The venerable cooler is a technology as old as time. Take a box, insulate it, fill it with cold things (ice, frozen fish, popsicles, etc.) and it keeps things cold – for a while, at least. Once the ice melts, a cooler won’t stay cool for long. Thankfully, modern technology has shrunk the mechanical innards of a refrigerator down to the point that, with a bit of battery power, solar power, or even wind power, these rolling, portable fridges and freezers can stay cold – or frozen – indefinitely, or at least for much, much longer than that box of styrofoam you’ve had for three decades. Some even charge up your phone, headlamp, and other USB-powered tech.
At the top of this post are fridges we’ve reviewed hands-on in the order in which they’ve been tested. Beneath that are fridges we like but haven’t officially tested in the “Honorable Mentions” category.
Our Top Picks
ARB — ZERO 47-Quart Fridge
In our review of the ARB ZERO 47-quart fridge, we said the “goldilocks ratio of great performance delivered by an attractive product is the ultimate goal, and that’s exactly how we would describe the ARB Zero 47QT.” It does a great job of keeping your food organized and cold. And, when you open the tailgate of your rig, you’ll take a moment to appreciate how cool this fridge looks, too.”
The ZERO-47 can also work as a freezer and get as cold as -7° F. Dual 12-volt connections mean it can be stored in any orientation, and the lid closes tight with a satisfying click of the heavy-duty latch. It will also run on a 120-volt wall current, and a USB port is also included for charging up devices. The non-slip top can double as a workspace, seat, or food prep spot. And while it is just a fancy icebox for keeping your grub cold, it’s one of the better industrial designs we’ve seen so far.
MSRP: $1,136.00
Dometic — CFX3 45 46-Liter Fridge
Dometic’s CFX3 45, despite its name, is actually a 46-liter fridge. And over months of testing during various trips, it’s continued to excel in terms of performance and durability. Its stand-out features include a compact size compared to its large interior volume, an awesome user interface and features, and excellent build quality, just to name a few. Though Dometic fridges aren’t the most affordable options on the market, like most good overland equipment, they fall into the ‘buy once, cry once’ category and deserve to be atop every overlander’s shopping list. Read our full review here.
National Luna — Legacy 50L Dual-Control
National Luna’s Legacy line of fridges/freezers has earned its reputation as a durable, efficient, top-tier choice for an overlanding fridge. However, it lacks some of the new connectivity found on its competitors. Aside from the quibbles about that control panel, there is very little not to like about the unit. (Note: the recently released “Smart QC” update provides the missing connectivity options and updates the control panel). It’s extremely efficient, it’s built like a tank, it’s been proven in over 30 years of use around the world, and frankly, I find it to be the best-looking fridge on the market (some of my colleagues disagree). Read our full review here.
Dometic — CFX3 55IM
The Dometic CFX3 55IM is a stylishly designed and efficient 12-volt fridge with plenty of capacity for a weekend trip backed up by rockstar customer service. While it is only a single-zone, that IM stands for “Ice Maker,” which is my only real complaint about the fridge. It doesn’t take up much space, but when you’re out in the backcountry, every inch for food storage is useful. There are very few times that I need ice. However, I can attest that it does indeed make very small ice cubes — and you can use them in a gin and tonic. Read our full review here.
BougeRV Rocky 41QT Dual Zone 12V Portable Fridge
There’s a lot to like about the BougeRV 41QT 12-Volt Dual-Zone Portable Fridge, from the chiseled good looks to the split fridge/freezer compartments. But the best aspect of the 41QT is its versatility. Not only can it be powered by a 12-volt connection in your rig, camper, or trailer, but it will also run off an optional modular battery pack that attaches for fully portable operation, or solar panels, 24-volt sources, and 120-volt wall current back home.
In addition, three power level settings help extend the run time when on battery power, and it can work as a fridge, freezer, or both at the same time. The lid can open from either side to accommodate tight spaces, and the interior includes LED lights for quickly (and discreetly) finding a snack after hours. The carry handles fold flush to the sides, and there’s even a bottle opener, which every cooler should have. It is also available in three larger sizes. Be on the lookout for our full review of this model soon.
Honorable Mentions
Gold Zero Alta 50 12-Volt Fridge
Goal Zero is best known for its big Yeti power banks and other off-grid power solutions, but the company also offers portable powered fridges that will run for many hours off those power banks, of course. The $799 Alta 50 would be our choice, and it has a 53-liter capacity, which can be better visualized as about 80 cans of your favorite beverage.
The Alta 50 can freeze things down to -4° F, and it also comes with an insulated cover that increases efficiency, along with adding some external pockets for cords, snacks, or other small items. The metal exterior and reinforced corners are ready for the rigors or travel, and folding handles make it easier to move around at the campsite. You can also keep tabs on temperature and more through the Goal Zero app. You could conceivably keep it running on-site for a couple of weeks or more when powered by a battery pack like the Yeti 4000. And since you don’t need to make room for ice, you can really pack in the provisions for that long getaway.
