Best 12-Volt Refrigerators And Freezers

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Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by Paul Clayton

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Best 12-Volt Refrigerators and Freezers

Planning your next great adventure? While you’re probably into exploring the outdoors along with your RV, or maybe you like to live off-grid, you still don’t want to sacrifice some of your creature comforts by any means.

Perhaps the last time you realized that your cooler was not good at storing your food for more than a day, leaving them less than frozen, with all the ice melted. Worse, they don’t seem edible anymore as a result.

Key Takeaways

1. Importance of Portable Refrigeration:
  - Portable refrigerators, particularly 12-volt compression refrigerators, are essential for outdoor enthusiasts, RV owners, and off-grid living, offering reliable cold storage for food and beverages.
2. Top Picks:
  - Dometic CFX3: Best overall portable refrigerator with precise temperature control, battery protection, and the ability to reach -8°F.
  - ICECO VL60 ProS: Best dual-zone refrigerator offering separate compartments for refrigeration and freezing.
  - ICECO 68.6 Quart Double Zone: Best cooler with dual independent temperature controls and multifunctional capabilities, including heating.
3. Types of Portable Refrigerators:
  - Compressor Type: Offers true refrigeration similar to home fridges, efficient power usage, and precise temperature control.
  - Thermoelectric Coolers: More affordable but less effective in maintaining low temperatures in warmer climates.
  - Absorption Type: Flexible power sources (LPG, 12V, 240V), but requires leveled ground and consumes high electricity.
4. Brand Comparison:
  - Dometic is highlighted for its innovative and high-quality portable refrigeration solutions, preferred over brands like ARB and Whynter for their superior cooling capabilities and cost-effectiveness.
5. Advantages of Compressor-Type Refrigerators:
  - True cooling properties, energy efficiency, and capability to operate on uneven terrain make them the best choice for portable refrigeration needs.
6. Versatility and Multi-Purpose Use:
  - Ideal for various applications, including camping trips, long road trips, truckers’ needs, and even as compact refrigeration in small living spaces.

A reliable portable storage freezer and cooler would be best to keep your meats and dairy fresh while camped out in the middle of nowhere.

Besides, your family of 6 could use home-cooked meals, which is impossible if you don’t have decent cold storage.

But first, you have to learn about portable refrigerators. Yes, they exist, and they are very useful. To be exact, a 12-volt compression refrigerator is worth considering. Coolers remain an option and work just fine. However, it depends on your specific needs, plus how much you’re willing to spend.

Once you get used to cold drinks in your camper, you’ll realize they are RV accessories’ must-haves.

Top 3 choices for 12-volt RV refrigerators

I have picked out the following (with specs):

- Features
- Quart capacity: 25 to 100 liter, 7 MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM
- Cooling application: compressor
- Power capacity: 12 to 24 volts
- 120V AC
- Temperature range: -8 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit
- Highest outer temperature: 90 degrees Fahrenheit
- Other features: accurate temperature control, battery protection
- Features
- Quart capacity: 45 to 90 liter
- Cooling application: compressor
- Power capacity: 12 to 24 volts
- 120V AC
- Temperature range: -8 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit
- Highest outer temperature: 90 degrees Fahrenheit
- Other features: accurate temperature control, battery protection, dual-zone
- Features
- Quart capacity: 65 liter
- Cooling application: thermoelectric
- Power capacity: 12 to 24 volts
- 120V AC
- Temperature range: -8 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit
- Highest outer temperature: 77 degrees Fahrenheit
- Other features: battery protection

Best 12-Volt Refrigerators and Freezers

I have categorized the choices into three, namely: top overall portable refrigerator (Dometic CFX3), top dual zone refrigerator (ICECO VL60 ProS Portable Refrigerator), and top cooler (ICECO 68.6 Quart Double Zone Independent Control Portable Refrigerator). You’l be assured that anyone’s needs will correspond to at least one of these categories.

You might wonder why I have chosen products from 3 brands. Again, this article is not a paid endorsement by any company. If you are an RV owner, you must have items bearing this ubiquitous brand name. Dometic is an industry leader in the US regarding innovative RV appliances. Their range of products includes refrigerators and freezers, as well as air conditioners, heat pumps, toilets, awnings, etc.

Dometic 12-volt refs have many features that set them apart from other brands. The portable freezer from their CFX line is perhaps the best I’ve seen. How many others can boast of a temperature of -8 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact size that can be powered by 12 volts? Some portable freezers can only go as low as zero-degree temperature. And that’s just miles apart when it comes down to comparison.

