It’s important to many campers to keep their food cold while roughing it in the great outdoors. A camping fridge is a great investment, whether that means meats that you pack for the trip or just your bottled water.
While some can be quite expensive, it helps to have a detailed breakdown of what each offers to determine your best choice. To make your purchase a bit easier, we rounded up an objective overview of the best camping refrigerators you should consider.
If you want to know the best camping refrigerator without reading, we recommend the Domestic CFX3 75-Liter Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator and Freezer for great space, reasonable weight, and excellent features.
Best Camping Refrigerators
- Domestic CFX3 Refrigerator and Freezer (Top Pick)
- Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler (Budget Buy)
- Costway Car Refrigerator
- ARB 10810602 Portable Fridge Freezer (High End)
- Alpicool C15 Portable Refrigerator
- Engel MR040F-U1
Compare Top Camping Refrigerators
Product | Overall Score | Bottom Line | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Domestic CFX3 75-Liter | 90 | Best overall refrigerator | Check Out on Amazon |
Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler | 84 | Best for small spaces with great cooling | Check Out on Amazon |
Costway Car Refrigerator | 84 | Powerful cooling and roomy interior | Check Out on Amazon |
ARB 10810602 Portable | 80 | Most durable | Check Out on Amazon |
Alpicool C15 Portable | 86 | Small interior with powerful cooling | Check Out on Amazon |
Engel MR040F-U1 | 82 | Good storage capacity | Check Out on Amazon |
Detailed Analysis Of The Best Refrigerators For Camping
1. Domestic CFX3 Refrigerator and Freezer
Overall Score: 90
Advantages
- Dual-zone cooling
- Spacious 75-liter capacity
- Battery protection system
- Coldest temperatures
Disadvantages
- A bit on the heavy side
- More expensive than some
Size
With 75 liters of interior space to fill with your water bottles, meats, and other perishable items, you won’t have to worry about running out of room.
It comes complete with dual compartments that have separate temperature controls so you can sort out frozen goods versus those items that you simply want cold.
This portable refrigerator has lots of interior room, but it won’t take up as much room in your setup as you might think. It comes in at 21 inches deep, 38 inches wide, and 19 inches high.
Weight
Because of its overall size, you can expect that this portable refrigerator may require two people to lift.
The Domestic CFX3 is constructed of lightweight ExoFrame with aluminum alloy handles, weighing 62 pounds. It’ll stand up well to wear and tear if you manage the hefty size.
Power System
One of the best aspects of the Domestic CFX3 is its low power consumption. Depending on your setup, you can charge this portable refrigerator with almost any source: AC, DC, or even solar.
Not to mention, it’s equipped with a 3-stage battery protection system. All of this means that you won’t have to worry about how you’ll keep your perishable goods cool.
Cooling Capability
Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of this large portable refrigerator is its powerful cooling tech. It utilizes VMSO3 compressor cooling technology, allowing you to get down to the coolest temps.
You’ll be able to deep freeze your items down to -7 degrees Fahrenheit with ease. The fridge has dual compartments so you can set two different temperatures for your goods.
Along with the dual-zone cooling, you can also monitor the temperature via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it highly convenient.
Price
For such a powerful refrigerator, you’ll be surprised by the price. It’s certainly an investment, but it’s a top-notch appliance that will enhance your camping experience.
If you have the budget for something like this, it’s worth every penny.
2. Igloo BMX 25-Quart Cooler
Overall Score: 84
Advantages
- Smaller footprint
- Easier to carry for solo campers
- Budget-friendly
Disadvantages
- No power source (only good for 4-5 days)
Size
The Igloo BMX might be a better fit if the Domestic CFX3 is bigger than what you need for small camping trips. It’s perfect for short trips where you don’t have much that you want to keep cool.
It stores a maximum of 25 quarts, just one-third of some of the larger fridges you’ll find on the market. However, it also has a significantly smaller footprint, making it easier to pack in a full car.
It comes in at 19.58″ x 15.69″ x 13.24″.
Weight
If you’re worried about how to tote your refrigerator from point A to B, then the Igloo may be the right choice for you. When empty, it comes in at just 11.28 pounds.
