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How to Choose the Right Car Refrigerator: All That You Need to Know

Aug 01, 2024

A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Car Refrigerator

Imagine you are on a road trip with your family or friends and you want to drink a chilled bottle of water or even a nice cool beverage, but the bottle of drink lying in your car has turned warm. This is obviously going to be very annoying because you might have to stop by a shop to get one. But, what if we tell you there is a great option wherein you have everything chilled at arm’s reach? Well, we are talking about a car refrigerator.

Your favorite food and drinks are kept cold and fresh and you don’t have to worry about stopping at a kiosk to buy something. A car refrigerator is a necessity when you are travelling whether it’s an occasional road trip or even your everyday commute. It’s basically just perfect for any outdoor activities at home or elsewhere. Therefore, choosing the best one for your needs is essential so that you have an enjoyable experience.

In this comprehensive guide, we will talk about the basics of a car refrigerator, what are the types of car fridges available, what are their functions and features, the capacity they come in, how you should choose one based on your needs, and more.

Basic Understanding of a Car Refrigerator

A car refrigerator is basically just what you need to keep your drinks and food chill and fresh during your outdoor activities, traveling, and even at times for home usage - particularly ideal when there’s a power outage. Car refrigerators are mostly designed smaller, light in weight, and portable. They come with features such as wheels, adjustable shelves, separate compartments, handles, etc.

Car refrigerators function based on various components and systems. Some operate on a 12-volt or a 24-volt DC power or a thermoelectric system, a compressor system, and an absorption system. People can choose between a 24 Volt Refrigerator or a 12 Volt Refrigerator according to their needsThese refrigerators provide you with consistent cooling and just what you need to keep your drinks and food chill during your outdoor sessions or road trips, etc.

Types of Car Refrigerators

Let’s take a look at the various types of car refrigerators available in the market today.

Thermoelectric Car Refrigerators

Thermoelectric car refrigerators are generally small to medium-sized. They have a capacity of around 5 to 60 liters. Besides, these car fridges typically operate on what we call the peltier effect to cool and heat. Basically, electricity is passed through two different materials causing a temperature difference. Thermoelectric refrigerators have the ability to produce both heating and cooling effects at the same time due to their shifting polarity. They are therefore perfect for year-round use and also winter travel. Furthermore, they are affordable and can be used using a regular power outlet.

These thermoelectric car refrigerators are just what you need for your shorter trips and are particularly perfect if the climate is moderate.

Pros: The pros of thermoelectric car refrigerators are that they are quite light in weight, they can do both - cool and heat, and are not very noisy.
Cons: The cons of this type of car refrigerator is that they have quite a limited cooling capacity - say around 20-30°F, are also dependent on room temperature to function, and are most likely small and less efficient.

Compressor Car Refrigerators

One of the most common types of car refrigerators available on the market is the compressor model. These fridges are quite similar to the home refrigerators that we use on a daily basis as they basically operate using a motor compressor, an evaporator, and a refrigerant to keep things cold. Additionally, the compressor car refrigerator has the highest chilling capacity when compared to other car refrigerators and can hold up to 250 liters.

These compressor car refrigerators are ideal for your long trips and places that are extremely hot.

Pros: The pros of compressor car refrigerators are that they are very efficient, have the ability to operate at low temperatures, and operate independently of the surrounding temperature.
Cons: The cons of compressor car refrigerators are that they are expensive, they can be heavier, and often times are noisy due to the compressor.

Absorption Car Refrigerators

Absorption car refrigerators basically use a heat source to produce energy for cooling. The heat source used could be electricity, gas, or propane. This could include something such as a 12V cigarette lighter power connector or even a 220V outlet. Besides, to maintain low temperatures and maximize cooling, absorption car refrigerators use ammonia as a refrigerant.

Moreover, these car refrigerators are quite affordable and perfect for lengthy journeys, RVs, and areas with erratic electricity.

Pros: The pros of absorption car refrigerators are that they can run on multiple power sources, operate without any noise, and are cost-effective.
Cons: The cons of absorption car refrigerators are they are quite brittle and can break easily if shaken too much, can be less efficient, and at times provide slower cooling.

Functions and Features of Car Refrigerators

Let’s take a look at some of the major functions and features of car refrigerators.

Capacity: One of the most crucial and major features of car refrigerators is capacity and that is something you need to be looking out for when choosing the right one. Now, car refrigerators are basically measured either in quarts or liters and you have capacities ranging from small to large.

