The Best 12V Portable Fridge Freezers: Top Deals & In-Depth Reviews

Nowadays, the classic ice-filled camping cooler has given way to the substitute on the best 12v portable fridge freezer. You can find a wide range of these products at Wikihome.

Many people who fill containers with ice to keep beverages and food cold are eager to trade in the greasy mess of drifting food for the chilly, dry experience provided by 12v refrigerators.

Let's take a look at why they're so popular!

OUR TOP PICKS:

• Best For Overall: Engel MR040F-U1
• Best Bang For The Buck: Alpicool C15
• Best For Capacity: COSTWAY Car Refrigerator
• Best For Shock Proofing: Ausranvik 37 Quart
• Best For Appearance: Whynter FM-45G

What is the Best 12V Portable Fridge Freezer?

A 12-volt portable freezer functions similarly to a residential refrigerator, except they are much smaller and can run on 12v DC power. 

This feature implies that a 12v portable refrigerator may be plugged into a DC socket inside a car or truck via its cigarette lighter and powered by the vehicle's motor battery. 

These freezers are also highly efficient, and you can power them with a portable charger such as a rechargeable battery pack or a solar energy source. In addition, most appear to be sipped rather than chugged, making them ideal for travel. 

For a long road trip, you may connect them to a vehicle's DC charging outlet. You may also use them for long periods for camping purposes, operating on energy from the sun battery when boondocking off the grid. 

Most of them also come with a DC or AC power converter, allowing you to connect them into the wall socket at home or in any hotel room.

Let's take a look at the five best portable 12v refrigerators for traveling to discover why they are so popular.

#1. Engel MR040F-U1 - Best for Overall

Product's highlights

Refrigerators in RVs are not all made equal, so when looking for the ideal RV refrigerator, remember at all times. If you're looking for the most excellent refrigerator for your RV, this model from Engel will impress you with its outstanding performance. 

Engel's 12v portable refrigerator is incredible, which is well-designed, and we enjoy it. It is small and robust, so it'll hold up to being taken around. In addition, the heavy-duty plastic casing protects the critical components within. 

Despite its bulk, it is pretty light, which means two people may easily carry it without using a wheeled cart. In addition, this product's hue is highly pleasing to the eye and appears to be quite beautiful.

We cannot say enough good things about this device for performance; you can get ice soon since it chills and turns into ice quickly. Furthermore, the thermostat can be adjusted with ease using the small wheel on the side. 

You may appreciate how energy-efficient this refrigerator is. It can quickly switch from AC to DC power, with AC becoming the preferred option. However, we don't like this item because it doesn't have enough safeguards to prevent unauthorized entry. 

For example, because it isn't locked, other campers may steal beverages from it. Therefore, it would be best if the design had a dependable locking method. In any case, you have to secure your beverages and food with an old chain-and-lock approach.

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Pros:

• Quiet performance
• Energy saving
• Chills and make ice quickly
• Durable
• Easy to maintain and use

Cons:

• Not secured with a lock to deter illegal entry

Bottom Line:

After reviewing all the key features of this model, we can confidently state that this Engel MR040F-U1 Portable Fridge is an excellent choice. It's lightweight, long-lasting, chills fast, and, most importantly, it is energy-efficient. 

This fridge is simple to operate and clean, requiring little maintenance. It is ideal for keeping in your RV any time if you need stable storage for food and drink.

Related Products:

• Whynter 62 Quart Dual
• BODEGA 12 Volt Refrigerator
• BODEGA 12 Volt Car Refrigerator

#2. Alpicool C15 - Best for Bang for the Buck

Product's highlights

The Alpicool C20 may be the best freezer for you if you'd like a 12-volt fridge compressor that can deeply freeze your food. It is very inexpensive for the quality it provides and the capacity, which is quite remarkable. 

It can hold up to 20-25 cans or around 20 liters, making it ideal for an overnight camping trip with many mates. In addition, its convenient and easy appearance is appealing. 

However, it would be best to be cautious while carrying and setting it down because the plastic does not appear to be as robust as Dometic coolers. 

