Last Updated on May 27, 2025 by Felecia at Road Trips Australia
Updated 23 May 2025
Once you own a car fridge, there’s no turning back. Whether camping, touring or working out in the field, having a reliable way to keep food and drinks cold is a game-changer, particularly in some of Australia’s harsh environments. From remote outback tracks to sandy beach camping, a quality fridge ensures food and drinks are kept cool, no matter where the road takes you. In this guide, I will cover the top 3 performing car fridges we have owned, built to handle Australia’s vast terrain!
Car Fridge: The Best Accessory for Your Next Road Trip?
A car fridge could be one of Australia’s most valuable accessories for road trips – and for good reason. As more travellers seek self-sufficiency and explore off-the-grid destinations, the ability to keep food and drinks cold is essential. A car fridge adds reliability, convenience and comfort to your journey. With a wide variety of sizes and styles – like drawer fridges, top-opening fridges and upright fridge freezer combos, there’s something to suit every set-up. Plus, with options available across budgets and brands, finding the perfect match for your vehicle can be overwhelming.
Choosing the Right Car Fridge
Having owned a variety of car fridges over the years, we’ve learned that choosing the right fridge depends heavily on your vehicle layout, available space, and the type of travel you enjoy. Consider whether you’ll need regular access during travel, how long you’ll be off-grid, and how much food you plan to store. Investing in a car fridge tailored to your travel style will improve your experience and ensure you’re always ready to go further, comfortably and well-prepared.
- How much space do you have for a car fridge? What are the available dimensions?
- Consider the placement of your fridge for access. Do you need a fridge slide?
- How will the fridge get power?
What are your requirements for food storage?
- How many days worth of food do you need to store?
- How many people does the fridge need to hold food and drinks for?
- Does your travel take you to remote areas for extended periods?
- If you are road-tripping from town to town, it is easy to top up on food every 2 to 3 days, so you shouldn’t need a large fridge.
How to pack a car fridge?
Think of a car fridge differently from a home fridge, as everything is stacked and accessed from the top. The packing style for a top-opening fridge is best for heavy items and less access to things like meat at the bottom. Top with fruit, veg, and salads. Stack drinks to one side. Look for aftermarket fridge storage baskets; these can sit on top of the fridge and are a great way to pack, allowing faster access to items at the bottom by removing the whole basket.
It is incredible what you can fit into a 40 – 60 litre fridge when it is packed efficiently with planned camping meals:
After many years touring remote locations all over Australia, a freezer has had no demand. Travelling with a family of 3, a well-packed 40-litre Engel fridge is sufficient to keep food and drinks consistently cold, with up to 3 to 5 days’ worth of food, when careful meal planning is done.
How to Power a 12-Volt Car Fridge:
- It is important when choosing your fridge to know and understand the power requirements.
- When using a car fridge it is important to consider the power draw, and what additions you will need to power the fridge efficiently.
- You may need to consider a dual battery set-up, and or a roof-mounted solar panel.
- See this diagram to better understand powering your car fridge.
Car Fridge Comparison
With years of firsthand experience using a range of car fridge brands across rugged Australian landscapes, we’ve come to trust a few standouts when it comes to reliability, efficiency, and performance. In this guide, we’re comparing mid-sized car fridges between 55L and 65L—a practical and versatile size ideal for most road trip setups with power options between 12V/24V DC and 240V AC. These fridges strike the perfect balance between storage capacity and power efficiency, making them well-suited for everything from long-haul outback travel to weekend camping escapes.
Engel MT-V60F 60L Portable Fridge/Freezer:
| Capacity: | 60 litres |
| External Dimensions: | (W × H × D): 790 mm × 441 mm × 490 mm |
| Weight: | 33 kg |
| Price: | Starting at $1695.00 |
Cooling Performance and Compressor: These fridges have excellent cooling performance, with the ability to freeze food and keep items chilled for an extended period. The Engel MT-V60F is renowned for its exceptional insulation and ability to maintain low temperatures even in the most extreme heat. The compressor is an important aspect of a car fridge, boasting a Sawafuji swing motor. This is a highly-regarded and reliable compressor known for its low power consumption, making this fridge a reliable choice for off-road and travelling enthusiasts looking for a reliable fridge in remote locations.
Power consumption: Engel fridges are known for low power consumption, though specific use of power will be affected by ambient temperature as well as use (opening and closing the fridge). According to manufacturers’ specifications, the average power consumption is approximately 4.2A per hour, depending on the ambient temperature.