Let’s get into a bit more detail here:

Small Capacity - 10-20 Quarts: These car fridges are basically small and can be easily carried from one place to another. They are perfect for short trips or solo travelers.
Medium Capacity - 20-40 Quarts: Then you have these medium-capacity refrigerators. They have enough storage space and can also be easily taken wherever you wish. These types of fridges are ideal for small families or couples going on a weekend trip.
Large Capacity - 40-60 Quarts: The large-capacity car refrigerators come with much more advanced features and they are way heavier compared to small or medium-capacity fridges. They are just what you need for long trips or adventures, let’s say a week, and perfect for larger groups of people.
Extra-Large Capacity - 60+ Quarts: The 60+ quarts refrigerators are quite heavy, hence, they are not as portable, therefore, you would often find them used more in RVs or boats. These fridges are ideal for long trips and large groups of people for storing a lot of food and drinks.

Design: Car refrigerators are most often designed keeping in mind portability. You would find them to be compact and lightweight, though there are exceptions of larger capacity ones. These car fridges are mostly easy to carry around, they come with wheels and handles for ease of use and portability. Besides they have adjustable shelves and compartments for storing food and beverages and doors that are sealed well so that the temperature within is maintained well.

Power Source: The power sources vary from car refrigerator types. They could operate on electricity or gas.

Let’s get into some more detail with regard to power sources.

12-Volt DC Power and the 24-Volt DC Power: The most commonly used power source for car refrigerators is the 12-volt DC power which is actually provided by a car or a vehicle’s battery. The 24-volt DC power is also generally used by much larger vehicles such as RVs. Having said that, the 12-volt refrigeratorand 12-volt RV refrigerator are typically the most popular choices among people because they are quite efficient and convenient.
Propane or Gas: You also have car refrigerators operating on propane or gas. This is mostly for absorption refrigerators that use propane or gas as an alternative source of power, particularly suitable in places where there is no electricity or when there’s a power outage.
AC Power: There are certain car refrigerators that you might find that come with an adaptor to plug into a standard 110-volt AC outlet.

How to Choose the Right Car Refrigerator: Factors to Consider?

Size and Capacity: What size and capacity you need is completely your call as it totally depends on your needs. Having said that, a small or medium size car fridge is ideal for a day or a weekend trip, if you are a solo traveler or are a small group of people. But, if the trip is longer for a week or so, and you are a group of many people, then you would need a large sized fridge. So, remember to take into consideration the days and the number of people when you are on your adventures and escapades.

Power Source: When it comes to a power source, most car refrigerators generally operate on a 12-volt DC power. This is the most commonly used power source, however, some also use 24-volt DC power and AC power. Then, you also have some that use alternative sources of power such as gas or propane. If you happen to travel to remote places with no electricity, then make sure you have features that support alternative sources such as gas or even those that use solar power or batteries.

Energy Efficient: If you want to reduce power consumption and save your vehicle’s battery life, then energy-efficient car refrigerators are a smart choice. Therefore, look for ones that have insulated walls or have an eco-mode.

Cooling Performance: The whole purpose for you to own a car refrigerator is the need to keep your food and beverages cool, therefore, this is the most crucial factor to take into consideration. Each model has varied cooling performance, so check the temperature range of car refrigerators and how quickly can they cool. Check for features such as digital control as well for convenience.

Portability and Design: If you are someone who goes on trips often, then you might want to consider one that is easy to carry around. You wouldn’t want a car fridge that is super heavy, therefore, look for one that is portable. Also, ensure that they easily fit into your car. If you have a small car avoid bulky or bigger ones as they might take up quite a lot of space. Opt for a more practical car refrigerator that will serve the purpose.

Additional Features: Besides the basic features, look for certain additional features in car refrigerators such as battery protection, temperature control and display, USB ports, compartments, etc.

Durability and Quality: Always look for car refrigerators that are durable and made of high-quality impact-resistant materials. They should be tolerable towards rough handling and temperature changes.

Budget Considerations: Budget is something that you obviously have to take into consideration. You have varied options to choose from – you have ones that are affordable to ones that are expensive as well. However, whenever you choose one, keep in mind that whichever one you spend money on, it should be satisfactory in terms of features and performance.

Warranty: Never make the mistake of purchasing a car refrigerator without a warranty. You need to ensure that the one that you have selected comes with a warranty assuring you of the product quality and durability.

Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Car Refrigerators

Like any other appliance, it is also extremely essential to keep your car refrigerator clean and well-maintained for its proper functioning.

Make sure to clean the car fridge regularly. Wash with a dish-friendly soap and then wipe with clean water.
Clean the dust and dirt from the fans and vents.
Frequently check various parts and replace or repair if need be.

In conclusion, a car refrigerator is quite a game-changer when you need something fresh and cool to eat and drink. Besides, it’s suitable for so many purposes besides traveling. You can use it at home when having a party on your lawn or backyard. You can use it for date nights with your partner or movie nights with your family, and more.

Basically, it’s suitable for any outdoor activity at home or elsewhere. Therefore, choosing the right car refrigerator is very important based on your needs. Keep in mind the size, capacity, power source, cooling performance, etc., to make an informed decision.