Best Portable Refrigerator Freezer | Making Your Car Trip Extra Cooler

You might wish you had your freezer with you while driving cross country or going on a long camping trip, whether to safely store meats or transport sweet snacks like ice cream. Thankfully, the best portable refrigerator freezer makes this possible. 

While some coolers, such as those made by Yeti, will keep your food cold for up to a week, there are occasions when even that isn’t enough. 

Portable freezers can maintain much cooler temperatures for longer periods of time, allowing you to store foods that you wouldn’t be able to bring on a trip otherwise. Driven coolers are another name for portable freezers.

Benefits of Portable Refrigerators

Keeping food and beverages cold while camping or on a long road trip is critical, and while coolers have served us well for the past century or so, it’s about time we started looking at more sophisticated systems to ensure comfort at every stop along the way.

This is why the best portable freezer is the ideal way to ensure that your next adventure is not hampered by stale alcohol or inedible food. These handy little cases come in a range of sizes and features you never thought you’d see outside of your smart home, based on what you really want.

You can depend on fresh food even if anything else around you isn’t running, whether you’re hit by a storm, outage, hurricane, earthquake, or just want to dive headfirst into off the grid living.

Best Portable Refrigerator Freezer

One of the most important decisions you can make for your camper van is which portable refrigerator to buy. Portable refrigerators take up a lot of room and can use a lot of power in your van. 

Refrigerators designed for RVs and boats would be the perfect option for van life because they are well-built and insulated to withstand the harsh conditions of a mobile lifestyle.

We’ve put together a list of the best portable refrigerators to help you figure out which one is right for you.

#1 Alpicool C20 20-Liter Portable Fridge Freezer

The Alpicool Electrical Appliance company has a huge manufacturing base in ShunDe, China, dubbed “The City of Lights” by locals. The area is home to a variety of businesses, including Alpicool, and is a major export hub in China.

Because of the high quality of its product, Alpicool has earned a reputation over the years and stands out among rival brands. It has done so by providing high-quality goods at reasonable prices.

Alpicool has a long list of accomplishments under its belt, including being a leading producer of 12V refrigerators and exporting its goods to countries all over the world.

The Alpicool portable freezer and refrigerator is suitable for use both indoors and outdoors. It can be powered by 12/24V DC, 110V-240V AC, or small solar systems. This is ideal for those who live off the grid or who have just returned from a fishing trip and need to keep their fresh catch cold.

It has enough space to hold about 25 cans of soda. Although the plastic material is light and simple to hold, be aware that it can slip around in your vehicle.

Features

This Alpicool cooler uses compressor technology, as do other 12v refrigerators from this company. The cooling capacity and efficiency of this unit are exceptional. It works much like a normal refrigerator and can reach temperatures as low as -4 degrees F (20 degrees C), which is cold enough to shape ice.

Pre-cooling your things before placing them in the cooler is recommended for the safest and most refreshing experience.

Because of its adjustable temperatures, this cooler can be used as both a refrigerator and a freezer. When it’s hot outside, you’ll be able to enjoy cold beverages. You can also freeze meat, make ice, or prevent ice cream from melting as an alternative.

Specifications:

• Color: Gray
• Finish Type: Glossy
• Brand: Alpicool
• Form Factor: Mini Fridges
• Item Dimensions (LxWxH): 23.54 x 12.6 x 12.6 inches
• Capacity: 0.7 Cubic Feet
• Shelf Type: Plastic
• Cooling range: 20℃~-20℃
• Volume: 20L
• Energy Consumption: 0.2kW.h/24h
• Noise: <45dB

Pros:

• Effortless and Lightweight
• Quiet and attractive, it cools quickly and at a low cost.
• It’s even possible to use it as a fridge.
• In Eco mode, there is a low power consumption.

Cons:

• There is no interior thermometer.
• There might be a difference between the temperature shown on the screen and the real internal temperature. 
• The manual is poorly written and almost non-helpful.
• Menus that should be in the manual but aren’t.
• Hoped it had some chunky rubber feet and a rope to tie it to the back or side then it wouldn’t bounce around in a moving rv when being towed.

Where to buy Alpicool C20 20-Liter Portable Fridge Freezer

#2 Engel MR040F-U1 40 Qt Portable Refrigerator Freezer

Engel, a well-respected firm with over 5 years ’ experience in the cooling industry, was founded in 1962 as a leader in portable and cooling refrigeration.

Engel fridge freezers are designed to be simple, compact, and practical. They’re also known for their reliability and ability to keep food and beverages ice cold, thanks to their German engine.

