with a 12 volt DC plug and an AC plugin for a normal household outlet. You can plug them both in at the same time.
When there is AC power the fridge will draw power from that when the power is lost it will switch over to the DC power source.
There is no battery run-down safety feature on this unit, so be careful when you have it plugged into your vehicle. You could potentially end up with a dead battery.
This 12 volt fridge uses up to 70 watts while running.
Accessories
Whynter sells transit bags (click to view on Amazon) for almost all their portable refrigerators/freezers to help protect and insulate.
Unfortunately, there isn’t one for the slim model.
Review
The Whynter 12 Volt Portable Refrigerator/Freezer is an excellent camping fridge or freezer you can use in any kind of vehicle including vans, semi trucks, and campers.
Its shape and metal body make it perfect for having inside a vehicle or under a bed or counter in a van.
I don’t think it would be as good as some of the others for a truck bed but if you secure it right it will be fine.
If you want a 12 volt portable freezer then this is one of the best you can buy. It gets down to sub-zero temperatures and is well insulated.
PROS
- Gets down to -8 Fahrenheit
- Fast Freeze Mode
- Can be plugged into AC and DC at the same time
- Lockable
CONS
- Best For Using Inside Vehicle
- No Low Battery Shut Off
3. Alpicool CF55 Portable Fridge Freezer
Alpicool makes a traditional cooler style portable refrigerator freezer with a few unique features. They sell multiple sizes in their CF (car fridge) series.
Size
Normally for a car, van or truck would recommend the 48 quarts (click to view on Amazon) size but the 58 quart size is the same height as all the other car fridges in this review and will fit in a covered truck bed.
They also have a smaller 37 quarts (click to view on Amazon) portable fridge if you want something even smaller.
The 58 quart Alpicool 12 volt car refrigerator measures 27.2 inches long, 13.6 inches wide, and 20.6 inches tall.
Like all chest style 12 volt fridges there is one main compartment with a basket and a smaller dairy compartment that sits over the compressor.
The large compartment is 10.3 inches wide, 12.9 inches long., and 17 inches tall.
The smaller compartment is 10.3 inches wide, 6.5 inches long, and 10.5 inches tall. If you measure using soda cans it can fit 60 of them.
When empty the entire unit only weighs 35 lbs which is pretty lightweight for the size.
Features
The Alpicool’s use an LCD display to adjust the temperature. There is also a built-in interior LED light.
This portable camping fridge can also be used as a freezer and can reach temperatures as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Like the ARB Portable 12v Fridge Freezer (click to view on Amazon) reviewed above the Alpicool has a built in battery protection system to stop it from running down or going dead.
See Also: Best 12V TV For RVs, Vans, Boats & Campers
There are large plastic carry handles on each side and it opens long ways.
The portable fridge can run at angles up to 45 degrees, which is more than the other 12 volt refrigerators in this review.
Power
Alpicool has made a very efficient low power consuming 12 volt fridge, the power rating is only 45 watts.
The other portable fridges on this list use around 70 to 80 watts to start up. This one only uses 45 watts, which makes it good for solar set ups and solar generators.
It can run on DC (12 volt/24 volt battery) power and AC power. Each kind of power cord is included with purchase.
There is also an ECO mode you can turn on to save even more energy.
Accessories
Unfortunately, Alpicool doesn’t sell any covers or additional products that work with its 12 volt refrigerators.
Review
The Alpicool CF55 Portable Fridge Freezer is very lightweight for its size and uses very little power for how cold it can get.
It’s going to be a great option for people who have limited power and don’t turn on their vehicles very often.
It’s also a fantastic choice for solar set ups and using with solar generators like these (click to view).
Alpicool added a lot of cool extra features like the inner LED light and being able to run even at 45 degrees.
All of these things make this an excellent portable 12 volt refrigerator freezer.
PROS
- Low Power Consumption
- Lightweight
- ECO Mode
- Battery Protection System
CONS
- Best For Using Inside Vehicle
- Lower Quality Exterior (Not Made For Outdoor Use)
4. Dometic CFX 50W 12v Fridge Freezer
In the world of travelers and campers Dometic is a well-known name.
They make a wide variety of camping appliances and gear and their products can be found in RVs, travel trailers, and vans.
So of course they make a portable 12 volt refrigerator freezer that is widely used among all kinds of campers and travelers.
Size
Dometic has a bunch of different 12 volt refrigerators but one of their best for running with a car battery when traveling or camping is the CFX 50W.
That’s the size I’m going to focus on the most in this review.
Dometic also makes smaller versions like the CFX 40W (click to view on Amazon) if you don’t have room for the CFX 50W.
If you are planning on using a Dometic for full-time living in a van, car, or truck and you have space the CFX 75 DZW (click to view on Amazon) is also a really good option because there are separate fridge and a freezer compartments.
With the CFX 75 you can have frozen food and cold food at the same time, not either-or like most other car fridge freezers.
It’s versatile and convenient but heavy, weighing 70 lbs and it’s big, measuring 37.6 inches long.
