13 Best Fridges for Camper Van

Campervan refrigerators are one of the top investments when looking at van builds. Having a fridge changes your entire way of camping and allows for a more home-like feel. What’s more, it makes life much easier when you’re in the middle of nowhere, allowing you to store food and cook fresh and full meals. Basically, it’s a game changer for life on the road as it offers rare comforts such as having fresh milk for your morning coffee. Choosing the best fridge for camper van, whether a small or big refrigerator, can be challenging. That’s because of the sheer number of amazing options out there. Since there’s a lot of information to navigate, we’ve done the legwork for you.

We’ve outlined a handy guide, having considered size, power draw, and other factors so that you can start shopping for your camper van refrigerator. Just like you have the best camping fridges, you have many choices for a camper van refrigerator. To that end, here are the 13 best fridges for camper vans, both big and small refrigerators.

Alpicool LGCF55 Portable Refrigerator

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The Alpicool LGCF55 Portable Refrigerator is the best fridge for camper van. This wildly affordable portable fridge packs a surprising amount of perks in its 300 USD price. As far as basic fridges go, you can’t go wrong with this fridge, which is essentially a single-zone fridge/freezer. That’s because it’s built with a smaller “refrigeration area” beside the main compartment. That uses the ambient cooling produced from the “freezer” region to keep perishables cold. At the same time, it’s a few degrees warmer than the items in the main section. Surprisingly enough, this fridge has a wireless Bluetooth function, allowing you to control and monitor the fridge from your phone, thus adding value.

Whynter FM62 Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator

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The Whynter FM62 Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator is an excellent small refrigerator for camper. This spacious dual-zone option might look relatively utilitarian and stark, but it has a lot to love. For example, there are two discrete inner spaces, each with its own lid, thus maximizing efficiency during frequent opening and closing. What’s more, the larger space works as a fridge, while the narrower one is perfect for storing frozen foods and ice. Moreover, each zone is independently controlled, allowing you to use the space as you want. Other perks include dual AC/DC power ports, an open-door warning system, and even a bright LED temperature display.

ARB 10810602 Portable Fridge/Freezer

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The ARB 10810602 Portable Fridge/Freezer is the best fridge for camper van. This 100% weatherproof and theft-proof fridge has an anodized aluminum and rugged steel exterior. So, not only is it strong, but it’s also corrosion-resistant. What’s more, the electronic control panel is 100% weatherproof, too, doubling as a security keypad and a temperature/running mode selector. Moreover, the four-digit code keeps unwanted guests away from your goodies. Furthermore, there’s additional security in the form of tamperproof bolts. Finally, the fridge draws 0.9Ah per hour in terms of efficiency.

ICECO VL60 Pro Portable Refrigerator

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The ICECO VL60 Pro Portable Refrigerator is the best small refrigerator for camper. This high-quality, single-zone option boasts a multi-directional lid design that not only opens to either side but can be removed entirely. So it allows for easy and quick cleaning or loading. The versatility continues in the dual DC port design, making installation and mounting hassle-free and smoother. Moreover, the well-made LED temperature display with a push-button control board on the front, the dual USB ports, and the AC plug-ins are great perks. But what’s most impressive about this fridge is that despite being budget-friendly, its electric compressor has a full five-year warranty.

Dometic CRX50 Fridge/Freezer

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The Dometic CRX50 Fridge/Freezer is one of the best fridges for camper van. This impressively spacious and incredibly compact fridge/freezer is surprisingly efficient, especially for an upright unit. What’s more, the product functions as a freezer, a fridge, and a dual-zone unit, thanks to its removable 4.4-liter “icebox.” It keeps foods up at the top frozen while the perishable items down below stay as cool as you’d like. And since it’s so compact with a space-saving beveled rear edge, this fridge/freezer fits relatively easily into just about any under-counter space. 