Engel fridge freezers are specifically designed to be the perfect companion for tourists, campers, and caravan owners because Engel fridges are so lightweight and designed for portability.

Each Engel portable fridge will ensure a worry-free experience both on the road and at home, thanks to the hermetic closing and thermal insulation of each freezer, particularly since they are both battery-operated (12/24V DC) and current-operated (110V AC). So, without further ado, let’s take a look inside the Engel 40 Quart Freezer.

Incredibly Durable

The longevity of this portable fridge/freezer is one of its most prominent design features. It’s made of tough ABS plastic, and it’s built to keep the entire freezer, as well as its contents, safe and stable.

Cooling Capacity and Efficiency

This Alpicool cooler uses compressor technology, as do other 12v refrigerators from this company. The cooling capacity and efficiency of this unit are exceptional. It works much like a normal refrigerator and can reach temperatures as low as -4 degrees F (20 degrees C), which is cold enough to shape ice. Pre-cooling your things before placing them in the cooler is recommended for the safest and most refreshing experience.

Because of its adjustable temperatures, this cooler can be used as both a refrigerator and a freezer. When it’s hot outside, you’ll be able to enjoy cold beverages. You can also freeze meat, make ice, or prevent ice cream from melting as an alternative.

Temperature Control

Temperature monitoring is one of the major highlights of the Engel 40-Quart Fridge Freezer. The Engel electric cooler has variable temperature control, unlike other portable fridge freezers on the market.

This means you’ll be able to choose how cold you want this fridge to run while still being able to choose the voltage automatically. All you have to do is change the button to go from AC to DC.

Not only that, but you’ll be able to change the temperature to be a little warmer if necessary, especially if you’re in very cold weather, thanks to the variable temperature control.

Product Specifications:

• Exterior Dimensions: 25″ x 15.5″ x 18.5″
• Interior Dimensions: 14.5″ x 10.5″ x 14.4″
• Weight: 55 Lbs
• Quarts: 40 Qts
• Power Options: 12V/24V DC & 110V/120V AC
• Power Draw: Variable from 0.7-3.0 Amps (12V DC)
• Gas Type: HFC-134a
• Outer Shell: Galvanized Steel and ABS Plastic

Pros:

• Allows for the automatic switching of power between AC and DC.
• This compressor is very efficient, but it runs quietly.
• Sturdy side handles and a heavy-duty outer shell.

Cons

• It is very costly, but it is long-lasting.

Where to buy Engel MR040F-U1 40 Qt Portable Refrigerator Freezer

#3 COSTWAY 55-QuartCar Refrigerator Freezer 

Do you need a small refrigerator-freezer to take on road trips, hiking, or living in a van? Check out the Costway Portable Fridge Freezer, which has a large capacity but is small enough to fit in tight spaces.

Costway makes the 55-Quart 12V Refrigerator with Freezer, which is one of their products. Costway, which was established in 2008, has been in operation for just over ten years, and we are amazed at how far it has come in such a short time.

Despite the fact that it is not as well-known as other well-known brands, Costway has risen to become one of the biggest retailers in North America and Europe in less than a third of the time that the others have been in operation.

Offers More Flexibility and Efficiency

As compared to extra-large car coolers, the Costway 54L offers more flexibility in terms of placement. It also cools faster and is less expensive to run. Furthermore, when the price is smaller, it will save you a couple hundred dollars.

As a result, if you don’t need a large cooler but also need the ability to chill and freeze, Costway is a reasonable option. By the way, this portable refrigerator/freezer is far from thin. It can carry around 75 12-ounce cans, for example.

In addition, several smaller, personal-sized car coolers are unable to reach a freezing point. The Costway 54L is once again a viable option.

Not to mention that the extra room makes this machine more versatile. For example, holding medicine cold or storing fishing supplies during family camping trips, tailgaters, larger parties or picnics.

