Whether you’re planning a road trip or a family day out, a car fridge can be an invaluable addition to your vehicle. The ability to have chilled drinks or food properly stored can not only save you money on needing to buy supplies on the road, but you don’t need to make a detour on your trip. Here are some of the things we considered before purchasing our car fridge. Reasons why we needed a car fridge and what we looked for when researching for the best car refrigerator.
Benefits of Owning a Car Fridge
Car fridges have the potential to offer a number of benefits. As we just touched on, the major benefit of owning a car fridge is convenience. You can keep your food and drinks cold and fresh when you’re on the go. This can be particularly useful if you’re camping, planning a long road trip or organizing a picnic.
Reasons Why We Considered Buying a Car Fridge
One of the reasons we were looking to purchase a car fridge was to keep our food and drinks cool. When traveling we had always used an esky and cold blocks. This worked but when camping or staying in motels we always needed to refreeze the blocks over night. Fridges in motels often couldn’t fit all of our ice blocks in the small freezer area.
By having a car fridge we could keep essential foods such as milk, cheese, water, etc cold and fresh. So, when traveling in summer for extended periods, our cold items don’t spoil and have be thrown away.
This can also save money as you won’t need to continually buy ice for a cooler when you’re out and about or need to buy overpriced items on the road. You can stock up on your favorite items from your regular stores and the car fridge will maintain a consistent temperature to help perishable items stay fresh for longer. So, even if traveling in summer or on the road for an extended period, there’s no need to worry about items spoiling.
This is also crucial to avoid food-related sickness. Car fridges keep food items at a safe temperature to reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses. There is nothing worse than eating something that upsets your stomach when traveling. Not only the inconvenience of feeling unwell while you’re away from home, but you could miss out on a great portion of your trip.
Having a car fridge is a practical investment for enjoying outdoor activities, spending time on the road or just want the convenience of having fresh food and drinks on hand when traveling.
Key Considerations Before Purchasing a Car Fridge
There are plenty of car fridges available, but the best car fridge will depend on your preferences and requirements. To choose the right car fridge for you, there are a few things you’ll need to consider.
1/ Car Fridge Capacity:
One of the most obvious things to look at is the capacity of the fridge. If you simply want to have a couple of cool drinks for days out, a small model will be adequate. But if you’re planning a long road trip or camping, this capacity will not be enough for you. Think about how much you are likely to store on your outdoor adventures and consider the capacity accordingly.
2/ What is the Power Source:
Most car fridges are battery powered and are usually compatible with your vehicle. There are 12v, 24v and AC models, so you’ll need to think about compatibility. Some of the best models are also energy saving, offering great cooling capability without excessively draining your car battery. You’re regret saving a few dollars on a cheaper model if it is not efficient and uses a lots of power.
3/ Temperature Control:
Some models have a simple on off mechanism, which is sufficient if you want to keep a few bottles of drinks cool. But for more comprehensive needs, it is a good idea to look for a model with temperature controls. This will allow you to set the optimum temperature to keep perishable items fresher for longer.
4/ Portability and Empty Weight of Car Fridge:
Since you will be taking the fridge in your car, it should be easy to transport. Ensure that it is not too heavy to carry to your picnic area or it has wheels to make the transfer easier. We wanted a car fridge with wheels to make it more portable. So, that we could roll it out of our car as we didn’t have enough height to fit a slide.
5/ Noise Level:
If you’re planning on using the fridge when you’re camping, look for a model that has quiet operation. It can be quite surprising at how noisy some models can be when you’re set up in the great outdoors. With no other background noises and this hum prevents you from sleeping.
6/ Car Fridge Brand and Warranty:
For peace of mind, it tends to be worth looking at reputable brands that provide warranty coverage. You don’t want the worry that your fridge will break down when you’re in the outback and relying on it for your provisions. Before making our decision on brand, we looked at forums to see reviews of car fridges and what were common issues.
Features to Look for When Buying a Car Fridge
In addition to the above considerations, there are a few features you may want to look out for to find the best car refrigerator for you.
