10 BEST PORTABLE REFRIGERATORS FOR TRAVELERS & CAMPERS

Image Credits: arb
Are you a frequent traveler or a party maniac? Do you like organizing small family events, get-to-gathers and outdoor trips? If so, you would certainly need a portable outdoor refrigerator to store your favorite beverages. Unless you visit a place with a market or good refrigeration facilities, you would need a refrigerator to keep your ice cream, drinks, or juices cool and handy.
A portable refrigerator is lightweight, easy to move and keeps its contents cool with AC or DC power. They help immensely by storing ice packs, first-aid materials, snacks, fruits, and other beverages.
Types of Portable refrigerators:
Compressor-based portable refrigerators are common and resemble household refrigerators. They provide effective cooling better than thermoelectric models. Additionally, compressor fridges offer more storage options and higher cooling capacity but are noisy and produce vibrations. Moreover, portable refrigerators run with 12V DC power or AC power. You can charge these lightweight units in your car while driving to your family trip destinations.
Thermoelectric portable fridges consume less energy offering efficient cooling. They operate quietly, are vibration-free and are usually lighter than compressor-based units. They are best for one-time usages, such as tailgating or other outdoor activities. Furthermore, thermoelectric fridges are compact and easy to transport while traveling or camping in rural areas.
We have mentioned a few best portable refrigerators to help you choose the best one that matches your needs.
10 Best Portable Refrigerators
ICECO VL60 Dual Zone Portable Freezer Refrigerator
Buy Now
Image Credits: icecofreezer
A Dual Zone Freezer Fridge with fast cooling technology that best suits RVs and Camper vans
Specifications
Dimensions | 34.90L x 21.70W x 22.40H Inches |
Weight | 65.7 lbs |
Cooling Range | 0℉~50℉ |
Power | 12-24V DC , 110V-240V AC |
Additional Features | Dual Zone Freezer. Secop (Danfoss) compressor |
Price | $789.00 |
ICECO VL60 Portable Refrigerator comes with a Dual-Zone Freezer Fridge best for your Home, RV, Outdoor events and Camper Van. Its impact-resistant caps provide smooth closing without friction while opening the unit. The shockproof design allows the refrigerator to withstand harsh outdoor environments with ease. ICECO comes with a sturdy and durable platinum paint shell, heavy-duty corner cap and built-in spring steel handle for easy maneuvering.
Moreover, its advanced cooling technology with SECOP (Danfoss) Compressor and R134a-CFC Free refrigerator gas provide faster cooling for food and beverages. You can turn off one zone for energy-saving or capacity requirements.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Innovative design | Can convert small freezer area into fridge |
Impact Resistant Caps | |
Dual-zone freezer and refrigerator | |
Fast Cooling technology |
ARB 10810602 Elements Weatherproof Portable Fridge Freezer
Buy Now
Image Credits: weatherproof
63 Quarts Elements Weatherproof Series, With Lock to protect and secure the contents, Design and Tested for Outdoor Use
Specifications
Dimensions | 37L x 24W x 22H Inches |
Weight | 93 lbs |
Cooling Range | NA |
Power | NA |
Additional Features | Compact freezer, Electronic lock and backlit LED |
Price | $1649.00 |
ARB 10810602 Elements Weatherproof Portable Fridge/Freezer is designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions. It can be permanently mounted in the back of an open ute, SUV, Jeep, under a dual cab canopy, in a camper’s kitchen, or on the deck of your boat. This fishing and camping portable fridge is made of rugged stainless steel with a gas strut-assisted lid that holds the lid open as you search the fridge. Moreover, a 4-digit electronic pin lock ensures consistent temperature to preserve the inner contents.
