The Best Refrigerators for Vanlife (2021)
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Aside from choosing your camper van itself and perhaps your solar setup, choosing a refrigerator for vanlife is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make during your van conversion.
Road-ready refrigerators don’t really come cheap and they’re a crucial vanlife essential to living luxuriously on the road (we need to eat, after all!).
Nowadays, there are TONS of DC car refrigerators on the market. On one hand, that’s good because it drives some prices down and forces long time brands (like Dometic and Norcold) to compete. On the other, it makes it all the harder to pick out quality brands that will last multiple years on the road. The more the market gets saturated, the harder it is to discern quality.
Which is where we come in!
We’ve poured over tons of camper van refrigerators and picked out the best ones currently available.
Specifically, we’ll be talking about the best compressor refrigerators for camper van living, because compressor refrigerators are by far the best choice for vanlife refrigeration. For reasons why that is so, we encourage you to check out our guide on how to choose a camper van refrigerator.
We broke down each model or series into pros, cons, and important specs so you can choose the best camper van fridge for you.
Here are our favorites to get you started:
Top pick: Dometic CFX3
Maybe we’re biased because we’ve had awesome luck with our Dometic CFX fridge, but if so, we join a class of thousands of vanlifers who say the same. Dometic has been a long-time favorite for outfitting camper van kitchen and for good reason. They’re not cheap, but they are tried and true!
Budget pick: ICECO JP Series
Not the MOST energy efficient or sleek looking, but the ICECO machines are great for the money. Plus, they come with one of the best compressor warranty periods (5 years!) out of any machine on this list. So if you’re a little nervous about skimping on price and quality, know they back the heart of these machines.
High-end Pick: ARB
These babies don’t run cheap but if you have the cash to spend on them, they are quality. Built with overlanding in mind, these are super durable and have tons of great features.
NAVIGATION FOR THE BEST CAMPER VAN REFRIGERATORS
Our Criteria
Comparison Overview Chart
Best Van Chest Refrigerators
Best Van Upright Refrigerators
Best Van Drawer Refrigerators
OUR CRITERIA FOR THE BEST CAMPER VAN REFRIGERATORS
Style:
There are three different styles of camper van refrigerators: chest, upright, and drawer. We won’t get into the nitty gritty of each (we do that here), but you will notice an abundance of chest fridge options and far fewer of the other two. This is because chest refrigerators are generally preferred by vanlifers. They’re portable, easy to install, space-efficient in any camper van layout, and make it so things are less likely to fall out after shifting on the road.
Power Draw:
Obviously power draw and energy efficiency are SUPER important when you live in an off-grid van. No matter how souped up your power vanlife gadgets are, you always want to be conserative, especially with something like a fridge that must always have power or else risk food spoiling.
We used amp hours (Ah) to measure this, as that’s what most battery systems are rated in. Some refrigerator manufacturers give the average Ah, while others we had to break our math hats and do some complicated conversions (that way you don’t have to!).
If you’re curious as to how we did it, here is what we did:
Amps x Volts (12V assuming you’re running a DC circuit) = Wattage; Wattage x 8 hours (estimated fridge run time in 24 hours) = Wh/24 hours; Wh/24 hours ÷ 24 = Wh; Wh ÷ Voltage (again, 12V) = Ah
Not hard math, but certainly lots of steps to keep straight!
However, please NOTE THESE ARE ESTIMATED AMP HOURS. That’s super important to bear in mind. See, ridges are tricky because it’s not a steady power draw. They draw the most when they kick on and start the compressor, draw less while cooling, and don’t draw anything when the compressor kicks off.
Also, bear in mind these were calculated based on assuming your fridge is running an average of 8 hours per day (which is reasonable in moderate temperature). Obviously, the true average amperage per hour depends on a variety of factors, namely how much it needs to actually compress which then depends on the ambient temperature.
AC or DC:
Does it run on just DC circuits or AC circuits, too? When on the road, you will pretty much exclusively run DC. However, having the ability to run off AC if you’re plugged into shore power or want to take your fridge indoors is a nice perk.
Temperature range:
All these fridges are obviously designed to keep food cold, but some can go even colder (thus functioning as a freezer if you so choose).
Some fridges are rated to specific temperate ranges whereas others are simply rated to a range from the ambient temperature. For example, the Engel MR040F is rated to “80°F from ambient”, meaning that if it’s 80°F in your van, it will cool to 0°F. The hotter it is outside, the less it will cool down. Read our summer vanlife tips for what to do in these situations.
