Here we’ll be looking at the best 12V fridge for a campervan.
The quality of 12V refrigerators has improved dramatically in recent years. You now have more choice, and more cost effective options.
My top choice is the ICECO JP40.
I’ve picked what I consider to be three of the best, and an excellent budget option.
Contents
Best Budget
Average Run Times
Pulling information from real world tests on Youtube, and a big cross section of user reviews, I’ve put together some average power consumption and runtimes for the fridges featured on this page.
Due to the many variables in working out a 12V fridge’s power consumption, the runtimes for each fridge are worked out as an average, so please use them as a guideline only.
Using an insulated cover on your fridge will dramatically improve your run times.
The Best 12V Fridge For A Campervan
- ICECO JP40 – Best Overall
- Dometic CFX3 35 – #2
- Alpicool C45 – #3
- BougeRV CR28 – Best Budget
Iceco JP40
⭐️Best Overall
The ICECO JP40 is my top choice for a 12V fridge.
This unit is a premium standard 12V fridge with app control function.
The best feature of this fridge is undoubtedly the German made Secop/Danfoss compressor. Iceco offers an amazing 5 year warranty with this compressor, and 1 year on all other parts.
The fridge has really sturdy handles (which you will need to install) and it also comes with an insulated cover.
The lid is solid, and inside there are two compartments, the larger one with a basket and separator. There’s also a handy internal light.
The display is simple and the unit can also be controlled via Iceco’s app. If there are any problems, a fault code will show. There are low, medium and high settings, as well as an Eco and Max mode.
This fridge is quiet. Tests have measured only 22db on Eco and 25db on Max.
The JP40 is very light for its size, the reason for this is less insulation in the unit overall. Iceco has compensated for this with a good compressor and an insulated cover.
There is a slide tray available for this fridge.
The ICEC0 JP40 is a quiet, very efficient 12V fridge.
Pros
Efficient
Great Build Quality
Quiet
Cons
Less Insulated
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Power Consumption And Run Times
| Average Power Consumption: | 420 Wh over 24hrs |
| Run Times: | |
| Jackery 1000 | 57 hrs |
| Bluetti AC180 | 66 hrs |
| 100 Ah LiFePO4 Battery | 57 hrs |
| Dimensions: | 23″D x 13.8″W x 17.5″H |
| Weight: | 38.8 lbs |
Dometic CFX3 35
Choice #2
The Dometic CFX3 35 is my second choice as a campervan fridge.
Dometic is a very well known and trusted brand in the RV world. The CFX3 35 is what you would expect from Dometic. It is a premium quality, very durable unit.
The exterior spring loaded handles are extremely strong, and also removable if needed.
This is a single zone unit, meaning you can use it either as a fridge or a freezer. The freezer setting will go as low as -7 C (-19F).
The fridge has a color display with a lock button feature (great if you have kids). The display also has a single USB port.
You can also download the CFX3 app, where you can control all the fridge settings remotely.
Inside the fridge is a bright LED light and a single compartment with a smaller upper shelf. The compartment also has a wire basket for easy organization.
The fridge has battery protection built in, so will cut out before fully draining your power source.
To get the best out of this unit, use of the cover is recommended, which is sold separately.
Although a serious investment, the Dometic CFX3 35 is a tried and tested reliable choice.
Pros
Reliable
Bluetooth
Tried & Tested
Cons
Expensive
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Power Consumption And Run Times
| Average Power Consumption: | 348 Wh over 24 hrs |
| Run Times: | |
| Jackery 1000 | 69 hrs |
| Bluetti AC180 | 79 hrs |
| 100 Ah LiFePO4 Battery | 69 hrs |
| Dimensions: | 27.3″D x 15.6″W x 16.0″H |
| Weight: | 37 lbs |
Alpicool C45
Choice #3
The Alpicool CF45 is my third choice 12V fridge. It can be used as a fridge or freezer.
The CF45 is a well made unit with good strong handles and has an Alpicool/LG compressor. A nice detail are the protectors on the bottom corners of the fridge.