Anker Everfrost 50-Liter Battery-Powered Cooler
Plugging your portable cooler into a 12-volt powerlet or battery pack that can muster 120 Volts A/C is fine and all, but nothing beats the convenience of a cooler that can do that plus has a built-in battery, allowing it to wander away from the campsite to the lake, beach or river for the day – or longer. Anker, better known as a maker of computer peripherals, large battery banks, and portable phone chargers, has channeled their battery expertise into the Everfrost 50, a tidy, wheeled, self-contained, battery-powered portable fridge that can also be plugged into just about anything for power.
The modular, quick-swap battery will run the Everfrost 50 at 39°F for up to 27 hours, according to Anker. In or out of the fridge, the battery also offers USB power points, and it can be directly charged to 100% in under 4 hours from a 100-watt solar array on a sunny day. Dual zones in the 53-liter box allow for keeping some items frozen while others are kept cool. Large wheels make rolling it around much easier, and the folding carry handle can also work as a small prep table. A top-mounted info panel lets you keep tabs on the temperature and battery at a glance or keep tabs on it from a distance via the Anker app.
Dometic CCF-T Ford F-150/Super Duty/Expedition Center Console Refrigerator
Sure, you’ve got that fridge or cooler in your camper, trailer, or pickup bed, but retrieving a cold beverage while driving down the highway or navigating off-road means stopping, maybe unpacking some gear to get to the fridge, digging through it to find your drink, then repacking and getting underway again. It is a hassle, to be sure, but it can be avoided by installing Dometic’s CCF-T fridge between the front seats of your Ford F-150, Super Duty, or Expedition.
The F-150-spec mini-fridge will hold eight 12-ounce cans or six 17-ounce bottles of your favorite road soda, while the Super Duty and Expedition version is a half-liter larger. Once installed, it looks like an OEM fitment. It’s built to essentially drop right into the center console with a minimum of hassle, so there’s no drilling, cutting, or modifying your truck required, but you may need a small install kit from Dometic. Then, just hook it up to the truck’s 12-volt power and push the power button when you head out on your trip. There are even a pair of USB powerpoints on the front for charging phones and such. The fridge box itself is insulated like a cooler, so items will stay cold for hours even when the power is off. It is a luxury? Sure, but if you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, it’s easy to see it as a necessity.
Kakadu 45-Liter Transit Fridge
Not everyone can justify four digits for a 12-volt fridge, especially if it’s not going to see a ton of use throughout the year. Just need something simple and affordable for those annual planned outings? Check out the Kakadu Transit, a 45-liter 12-Volt DC or 120/240-Volt AC fridge that will keeps your drinks or food cold – but not frozen.
The tough polypropylene chassis shrugs off impacts and should last for many years of travel and storage. Kakadu is an Aussie brand, but South Korean mega-company LG makes the compressor. There are LED lights inside for discreet night-time snack attacks. An exterior display and a couple of buttons make setup and adjustments a snap. The Transit is not fancy, but 45 liters is a lot of cooled storage capacity for the price, and it can do double duty as a party fridge, poolside cooler, or deck drink cache while plugged into the wall current.
ARB — 63 Quart Elements Portable Fridge/Freezer
The ARB Element 63-quart fridge is a continued stand out in the market. Not only is weather rated, but it also features an infinite-position gas strut. That means the lid stays where you put it no matter the angle, and that translates to no smashed heads or hands when the lid unexpectedly drops. Plus, it’s made of 304-grade stainless steel, so you can be sure this fridge can take a beating for years to come. More stand-out features include inset handles and low-profile latches so your other gear won’t get snagged on it. Plus, the Element features an electronic lock system so that it can stand up to sticky fingers as well as it stands up to dust and rain.
MSRP: $1,649.00
Dometic — CFX3 25
The CFX 25 is Dometic’s smallest electric portable fridge. It is designed for your toughest adventures. This 12-volt cooler is perfect for smaller overland vehicles — think compact trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. The CFX3 is capable of maintaining temperatures as low as -7 degrees Fahrenheit while using less power than a 60-watt light bulb. The high-performing compressor inside the CXF3 25 was built for backroads. That means it is mounted on springs to isolate noise and reduce vibration. Powered by AC (110-240), DC (12 / 24 volt), or solar power, the CFX3 25-car cooler connects to a phone app, allowing easy temperature monitoring and control. It weighs 28 pounds and measures 22.4″ long, 13.46″ wide, and 16.54″ tall.
MSRP: $799.00
DOMETIC — CFX3 100
We hope you like beer and are plenty thirsty. Because this behemoth of a fridge can hold a whopping 153 beer cans. And the whole thing only weighs 65.27 pounds, which is shocking considering that it has a 99-liter interior capacity. What’s more, it can manage temperatures between 50 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit. And you can operate it through Bluetooth or over Wi-Fi. So you are never out of ways to check to make sure your beloved beer is as cool as cool can be. Really, though, if you’re bringing 153 beers on an overlanding journey, no matter how long the duration, you ought to consider seeking help. Just sayin’.
MSRP: $1,349.99