Low-voltage shut-off (LVS):
Low-voltage shut-off features means the fridge will shut off when a battery reads as low. Some have different sensitivities for which you can program this, but they’ll usually trigger when your battery bank is around 50%.
Which, if you run lead-acid or AGM/gel batteries, you can only use 50% of your battery capacity anyway before risking damage to them.
A fridge is risky for that because they can easily just keep running your batteries dry without you even realizing it!
Other considerations:
Aside from those big concepts, we also read lots of reviews and poured over features lists to create detailed pro/con lists for each refrigerator, based on real customer reviews and performance.
BEST CHEST CAMPER VAN REFRIGERATORS
Dometic CFX3 Series (Our Top Camper Van Refrigerator Pick)
Image credit Dometic
Pros:
The most popular vanlife refrigerator brand/series
2 year limited warranty
Energy efficient
Available in multiple sizes (45L, 55L, 75L, 95L, and 100L)
Both single and dual-zone options
Low-voltage shut-off
AC and DC capabilities
Can be paired with the Dometic app
Reinforced body for durability
Reversible and removable lid
Replacement parts available
Has fridge slides specially designed for it
Drain feature for dual use as cooler
USB port for charging electronics
Cons:
Expensive
Not the best customer service (from personal experience from other Dometic products)
Can get stinky over time if not cleaned up regularly
Also available: Dometic / Backcountry / REI
ICECO JP Series (Our Budget Camper Van Refrigerator Pick)
Image credit ICECO
Pros:
Mid-range budget
Cup holders on lid (great for use as a cooler stored between front seats)
Available in a variety of colors
AC and DC capabilities
Has fridge slides specially designed for it
Can operate up to 40 degrees from level
5-year warranty on compressor and 1-year warranty on other parts
Thicker insulation will work for days even without power
Low-voltage shut-off with 3 levels
Eco mode for great energy conservation
“Build like a tank” according to reviews
Cons:
No internal light
Tacky appearance
Only smaller (40L and 47L) sizes available unless shopping ICECO’s other fridge liners
Loud on Max Mode
No drain feature
ARB 108 Series (Our Best High-End Camper Van Refrigerator Pick)
Image credit ARB
Pros:
Durable, high-quality build designed for overlanding and harsh conditions
Extremely energy efficient
Can operate up to 30 degrees from level
Some models have Bluetooth control
Has fridge slides specially designed for it
Variety of looks to choose from, including the stainless-steel Elements models
Dual-zone options
Some have passcode protected locking system
Spring strut hinge support holds the lid open on its own
Available in many sizes (35L, 47L, 60L, 73L, 77L, and 95L)
AC and DC capabilities
3-year warranty
Increased fridge cabinet insulation thickness
Recessed rear remote monitor transmitter positioned to be protected from the weather
3 stage low-voltage shut-off battery protection
Very quiet compressor
Lighter than many despite the high cooling capacity
Cons:
The MOST expensive chest cooler option
Lid opens lengthwise making it harder to store under kitchen counters
Freezer can maintain previously frozen foods but reviews claim it isn’t powerful enough to freeze unfrozen foods
Must calibrate thermostat display for accurate reading
Compressor section is sensitive to dust
Image credit Norcold
Pros:
Reversible and removable lid
Low-voltage shut-off (with 3 settable levels that prevent battery drain)
Available in multiple sizes (30L, 45L, and 60L)
One of the quietest compressors
Corrosion-proof plastic exterior
Removable wire basket
Cools quickly
Cons:
Expensive
DC power only
Only one temperature setting (can be either refrigerator or freezer, but not both at the same time)
Cannot order replacement parts unless you are a dealer
Image credit Whynter
Pros:
Available in multiple sizes (45L, 65L, 85L, and 90L)
AC and DC capabilities
Mid-range budget option
“Fast Freeze” mode cools to -6°F in about 45 minutes
Reversible and removable lid
Dual temperature zone options (even some that can be a fridge AND freezer at the same time)
Can operate up to 30 degrees from level
High-temperature warning alarm
Less energy-efficient than most
Cons:
No low-voltage shut-off
Not the best customer service
Not as much longevity as other brands (3-4 years on average according to reviews)
Only has 1-year warranty
Wider than most, making it harder to fit in a van
Must pay for shipping and repairs if broken
Image credit Engel
Pros:
Very reliable
One of the longest reported running times on average
Utilizes a highly efficient reciprocating compressor
Highly energy efficient, with only one moving part in the motor
Draws 40% less than a traditional compressor
3-year warranty
AC and DC capabilities
80°F from ambient temperature
Cons:
Not as sleek looking as other models
Expensive
Only available in one smaller size (though Engel does make other lines of fridges in more sizes)
No low-voltage shut-off
Image credit @the.lay.over for Costaway
Pros:
Low-voltage shut-off
Cools 90°F to 32°F in 30 minutes
Available in various sizes (35L, 45L, 50L, 55L, and 65L)
Shockproof design
AC and DC capabilities
Various greyscale color themes to choose from
Eco setting for greater energy conservation
Some models ajhve wheel and telescoping handle for easy portability
Very quiet compressor
Cons:
Dual compartments but NOT Dual Temperature Control
Poor customer service for issues
Variety of reports regarding longevity (some say failed within a year while others have been using for years with no problems)
Made in China and the manual is apparently in broken English
Image credit BougeRV
Pros:
Inexpensive
Energy efficient
Available in tons of sizes (8L, 22L, 28L, 35L, 40L, 45L, 50L, and 55L)
App control
AC and DC capabilities
2-year warranty
Comes with cutting board that stowed inside lid
Wheels and slide out handle for easy portability
USB port for charging electronics
Detachable and reversible door
Dual zone in different splits depending on needs for fridge/freezer space
Drain hole
Fast cooling down to 32℉
3 level low-voltage shut-off
ECO mode for extra energy efficiency
Cons:
No repair policy beyond warranty
Newer brand long-term reliability/longevity is yet unknown
Cannot run directly of vehicle DC port
Also available: Amazon
Image credit Alpicool
Pros:
Inexpensive
3 stage low-voltage shut-off battery protection
Can operate up to 45 degrees from level
Vibration resistant design
ECO and HH modes
HUGE range of sizes available (from 9L to 56L)
Two dual zone options
Cons:
Not as energy efficient
Most inexpensive ones are not dual zone (can be fridge or freezer but not both at the same time)
No warranty
BEST UPRIGHT CAMPER VAN REFRIGERATORS
Image credit Dometic
Pros:
3-in-1 solution: fridge, freezer or both at the same time!
2-year limited warranty
Energy efficient
Spacious sizes (50L, 60L, and 130L)
Low-voltage shut-off
AC and DC capabilities
Sleek stainless steel look
Will fit a gallon of milk
Cons:
Larger sizes are expensive
Doesn’t get as cold as other chest fridges
Upright design means things can shift and fall out after driving
Reviews claim the longevity isn't great (~2 years in bad reviews)
Norcold NR751BB
Pros:
Image credit Norcold
4-star rated energy efficiency
Mid range price for good quality
Easy to clean
Black exterior doesn’t show dirt and streaks
Easy to fit in smaller spaces
Wire retainer for keeping taller items secure
Can be flush- or proud-mounted without additional hardware
2-year warranty
Cons:
Reviews claim its longevity isn’t the best
Only available in 50L and 75L sizes
DC only base model - Can upgrade to AC with addition power cord
Draws 5.5 amps while cooling meaning it’s not the most energy efficient
No low-voltage shut-off
BEST DRAWER CAMPER VAN REFRIGERATORS
Image credit Fotornr for Dometic
Pros:
2-year limited warranty
Energy efficient hermetic compressor
Inexpensive for a Dometic
Locking slide function released only with handle level
Space saving
Low-voltage shut-off
Cons:
Harder to install (must be hardwired to a fuse panel)
DC only
Only smaller capacities available (18L, 30L, and 48L)
Refrigerator only, no freezer function (unless getting the 50qt model)
Single compartment
Reviews complain of the door coming off due to poor fastening mechanism
Much smaller cooling range than others
Before You Drive Away…
As you can see, none of these vanlife refrigerators are perfect, but all of them are suited to road life. Which one you pick just depends on what your needs are and what you value.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out and ask. We’re not experts on all these models (we’ve only used the Dometic CFX series ourselves) but we’re more than willing to dig in and do the research to help put your cooling concerns on ice.
**This post contains affiliate links to support the continued creation of these van life guides. This just means that if you purchase something from one of the links above, I get a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Read more here or reach out with more questions.