You may think an eight-degree difference is not much of a big deal. After all, it’s enough to keep your chicken and other meats frozen at zero degrees. Well, I have two words for you: ice cream! It’s a delight to know you can bring frozen treats on your trip, which can be as good as being bought from the store. Aside from ice cream, you can also bring ice to cool your drinks anytime you want.

Portable RV Refrigerator and Freezer in one

Then there’s the dual-zone type of 12-volt portable refrigerators. The Dometic CFX-95DZW is the real deal. There are 7 models to choose from.

It has a refrigerator compartment and a separate freezer area. The adjustable temperature control allows you to set either a compartment as a refrigerator or a freezer.

There’s also a smaller yet efficient version with Dometic CFX-65DZ, among other brands. The cold air emanating from the freezer section provides the chill for the ref portion. Given this design, the ref temperature is limited but should be enough for food items that need only light refrigeration.

If you want a simpler but more durable option, Dometic’s coolers will provide just that. Interestingly, they are quite unique because they don’t act as a cooler alone. They can also serve as a food warmer of sorts that can provide heat up to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. You can’t find this feature in other portable coolers. Dometic units have 7 different settings, boosting their versatile function.

Given the variety of intelligent cooling units Dometic offers, many RV enthusiasts, including me, favor them over brands such as ARB and Whynter. These two other companies sell 12-volt RV refrigerators as well. However, in my opinion, they don’t hold a candle to Dometic’s superb quality and innovation, not to mention the price.

These brands are even more expensive, yet their cooling capacity is inferior to Dometic’s. It can’t be helped extolling Dometic portable refrigerators and freezers, which any RV fanatic will love to have.

Top pick for Portable RV 12-volt Refrigerator and Freezer

You will love these features:

- almost the same as your refrigerator at home by using a compressor
- powered by as little as 12 volts
- LED lights on the interior
- Tough, high-grade plastic exterior with insulation
- detachable handles and lids
- temperature memory
- battery protection that prevents your vehicle’s battery from draining
- digital temperature reading
- silent operation
- comes with a wifi app for monitoring the battery and temperature

Summary for ICECO 21 Quart Portable Freezer Refrigerator

ICECO focuses on designing, producing, and selling portable refrigerators. Every time you travel, your portable fridge is unquestionably the most affordable and portable solution for your freezing needs, whether on a day trip or a longer expedition.

This fridge, which consists of a single compartment, can deep freeze food at -8 degrees Fahrenheit. Its adjustability makes it a versatile device, going from cooling to freezing your food items. This innovative technology, combined with its lightweight size, adds to the great features of the product. The Iceco line has many quart sizes that cater to various preferences.

You will love these features:

- Separate compartments for ref and freezer
- Turbo cooling capability
- A silent compressor like a regular-sized home fridge
- powered by as little as 12 volts
- Tough high-grade plastic exterior with insulation
- detachable handles and lids
- LED lights on the interior
- battery protection is available in 3 stages
- digital temperature reading
- comes with a wifi app for monitoring the battery and temperature

Summary for Dometic CFX-65DZ/ 95DZW

This dual-zone variant of the Dometic CFX series has similar characteristics to the rest of the models. The main difference is the separation of the fridge and freezer sections.

The CFX-65DZ model allows temperature adjustment only on the freezer because excess cold air is cascaded to the ref compartment. The premium unit is the CFX-95DZW, which has 2 temperature controls for the ref and freezer, respectively. However, the cooling effect will still somehow affect any dual zone ref and freezer by the exterior temperature. In other words, when it is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside, you cannot keep it at its lowest possible temperature of -8 degrees Fahrenheit.

Summary for ICECO JP50 Portable Refrigerator Fridge Freezer

Thanks to ICECO Freezer’s ice production, you won’t need to worry about keeping food fresh outside, with a cooling range of 0°F to 50°F!

Five-year warranty Global Product Insurance, SECOP (Danfoss) Compressor from Germany, and ETL Certificate. EMC standards were met. Highly suggested.

ICECO developed a brand over the past 15 years to primarily offer a portable food and beverage storage option. To keep their daily food and drinks cold wherever they are, ICECO manufactures and sells high-quality vehicle refrigerators that are tailored to the lifestyle of RVers, van owners, overlanders, truck owners, and the outdoor community.

