Compressor-driven portable fridge/freezers have a more powerful compressor motor that allows not only more cooling power but cooling that’s more consistent regardless of ambient temperature. The good thing about this is that, unlike an absorption refrigerator, (like the 3-way fridges in most RVs), a compressor fridge can cool more consistently and to lower temperatures.Īgain, RV absorption fridges tend to cool only to a certain level (usually 40℉) below ambient (outside) temperature. Portable freezers and refrigerators are generally compressor-powered. Let’s recap about compressor-driven 12V fridge/freezers for just a moment. If you want to be able to use your unit as a fridge AND a freezer at the same time, you’ll want to be sure that you’re purchasing a dual-zone model that can do that. Single-zone units can be used as 12 volt refrigerators OR freezers, but not both concurrently. If you’re only looking to use the unit as a portable freezer, you may prefer a single zone unit offering you one large space for your frozen goods. You’ll also want the unit to be very well insulated as this will help with the energy efficiency of the fridge/freezer. Construction (Including Insulation)īe sure the units you look at are made of a high-quality, durable material like stainless steel, for example, or other rugged, heavy-duty materials. For example, will you be moving the unit from the car to a hotel room or tent frequently? If so, you may want to consider getting one with wheels to offset the need to carry a large-capacity, heavy 12-volt refrigerator/freezer. You’ll also want to consider how heavy the unit is before you buy one that’s difficult for you to carry if you intend to move it from place to place. Generally, you’ll see sizes listed in cubic feet. This will allow you to search only for the units that can handle the volume of food you need it to hold. You’ll want to determine the desired size/capacity of your portable fridge/freezer before you shop. These things barely keep foods cool and may be fine for certain uses, but that type of cooler is not what we’re talking about today. Remember – the safety of other foods in your freezer may also be compromised.Īlong these lines, be careful when you’re shopping for 12-volt fridges because sometimes what you’re really getting is an electric cooler. If a portable freezer isn’t capable of keeping your ice cream and popsicles hard-frozen, then it’s not the freezer you want. If a freezer section can’t keep your ice cream frozen hard, then it’s not the portable freezer you want! Some portable 12V fridges have small freezer sections that aren’t powerful enough to keep frozen foods frozen solid. It’s also very important that a portable freezer can freeze your food and maintain that status for as long as you need it to. So, a highly efficient portable refrigerator/freezer is what we want to look for when shopping.
Depending on how you plan to use it, this may be one of the most important features. We don’t want a unit that will drain the battery supplying its power.
But RVers, especially those of us who enjoy boondocking, know that we have limited power onboard an RV or in a car or boat setting. If you’re only planning to use the fridge/freezer at home or in a hotel or college dorm setting, you may not care as much about this feature. There are also a few additional features that you’ll want to consider as you shop. So, that’s the main function you’ll want to work well in a portable freezer or fridge/freezer. We all understand that the purpose of a portable freezer or compressor fridge with a freezer zone is to keep food cold. What to Look For in a Portable Freezer or 12V Fridge/Freezer
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