* updated on March 16, 2024
Are you looking for the best fridge for vanlife? There are a lot of options on the market and this article will help you choose the right refrigerator for your van. This article will only cover 12 volt compressor fridges. 110V fridges are cheaper but they need a lot of power. Your inverter will have to run constantly and it will drain your house batteries faster. This is why 12 volt fridges are better. They are more expensive but way more efficient for a van conversion or a bus build. It is worth it to spend more to save on power consumption in the long run. They are easier to install and they don’t need a lot of solar power. You can run them 24/7 without any problems. There are multiple options on the market and you will have to make the choice that suits you best.
The upright refrigerator is my personal choice because the door opens from the front like a residential fridge. The food is easily accessible and you can see everything inside by opening the door. It's the only option that makes you feel like home and it's easier to find what you’re looking for inside.
A chest style fridge opens from the top like a cooler. You have to load your food from the top and it will be harder to access the items that are at the bottom. The chest style refrigerator is very easy to install and it doesn’t take a lot of space in your van. You can set it on heavy duty drawer slides or buy a slider for a specific model. It is available as a single zone or a dual zone fridge. If you want a freezer compartment, you will have to get a dual zone chest fridge. This product is small, versatile and portable. Therefore, it is not the most practical option.
A drawer refrigerator is a great option for your campervan conversion. It looks exactly like an upright fridge but the door slides like a drawer.
These refrigerators are very popular in Canada. They are quiet and they are made to last. They have a built-in freezer compartment and come with a black front panel. The door panel is replaceable to fit your van's design. You have multiple options and sizes from 68 liter capacity to 100 liter capacity. Nova Kool offers a lot of voltage options: DC only (12 and 24 volt) and AC/DC. A 12 volt setup is ideal for a van conversion and the R3100 87 liter model is a very good choice.
Nova Kool R2600 68 liter Refrigerator / Freezer
1813.99$ CAD
Nova Kool R3000 70 liter Refrigerator / Freezer
1973.99$ CAD
Nova Kool R3100 87 liter Refrigerator / Freezer
2131.99$ CAD
Nova Kool R3800 100 liter Refrigerator / Freezer
2056.99$ CAD
This refrigerator is built to increase efficiency and offer great performance. The door is rock solid, very well insulated and easily reversible from left to right. It has adjustable shelves and the tall bottles can stand upright inside. It has a small freezer compartment, it is quite small but it does the job! You can easily install this fridge to your 12 volt circuit. It can support AC and DC current. You have multiple options and sizes from 49 liter capacity to 130 liter capacity. My number one choice would be the Isotherm Cruise Elegance 85 liter model. It has a good compact size and is perfect for a van conversion. It is quiet and energy efficient.
Isotherm Cruise Elegance 49 liter Refrigerator / Freezer
1590.00$ CAD
Isotherm Cruise Elegance 65 liter Refrigerator / Freezer
1724.00$ CAD
Isotherm Cruise Elegance 85 liter Refrigerator / Freezer
2058.00$ CAD
Isotherm Cruise Elegance 130 liter Refrigerator / Freezer
2232.00$ CAD
The Dometic CRX fridge series are energy efficient and perfect for your solar power setup. You can control the temperature and the compressor speed with the integrated soft touch control panel. They are very quiet and automatically adjust to the ambient temperature. The interior is well organized with shelves and a separate fruits and vegetables compartment. Multiple sizes and options are available from 50 liter to 140 liter capacity.
Dometic CRX 50U
1605.00$ CAD
Dometic CRX 65U
1944.00$ CAD
Dometic CRX 110S
2546.00$ CAD
Dometic CRX 140S
2892.00$ CAD
The Dometic CFX3 55 is an electric cooler with an integrated ice maker while the Dometic CFX75 Dual Zone has a separate freezer compartment. You can set each side to a different temperature via the CFX3 mobile app. These 2 fridges are very convenient and compact. They can easily fit in your van, installed on heavy duty drawer slides or used as counter space. They both have strong aluminium alloy handles for transportation.