The lid is solid with drink holder indents on the top. The display is very bright and pretty easy to use. You can operate all the settings for the fridge via the bluetooth app. The app itself is decent and uncomplicated.
The fridge has a battery protection feature, so if your power source gets low it will shut off to prevent running the power out completely. You can also set the voltage at which the fridge will shut down.
You can set the fridge to low, medium or high, and there are Eco and Max modes.
Inside the fridge is a similar set up to the Iceco, with two compartments and a wire basket in the larger section. There is also an internal LED light.
The Alpicool is reasonably quiet with a sound test rating of around 45db and the customer support is reported to be good.
Overall, the Alpicool CF45 is a good quality affordable 12V fridge.
Pros
Bluetooth
Battery Protection
Affordable
Cons
No Cover
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Power Consumption And Run Times
| Average Power Consumption: | 504 Wh over 24 hrs |
| Run Times: | |
| Jackery 1000 | 48 hrs |
| Bluetti AC180 | 55 hrs |
| 100 Ah LiFePO4 Battery | 48 hrs |
| Dimensions: | 13.6"D x 18.2"W x 27.2"H |
| Weight: | 34.3 lbs |
BougeRV CR28
Best Budget
My budget choice is the BougeRV 12V 30 quart (28 Liter) fridge.
For a budget fridge the build quality is very good. It has a strong magnetic lid, and flush fit grab handles on the ends of the unit. The fridge will come with a very long 12V adapter cord and an AC power brick.
The digital screen with buttons to access the settings is clear and uncomplicated, and also features a single USB port.
This unit has a fridge or freezer option, and via the display panel you can set the fridge temperature and Eco or Max mode.
A nice feature not found on many budget 12V fridges is the battery capacity shut off. The fridge will monitor battery capacity and shut off before fully draining your power source.
Inside the fridge is a handy removable plastic divider, and the vents for the compressor are found only on one side (handy if your space is limited).
This fridge comes in 5 different colors and you can also buy a separate insulated cover, which will improve power consumption.
BougeRV offers a 2 year warranty with this fridge which you can optionally upgrade to 3 years.
Although slightly smaller, the BougeRV CR28 is an efficient, affordable 12V fridge.
Pros
Highly Efficient
Good Build Quality
2 Year Warranty
Cons
Smaller Size
Overall Rating
Performance / Efficiency
Build Quality
Features / Functions
Reviews
Value For Money
Power Consumption And Run Times
| Average Power Consumption: | 120 Wh over 24 hrs |
| Run Times: | |
| Jackery 1000 | 100 hrs |
| Bluetti AC180 | 115 hrs |
| 100 Ah LiFePO4 Battery | 100 hrs |
| Dimensions: | 22.6"D x 12.6"W x 15.5"H |
| Weight: | 24.1 lbs |
How Much Power Does A 12V Fridge Use?
It’s impossible to put an exact figure on the amount of power a particular fridge will use.
Lots of things can affect the power usage of a 12V fridge.
Warm Temperatures
Outside air temperature is the biggest variable to consider when figuring out power consumption. Warm temperatures can greatly increase the amount of power needed to run your fridge.
Not Pre-Chilling
Always pre-chill anything before putting it in your fridge. Putting warm or room temperature goods into the fridge will use more power to chill the goods down.
Fridge Space
A fully stocked fridge will always use less power than a half full one. If you open the fridge and it’s half full of air, the air will warm up much quicker than a fridge full of solid cold items. If you don’t have anything to put in the fridge, just fill it with water bottles.
Things To Think About
There are a few things to consider when looking for a 12V fridge.
Space
Do you have a space allocated for the fridge? Do you want the fridge to be a semi permanent feature in your camper? If so, check your measurements, and also make sure the fridge compressor vent isn’t going to be obstructed.
Size
Check the specs for internal measurements. Make sure the fridge is big to fit everything you intend on putting in there.
Power Consumption
How do you intend on powering the fridge? For how long? Make sure your power station or battery set up is suitable. (See my choice of batteries and power stations).
A good 12V fridge is definitely a plus in any camper.
My recommendation is the ICECO JP40.
Please see my other RV equipment reviews.
See how we rate products here.