It has two modes: Eco and Max, but Eco saves lots of electricity. However, it only works while driving, and you connect it to a wall socket or the cigarette lighter. However, if you put this model on your batteries, it may cause issues. 

This product's battery safety mode is one of its pet peeves. Its maximum battery protection option will only switch off when the voltage level hits 11 volts, thus depleting the battery. 

Using an RV's battery to keep it going overnight might cause issues the next day. In addition, the lowest option reduces the battery voltage to 9.5 volts, which might cause battery damage.

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Pros:

• Maintains temperature accuracy 
• Temperature control is adjustable
• Temperature control is adjustable 
• Conserves energy 

Cons:

• Battery protective mode must be improved

Bottom Line:

But, aside from that, it can keep the internal temperature stable, which is helpful if you want to keep a precise temperature, such as for medical purposes. If you want to change the temperature level to match your thermometer, you may do that as well.

Related Products:

• Dometic CFX3 
• F40C4TMP 12V Car Fridge
• ICECO VL Pro Series

#3. COSTWAY Car Refrigerator - Best For Capacity

Product's highlights

This 12-volt portable freezer is a device that we will never be tired of, which means it cools drinks quickly and maintains them at the proper temperature while being on the road, making it ideal for long drives. 

This portable fridge freezer is great for tailgating; although there are up to 10 people at the party, you will never run out of cold drinks.

However, many consumers are taken aback by how it continues to spit out cold beverages even though they are taking wonderfully refreshing beverages from it.

You will love how it can store a large quantity (52 liters) and still go from 90 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit in only half an hour, which few fridges can do. It works well for protecting frozen foods from spoiling, especially while traveling. 

For those who hate wasting food cannot locate it in locations with electricity to plug it, the 12-volt DC power source option is ideal. We would not say it is a deal-breaker, but we believe it would be far easier to use if these were a few lights. 

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Pros:

• Keeps beverages cold for an extended period
• Can be used as an emergency refrigerator 
• Can hold a large number of beverages and cool them quickly 
• The digital LCD panel makes control simple

Cons:

• Quite heavier than other typical coolers

Bottom Line:

Although this RV fridge is a little heavier than a standard cooler, it still stands out over some typical portable ice boxes because of its integrated compressor. As a result, you will receive cold beverages all the time.

Related Products:

• Greyhoo Car Refrigerator
• Kohree 12 Volt Refrigerator
• NORCOLD INC 1.1 cu Refrigerator

#4. Ausranvik 37 Quart - Best For Shock Proofing

Product's highlights

This 12-volt freezer from Ausranvik is a brilliant option if you want to keep your food and beverages chilled even while it's scorching outside your campsite. 

The best feature of this portable refrigerator is how easy it is to clean: the drain outlet is integrated, so you do not have to roll it over to empty it. Instead, you remove the outlet, wait a few moments for it to drain, then wipe away any leftover moisture. 

Your children will prefer the USB charging port because it is convenient for them on a long trip. In addition, it stores a lot of stuff because of its 45-liter capacity, yet it is still tiny enough to fit in the back seat. 

In addition, its 12-Volt compressor can withstand temperatures as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to freeze liquid to ice. Although it took some time to freeze liquid, it was able to maintain its promise. 

However, the handles might be better because many users' hands cannot fit properly in their small grips, which you may prefer to carry by gripping from the bottom. 

Other aspects of design, on the other hand, are excellent. For example, its shockproof construction implies it can withstand bumpy roads where you can not stop the devices from bouncing up and down, even if they're fastened in place.

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Pros:

• 1.4 inches thick insulation to keep things chilly 
• Has an LED display and touch control  
• Has a sleek, shock-resistant design 
• Easy to clean
• Energy-efficient and keeps your preferred temperature 

Cons:

• For those with large hands, the side grips are insufficient

Bottom Line:

Aside from that flaw, it is a good freezer for any situation. When you go on a journey, you can even carry steak! The Ausranvik transportable freeze is undoubtedly not to be dismissed.