ARB 10802692 ZERO Portable Fridge Freezer

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The ARB 10802692 ZERO Portable Fridge Freezer is yet another great van-life fridge. This product is, pound for pound, the highest quality fridge you’ll find for van life. Firstly, the fridge has a tough stainless steel outer casing and durable ABS plastic corner moldings for additional protection. Secondly, the low-profile recessed carry handles allow you to carry it easily and keep it secure for bumpy rides. What’s more, the fridge is both efficient and versatile, thanks to dual 12V connections at either end. Plus, the variable speed compressor minimizes draw, bringing down the energy spent. Wrapping up the features is the Bluetooth/wireless control system, controlled by a super user-friendly and clean app.

Dometic CFX3 55

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The Dometic CFX3 55 is the best fridge for camper van. Van lifers love these popular powered coolers for food storage options due to more reasons than one. Firstly, it comes in many size options that range from a monstrous 100-liter war chest to a super-compact 25-liter one. Even a Goldilocks-sized 55-liter one maximizes storage without losing too much interior space. Furthermore, all CFX3 chest coolers can work with DC solar, standard DC, and AC power. The brand’s variable speed compressor and Dometic’s efficient “Active Gasket” technology add to the efficiency. Finally, the fridge also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing users to you to adjust and monitor temperature settings on the fly using a smartphone app.

Alpicool CF55 Portable Refrigerator

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The Alpicool CF55 Portable Refrigerator is one of the best budget fridges out there. This high-capacity, inexpensive, and no-frills fridge/freezer has 58 quarts of space; that’s enough for almost a week’s worth of rations. What’s more, this Alpicool fridge cools down to as less as minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to use the freezer for frozen meats and foods. Besides being incredibly efficient, the fridge/freezer also has an Eco mode for more efficient cooling when you want to run on even lower power. Furthermore, it boasts all necessary RV fridge features, including battery protection, shock protection, and tilt protection. The best bit? The baskets are removable.

ARB 10802442 ZERO Portable Fridge Freezer

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The ARB 10802442 ZERO Portable Fridge Freezer is the best fridge for camper van. This fridge might be expensive, but it has many features you’ll absolutely love. Firstly, it has a DC inlet at both ends, a quick-release door with handles on both sides, and even a fridge slide for mounting it fridge in the back of your van. What’s more, there’s a 5V USB outlet near the display panel as well as a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth app for controlling the temperature. Moreover, the steel casing keeps the insides colder for longer, ensuring that you can store food items for a long time. Besides the efficient compressor, the anti-slip lid inserts and recessed handles make using it easy. 

Alpicool C9 Mini Portable Refrigerator 10 Quart

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The 10-Quart Alpicool C9 Mini Portable Refrigerator is one of the best 12V mini-fridges out there. This mini-fridge has many advantages, taking just 95 minutes to reach temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit. What’s more, it’s incredibly compact and lightweight to carry around since it weighs just 17 lbs and doesn’t hog a lot of power, either. Despite its small size, it packs a ton of features as compared to a regular 12V fridge/freezer. These include shock protection for potholes and dirt roads and even tilt protection for when the van is parked on an incline. Finally, it also has battery protection and powerful door seals that ensure that there are no spills on the road.

 ICECO JP50 12 Volt Refrigerator 

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The ICECO JP50 12 Volt Refrigerator is the best fridge for camper van. This fridge might be a budget buy, but it’s one of the most value-for-money deals you’ll get out there. For one, this single-zone fridge can be used as both a fridge and a freezer. Secondly, temperatures go as low as minus 7 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to freeze everything from meats to canned goods. What’s more, it has some very nice perks, such as removable handles, a protective outer covering, and an extra-long power cord. Since it’s a low-power drawing appliance, weighs around 37 lbs, and has removable baskets, it’s a favorite with campers.

