Sometimes there’s just nothing like the open road. The freedom that you can experience thanks to van living is unparalleled. You get to drive around the country, see things that no one else gets to see, and you get to live in a super cool van or camper too.
However, one of the big issues with van living is managing to keep perishable food cold and preventing it from spoiling. However, this is where a good portable fridge freezer comes into play, something small that will fit in your can that can keep your food from going bad.
The issue here is that there are so many options to choose from that it can make your head spin. That is what we are here to help with today, to provide you with an in-depth guide on choosing the best 12V fridge freezer for van living.
Table of contents
Benefits of a 12V Fridge Freezer for Van Living
Let’s take a quick look at all of the main benefits that come with having a 12V fridge freezer for van living.
- Of course, the main benefit of having a 12V fridge freezer for van living is that you can keep perishable food in your van without worrying about it going bad. That means you can have constant access to fresh meat, dairy, and produce, instead of having to eat canned goods.
- Another benefit of having a 12V fridge freezer in your van is that this type of unit works as both a fridge and a freezer, which means that you can keep fresh produce cool while keeping frozen goods cold as ice.
- The other benefit of most 12V fridge freezers is that they most often run on various power sources, including both AC and DC power, with outlets, car batteries, and solar panels all making for viable options. There is also the fact that these units tend to be fairly energy efficient.
How to Choose the Best 12V Camper Refrigerator
Before we talk about the best 12V camper refrigerators, let’s take a look at the main purchasing considerations that you need to keep in mind.
Size and Weight
One of the most important features to pay attention to when choosing a 12 Volt camper refrigerator is how large and heavy it is. In terms of its overall size, you need to make sure that it will actually fit into your van.
So, pay attention to the overall dimensions, and compare this to the space that you have available in your van or camper for the fridge. You may also want to pay attention to the overall weight, as 12 Volt fridge freezers can differ significantly.
Depending on the vehicle you have, this could make quite the difference in terms of overall fuel economy.
Capacity
The next important aspect to pay attention to when choosing a 12V camping car fridge is its overall capacity.
What you need to think about here is how long you plan on being on the road, how many people you need to feed, and how long it will take you to get from one grocery store to another.
Also, if you plan on living on a campground, you might not want to go into town to go grocery shopping all that often. You should aim for a camping fridge that has at least 40 quarts of internal capacity, as this will ensure that you have enough space to fit all of the essentials.
Power Consumption
Something else to consider is that most 12V camping fridges use between 15 and 20 Ah per day. The power consumption is especially important to pay attention to, especially depending on your available power sources.
For instance, it might be fine to run a less energy efficient fridge if you can hook it up to constant AC power, such as at a campground. However, if you need to hook the fridge up to your van’s battery, or are using solar panels, then a more energy efficient model is called for. You don’t want these things draining your car battery.
Materials
Another important factor to consider when choosing a camping fridge is what it is made out of. Generally speaking, stainless steel is best, as it is corrosion resistant, fairly durable, and easy to clean. However, high quality-plastic is another option to consider.
You also want all of the hardware, such as the hinges and latches to be made out of stainless steel or other high-quality metals. It’s important because you need something that is impact resistant and durable overall.
Installation
The other consideration here is the installation of the fridge in question. Does it come with mounting hardware so you can easily bolt it down? Remember, you’re going to be driving around, so it has to be secured in one way or another to ensure that it doesn’t move around during transit.
The Best 5 12V Fridge Freezers: Our Top Picks
Now that we know what to look out for when choosing a 12V cooler freezer, let’s take a look at some of the top options out there.
VEVOR 12 Volt Refrigerator, 58 Quart Car Refrigerator
The number one best option out of all the 12-volt refrigerators has to be the VEVOR 12 Volt Refrigerator, 58 Quart Car Refrigerator.
This is a 58 quart or 55 liter fridge freezer that uses compressor technology to achieve cold temperatures quickly, down to -20 degrees Celsius or -4 degrees Fahrenheit. It can fit up to 60 standard size cans.
It comes with 12/24V DC and AC adaptors, so it can be plugged in virtually anywhere. It also comes with a built-in handle, cup holders, a removable internal basket, and an internal LED light as well.