Related Products:

●     Euhomy 12 Volt Refrigerator

●     Brevino Car refrigerator 12v

●     F40C4TMP 12V Car Fridge Refrigerator

#5. Whynter FM-45G - Best For Appearance

Product's highlights

This Whynter FM-45G model is the ideal one to choose if you want to take an actual refrigerator on your excursions. 

This 12-volt portable cooler has a sleek, no-nonsense industrial style that, at first glance, does not appear to run on your cigarette lighter, but it most certainly does. 

You may use it with either DC or AC power, depending on what is accessible at the moment. The flat top of this bench-style portable freezer may be used as a small desk. 

The Whynter FM-45G should not, however, be seated on since the pressure of a body might weaken the insulating barrier on the lid. Due to how effectively it can keep its low temperature, it is as if you are operating it from your house instead of your vehicle, which is excellent for its affordable price. 

One of the best features of this device is that it doesn't require the use of insulated coverings or coats to keep the cold out, which is fantastic. It indicates that it is well-insulated. 

It keeps a consistent temperature continuously, which is far superior to conventional coolers that chill at the base but are warmer at the top. 

Nevertheless, since you can only adjust it to one degree, keeping some items cool while freezing the rest might be a drawback. You risk freezing everything if you tune it to a shallow temperature. 

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Pros:

• Maintains cold temperature effectively
• Switch between AC and DC easily 
• Very modern, industrial look 
• Made of heavy-duty material 

Cons:

• Quite heavier than other regular portable freezers
• Difficult to fit in most trucks due to the large dimension 

Bottom Line:

One way around it is to build your divider and insulate the opposite side. You can make something comparable to a DualZone freezer this way.

Related Products:

●     F40C4TMP 12V Refrigerator

●     SetPower RV45 Refrigerator

●     JoyTutus Portable Freezer 

Consider these factors when purchasing a 12v portable fridge to make a wiser decision.

Dimension And Design

Consider Its Dimension And Design 

When searching for a portable 12v refrigerator, dimension and design are two of the most important aspects to consider. 

According to your camping needs, the 12v freezer you choose should be big enough to hold enough foodstuff for your passengers for the duration of your trip. However, it also has to be tiny enough to fit the type of your car and close enough with a 12v outlet. 

You should also think about the fridge's weight, especially if you need to move it. Finally, consider the design of the 12v refrigerator concerning your unique use, which includes its door opens and where the vent is located.

Price

Also, shop around for the best deal! While prices vary, these models are often expensive, but you won't have to buy ice every several days or waste money on rotten food.

Power Consumption

Consider the amount of energy used. While all of these freezers are energy efficient, some consume more than others. Therefore, the quantity of solar power and battery available to power your refrigerator off the grid is essential.

What Are The Advantages Of 12 Volt Fridges?

It Is Ideal For Traveling

A portable freezer has several advantages. First, you do not have to buy ice to keep your beverages and food safe and cool to consume. You also won't have to worry about melted ice or spoiled food. 

Another vital advantage of 12v freezers is that they may transport medication that has to be kept cool. However, refrigerating medication in an ice freezer is not ideal, and it might be harmful if the average temp is not low enough. 

Food safety is a significant advantage of 12v refrigerators. When traveling, using a thermostat-regulated temperature to safeguard your dairy, meats, and eggs is invaluable.

In addition, unlike absorbing refrigerators found in many RVs, 12v freezers do not require nearly perfectly flat ground to function correctly. They are also tiny enough to fit in virtually any camping situation if you are not hiking, biking, or riding a motorcycle.

A portable fridge is a fantastic addition to your RV since it addresses many difficulties, especially when it comes to food storage. When you eventually have a camping fridge, you'll realize that you never camp without one. 

Get the best 12v portable refrigerator freezer if you want chilled beverages and fresh foodstuff while on a wildlife expedition. Engel MR040F-U1 appears to be the ideal one due to its energy-saving mode and excellent quiet performance.

Thanks for reading!