While you may need some help carrying it long distances when loaded with ice and water bottles, it’s easy enough to tote when empty.
Power System
Unlike the Domestic CFX3, the Igloo doesn’t require any power. This makes it great for camping trips where you may not be taking your car or packing solar panels.
If you don’t have a battery system for camping excursions and are staying at a campsite without electricity, the Igloo BMX is a great choice.
Cooling Capability
Despite not plugging into a power source, you’ll find that the Igloo BMX is capable of keeping your goods cold. You have to load it up with ice, and you’re good to go.
It’s been proven to have a four to five-day ice retention. The walls are made of thick foam and an insulated lid that helps keep ice frozen.
Price
If you aren’t sure how often you’ll use a portable refrigerator for camping, then the Igloo BMX is a great investment. It costs much less than some of the more powerful fridges and freezers.
This is likely due to the lack of advanced features. Campers who want to make a small investment in getting quality gear will want to consider this model.
3. Costway Car Refrigerator
Overall Score: 84
Advantages
- Good interior size
- Reasonable weight for capacity
- Battery protection
Disadvantages
- No dual temperature control
Size
For those who think they want something between the Domestic CFX3 and the Igloo BMX, the Costway Car Refrigerator is likely the best fit.
It falls between the two options regarding the overall size, promising to hold a reasonable 55 quarts (roughly 60 bottles of water).
It may not be something you’re keen on carrying to a far campsite, but it’s great for camping with a car nearby.
Its dimensions are slightly larger than the Igloo BMX, coming in at 13.5″ deep x 27″ wide x 21″ high.
Weight
Given its overall interior capacity, most campers are surprised to learn how little this portable refrigerator weighs. It comes in at just 36 pounds.
This means you can likely carry it solo if you have to, but it’ll be a challenge if it’s fully stocked. It won’t be hard to carry back to the car once it’s empty.
Power System
You have a few different options for how you can power this portable car refrigerator, depending on the setup at your campsite.
It can run off 12V/24V DC or 100V to 240V AC, so you can plug it into a traditional power outlet or use it with a cigarette lighter if the car is close.
It also comes with battery protection to prevent it from draining your car battery at the campsite. There is a low, medium, and high level of battery protection.
When the voltage reaches the minimum, the compressor shuts off to preserve the battery. When it needs more, it will automatically turn back on.
Cooling Capability
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the power behind the Costway refrigerator. It has two interior compartments, though it should be noted that it doesn’t have dual temperature control.
You can store your perishable goods inside at temperatures ranging from -4 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Price
Overall, the Costway Car Refrigerator comes in solidly in the middle of the pack regarding price.
It’s a great value considering its roomy capacity at 55 quarts, its ability to be charged via the cigarette lighter of the car, and its overall cooling capacity.
4. ARB 10810602 Portable Fridge Freezer
Overall Score: 80
Advantages
- Great space at 63 quarts
- 4-digit pin lock to protect goods
Disadvantages
- Very heavy
- Price
Size
Campers who want a large portable refrigerator, particularly for extended trips, will want to add the ARB 10810602 to their must-have list.
It packs a solid punch when it comes to size with a very spacious 63 quarts of space.
As you might imagine, its overall dimensions are larger than some models, coming in at 24″ deep x 37″ wide x 22″ high.
Weight
Unfortunately, the only major drawback to the ARB model is its weight. This isn’t a model you’ll be able to carry on your own, especially once it’s packed with food and drinks.
Unloaded, it comes in at 84.7 pounds. The construction of the fridge from quality materials like 304-grade stainless steel is part of what contributes to this weight.
Power System
This portable refrigerator has recessed 100 to 240V AC and 12/24V DC power sockets, so they’re always protected from the elements.
One unique feature of the ARB is its 4-digit pin lock. This keeps others from stealing your supplies, changing the temperatures, or deactivating the power switch.
For added security, it’s also outfitted to allow you to use a padlock.
Cooling Capability
With this robust portable fridge, you won’t have to worry about whether your perishable goods will stay cold. It can cool all your goods from -7 degrees to a more modest 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
While it doesn’t feature dual-zone cooling, you can add a divider or a reversible cabinet basket to organize your goods.
Price
This is one of the more expensive models for portable refrigerators for camping.