Moreover, the easy-to-use digital controls include a delay timer and a strong brew option. Finally, the LCD shows the fresh brew timer that indicates the after-time of the brewed coffee, up to 120 minutes.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Weatherproof stainless steel exterior | Freezer stores pre-frozen food |
Gas strut assisted lids | |
Four-digit electronic pin lock maintains internal temperature | |
Backlit LED display with dimmer |
Dometic CFX3 75L
Buy Now
Image Credits: dometic
A battery-powered unit with incredible freezing and cooling, durable exterior and Smartphone app-enabled controls
Specifications
Dimensions | 35.10L x 19.50W x 18.60H Inches |
Weight | 61.3 lbs |
Cooling Range | -7°F to +50°F |
Power | 12/24 Volt DC and 12Volt AC |
Additional Features | Removable wire basket, LED lights, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity |
Price | $1399.00 |
Dometic CFX3 75L Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator/Freezer is battery powered and provides superior cooling and freezing of food and drinks. The CFX3’s robust design and ExoFrame prevent damage caused by outdoor use. Furthermore, the mobile app and Wi-Fi connectivity allow you to control your portable fridge to enjoy efficient cooling and freezing on your adventure trips. You can combine this refrigerator with the Dometic PLB40 lithium-ion battery pack to keep it powered as you travel long distances.
Furthermore, Lafeeca is created with quality materials and comes with a 30-day Money Back Guarantee.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Robust design prevent damage | Expensive |
Excellent cooling and freezing options | |
Water drain plug and USB port charging | |
Smartphone app controls |
Coleman PowerChill Portable Thermoelectric Cooler
Buy Now
Image Credits: coleman
Thermoelectric Iceless Cooler or warmer with top and upright opening, removable lids, and an adjustable shelf best for RVs and trucks tailgater riders.
Specifications
Dimensions | 23.5L x 15.3W x 17H inches |
Weight | 18 lbs |
Cooling Range | Up to 40 degrees cold/warm |
Power | 12V DC |
Additional Features | Removable door and adjustable shelf |
Price | $159.99 |
Coleman PowerChill Portable Thermoelectric Cooler is a versatile cooler/warmer that keeps food items without ice to stay up to 40 °F colder or warmer than the surrounding temperature. You can power this 44-cans unit with a car or boat outlet. In addition to this, the door opens from the left or right side for added placement flexibility. Coleman is your partner for long road trips in RVs, trucks, cabs, or the family car.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Top or upright 2-way lid usage | No carrying handle |
Door can open from right and left sides | |
Cooler and warmer up to 40 degrees | |
Adjustable shelf |
Personal Chiller LED Lighted Portable refrigerator
Buy Now
Image Credits: Amazon
A thermoelectric mini cooler and warmer with a writable glass surface stores food and personal care items like cosmetics.
Specifications
Dimensions | 10.6L x 7.7W x 11.7H inches |
Weight | 4.7 lbs |
Cooling Range | 4-18 degrees cool
55 degrees warm |
Power | 12V DC, 110V AC |
Additional Features | Writable Surface and Touch controlled LED lighting |
Price | $39.88 |
Personal Chiller LED Lighted Portable refrigerator comes with a two-position adjustable shelf and inside door storage rack that allows you to configure your fridge personally. The 4litre capacity unit stores protein bars, fruits, and chocolates and keeps your favorite beverages and energy shots cold. You can also preserve your cosmetics, medicines and skin care products in this device. Its compact size and integrated handle helps you place it in a small bedroom, dorm room, office cubicle, RV, boat, or any place with an electric socket.