Since its establishment in 2005, ICECO has quickly expanded into one of the top and most seasoned producers of portable vehicle refrigerators worldwide. It is also one of the biggest consumers of SECOP. Over the years, ICECO has owned 104 technology patents and conducted significant sustainable research and development.

RV Compressor-type true portable refrigerators vs thermoelectric coolers

Let’s look at refrigeration that comes in a convenient portable size but is powerful enough to do the job. A 12-volt fridge with a compressor can be quite expensive, but in hindsight, it is still cheaper than any of your primary kitchen appliances.

After all, getting one is worth your money if you want a device that will work as if you brought your home refrigerator. What’s truly amazing is that it runs on very low power at 12 volts.

Such refrigeration can be operated using your RV’s starter battery or solar panels. You can also plug some models into the cigarette lighter receptacle to power them on. These portable refrigerators can also withstand rough travel without breaking or stalling.

Thermoelectric coolers, on the other hand, have a compressor-less design. They have the upper hand regarding price; they are more affordable than a portable refrigerator.

However, it can only maintain a certain temperature dependent on the outer climate.

If you have an RV refrigerator or freezer that can keep your dairy cold at about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, then it is compressor-type and electrically assisted. While it is not cheap, it will make your life on the road much more comfortable.

After a long trip, you sure don’t want to find spoiled food that you’ve meticulously stored because you thought a thermoelectric cooler would work.

Why compressor-type portable refrigerators are the best option

- - Offers true cooling properties that will help preserve food items for a long time
  - The compact size will not take up so much space yet offers you home-ref-like refrigeration
  - It has adjustable precise temperature controls which thermoelectric coolers like the Dometic Tropicool do not have

Many Dometic RV cooling options

As mentioned, the Dometic CFX line of portable refrigerators is truly a must-have for those who want to cool their precious food while traveling on the road. This line of 12-volt refrigerators is suitable for those who plan to store large amounts of food for days.

Not everyone needs a big ref, though, especially if you’re planning to get one for an average-sized car. Besides, you may be a budget-conscious buyer who is always looking to purchase products that give more bang for your buck. As such, Dometic’s CF series will be perfect for your money constraints and compact needs. They are also powered by only 12 volts, which you can plug into the socket of your cigarette lighter.

The CF series includes Dometic CDF-11, CF-18, and CF-25, which are narrower and smaller yet possess the compressor power of a typical home refrigerator. Like their bigger Dometic counterparts, they allow precise temperature adjustments, with the lowest setting of zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Dometic CDF 11

- - Capacity in cubic feet: 0.4
  - Capacity in quarts: 10
  - Capacity in liters: 11
  - Dimensions: 9.4 inches (W)
  - 14.1 inches (H)
  - 21.6 inches (D)
  - Weight in pounds: 19
  - Electricity rating: 2.5 amps/ 12 volts

Dometic CF 18

- - Capacity in cubic feet: 0.7
  - Capacity in quarts: 19
  - Capacity in liters: 18
  - Dimensions: 11.8 inches (W)
  - 16.3 inches (H)
  - 18.3 inches (D)
  - Weight in pounds: 25
  - Electricity rating: 3.1 amps/ 12 volts

Dometic CF 25

- - Capacity in cubic feet: 0.8
  - Capacity in quarts: 19
  - Capacity in liters: 18
  - Dimensions: 10.2 inches (W)
  - 16.7 inches (H)
  - 21.7 inches (D)
  - Weight in pounds: 28
  - Electricity rating: 3.1 amps/ 12 volts

Features of the Dometic CF series:

- - Portable refrigerator and freezer using compressor technology identical to a regular household fridge
  - Interior temperature, which can be set from 0 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, is independent of ambient temperature
  - Power rating is from 12 volts to 24 volts, or 120V AC
  - Exterior high-grade, impact-resistant plastic in a two-tone gray cabinet
  - Digital temperature display using electronic thermostat
  - A battery monitoring system using 3 stages
  - It has a safety belt for easy fastening to any vehicle
  - It is lightweight and comes with a shoulder strap for easy manual transport
  - It has double cup holders
  - Has a DC connection cable
  - Has a 2-year warranty

More info about portable 12V refrigerators

Buying a real portable fridge makes a lot of sense to bring more food and keep it fresh like it came out from your home ref. Their power source will make quite a big difference in how cold your interior temperature will be, which most meat and dairy require to preserve their quality and nutrients.