Dometic CFX3 75DZ Refrigerator / Freezer
1763.99$ CAD
Dometic CFX3 55 Refrigerator
1511.99$ CAD
These portable fridges have a versatile door that can be easily opened from each side. They have an integrated USB plug for charging your phone. They are compact and will fit perfectly in a small van or bus. You can use them as extra counter space if you have a small kitchen in your van. The VL60 ProS can be used as a fridge or a freezer.
ICECO VL45 ProS
947.30$ CAD
ICECO VL60 ProS
1100.00$ CAD
The ICECO VL75 ProD comes with a versatile lid that can be opened from each side without removing it. You can use it as a fridge and freezer at the same time. You can also shut down one of the zones and use it as a single zone fridge or freezer. It has a 75 liter capacity.
The ICECO VL60 Dual Zone has been built to resist impacts and survive the apocalypse. It comes with an insulated protective cover, steel handles, ultra solid corner-cap and durable paint shell. This fridge has a 3-level battery protection and it can work at a 40° tilt angle. It is perfect for extreme vanlifers who enjoy off-road adventures! You can control the temperature of each zone and set it as a whole fridge or a whole freezer. It has a 60 liter capacity.
ICECO VL75 ProD
1335.70$ CAD
ICECO VL60 Dual Zone
1163.94$ CAD
This fridge/freezer has two zones. The freezer compartment uses only one quarter of the space. You can separately control each zone’s temperature. This portable fridge has a solid case and removable wire baskets in every compartment. It is a great option for your van conversion.
Whynter FM-62DZ 62 Quart Dual Zone
1612.50$ CAD
This drawer style fridge is a luxurious option for your van. It has a sliding door and an integrated drawer. You can control the temperature with a turn knob like a residential fridge. The Dometic CD 50 has a large freezer and offers 47 liters of storage in a very compact design. Perfect for a small space.
Dometic CD 50
824.06$ CAD
The Isotherm Drawer fridge comes in two options: 85 liter and 130 liter capacity. Both models have a stainless steel door and high storage capacity. They have a bottle rack on the main counter door. The storage space is very well organized with two inner drawers and a large drawer freezer compartment. You won’t be disappointed by these top quality fridges and they are worth the extra pennies.
Isotherm DR 85 Inox
2892.29$ CAD
Isotherm DR 130 Inox
3143.95$ CAD
If you are still reading this article, maybe you didn't find exactly what you were looking for. There are some other brands that can provide you with the camper van refrigerator of your dreams:
As I said earlier, an upright fridge is the most convenient option for a van. The stuff inside is easily accessible and it makes you feel like home. I would love to try the Nova Kool R3800 100 liter Refrigerator / Freezer. We love to cook in our converted school bus and 100 liters is enough space to last for a couple of days. We carry a lot of fresh ingredients that need to stay cool and it is easier when you don’t need to go to the grocery store every two days. Nova Kool offers a fair price and their product suits my needs perfectly.
In my opinion, 12 volt compressor refrigerators are the best for a campervan conversion. They are energy efficient, can fit in a small space and do not draw a lot of power. Most vans have an off grid electrical system with solar panels. Those fridges are simple to install to your electrical system and you can run them all day without any problems. They are more expensive than other types of campervan fridges but they are more convenient in the long run. It is a very good investment.
If you are looking for something different, you can check out absorption refrigerators, propane fridges and DC 110 volt fridges. To power a propane fridge you will need to carry a propane tank and refill it very often. It will get expensive over time. If you want a normal residential fridge, you will have to upgrade your electrical system. You will need more power and your inverter will have to run constantly. These options are totally possible but more expensive and tricky to install.
Having a fridge in your campervan is very important. Plan your van conversion wisely and leave enough space for the refrigerator that suits you the best!
Happy travels and see you on the road!