Moreover, Personal Chiller has touch-controlled LED Lights and a writable surface for you to write reminders with dry-erase markers. Finally, this eco-friendly thermoelectric fridge operates quietly and vibration-free with flip-switch Chill or Warm Settings.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Stores personal cosmetics, medicines and skin products | No freezer |
Compact suitable for small rooms and office cubicles | |
Chill and warm switch settings | |
Erase marker writable glass exterior |
BODEGAcooler TWW35 Dual Zone Portable Car Fridge/Freezer
Buy Now
Image Credits: bodegacooler
A battery-operated dual-zone refrigerator with wheels and Smartphone app controls gives powerful cooling up to 4degree Fahrenheit
Specifications
Dimensions | 23.62L x 15.75W x 17.32H inches |
Weight | 39.2 pounds |
Cooling Range | -4ºF~68ºF |
Capacity | 37 Quart(35L) |
Power | AC 1.5A – 2.7A,
DC 6.0A(12V) / 3.0A (24V) |
Additional Features | Drain plug and removable basket, retractable handle, wheels, cutting board and LED light |
Price | $457.59 |
BODEGAcooler TWW35 Dual Zone Portable Car Fridge/Freezer can hold 52 cans cola or 27 bottles water or 12 bottles red wine. This Smartphone app-controlled fridge compressor gives powerful performance with an electric charge or battery. Its multifunctional non-slip base prevents vibrations and performs quietly. Moreover, Bodega comes with a drain plug and two removable baskets for easy cleaning of the fridge interior. Additionally, the RV fridge has a retractable handle, a vegetable cutting board, wheels and a removable door with LED lights to see the inside contents at night. You can store your favorite food and beverages in this fridge in an RV, truck, boat, car or camping van, etc.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Lightweight and easy to move | Low freezing capacity on the larger side |
Powerful cooling and smaller side freezing | |
Extremely quiet operation | |
Easy to clean with removable baskets |
COSTWAY 55-Quart Portable Freezer/Refrigerator
Buy Now
Image Credits: costway
A powerful and high-capacity portable refrigerator with digital controls for home use or in traveling.
Specifications
Dimensions | 27.5L x 14W x 21H inches |
Weight | 36 lbs |
Cooling Range | -4°F – 50°F |
Capacity | 52 liters/55 quarts |
Power | 12 V/24 V (DC), 110-240 V (AC) |
Additional Features | Quick compressor cooling, shock resistance and LED display with digital controls |
Price | $349.00 |
COSTWAY 55-Quart Portable Freezer/Refrigerator with a large capacity provides enough space for your drinks and snacks. It can work on different voltages and maintain a cool temperature. This sturdy and durable ABS shell unit with an interior shelf tray resists shocks during bumpy car rides. You can store your food, beverages, cosmetics and other personal items at home or carry them in RVs, camping cars, fishing, or boating in this portable fridge. Moreover, different levels of battery protection ensure the safety and low noise function of the device. Also, the LED lights and digital temperature controls make operation easy and handling helps move the unit quickly.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Large capacity stores lots of goods | Low-quality AC adaptor |
ECO mode saves energy and max mode is used for fast cooling | |
Digital temperature controls |
BougeRV 30 Quart Portable Refrigerator
Buy Now
Image Credits: Amazon
A 30-quart capacity refrigerator with a durable, shock-proof exterior, powerful cooling, quiet operation and low energy consumption
Specifications
Dimensions | 22.44L x 12.6W x 15.55H inches |
Weight | 30 pounds |
Cooling Range | -7.6 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit |
Capacity | 30 quart |
Power | 12/24V AC, 110-240V DC |
Additional Features | Touchscreen controls, LED display, Magnetic lid and removable partition |
Price | $299.99 |
BougeRV 30 Quart Portable Refrigerator and a 12V freezer cools fast in 16minutes, keeping food fresh longer without any ice. It preserves your stored food without spoiling, thus saving money and space. Its ECO mode saves energy and MAX mode does maximum cooling using low energy suitable for use in SUVs, Truck, RVs, Camper, Van, Boat, etc. BougeRV comes with a shock-proof design to balance on uneven roads or inclines with low noise operation. Furthermore, a 3-level battery monitor prevents battery drainage
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Excellent cooling performance | Non-adjustable compartment divider |
Versatile power supply with low-voltage protection. | |
Sturdy and durable exterior | |
Quiet function |
Engel MR040F Portable Tri-Voltage Fridge and Freezer
Buy Now
Image Credits: engelcoolers
A battery-operated refrigerator with durable anti-corrosive ARB steel case gives quality cooling suitable for road and water trips or home use
Specifications
Dimensions | 22.44L x 12.6W x 15.55H inches |
Weight | 30 pounds |