Product Specifications: 

• Color: White and gray
• Overall Dimension (L x W x H): 27.5″ x 14″ x 21″ 
• Voltage: 12 V/24 V (DC), 110-240 V (AC)
• Rated Power: 50 W
• Capacity: 52 liters/55 quarts
• Weight: 36 lbs
• Cooling Range: -4°F – 50°F
• Energy Consumption: 0.16 kwh/24 hrs
• Refrigerating System: Compressor
• Refrigerating Medium: R134 a/40 g

Pros: 

• Cooling that is fast and efficient
• Durable design
• Style that is practical
• Cooling that is quiet
• LCD temperature display and control on a large storage room
• Modes of battery safety

Cons:

• It’s a bit heavy
• When the cooler is turned off, the fixed temperature is reset to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Where to buy COSTWAY 55-Quart Car Refrigerator Freezer 

Check Out Our Individual Product Review for CostWay Car Refrigerator Freezer

#4 ICECO GO20 Portable Refrigerator Freezer

So, what distinguishes the Go20 from the rest of the pack? It’s essentially a compact refrigerator/cooler that you can bring with you everywhere you go. Of course, the system can be plugged directly into any AC wall socket, but the included cable can also be used to draw power from a 12-volt car port.

As a result, you’ll be able to keep your essential things cold when on the go. Better still, the cooler can be powered without an outlet by an optional add-on battery pack or by plugging it into a portable power station.

Dual Climate Zones

The Go20 has dual climate zones on the inside, allowing you to set the temperature for each separately. This means you can keep meat, ice cream, and other frozen foods apart from your drinks, which will stay cold but not frozen.

On the outside of the cooler, there’s a control panel with controls for both areas, as well as an on/off switch and a button for quick freezing. It also has Bluetooth compatibility, allowing users to track and change temperatures from their phones.

Capacity and Efficiency

The standard iFreezer comes with cords for connecting to a 12-volt power port in your car or a standard socket. It also has a divider that allows you to set two temperature zones and hold items frozen and fresh at the same time, as well as separate temperature controls for each compartment. 

There is enough room for about 20 beer cans or a weekend’s supply of meals in the maximum storage capacity of 21 quarts, which can be set to be a freezer or fridge. You can also divide it with the divider into 7.4 quarts of freezer space and 12.2 quarts of fridge space.

Product Specifications:

• Brand: ICECO
• Item Weight: 23.8 pounds
• Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 12.6 x 12.4 inches
• Capacity: 20 liters
• Noise: 45 dB
• Consumption: 50W
• Included Components: AC adapter & DC power cable & Cover
• Power: 110V to 240V AC for home use
• App control: Car Fridge (iOS & Android)

Pros: 

• Dual-zone design that is both excellent and versatile. The fridge has a removable partition and two freezer and refrigeration areas, as well as two interactive screens. You’ll have plenty of room inside after removing the panel partition.
• Touch-based controls and a smart program. Your ICECO GO20 12V Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator can be connected to Bluetooth, allowing you to adjust the temperature, cooling, and battery security with just a few clicks.
• Car battery safety in three stages. It has a three-stage battery protection system that prevents car battery drain.
• Cooling quickly and efficiently while conserving energy. You can choose between max and eco modes, which can be fine-tuned as required.

Cons:

• The app was slow and unresponsive to touch, but you don’t need it to operate any of the features on this device.

Where to buy ICECO GO20 Portable Refrigerator Freezer

#5 BougeRV 12V Car Refrigerator Freezer

You’ll need a way to store food for your travels if you travel on the road. Sure, a simple Coleman cooler would do for a day at the beach or a day of camping. However, for long-term storage over days or weeks, you’ll need a refrigerator. 

A travel fridge, on the other hand, must fulfill a range of specifications. It must, for one thing, run on DC electricity. Since cars, semi trucks, and even RVs use DC instead of AC, most regular refrigerators aren’t suitable. 

Similarly, a travel fridge must be built so that it does not deplete the battery in your car. Otherwise, you may not be able to start your car when you wake up in the morning.

A new portable freezer from BougeRV, a firm that focuses on off-grid accessories, can keep your food and drinks cold no matter where you’ve been staying. If you need extra fridge and freezer space on long boondocking trips or want to keep food and drinks in the car while driving, their new portable freezer comes in handy in a variety of circumstances. 

BogueRV has a fridge which freezer compartment and can be used anywhere there is a DC power supply.

Size & Capacity

Their new portable freezer can be used in any car, RV, truck, SUV, camper van, or boat that runs on 12/24 V DC fuel. Solar panels, a generator, an auxiliary battery, or a portable power station like the Jackery can all be used to power it. It can also be operated from a regular 110/240V outlet at home.

The device has a three-level battery monitor to prevent it from running out of juice. To prevent the battery from fully draining, you can select what battery voltage the fridge shuts off at. 

If the freezer has reached the desired temperature, you can choose Eco-Saving Mode, which uses 45W of power instead of 60W in MAX Mode.