If you want something weatherproof that you can use year-round and permanently mount in your truck’s bed, then the ARB 10801602 is a great choice.
It’s an excellent option if you have the budget for a pricier model.
5. Alpicool C15 Portable Refrigerator
Overall Score: 86
Advantages
- Low weight for easy carrying
- Battery protection
- Affordable
Disadvantages
- Small size great for solo campers
Size
Are you looking for something smaller to take with you on short jaunts to the country? The Alpicool C15 is a great option, but it’s one of the smallest models on this ranking.
It comes in at just 16 quarts, meaning that it can hold about 20 cans of soda. If you only need a little storage to keep your drinks cold, then the Alpicool might be the right fit.
The dimensions of this portable fridge are also great for a solo camper or someone who wants to be able to carry it long distances.
Because it has a smaller capacity, it also has a small footprint at 22.4″ x 12.6″ x 10.2″.
Weight
Tied into the small size of this portable fridge, you’ll also find that it has a lower overall weight.
Most people don’t struggle to carry the empty cooler from one spot to another, seeing as it clocks in at less than 20 pounds.
Power Source
The good news is that this portable camping refrigerator is easy to keep running at the campsite. It runs off a 12V system and can even be powered by a very small solar system.
Like the Costway model, it also comes with low, medium, and high battery protection to ensure the refrigerator doesn’t drain your car battery.
There’s nothing worse than packing up your campsite only to find out that you can’t leave because your battery is dead!
Cooling Capability
You won’t need to add ice to this freezer to keep your goods cold. You can get down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit with ease.
The Alpicool features sealing property construction to keep the cool air in and high-density foam insulation. The result is a lightweight fridge with great power to keep your items cool.
Price
Coming right in the middle of the pack, the Alpicool C15 is a great option for campers who want something to keep their goods cold without spending a small fortune.
While it does require something of an investment, it isn’t the most expensive model found here. A modest budget for new gear should be able to accommodate this model.
6. Engel MR040F-U1
Overall Score: 82
Advantages
- Good capacity at 42 quarts
- Low power consumption
Disadvantages
- A bit on the heavy side
- Larger dimensions due to the handles
Size
The Engel MR040F-U1 is a great option for campers needing more storage space. It boasts a 40-liter (42-quart) capacity.
This makes it great for storing lots of drinks, perishable meats, and anything else you may need. It’s nice and spacious inside with a wire basket to help keep lots of goods organized.
The overall dimensions are about what you would expect from a larger refrigerator. It comes in at 15.5″ deep x 25″ wide x 18.5″ high (excluding the handles).
It might be too wide for you to carry on your own, especially once the cooler is full and heavier. However, it’s great for packing a powerful punch if you have room in your car.
Weight
This isn’t the heaviest portable refrigerator on our ranking, coming in at 48 pounds empty.
You’ll likely have to have a little help if you need to carry it far, but most people use it directly from the back of their car or truck.
Power Source
Like most portable refrigerators on the market, you’ll be able to use this fridge with just about any power source you may need. It can be used with 12/24V DC or 110/120V AC.
If you’re concerned about how draining this could be on your battery, the overall power consumption is just 0.7 to 2.7 amps. It’s also compatible with solar systems.
Cooling Capability
As you might expect from one of the best camping refrigerators, you get a powerful means of keeping your goods cold. It starts cooling right around 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
It goes down to a little below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, making it great for temperamental items that need to be carefully monitored in the heat of a campsite.
It features variable temperature control to get the power you need without killing your battery. You can even use it on an incline of up to 30 degrees without issue.
Price
You’ll need to save a bit more money to invest in the Engel refrigerator. While it isn’t the cheapest on our ranking, it isn’t the cheapest.
It’ll require a sizable change, but this long-lasting cooler is worth the investment.
Final Thoughts
The perfect camping refrigerator will depend on how much space you need, how much weight you can handle carrying, and the type of power source that you’ll have available at your preferred campsite.
If you need something that is a great value for the money, has excellent size, and solid features, the Domestic CFX3 75-Liter Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator and Freezer is the best option.
While it does require a bit of an investment, it’s well worth it for a long-lasting fridge with such a spacious interior.