Pros
- Durable build
- Efficient cooling
- Can use virtually any power source
- Control via phone app
- Plenty of internal space
Cons
- Could use wheels for portability
DOMETIC CFX3 Series
We then have the DOMETIC CFX3, a high-quality yet expensive 12V mini fridge that’s designed for outdoor use. It is able to achieve temperatures as low as -7°F, while also maintaining great energy efficiency, which is thanks to the powerful yet silent compressor.
What’s neat is that it comes with a phone app so you can monitor and adjust the temperature as needed. Keep in mind that this is a single-zone electric cooler with 36 liters of internal capacity, so it’s not exactly huge, but it certainly is portable and able to fit into small spaces.
Pros
- Stylish
- Portable
- User friendly
- Achieves low temperatures
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Comparatively expensive
- Low capacity
ICECO VL60 Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator
If it’s a spacious 12 volt fridge and freezer combination that you’re looking for, then look no further than the ICECO VL60 Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator. As the name implies, it comes with dual zones, both of which can be controlled independently and cooled down to 0-degrees Fahrenheit.
It can be powered by 12/24V DC or AC 110V-120V, and it is fairly energy efficient, using just 0.545KWH per 24 hours.
The big bonus with this unit is of course how large it is, coming in at 60 liters of 63 quarts, making it quite sizable indeed. Not only does it have a high capacity, but it also features a super durable build. That said, it is heavy and expensive.
Pros
- Very spacious
- Independent zones
- Durable hardware
- Carrying handles
- Well-insulated
- Great energy efficiency
Cons
- Very heavy
- High price
Engel MR040F Portable Fridge/Freezer
If you are looking for a durable 12 volt truck fridge, one that’s also highly energy efficient, check out the Engel MR040F Portable Fridge/Freezer. It comes in at 25″ x 15.5″ x 18.5″ and weighs 55 pounds, which is pretty moderate, plus it has an internal capacity of 40 quarts. It’s not huge, but it also doesn’t take up a ton of space in your van.
It’s made with a durable ABS plastic shell, along with really solid components. It features variable temperature control that is powered by a vibration resistant compressor for fast and efficient cooling. This unit uses only up to 2 amps per hour, making it one of the more energy efficient fridge freezers on the list today.
Pros
- Superior durability
- Precise temperature control
- Very portable
- Efficient operation
Cons
- Costly
- Limited internal capacity
Alpicool CF Series
If what you need is an affordable 12V fridge, then the Alpicool CF Series LGCF45 is worth looking into. Thanks to its compressor, it can achieve temperatures as low as -4°F(-20°C). It can run on both AC and DC power, so you have several options to choose from, plus it comes with car battery protection to prevent it from draining your car battery.
What’s nice is that it can be used as a fridge or freezer, plus it has a removable internal basket for organization. This unit has an internal capacity of 48 quarts, which should be enough for basic needs, while also allowing the fridge itself to stay small enough so that it’s portable and can easily fit into any tight space.
Pros
- Quite portable
- Good amount of interior space
- Good energy efficiency
- Can be used as a fridge or freezer
- LCD display
Cons
- Somewhat limited durability
- Can be a bit loud
FAQs about 12V Fridge Freezer
What’s the Most Important Consideration When Choosing a 12V Fridge Freezer?
Perhaps the most important consideration of all when choosing a 12 Volt fridge freezer is how energy efficient it is. This is especially the case if you plan on hooking it up to the battery of your van, truck, or camper. The less energy these models use, the better, because you don’t want your car battery getting drained.
How Much Power Should a Good 12V Mini Fridge for Van Living Draw?
As mentioned earlier, a good 12V fridge freezer for van living draws an average of 15 to 20 amp-hours per day, but there may be some that consume more or less, with 30 amp-hours per day being the absolute maximum you should aim for.
How Large Should a 12V Camper Fridge Be?
Exactly how large a 12 Volt camper fridge should be depends on what your needs are. For instance, a 48 quart or 45 liter unit should be able to fit around 48 cans of soda. Based on this, you can calculate how much room you need.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right 12 Volt Fridge for Van Living
The bottom line is that the number one best 12V fridge for van living has to be the VEVOR 12 Volt Refrigerator, 58 Quart Car Refrigerator. It’s energy-efficient, spacious yet portable, durable, and highly functional too. You just can’t go wrong with a van fridge like this! VEVOR really does make some great 12 Volt fridges for vans!