Portable refs could be compressor-type, absorption, and thermoelectric. When you know each one’s takeaways and tradeoffs, you will be better equipped to decide which type of portable fridge is most effective for your needs.

Portable Refrigerators (compressor type)

Advantages:

- - Efficient by using low battery power
  - Temperature can be set precisely
  - Can chill to lower temps, regardless of ambient temperature
  - Operates effectively on uneven terrain
  - It can serve either as a fridge or a freezer
  - Most preferred than absorption type and thermoelectric refs

Real cooling

Among the three types of portable refrigerators, the compression refrigerator is the only one you can consider that will offer real cooling. It functions like your big home fridge with its compressor technology, only it is smaller and operates on 12 volts. Its ability to adjust the temperature accurately, ranging from 0 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, allows you to set it according to the contents you intend to cool.

If you have the dual-zone type of portable fridge, you have two partitions. One is for the freeze function, and the other provides just the right amount of refrigeration so that your food doesn’t spoil fast.

The interior temperature typically remains unaffected by the exterior climate. So whenever you adjust the temperature using the digital controls, you will get a precise cold output. However, an extremely high-temperature outside may still impact the coldness of your interior despite the adjustable settings.

Battery efficient

Compressor-type portable refrigerators use DC power, which you can harness using your vehicle’s battery. With its battery efficiency, you can be assured that it consumes very little power. You have to remember, though, that during hot summer months, your refrigerator will be forced to keep the interior temperature cold by working up your battery. As such, you will consume more battery when it’s always used in warmer climates.

Nonetheless, compression refs usually use less than 1 amp per hour, proving their energy efficiency. As you may experience with your very own home ref, the compressor unit is not always powered on and instead runs in cycles to maintain its required interior temperature.

Most, if not all, cooling devices have a built-in sensor that triggers once the desired temperature is reached. This way, you don’t waste your battery power. If you intend to use your portable ref more often, you must think of getting another battery to power it up so you don’t drain your car’s battery in the process.

Continuous operation regardless of inclined position

You know that a normal house ref that uses a compressor should have a leveled position. The portable 12V ref is special to function without a hitch, even if your RV roughs it up on an incline or drives steadily on the road. An absorption cooler cannot do this because it has to be placed on a flat surface.

The best type of portable RV refrigerator

For the above-mentioned reasons and more, the compressor type 12V portable ref is the best there is, with its high-quality cooling being its primary asset. This kind of refrigeration is necessary, especially if you are looking at storing your meats and other food items for more than 24 hours.

Disadvantages of Portable Refrigerators (compressor type)

Compression Refrigerators are expensive

When you frequently travel to warmer climates, you will utilize more amps per hour to keep the cold inside. In this regard, it will be best for you to purchase a separate battery so that you don’t drain your vehicle’s battery. You should only consider this if you almost always have to use it during months of extremely high temperatures.

If you decide to buy a dedicated battery, you will need a source that will enable it to be recharged. You have two options: You can harness solar power to recharge your battery, or you can do so with the help of a portable generator. Both options are costly, and unfortunately, there’s no other way around it.

Compression Refrigerators emit a slight noise

This is not really much of a disadvantage. After all, you must already be familiar with the compressor noise of your household fridge when it runs to maintain the cold temperature inside. You know this is normal and unavoidable; in fact, it’s not as noisy as a regular ref. And besides, they only emit noise during the first few minutes of operation and will usually subside thereafter.

Portable Refrigerators (absorption type)

Advantages:

- - Flexibility in terms of power sources
  - Highly efficient if gas is utilized

Disadvantages:

- - Will only operate on leveled ground
  - Static temperature
  - Lowest temperature possible is 30 degrees Fahrenheit
  - High electric consumption at ten times more than its portable counterparts

Also known as a 3-way ref, an absorption-type portable ref utilizes heat energy to provide cooling. The “3-way” label refers to power sources such as LPG, 12 volts of DC power from either battery or solar energy, and 240 volts of AC power.

It consumes a lot of electrical power, equivalent to ten times more than a 12-volt compressor-type portable ref. As such, hooking it up to your vehicle’s battery is not a viable option because it will most likely drain it quickly.

If you plan to get this type of portable ref, getting a separate battery catered solely to your unit is imperative. Or, if it’s also possible for you to have a means of recharging the battery; otherwise, you have to pick out another power source for your portable device. For this reason, you might as well turn to an LPG.

Absorption-type portable refs use gas in the most efficient manner. Users, however, should keep them in a place with good ventilation and open space. When traveling on the road, you should bring enough gas or remember to refill it at any gas station.