Norcold 2.7 Cubic Foot AC/DC Refrigerator/Freezer

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The Norcold 2.7 Cubic Foot AC/DC Refrigerator/Freezer is another great RV fridge. This fridge, which comes in a sleek black color, comes from a brand that specializes in manufacturing specialty RV fridges. This fridge is durable and high-quality, and it has self-venting technology and a modern, clean finish. Besides being easy to clean, the fridge comes with AC and DC options and an optional power cord. Finally, it has a hermetically sealed compressor that provides excellent cooling performance at high ambient temperatures – and that too in an exceptionally quiet manner.

Dometic CRX 1065E Refrigerator

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The Dometic CRX 1065E Refrigerator is the absolute best fridge for camper van. A majority of van lifers love this fridge for more reasons than one. Firstly, this fridge has an amazing capacity of 55 liters, which lies in the Goldilocks zone for RV fridges. What’s more, it boasts a speed-controlled compressor that reduces noise and is more efficient than other regular compressors. Moreover, the patented removable freezer compartment transforms the unit into a larger-capacity fridge. If that wasn’t enough, it itself does the job of a freezer keeping food at temperatures as slow as 17-18 degrees Fahrenheit. The best bit? It’s both DC and AC-enabled.

How To Choose The Best Fridges For Camper Vans?

Size

How big or small do you need your campervan fridge to be? That’s one of the most important factors to consider when buying a camper van fridge. If you plan to use your van for short weekend trips, a smaller fridge is fine, such as 10-45 liters. But, if you plan to do a lot of boondocking for living off-grid, then you’ll need something upwards of 50 liters. Also, check if you want freezer sections, as this will eat into the fridge’s capacity. You’ll need a freezer section if you plan to spend long periods in the van and freeze food. Finally, the size of the fridge is also dictated by the size of your van.

Types of fridges

You’ll need to think about the kind of fridge you need/want. There are three kinds of fridges: compressor fridges (two-way fridges), absorption fridges (three-way fridges), and thermoelectric coolers. Compressor fridges are like home fridges but draw huge amounts of power that drain your van’s 12V system. So, you can run also them through 240/110v mains power using an inverter, but as much as 50% can be lost. The only plus point is that they’re energy-efficient and low-maintenance.

On the other hand, absorption fridges use heat sources and can be powered by mains, 12V, or gas. They’re very efficient when they run on gas and are quiet to run as well, but need to be level to work correctly. That could be an issue during wild camping. Finally, thermoelectric coolers are basically cool boxes that can be plugged into a 12V socket. While it’s portable and cheap, they don’t get as cold as regular fridges. 

Power consumption

One of the factors linked to the size and type of fridge is power consumption. Since fridges draw a lot of energy, they can quickly drain batteries, especially if you’re parked up for several days. So, you need to choose the right kind of fridge for your power supply. If you’re going to be camping mostly at level campsites with mains hookups, then you can go for compressor fridges. But, if you’ll mostly be off-grid, then thermoelectric coolers or absorption fridges are better.

Fridge styles

Finally, you need to consider what style of camper van fridge you need. There are three styles of fridges usually used in campervans: drawer, traditional, and top-loading. Firstly, there are chest or top-loading fridges, which are popular for their energy efficiency and more space for storage. But you can’t store anything atop the fridge, making them waste the entire space where they’re parked in the van. Secondly, there are front-loading fridges, which have usable space above and below. While their storage space is less, the organization is good and easy to access. Finally, there are front-loading drawer fridges, which are like top-loading fridges, but the compartment slides out like a draw. While it’s not as efficient as the top-loading one, it’s handy for those who want top-loading fridges without having to build sliding draw cabinets.

You might also want to check out the best small fridges in Walmart.

Are Engel fridges worth the money?

While the lower price tag, functionality, and efficiency make them great value for money, they sacrifice efficiency a bit.

Can you use a normal fridge in a campervan?

Yes, but you could face size and space efficiency issues.

How long will a leisure battery run a fridge?

Since leisure batteries are 75 amps, if you don’t want to damage the battery by running them down below 50% capacity, you can run the fridge for about 6 hrs.