Key Features:
| 60 litre capacity | On-off interior light |
| Durable metal latches | Fridge or freezer |
| Temperature range: -18°C to +8°C | Compressor: Sawafuji Swing Motor |
| Digital thermostat with LED display | High-efficiency, low power consumption |
| Aftermarket basket accessories available | Suitable for off-road and camping adventures |
| Tough and durable aluminium construction | 5 year compressor warranty |
Pros and Cons of the Engel MT-V60F 60l Portable Fridge/Freezer:
- PROS:
- Tough and reliable swing compressor great for off-road touring
- Low power consumption
- Aftermarket interior basket accessories
- 5 Year warranty
- Stainless steel lockable latches
- CONS:
- The unit is heavier than other 60L units
Dometic CFX3 55 Portable Fridge/Freezer:
| Capacity: | 55 litres |
| External Dimensions: | (L × W × H): 720 mm × 455 mm × 480 mm |
| Weight: | 21.2 kg |
| Price: | Starting at $1699.00 |
Cooling performance and compressor: The Dometic CFX3 55 delivers powerful cooling performance with a temperature range from +10°C to –22°C, thanks to the advanced VMSO3 variable-speed compressor designed for efficient, reliable cooling and freezing. Gasket technology provides a superior seal to retain cool air, minimising power consumption.
Power consumption: The Dometic CFX3 55 is highly efficient, averaging around 1.10 A/h at 12V DC with the fridge set to 4°C in a 32°C ambient environment (Bluetooth on, WiFi off). The unit is versatile in power compatibility, operating on 12V/24V DC and 100–240V AC, making it ideal for vehicle, solar, or mains power setups.
Key features:
| 55 litre capacity | Interior light and USB Port |
| Single-zone with both fridge and freezer capabilities | Temperature range: -22°C to +10°C |
| High-resolution colour display with soft-touch buttons | Dometic’s VMSO3 variable-speed compressor |
| Bluetooth and WiFi enabled, via the CFX3 app | Durable ExoFrame with fender frame-protected edges and aluminium alloy handles |
| Removable wire baskets for organised storage | 3-stage system to prevent battery drain |
| 3 year warranty |
Pros and Cons of the Dometic CFX3 55IM Portable Fridge/Freezer
- PROS:
- Ultra low power consumption
- Wi-Fi and mobile app control
- USB charging ports
- Removal baskets for convenient packing
- Gasket technology seal
- CONS:
- Polypropylene plastic shell
Evakool 60L Infinity RF Fibreglass Fridge/Freezer
| Capacity: | 60 litres |
| External Dimensions: | (L × W × H): 884 mm × 447 mm × 432 mm |
| Weight: | 21 kg |
| Price: | Starting at $1600.00 |
Cooling performance and compressor: The Evakool 60L Infinity RF Fibreglass Fridge Freezer is ideal for Australian road trips and outdoor adventures. Equipped with the renowned Secop PBC 2.0 compressor, it ensures silent, reliable, and efficient operation. The fridge maintains a temperature range from +10°C to -18°C, suitable for both refrigeration and freezing needs. It’s an efficient roll bond evaporator and a fully insulated fibreglass cabinet for consistent temperature even in challenging environments.
Power consumption: The Evakool 60L Infinity RF Fibreglass Fridge Freezer is designed for energy efficiency, making it ideal for extended off-grid adventures. Its average power consumption is 1.5 – 2.0 A/hr set at 5 deg. Actual consumption may vary depending on factors such as ambient temperature and desired internal temperature.
Key features:
| Capacity: 60 litres | Includes removable baskets for organized storage + drainage bung |
| Lightweight fibreglass construction with metal latches | Compatible with 12/24V DC and includes a 240V AC adapter |
| Secop PBC 2.0 compressor and an efficient roll bond evaporator | Operates efficiently with low power consumption |
| Features digital controls | Made in Australia |
| Optional dual zones with a divider | 5-year warranty |
Pros and Cons of the Evakool 60L Infinity RF Fibreglass Fridge/Freezer:
- PROS:
- Quality and robust fibreglass construction
- Power-efficient compressor
- Non-porous finish, avoiding odours
- Australian made
- 5-year warranty
- CONS:
- No interior light
What Car Fridge is Right For You?
Overall these three fridges are high-quality units for portable refrigeration and freezing while camping or travelling. The Engel MT-V60F has earned a strong reputation for its ruggedness, reliability, and superior insulation. If a new unit is out of your price range, a pre-owned unit could be an excellent alternative for this robust fridge.
The Dometic CFX3 55 has powerful compressors, rapid cooling capability, low power consumption, and Bluetooth and WiFi-enabled controls. The Evakool 60L Infinity RF Fibreglass Fridge is a reliable, power-efficient, and lightweight car fridge built in Australia for Australian conditions.
Depending on your space requirements, vehicle configuration, power availability, and personal needs, the choice is yours. Any of these units will provide reliable refrigeration while on your next road trip adventure in Australia.
Remember to keep our outdoor places beautiful. Leave no trace.
