Top 5 Best Fridge for Vanlife Picks and Reviews
What’s the best fridge for vanlife? Don’t worry! You’re not the only one wondering that! We searched through every corner of the internet to bring you the best fridges that will fit in your van conversion. We have also covered and go over fridges for camping, truckers, RV’s, and Overlanding. However, this article will focus on your van adventures and we’re going to touch upon:
- What to look for while choosing a fridge?
- The benefits of using a portable fridge.
- What’re the best coolers for van life?
Best Fridge for Vanlife Picks Are:
- Dometic CFX28 Electric Powered Fridge
- Galanz 1.7 Cu ft Single Door Compact Refrigerator GL17BK
- Midea WHS-87LB1 Refrigerator, 2.4 Cubic Feet
- ICECO VL60 Portable Refrigerator
- Domende 54qt Car Refrigerator Freezer
Best Pick: Dometic CFX28 Electric Powered Fridge
Our top product is Dometic CFX28 because it’s the best when it comes to portability and efficiency in cooling.
To start with, it has over-the-top cooling features even at high temperatures. That, too, with very minimal power consumption. Also, the CFX28 can withstand a heavy load without a problem. Plus, the CFX28 model even comes with a plug for the drain.
Besides, it can go as low as minus 22 degrees Celsius when it comes to freezing contents. To add to all these features, Dometic CFX28 saves energy like it’s no one’s business. That’s because it doesn’t need to keep running to keep the contents cool.
The size with its well-built features is the reason why it’s our top pick. You don’t need to keep running the fridge to keep your contents cool due to its efficient insulation.
Your search for the best fridge for living in your van ends here with the Dometic CFX28.
Pros
- Even if you set the dial at law, freezing is not a problem.
- It can hold up to three days’ worth of food for two people.
Cons
- It’s pretty expensive.
What to Look for When Buying a Fridge for Vanlife?
First and foremost, you need to get a fridge that doesn’t end up taking a lot of space in your van. Ideally, it should be around a fridge that has a 50 liters capacity.
The very next thing is to decide on whether to buy a thermoelectric fridge or a compressor/absorption-based one. There is also another type of portable fridge that has both a compressor and a built-in inverter.
The next is the design of the fridge. Portable fridges can be of a front entry or a chest-style variety. Although the chest variety is harder to fit in your van, it prevents the loss of cool air better.
What are the Benefits of Using a Portable Fridge?
In simple terms, portable fridges are very convenient. Especially if you’re traveling across states, it helps keep the contents cool and fresh. These contents can be food items such as meat products or water, and even fruits and vegetables.
The product is a must-have if you’re someone who really enjoys camping or other outdoor activities.
Choosing the Best Fridge for Vanlife
The Size
Big size means more capacity but also means more energy consumption. But for a vanlife, portable fridges that fall under the range of 40-60 quartz should be ideal.
Power Consumption and Efficiency
Checks and balances are very important for vanlife. You can save up on a lot of money if you choose a fridge that is energy efficient.
Affordability
Portable fridges for a vanlife can be pretty expensive. Also, you need to consider the cost of building a van. Thus, we advise you to factor in the cost of a fridge with the overall cost of the van.
The Style
Depending on the space available in the van, you may choose an upright fridge or a cooler style. The upright consumes more space, but you can easily view the contents of your fridge.
In contrast, since contents are on top of each other, it can be inconvenient. Although that may be true, it’s more efficient when it comes to preventing the loss of cool air.
A Two-way Compressor or a Three-Way Absorption Fridge
According to our research, we recommend a portable fridge with a compressor. And within this range, there’s the 12V variety and the 110V variant. We prefer the 12v portable fridge.
Best Fridge For Vans Reviews
Galanz 1.7 Cu ft Single Door Compact Refrigerator GL17BK
You don’t have to worry about running about chilled drinks and food items with Galanz 1.7 Cu portable fridge. The size is ideal and fits into a van quite well.
It boasts of a freezer compartment with a separate door to keep ice and frozen food. The fridge has a shelf for the wires and space to fit even a 2-liter water bottle.
Pros
- Easy controls to set temperatures quickly.
- Good build quality.
Cons
- Being a standard fridge, it occupies more space than a chest-style fridge.
Midea WHS-87LB1 Refrigerator, 2.4 Cubic Feet
It offers a creative way to solve the refrigeration needs of a vanlife. Its cooling temperatures range from 2 to -2 degrees Celsius.
Midea WHS-87LB1 offers large storage areas. It has adjustable legs and features reversible doors. The fridge can only be used for quickly cooling food items. But it cannot be used to store them. Also, you cannot use it to make ice cubes.
Pros
- While it’s running, the fridge doesn’t make any sounds (-420 dBA).
- Midea WHS-87LB1 scores are high on energy efficiency.
Cons
- The fridge doesn’t offer features to store frozen food.
ICECO VL60 Portable Refrigerator
The portable is very well built. It offers high resistance to any kind of impact while traveling. Moreover, its shockproof design is one of the over-the-top features of ICECO VL60.
Thus, you don’t have to worry about your fridge or the contents tossing around on a bumpy ride. It perfectly caters to all your refrigeration needs from one corner of your van.
Pros
- Well built-in corner protectors.
- It’s very easy to set it up.
- It has a SECOP (Danfoss) Compressor.
Cons
- No cover is available for the model.
Domende 54qt Car Refrigerator Freezer
Firstly, it has a large capacity, mainly in the form of two sections that don’t have a separation. Domende offers a fast-freezing feature that only takes about 30 mins. It possesses two energy modes, max, and eco.
Under the max energy mode, the compressors run faster. It’s useful during days when the temperature is high. The fridge has USB ports through which you may charge your phones.
Pros
- To prevent emptying your car battery, the fridge has three levels of protection.
- It has an auto-resume feature.
Cons
- The eco mode, though it saves energy, is bad in the long run.
How to properly install and maintain a fridge in a van
Choose the right fridge for your van. Look for a fridge that is designed for mobile or high-temperature environments, such as 12V compressor fridges, thermoelectric fridges, or absorption fridges.
Choose a fridge that is the right size for your needs and will fit in your van. Properly install the fridge. Make sure the fridge is securely mounted and level in your van.
Connect the fridge to a stable and protected power supply, such as a 12V battery or a converter. Properly install ventilation for the fridge, to ensure proper air circulation and to prevent overheating.
Insulate the fridge. Insulate the fridge to keep it cool in your van. Use insulation blankets or sheets to cover the fridge. This will help it maintain the desired temperature, and reduce power consumption.
Regularly check and maintain the fridge. Check the temperature inside the fridge, and make sure it’s running at the right temperature. Clean the coils and condenser regularly to ensure proper air circulation.
Keep the fridge level, and make sure the door seal is tight to prevent cold air from escaping. By considering these factors, you can properly install and maintain a fridge in your van, ensuring it runs efficiently and effectively.
How to organize and optimize the storage space of a fridge in a van
Measure the space. Measure the space inside your van where you want to install the fridge. Make sure the fridge you choose will fit in the space.
Plan your storage. Plan how you want to store your food and drinks in the fridge. Consider using containers and dividers to maximize the space and keep things organized. Use clear containers so you can see what’s inside without opening the fridge.
Use the door shelves. Use the door shelves of the fridge to store items that you use frequently, such as condiments, drinks, or snacks.
Stack items. Stack items in the fridge to maximize space. Use risers to keep items at the back of the fridge visible and within reach.
By properly measuring, planning, and organizing the storage space of your fridge in your van, you can make the most of the space and keep your food and drinks easily accessible and well-organized.