Design Concepts

The BougeRV 53 Quart Portable Car Freezer/Refrigerator is a well-built device with plenty of space for its size. The majority of refrigerators with this capability are at least two feet long on one side. This one, on the other side, has a depth of 22 inches, a width of 13 inches, and a height of 21 inches. As a result, it can fit into tighter spaces than most other high-capacity refrigerators. 

It’s worth noting that a 42-quart version is also affordable. It has the majority of the same features as the larger version, but it is smaller. The larger model we’re looking at today weighs 46 pounds when empty. It can be very heavy when fully loaded.

Product Specifications:

• Brand: BougeRV
• Model: 42 Quart
• Inverter Type: Has Inverter
• Item Dimensions (LxWxH): 22 x 13 x 17.5 inches
• Refrigerant: R-134A
• Specification Met: CE

Pros: 

• The truck freezer is built to be quiet so you can get a good night’s sleep after a long drive.
• A three-level battery monitor is built into the RV fridge/freezer to prevent the fridge from draining your vehicle’s battery.
• This car fridge can be used in a variety of vehicles with 12/24 V DC fuel, including SUVs, trucks, RVs, campers, Jeeps, vans, boats, and more.
• We guarantee a 2-year warranty on the compressor and accessories since they are CE and FCC certified.
• This 12v Portable Refrigerator will store enough food for a week’s worth of trips for you and your family.

Cons:

• This product is made of plastic. Apart from the compressor and tubing, it doesn’t have any metal. It would be difficult to bolt to the floor in vans because of this.

Where to buy BougeRV 12V Car Refrigerator Freezer

#6 AstroAI Camping Fridge Freezer

The AstroAI Camping Fridge is ideal if you’re on a budget and want a decent camping fridge. It’s about half the price of most others on the market.

The fridge is built to last, with an anti-shake design that ensures it lasts on the road. It also cools quickly. The fridge can reach minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit in an hour and has both Max and Eco modes.

It also has an intelligent battery device that tells you how low your car battery is, showing heavy, medium, or low draw, so you know when to start it and charge it again.

It’s not limited to your car’s 12 volts; it can even be found in a wall socket at home, which is ideal for pre-cooling it before a camping trip. There is a USB charging port on the fridge, as well as an adjustable temperature and various modes, so you can charge your phone while the fridge uses the car’s 12-volt port.

Overall, it’s a nice camping fridge that’s both inexpensive and effective at cooling; however, the directions aren’t very straightforward. However, with a little patience and time, you should be able to figure them out.

Big Capacity: With a 15L capacity and interior dimensions of 13.8″(L)x 9.6″(W) x 7.1″(H), it may be used as a fridge or freezer to hold items like beverages, fruits, ice cream, vegetables, seafood, meats, skin care, and breast milk cold at different temperatures. Picnics, barbecues, camping, home parties, and travel are all good ideas. Ideal for both men and women.

Fast Cooling: With a strong compressor, an empty car freezer will reach a maximum temperature of 95°F in 30 minutes and a minimum temperature of -4°F (-20°C) in about an hour. You’d choose max mode for fast cooling or ECO mode for energy conservation. (The maximum working temperature is 131°F.)

Battery Protection: The car fridge will prevent your vehicle battery from running out with three levels of battery protection: Low, Medium, and High. It saves you time by remembering your settings for the next time.

Designs With Purpose: The LED display panel may be used to verify and set the temperature in dimly lit areas.

Charging with Ease: When you need to charge your devices, use the USB Charging Port. UL The UL-listed car cigarette lighter extension cord has a built-in ceramic fuse that protects against overheating and short circuits.

Multi-use: This fridge will cool things at home or in your car thanks to the 12/24V DC and 100V to 240V AC adapter. With a portable power bank, you can also do it outside.

Product Specifications:

• Product Dimensions (LxWxH): 13.8″x 9.6″ x 7.1″
• Capacity: 15L
• Operating Temperature: does not exceed 131℉
• Model Name: PF150G
• Maximum Cooling: 95℉
• Lowest: -4℉

Pros:

• It can be used as a refrigerator or a freezer.
• It has a maximum low temperature of -4°F and is available in a variety of sizes to suit your needs.
• Your car will still start thanks to battery safety.
• USB charging port for your phone that is both durable and well-made.

Cons:

• There aren’t many directions included.

Where to buy AstroAI Camping Fridge Freezer

#7 Wagan 14-Liter 12V Fridge Cooler

If you want to keep your drink cold without the mess that ice packs cause, this is the cooler for you. Maybe all you need is a warmer to keep your lunch warm and toasty. You’ve come to the right place because this cooler has both of these fantastic features. 

