Waeco CDF-26 21L Portable Compressor Fridge Freezer, 12v/24v. autoplay:true, But there are some real questions around reliability, consistency, and support, so beware. Also, you may have to get down on your hands and knees to see inside an upright, unless you mount it on a cabinet a few feet off the floor. We list all available data on the average power draw of various fridges below. Designed for 4×4 expeditions in the Australian outback, ARB portable fridge/freezers are known for their durability and ruggedness. They do cost a bit more than other options, but they’re well worth the price and we don’t hesitate to recommend them. ARB’s portable 12V fridge/freezers are excellent, and they draw a very low amount of power (this fridge is one of the top performers that we looked at). We break it all down in the upright vs portable debate. Dometic Portable CDF-26 12v Compressor Fridge Freezer; 3. Why? Part no: LSD013*SL. Then you have come to the right place where all that information in presented in the one place. This is where Vitrifrigo excel – made in Italy and are backed by the Camec national service agent and spare parts network. The Dometic CFX375DZ has everything you need for a camping trip! Since they open from the front, you don’t need to make sure there’s enough overhead space to open the lid, like you do with chest fridges (to make this less of an issue, you can buy a fridge slide or make your own). Top Selling 12V DC Compressor Fridges $1,275 Original Bushman Fridge SC35 35L Camping Fridge / Freezer - 12V / 240V dots:false, Portable 12V fridges are not cheap, and it’s important to know that the fridge you’re getting will fit your needs. For the purposes of this article, we’ve focused on models with a 40L-50L capacity since this is generally the most popular size, but most of these manufacturers offer smaller and larger sizes to fit your needs. Chest fridges are shaped and configured like coolers, and include handles for easy portability. Not every manufacturer makes test data available – and when they do, the test conditions may be different than those used by other manufacturers, making comparisons difficult. That’s where the WAECO CRX110 ticks all the boxes. We analyzed reams of information on sizes, models, warranties, and power draw. Dometic is a reliable company known for manufacturing 12 volt refrigerator for trucks and RVs. These mobile fridges run directly from your 12V or 24V battery, most also have the option of running from 230V too. Part of the reason is that cold air naturally sinks. Aside from its compact design, what makes this absorption fridge perfect for longer road trips is that it can run on 12 volts, 240 volts and gas. RV Storage Solutions Tilt Combo 1 Fridge Slide, Maintenance Tips For Storing a Caravan, Camper Trailer or RV, Troubleshooting Problems with your 3-way Caravan Fridge, Operates on 12/24 volts DC or 240 volts AC, Two separate compartments for cooling and freezing in any combination desired, Temperature range of +10 °C to -22 °C to operate as fridge or freezer, Performs well in high ambient temperatures, Digital/LED interface and nice interior lighting, Ambient temperature driven Fan Speed to reduce noise, Operates on either 240 volt or 12/12 volt power sources, Extremely energy efficient when running on gas, No working parts, so longevity is excellent, Dometic have a comprehensive national service agent network, Reversible door (hinge can either be left or right handed), LED light in Freezer and Fridge Reversible hinge, Smooth walls, hygienic, and easy to clean, Efficient and robust Sawafiju Swing motor, Built from steel with a gunmetal metallic finish. Some brands have a bigger footprint but are squatter, while others are taller with a smaller footprint. So, what’s the best fridge for Vanlife? TruckFridge refrigerators are a great value. Less premium build quality Only 12-month warranty. Lids that hinge from the side need less overhead clearance to fully open, and since you’re facing the fridge from the longer side it may be easier to view and reach the contents. Or what size Caravan Fridge will suit my existing cut out or fridge recess? Compressor fridges are just perfect for vanlife. A solid, inexpensive fridge with a Danfoss compressor, the TruckFridge Travel Box is a great choice in the budget space. If all you want is something to keep drinks or snacks cold during road trips, then a thermoelectric cooler just might fit your needs. In terms of size, this really depends on your food storage needs and how many people are living together. Click on the big orange button in the email and you're all set! In this article we review and compare the top-rated best 12 volt coolers and camping fridges. The most popular version of this fridge is the CFX3 45-L, but Dometic also offers CFX fridges in a variety of sizes, including double-zoned fridge/freezers. Many chest fridges also feature drain plugs at the bottom. Pack: 1. A: We understand that finding the best brands for an RV refrigerator is one of the main factors when deciding which one to pick. Compressor-powered fridges, also known as “two-way” refrigerators, use a small compressor unit to cool the refrigerator. In our opinion, the Dometic CFX line of portable fridges are the best 12V fridges for vanlife. See the entire Dometic Waeco CFX3 range featuring models from 35 litres up to 94 litres. Our top choice for rear-hinged fridges, ARB fridges offer excellent durability and power efficiency – two top priorities when you live in a van. We think the Dometic CFX line of portable 12V fridge/freezers is the top choice for a vanlife fridge. Most chest-style fridges also come with dividers and dairy compartments, which help a lot with organization. We looked at units from ARB, Dometic, Engel, Whynter, Norcold, and TruckFridge. What to Look for in a Portable 12V Compressor Fridge, Interior Capacity and Freezer Capabilities, Epic Comparison of the Top 12V Fridges for Vanlife, We Collected the Data So You Don’t Have To, Best Overall: Dometic CFX-Series Fridge/Freezers, Rugged and Efficient: ARB Fridge/Freezers, TruckFridge/Indel B 12V Travel Box Fridges, Get 10% off solar and more with the coupon code GNOMADHOME, Creating an Effective and Ultra-Efficient Refrigerator (Vandweller’s Reddit), Chest Freezer To Fridge Conversion-The Most Energy Efficient Fridge Ever (A Self Sufficient Life), Poor Man’s Super Efficient Off Grid Refrigerator (Off Grid Boot Camp), Dometic CFX line