Because space is usually limited in a vehicle especially when packed down with camping gear I like the CFX 50W.
It has some fantastic features and doesn’t take up a ton of space.
The CFX 50W is a 49 quart fridge. Its outer measurements are 28.5 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18.5 inches tall.
It will fit in a covered truck bed with room to spare.
There are two inner compartments. The large one is 13 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 14.6 inches tall.
The smaller compartment over the compressor is 6.5 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 6.75 inches tall.
When empty the entire camping fridge weighs 45 lbs.
Features
The Dometic fridges can reach temperatures as low as -7 Fahrenheit.
It can be controlled by buttons and the LCD screen on the side or with an app on your phone when connected to wifi. It also has an inner LED light.
The body is made of durable plastic for holding up against travel and rough roads.
There is a robust handle on either side for easy lifting. There is also a drain hole for cleaning and it can run normally at an angle up to 30 degrees.
This is a great 12 volt refrigerator for storing in a truck bed much like the durable ARB fridges reviewed at the beginning of this article.
See Also: Best Small Portable Propane Heater For Indoor & RV Use
Power
The Dometic 12 volt refrigerator has a built in battery protection system which will shut down the fridge before the battery dies which is a great feature to have if you plan on powering it with your vehicle’s battery.
The CFX 50W is true to its name and runs on up to 50 watts of power. It can use AC or DC (12 volt) power and comes with a power cord for each kind.
There is even a USB port on the fridge you can use to charge your phone.
Accessories
Because Dometic knows travel and the camping life they have an optional heavy-duty insulated cover (click to view on Amazon) you can buy for any of their portable fridge freezers.
The cover has storage pockets which includes a phone pocket for when you are using the USB port.
Because some of the portable fridges can weigh up to 70 lbs you may want to get some slide mounts (click to view on Amazon).
You can store it under a bed or in an outer storage compartment and access it easily with the slide mounts.
Review
The Dometic CFX 50W 12v Fridge Freezer and any of the other Dometic fridges are popular because of their quality and unique features.
They are perfect for full-time van life or even just a weekend camp trip.
Some people even use them as an extra freezer in their travel trailers and RVs. Whatever your portable fridge needs are, Dometic has you covered.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Wifi Controls Via Smartphone
- Energy Efficient
- Multiple Size Options
- Battery Protection System
- Great Accessories
CONS
- Very Premium Option
5. Linsion 12 Volt Refrigerator/Freezer
Linsion makes a budget-friendly portable 12 volt fridge/freezer that can get down to very low temperatures and has the features of a higher end fridge.
Size
There are just two sizes of this 12 volt car fridge available 42 quart (click to view on Amazon) and 54 quart (click to view on Amazon).
The 54 quart fridge is very portable and will fit in a truck bed under a cover.
The outer measurements are 22.8 inches long, 14.3 inches wide, and 20.4 inches tall.
There are two inner compartments the larger one is 11.8 inches long, 11.2 inches wide, and 17.2 inches tall.
The smaller compartment is 2.6 inches long, 11.2 inches wide, and 10.9 inches tall.
Features
The Linsion can reach temperatures as low as -13 Fahrenheit. Everything is controlled by an LCD panel with an ECO and MAX mode.
See also: Top 5 Propane Camping Stoves – From Small To Large
It has built in battery protection at different levels. H3 (High), H2(medium), and H1 (low).
The portable refrigerator has vibration protection and can run at angles up to 45 degrees. When empty it weighs 44 lbs.
Power
It can run on DC (12v) or AC power and each kind of power cables are included with purchase. The highest watts used is 72 but it’s rated for 40 watts.
Accessories
Unfortunately, there are no insulated covers or accessories for Linsion car refrigerators.
Review
The Linsion 12 Volt Refrigerator/Freezer is a great little budget-friendly camping or travel refrigerator.
It’s simple, has built-in battery protection, and doesn’t draw a lot of power.
If you need something to keep your food cold on your next weekend out then this is going to be a great choice.
PROS
- Budget-Friendly
- Gets Down To -14 Fahrenheit
- Built-In Battery Protection
CONS
- Limited Size Options
- No Covers
6. BougeRV 12 Volt Car Refrigerator & Freezer
BougeRV has recently rolled out a new line of portable 12 volt car refrigerators that can also be used as a freezer or both at the same time.
They have a lot of awesome features that make them perfect for every kind of camper and traveler.
I actually own this 12 volt fridge and was able to do a full review of it you can check out here.
Size
There are three size options that are measured by their liter capacity. There’s a 35, 45, and 55 option.
The one I’ll be talking about in this review is the middle 45 liter options.
It measures 28 inches long, 18.5 inches wide, and 20 inches tall.
The total weight is 40.5 lbs but it gets much heavier when you fill it up.
There are two inner compartments. One large that measures 15 1/2 inches tall, 10 1/4 inches wide, and 12 inches deep.
The smallest is 8 1/2 inches tall, 7 3/4 inches wide, and 12 inches deep.