1/ Dual Zones:
There are some car fridges that have a separate fridge and freezer compartment. This can be handy if you’re on a long road trip or camping and want to have a few frozen items on hand. After all, there is nothing like enjoying some ice cream on a hot day of outdoor adventures. It can also be nice to have ice for cold drinks or even have a few frozen, quick meals for those busy days.
Take into account if you can use both zones of the car fridge at the same time. When researching we found that some can run as a fridge or freezer but not both at the same time. While others you can choose between the two zones as to which space you need for a fridge and the other space as freezer.
2/ Digital Controls:
While there is nothing wrong with having a control dial, when you’re moving a car fridge or packing it with all your supplies, it can be easy to accidentally nudge it out of place. If you don’t immediately notice this mistake, it can compromise the temperature and safety of your food items. On the other hand, digital controls make it easy to monitor and adjust the settings to ensure that they remain at the optimum level.
3/ Accessories:
In theory, one refrigerator compartment can be functional, but having accessories such as dividers, baskets and covers can make it easier to keep everything organized. This can minimize the risk of items getting buried at the back and forgotten to reduce food waste. Also, you might consider purchasing a battery to keep the fridge working when away from power sources.
4/ Additional Power Options:
While it can be simple to run your car fridge from your vehicle battery, this is not always practical. On a long trip, you may not want to put your car battery under this additional pressure. Fortunately, there are models that have solar power options or are compatible with external battery packs.
5/ Connectivity:
Some models also feature WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity that allow you to remote monitor the appliance. This can be invaluable if the power supply starts to run low, as you can get an alert on your phone, so you can take action to prevent food spoilage.
Popular Car Fridge Brands and Models
While it is possible to find car fridges from numerous brands, it is nice to have the reassurance of a well known and popular brand. There are a number of brands that have garnered a reputation for the quality, reliability and features of their car fridge models. Some of the most popular brands include:
Dometic:
Dometic is perhaps the most well known brand in the portable fridge and camping equipment sector. This brand’s car fridges are often praised for efficiency, durability and advanced features. The Dometic line up includes a variety of models and sizes including dual zone car fridges that offer cooling and freezing.
ARB:
If you’re an off-road or adventure enthusiast, you’re likely to be familiar with the brand ARB. This brand offers fridges that are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and rugged conditions. ARB appliances are well regarded for robust construction, efficient performance and innovative features.
Engel:
Engel is often recognized for reliability and appliance longevity. These models feature the unique Sawafuji Swing Motor, a highly efficient, durable compressor that can handle harsh conditions.
Whynter:
Whynter tends to offer more budget friendly options, but its products still offer good performance and versatile features. If you’re on a limited budget, you’re likely to appreciate the value for money Whynter appliances represent.
Alpicool:
Alpicool is another budget conscious brand with appliances at a lower price point. There are various sizes of fridges, but you can still find some nice features including digital controls and dual zones.
Costway:
Costway is a good option for those looking for a car fridge for casual use. These models are a good entry level option with basic features and decent cooling performance that are well suited for occasional trips or shorter outdoor adventures.
SetPower:
SetPower fridges are efficient and compact with practical features such as battery protection which prevent the appliance draining your car battery.
ICECO:
ICECO is well known for high quality construction and fridges with efficient cooling. The product line up includes features such as low noise and fast cooling, making them a good choice for casual users and the serious adventurer.
BougeRV:
BougeRV has portable models with user-friendly designs. These energy efficient fridges often have multiple power options, advanced compressor systems and digital displays.
Koolatron:
Koolatron specializes in thermoelectric coolers that offer a lightweight and compact portable fridge option. These don’t tend to reach the low temperatures offered with a compressor fridge, but they can be used to keep items cool.
Car Fridges In Conclusion
Car fridges can enhance your travel experience. You can pack up your supplies at home and plan your journey without needing to make frequent stops for drinks, meals and snacks. This can not only save money, but can allow you to make good time on your journey. But, bear in mind that the best car fridge will be well suited to your specific needs and preferences. By choosing the right model, you can enjoy the convenience of a car fridge on all your outdoor adventures. So, if you’re thinking about a car fridge, be sure to check out the options at your local retailers or online to find the perfect model for you.