Cooling Range | -7.6 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit |
Capacity | 30 quart |
Power | 12/24V AC, 110-240V DC |
Additional Features | Touchscreen controls, LED display, Magnetic lid and removable partition |
Price | $299.99 |
Engel MR040F Portable Tri-Voltage Fridge and Freezer is durable, with corrosion-resistant ABS steel case and offers excellent performance suitable for marine applications like fishing, boating, etc. The highly efficient Engel Swing Motor Compressor consumes 40% less energy than a traditional one. Moreover, It is vibration resistant and operates quietly with automatic AC/DC voltage selection. The top opening plastic with removable handles has variable temperature controls to personalize your cooling needs. The battery-operated fridge and freezers best suit your road trips, water journeys or convenient home use.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Durable anti-corrosive steel case | A bit noisy |
Compressor consumes 40% less energy than others | Expensive |
Auto-voltage selection AC/DC | |
Variable temperature controls |
Dometic CFX3 45L Portable Refrigerator
Buy Now
A sleek, high-quality cooling unit with easy to use controls, 3stage battery protection and smartphone app controls
Specifications
Dimensions | 15.7L x 27.3W x 18.7H Inches |
Weight | 41.2 lbs |
Cooling Range | -7°F to +50°F |
Capacity | NA |
Power | 12/24DC, 120V AC |
Additional Features | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, LED light, |
Price | $956.38 |
Dometic CFX3 45L Portable Refrigerator has heavy-duty, yet lightweight ExoFrame construction with fender frame protected edges and aluminum alloy handles for safe and easy use. Its powerful VMSO3 compressor provides excellent freezing and cooling of food and drinks at home and outdoors. Moreover, it’s easy to read high-resolution color displays with soft-touch buttons that enable seamless control and monitoring of the fridge’s performance. Additionally, the CFX3 App allows temperature control and shows its work history via WiFi or Bluetooth. Finally, its 3-stage dynamic battery protection system prevents dead car batteries or allows deep draw on dual batteries.
Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
High-quality durable unit | Poor customer service |
Special lid design make it easy to take off | Shorter charge cable |
Smartphone app easy control via WI-Fi or Bluetooth | |
3-stage battery protection |
Important points to consider while buying a portable refrigerator
Buy Now
Image Credits: nypost
Purpose of Use – Before you buy your favorite portable refrigerator, ensure that it suits the purpose you are buying it for. Do you travel frequently or prefer to use the device while camping with friends? Also, check what things your fridge can carry, like a few cans of soda, food and beverages for a day or a week.
Size, Weight and Storage capacity – The external and internal size of your refrigerator determines the quantity and type of goods you can store in them. The larger-sized units store more materials and occupy more vehicle space.
Similarly, heavy-weight fridge units are more difficult to move than light-weighted ones.
Moreover, portable refrigerators come with a storage capacity of 20 to 50 quartz/ up to 60 liters, depending on their size and cooling technology.
Cooling Technology – Portable outdoor refrigerators come with compression and thermoelectric cooling methods. Compression fridge models are more powerful with greater temperature control than thermoelectric fridges. However, they are heavier and more expensive. On the contrary, thermoelectric fridges use solid-state cooling technology to produce less noise and cool or warm their contents according to the user’s needs. They are lightweight and less expensive than compressor fridges.
Price – Compression fridges range from $500 to $1,500, while thermoelectric models range from $300 to $500. Smaller thermoelectric models usually cost only $50 to $150. However, some models with advanced features are more expensive. You can select the model that is reasonable and suits your needs.
Power – A standard plug on a 110/120V AC outlet, is usually enough to run a portable fridge. However, for DC power, you would need a cigarette lighter outlet adapter or a direct battery connection. You can look for portable fridges working on both power sources. Also, you can use a power inverter if your vehicle doesn’t have an AC outlet.
FAQ's
Conclusion
Portable refrigerators are compact,energy-efficient, and light enough to carry on your RV, truck, or camping-car convenient items. They are the best source of cooling and freezing your food and drinks while enjoying a picnic, a camping trip, home, or office. Moreover, some fridges have cooling and warming options for your snacks and beverages. They are easy-to-charge transport, use and clean. Some units can also connect to your smartphone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to make monitoring easy.