The Wagan 14-Liter 12V cooler has a lot of great features that will meet all of your needs, no matter how diverse they are. This cooler is an excellent travel companion for hot summer days when you need to quench your thirst with cold beverages. 

It will also be useful during the cold winter months when you need to keep your food and drink warm.

Uses and Capacity

These aren’t the only uses for this cooler; it may also be used to keep medication or vaccinations cold. It can also be used by nursing mothers to keep milk fresh and warm it up when needed. The numerous applications are endless, and users can be as imaginative as they want with this cooler.

Its wide capacity allows you to store as much food as you want, while its practical nature and the fact that it does not require additional ice make it lightweight. There’s even a carry-on harness that makes transporting the cooler a breeze.

On the outside, the device is made of sturdy, easy-to-clean plastic and features two cup holders on the top. The front has controls for turning the unit on and off, as well as a front fan vent to dispel heat. The fan makes some noise, but not enough to be bothersome.

Thermoelectric Cooling and Heating 

The Wagan EL6214 cooler cools and warms the inside using thermoelectric technology. It’s not as powerful as compressor technology used in mini fridges, but it’s less expensive, uses less electricity, and needs no upkeep.

Although it won’t actually freeze your drinks, it will keep them cold. It can also be used to warm food or keep takeout warm. The machine automatically switches to warming mode when a switch in the back is flipped (max 140 degrees).

Product Specifications:

• Weight: 18.75 lbs
• Insulation: Polyurethane Foam
• Power Consumption: 48W
• Input Power: 12V DC
• Cord length: 8ft
• Cooling: 36°F / 20°C below ambient temperature*
• Heats up to 140°F (60°C)
• Holds up to 60 (12oz.) cans
• Control panel: Mode settings, Power indicator
• Modes: Cooling or Warming

Pros: 

• Environmentally friendly
• It has two functions.
• Cooling and heating that is effective
• Unit is small and compact.
• Style that is practical
• It comes with a seatbelt harness to ensure that it is securely fastened to the seat.
• Convenience and Design
• Cooler that is not too heavy

Cons:

• It does not include an AC power cable, which must be purchased separately.

Where to buy Wagan 14-Liter 12V Fridge Cooler

Check Out Our Individual Product Review for Wagan 14-Liter Fridge Cooler

Buyer’s Guide

A portable fridge is a battery-powered mobile cooling device that uses your car’s 12-volt electrical system to keep your food and drinks cold (or frozen) for an extended period of time. It may cost more than just a cooler, but you’ll never have to worry about running out of ice again.

Sizes

Large refrigerators have more power but draw more electricity, and they take up more room in your vehicle. A fully loaded fridge could drive your car over its gross vehicle mass with a whole family and gear already onboard (GVM). Some refrigerators also have expansion inserts that clip onto the top for extra capacity when required.

The sizes are described in litres, but since this can be difficult to visualize, we’ve included a more universal unit of measure: cans of soda.

27 cans for 25L and under

37 cans in 35L

60 cans – 40L

72 cans – 50L

106 cans (60–65L)

120 cans – 80L+

Is it Better to Have a Two-way or Three-way Fridge?

Two-way (compressor) and three-way portable refrigerators are the two most common models (absorption). This simply denotes the form of energy they require to function. 

Two-way refrigerators use the same compressor technology as standard refrigerators, but they can be powered by a 12-volt battery as well as mains power. They can be converted to 240-volts for use in a powered campsite or at home, and they can run off your car’s battery without drawing too much current.

Three-way refrigerators are more flexible in this way because they can use electric power sources in addition to coal. They’re great if you’ll be off the grid for a long time, as a single LPG cylinder will last for weeks.

Portable Refrigerators With Two-way Compressors

Two-way refrigerators use the same compressor technology as a standard refrigerator, but they’re designed to operate on a 12-volt battery as well as mains power. 

They’re ideal for most uses because they’re built to run off your car’s electrical system without taking too much current, but they can also be converted to 240 volts in powered camping sites or at home.

Compressor models, unlike gas fridges, require daily battery charging, so they may not be the best option for a month in the field, but they’ll work fine with a small solar panel system.

Final Thoughts

A portable fridge is a battery-powered mobile cooling unit that uses the 12-volt electrical system in your car to keep your food and drinks cold (or frozen) for a long time. 

You’ll never run out of ice again and it’s more expensive than just a cooler. Our extensive list of the best portable refrigerator freezers has you covered no matter what power you need or how you want to use it.