Portable coolers (thermoelectric)

Advantages:

- - Offers a cheaper alternative for once-in-a-while usage
  - Capacity to chill and warm food items

Disadvantages:

- - Will offer no cooling when the ambient temperature is more than 77 degrees Fahrenheit
  - It emits a distracting noise
  - It Consumes more battery power, unlike a portable compressor-type ref

More reasons why someone who is always on the road will need a 12V portable fridge

Let’s get one thing straight: a portable 12V ref is not only highly recommended for RVs and motorhomes. Anybody who is often on the road and relies on his vehicle, whether a hatchback or a pickup truck, as his home away from home, should consider getting this cooling device. Even someone who wants to have it in his home, may it be in a small room, or an individual who rents a cozy apartment with limited space, can always count on a portable fridge to deliver. In other words, its multi-purpose functionality is undeniable.

Here are some of its popular uses:

Have one handy during camping trips

You could be a solo adventurer or be part of a wolf pack with your family and friends; you can use a portable ref to feed you or your entire group during breaks from your outdoor exploration. A 12-volt mini fridge can stay in your vehicle or nearby while camped out in the wilderness.

Sustain your nutrition while on the road

You’re visiting from one state to another, embarking on a long road trip to visit relatives you haven’t seen for a long time. You decide to bring them food as your potluck for your homecoming of sorts. Thanks to your portable ref, you can preserve the integrity and quality of your food despite the long travel.

Beat the trucker blues

A trucker’s life can be lonely and difficult at the same time. You can pull off an all-nighter if you at least feed yourself with healthy food items, which can only be preserved when you store them in a compact ref that fits in your vehicle. Plus, a cold drink or soda would be nice to have between driving hours.

Use for cold storage in a log cabin

Because you only stay in your rustic cabin every other weekend, it’s not practical to place a regular refrigerator inside it. Instead, you can bring your 12-volt mini refrigerator with you and take it inside. You can cook meals with your stored raw ingredients without hassle or maintenance.

Price points

If there’s one thing that separates 12-volt portable refrigerators from coolers, it’s the price. A thermoelectric cooler typically costs between 100 and 300 dollars. On the other hand, portable refrigerators with compressor technology cost at least 500 dollars, and depending on the brand, they can run up to a thousand bucks. Determining your usage is important to get the most out of our cooling unit.

Accessories to complement your portable RV 12V refrigerator

So you finally decided to buy your very own Dometic portable ref for use in your vehicle; it’s time to jazz it up again. While your Dometic cooling equipment may be sufficient for your needs, you can up the ante by adding insulation and protection to your device. The Dometic CFX line also includes insulation covers and slides that facilitate access to the fridge when placed in limited spaces.

Dometic CFX Insulation

This insulated cover from the Dometic CFX line, made of premium nylon, improves the efficiency of your ref’s compressor. It also adjusts to extreme heat from the outside by lowering power to save on battery consumption.

The cover protects your unit against superficial damage, which can be quite common if you leave it as is. When opening your fridge, you can easily lift the flaps on the top surface to get the contents. Each of the CFX refs has a tailor-fitted cover. When you buy them online at Amazon, click on the model of your Dometic portable fridge to get the right size.

Dometic CFX Ref Slide

If you have limited space in your vehicle and your portable refrigerator has to be stowed behind tight areas, then getting a refrigerator slide is recommended. Sliding out your refrigerator from the dark using rollers will provide you with the utmost convenience, making loading and unloading items much easier. The slide, which can accommodate up to 220 pounds of load, also keeps your fridge secure during travel with its powder-coated steel material.

The Dometic slide is suitable for two different CFX portable refrigerator sizes. For example, the CFX-SLD3540 slide can fit either a Dometic CFX-35 or CFX-40 refrigerator. The same goes for the CFX-SLD5065 and CFX-SLD95100 slides, which would cater to the CFX-50/ CFX-65 ref and CFX-95/ CFX-100, respectively.

Final word

We have concluded this article. A portable fridge is perhaps one of the biggest investments if you want to enjoy the coolest comforts of a home on the road or living off-grid. However, an RV lifestyle is not just about having the most advanced gadgets to make everything easy.

It would help if you instead relished the freedom of creating an adventure-filled life and exploration to treasure for a lifetime. But having a dependable cooling device, like a 12V portable ref and freezer, doesn’t hurt to keep you fed and happy during your journey.

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