Features
There’s a lot to go over when it comes to the many features of this robust 12 volt fridge/freezer.
First, on the outside, it has a durable body built with thick heavy-duty plastic.
It’s easy to carry this fridge around when it’s empty via the large front handle and the small back one.
When it’s full you can drag it around by the two wheels attached to the back.
The large front handle is as wide as the body of the fridge and it can even extend out to make it easier to pull.
The lid is also made of thick plastic. It’s heavy duty enough to sit on without sagging. Inside there’s a small built in cutting board BougeRV has included.
The lid is fully removable and you can actually change the side that hinges easily.
Inside there are the two different sizes of compartments that are sealed separately. Inside each one is a wire basket you can use to access the food inside easier.
Both compartments can reach temperatures between 68 and -4 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can make both compartments a freezer, a fridge, or have each one set to different temperatures.
There are three levels of battery protection built in so you don’t accidentally kill the 12 volt battery that’s powering the fridge.
On the front, there’s a small LCD screen you can use to control everything the fridge can do. That includes the temperature and battery protection levels.
There’s also an app you can download on your smartphone to control the fridge via Bluetooth.
I use the app almost every day to check the temperatures inside to make sure everything’s working as it should.
Power
The CR line of BougeRV fridge/freezers can be powered via a 12 volt plug or with a 120 volt AC plug.
To campers and travelers, power usage is probably the most important part of any portable fridge.
When we set the large compartment to fridge temperatures and the small compartment to freezer temperatures it used 410 watts in 24 hours with food inside in moderate ambient temperatures.
You can find more specific power usage in the review linked to above.
Accessories
So far there are no covers specifically made for the CR line of BougeRV portable fridges.
The optional battery that fits inside a compartment in the fridge will become available later this year.
Review
I’ve been very impressed with the BougeRV 12 Volt Car Refrigerator & Freezer. We’ve been using it in our RV as an extra freezer for a few months now.
It lives in one of the lower storage compartments and we’ve been powering it with AC power since we are currently close to hookups.
It’s been working fantastic, even in high temperatures, and it freezes food even better than our RV freezer.
I really like that I can check the current inner temperatures with just my phone and it runs so quiet that we can’t hear it inside our RV.
We did try to use it a little bit with a solar panel and power station.
The performance was the same but I recommend having at least a 1000 watt power station or battery to run it if you plan on using it full time.
The power usage over 24 hours doesn’t sound like much but when you are depending on the sun for power the watts can really add up.
PROS
- Will Freeze Food
- Built-In Battery Protection
- Optional Built In Battery
- Wheels & Telescopic Handle
- Two Compartments
- Smartphone App
- Moderate Power Usage
- Multiple Size Options
CONS
- No Covers
What To Look For In A 12 Volt Refrigerator Freezer
Space
The first thing you need to think about is how much space do you have in your van, car, or truck.
This will be a huge factor when choosing a portable fridge because they come in all shapes and sizes.
Also, you need to have room for the compressor vent because restricted airflow can damage it.
Some of the 12 volt refrigerators have optional sliders you can buy that you bolt to the floor.
They can be used to easily slide the fridge in and out from under a bed, counter, seat, or an outer storage area.
It will even work in the trunk of an SUV or truck bed.
If you are planning on storing your camping fridge in a truck bed under a cover make sure you measure how much space there is.
Some of the larger portable refrigerators are tall and won’t fit under a low truck bed cover.
Battery Power
If you are planning on camping where it’s going to be very hot and the sun will be shining on your vehicle you may want to place the portable refrigerator in a cool shaded area.
It can get very hot in vehicles and super high temperatures can make it hard for any refrigerator to stay cool.
It has to work harder which can drain your battery faster and even damage the compressor.
50 watts doesn’t seem like much and if you have a large battery being charged with a solar panel you should be ok.
But make sure you keep an eye on it. If you have a few shady days things can start getting low and you don’t want your fridge running out of power and ruining your food.
If you want to read more about amps, watts, voltage, and what it all means. Check out this article.
Usage
Some of these 12 volt refrigerators are built to be used more long term than others.
Any of these portable fridges will be amazing for a weekend or even a month.
If you plan on using it full time make sure you get something that will last.
My Pick For Best 12 Volt Refrigerator Freezer
Dometic CFX 50W 12v Fridge/Freezer
I have to hand it to Dometic, they’ve done a fantastic job with their line of 12 volt refrigerators/freezers.
Not only does it have built-in battery protection you can monitor and control the inner temperature of it from your phone.
They even added a handy USB port for charging electronics.
There’s a high-quality insulated cover (click to view on Amazon) available for added protection and insulation.
If you prefer a freezer and a fridge (click to view on Amazon) there’s one of those too.
Basically, with Dometic refrigerators, you get a lot of options, bang for your buck, and peace of mind because you are buying from a brand that knows travel and camping gear inside and out.
Have any questions about 12 volt refrigerator freezers? Leave a comment below.