of portable 12V fridge/freezers, Vanlife Mold Prevention and Redoing Our Floor: Tips and Lessons, 11 Space-Saving Storage Ideas for a DIY Van Conversion, Installing Laminate Flooring in Our Conversion Van, How to Build an Easy Portable Solar Panel Mount Out of PVC, 9 Vanlife Hacks to Make the Most of Your Home on Wheels, Can easily see all contents of the fridge, May be tougher to incorporate into a floor plan, Need space above for lid to open (or mount it on a fridge slide), Some may not like “top down” organization, Smaller footprint may help with planning a layout, Less of a “learning curve” to transition from a standard refrigerator, Tougher to see inside (unless mounted high up), Food items may shift around while driving, and fly out when you open the door. In their product descriptions for this fridge, Engel states that the MR040 “typically draws 1-2 Amps per hour,” and a comparison test run by ARB showed this fridge drawing 1.67A per hour in 90°F temps. The TruckFridge website looks pretty crappy, but their fridges are actually pretty good. ARB offers an excellent 3-year warranty, so you can be comfortable knowing that they stand by their products. Six brands. If you can’t justify the cost of a Dometic, ARB, or Engel fridge, then Norcold is worth a look. And if your food shifts around inside the fridge while you’re bouncing down those gnarly backroads, with a chest fridge you won’t have to worry about your eggs flying out at you when you get to your campsite and open the fridge to grab a cold one. Danfoss compressors are known to be reliable, so fridges with this compressor are usually a safe bet. The Indel B fridge drew about 1.6A per hour in 73°F ambient temps. Remember, you can always upgrade your van down the road as your needs and budget change. GIVEN the National Luna 40-litre fridge is due for a revamp we opted for the newly released 52-litre stainless steel version. The three main power sources that portable car fridges use are 12V (car or leisure battery), 240V mains supply electricity, or gas. They're best for most applications because they're designed to run off your car's electrical system without drawing too much current, but can be switched to 240 volts in powered campground sites or in your home. Chest Fridges Hold More and are Easier to Organize, Chest Fridges Are Portable and Can Double as Coolers in Emergencies, Which One is Better for Your Layout? Interested in vanlife? Your email address will not be published. There are other great fridges out there – but the more expensive ones don’t perform any better, and the cheaper ones sacrifice efficiency and reliability. We even contacted manufacturers directly to ask questions when we couldn’t find answers. All of the fridges we look at here are generally efficient, but some brands are able to achieve greater energy efficiency due to better insulation, configuration, and compressor controls. *By entering your email, you consent to receive email communications from us. Whynter fridges also don’t use Danfoss compressors (instead, they use a proprietary knockoff), adding more reliability concerns. They’re also a great fit for smaller off-grid situations. 99. Ability to operate at up to a 30° incline. If there’s one compressor known to last, it’s the Sawafuji Swing Motor. FITS MODELS: SF420BFSD, DBF380SD. According to ARB, the 50-Qt model draws a very low 0.87A per hour on average (based on a 27-hour test in 86°F ambient temperature, with the fridge set to 37°F). They also stand behind their products with a 3-year warranty and highly-rated customer support. Decent compressor fridges use very little power at all to run so you will have no problem running them off of your 12v system all year round. Product Sold Out. We think the 40 Liter Engel MR040 is the best option for vanlife. EEK A+ + Versand . Best 12V Compressor Fridges for Caravans. Some fridges have lids that hinge from the back (ARB and TruckFridge), while others have side-hinged lids (Dometic, Engel, Norcold, and Whynter). Welcome to the Gnomad Home family! We personally own the ARB 50-Qt model, and we absolutely love it. EUR 229,95. BougeRV 23 Quart 12V Portable Refrigerator Car Freezer Fridge with Compressor,12/24V DC 110~240 Volt AC,-7℉~50℉ for Truck Van RV Jeep Camper SUV Boat,Travel Camping Road Trips Tailgating 4.4 … They work by the laws of chemistry and physics, rather than mechanics like a compressor fridge. For those wanting the best (and willing to pay the extra $) - the best overall fridge is the Engel MT-V60F. Inlander 407i Under Counter 12v 24v Compressor Fridge Overview The Inlander 407i is an extremely effecient 12v fridge with a 3 star icebox, and dimensions similar to the older 3 way absorption type fridges. Here’s a quick overview of pros and cons to help you decide: Running a 12V fridge in your van requires an electrical setup that consists of (at a minimum) a 12V outlet connected to an auxiliary battery (not your starting battery), and a means to charge it. But if you think we’re annoying, feel free to unsubscribe :-). Most good electric fridges should use between 1 – 2 a/h over a 24hour period. It’s capable of reducing the interior temperature of the cooler up to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We took all of this info and compiled it into a massive spreadsheet for you to examine on your own. Best 12 Volt Coolers & Camping Fridges They’re built to be rugged and durable, with solid construction, stainless steel hinges, and reinforced corners. TruckFridge is the American branding for IndelB, an Italian company that has been making mobile 12V compressor fridges since the sixties, and once designed a fridge for use on the space shuttle Columbia. We compiled data on average power draw, warranty, interior capacity, exterior dimensions, weight, noise level, features, accessories, and more. 2 Way Fridges tested in tropical conditions for complete quality assurance. EUR 221,02 + EUR 280,00 Versand . And, unlike a standard cooler, you canNOT put ice in these things, further limiting their cooling ability. If you want to keep food fresh and drinks cool, be sure to check out this powerful … Can't find what … The compressor is the heart of the fridge, so invest in a good one and your fridge will be running smoothly for many years to come. A good 12V fridge is one of the biggest investments you’ll make when building your van. 3.9 out of 5 stars 6. 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