Alpicool C15
Portable Refrigerator- Overall Rating
- Multi-application
Lightweight
Different capacity options
3-level car battery protection
Thick and high-density insulation
ARB Portable
12V Refrigerator- Overall Rating
- Includes all required wiring harness
Lightweight
Tech-friendly
Customized settings
Newly inspired color scheme design
Dometic Mini
Deep Freezer- Overall Rating
- LED indicators and soft panel
Less battery consumption
Flexible energy management
Three capacity options
Weather-resistant material
Introduction
“Do portable freezers can keep things cool?”
Who doesn’t want the rugged, capable, convenient, efficient, and most of all, the game-changer Portable Freezers? They are made of not just these qualities but high-end usefulness especially when you are on a camping or some other sort of adventure travel. No doubt, coolers are a part of our life for 100 years or so, but providing you with tech-savvy and portable products is our primary concern. For this category, we have listed the best 10 camping fridges with their corresponding benefits, merits, and demerits.
If you want to know ‘how do portable freezers work’, make sure to stick-up with the post till the end. We’ll be discussing an informative buying guide with answers to all your queries. As the name suggests, these little handy fridges are much fun with productive elements. While storing most of your cooled essentials in one place, you won’t have to worry about the food being damaged, etc.
So, let’s start our review guide with a comparison table. It will help you better understand each product and its selection based upon listed features, ratings, and preferences to the design factor, and so on.
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Overview Comparison Table of the Best 10 Portable Freezers
SL. NO. | Portable Freezer | Image | Features | Editor's Rating | Product Link |
1. | ARB Portable 12v refrigerator | • Bluetooth connectivity • Remote controlling with mobile app • Battery protection | |||
2. | Alpicool C15 Portable Refrigerator | • Can also run with the small solar system • Durable plastic material • Capacity 15 liters • Best car fridge with a car battery protection | |||
3. | Dometic mini deep freezer | • 3-stage battery protection • Soft-touch panel with LED indicators • Weather-resistant cabinets | |||
4. | Whynter Portable Refrigerator | • Energy star rated • 3 capacity options • Stainless steel reversible door • Security lock • Removable wire shelf | |||
5. | Igloo Iceless Portable Freezer | • Thermoelectric cooler • Plastic polyethylene material • Capacity 24 liters • Side and swing-up bale handles | |||
6. | Ausranvik car freezer | • Touch control & LED display panel • Car battery protection • 26-Quart capacity | |||
7. | Black+Decker Travel Freezer | • Energy-saving • Three color options • Capacity 1.7 cu ft. • Adjustable & custom storage design with removable glass shelf | |||
8. | Wagan EL6206 Black deep freezer | • Dual function of warming & cooling • Capacity 6 quarts • Inbuilt carry strap • No CFCs | |||
9. | ARB Camping Freezer | • Strong canvas construction • With access holes • Capacity 50-Quarts | |||
10. | Koolatron Travel Freezer | • Capacity 29 quarts • Thermoelectric • Solid-state 12v cooler |
Editor’s Review of Top 10 Best Portable Freezer
Given below is the detailed review guide for 10 best portable freezers. Read each section to know the specifications, pros, and cons of a portable refrigerator.
[Ranking 10]: Koolatron Travel Freezer
This is a thermoelectric iceless freezer by Koolatron. It can hold up to 48 soda cans of 12 ounces each. Even though it is our last thermoelectric pick but not the least in quality aspects. So, let’s review what counts among the exclusive quality of this camping freezer. After capacity, you must consider the ideal dimensions of the fridge for multi-purpose usage. This 12v refrigerator also comes with undisturbed airflow to ensure optimal cooling and stable air circulation.
The next factor we would love to mention is easy installation whether it is truck, car, boat, or any other camping gear. You won’t face any sort of hurdle in wiring harness or placement. The cooling is provided down to 40˚F below the surrounding temperature. On the other hand, efficient battery power consumption makes it a considerable fit for the best portable refrigerator 2020.
You will get molded handles on both sides of the fridge. They’ll assist in the easy transportation of products from one place to another. Unlike other freezers, it can be used in either top or front open positions. We liked this quality which you can adjust as per space availability. So, if you love the contrast of gray and white color along with other technical specs, consider buying this affordable product.
Pros
- Ease of installation
- Durable
- Pocket friendly
- Optimal cooling plus warming function
- Multi-position adjustment
- Molded handles
Cons
- Color is too light
- Not a sturdy closing latch
[Ranking 9]: ARB Camping Freezer
Now we’re going to review another product by well-known brand ARB. This car fridge is designed with required specifications in terms of both quality material as well as performance. And, it comes with almost 6 size options to choose from. The outer layer of the fridge is protected with strong weather-resistant canvas fabric. It is featured with qualities such as drain plug, and rubber feet for zero hassles.
You must also note that all the models of ARB are quite high in performance and quality. Even if you take the fridge in extreme heat, it won’t leave its duty of reliable performance. To finely set up the fridge, adjust the wiring harness with car, SUV, or truck as per fittings and you’re good to go. The outer bag coverage helps properly secure the freezer in place with the vehicle.
We’re also impressed by the overall classy looks of the fridge. The vertical structure formation allows maximum space-saving than other models. Its bag is equipped with side pockets to store a few related items and have a happy trip along the way.
Pros
- Various size options
- Strong canvas protection
- Rubber feet
- High-quality & durable material
- Easy installation
Cons
- A bit flimsy bracket
- Certain sharp edges
[Ranking 8]: Wagan EL6206 Black deep freezer
You can store almost 9 cans of soda in this Wagan portable freezer. And, the great thing about this freezer is the dual function of warming as well as cooling. It can give you maximum warm-up to 140˚F and cool down to 36˚F below the outside temperature. Every material used within the product is earth-friendly without CFCs. The design of the freezer is rugged and looks classier with an inbuilt carrying strap.
At the same time, it is properly insulated with external heaters to throw out the excess heat coming from the freezer. All in all, the manufacturer has strategically designed the product keeping in mind the merits as well as demerits of product. Well, we couldn’t found any serious cons with the product. However, you can’t use both functions at the same time which is obvious with such a dual-mode freezer.
For ease of use, it further comes with LED indicator lights. This vertical freezer is formed to best fit the center of the back seat. No matter the types of items you want to store, it can keep almost any food item such as ice creams, soda cans, milk, and so on. Nonetheless, you must note that outside temperature doesn’t exceed a certain limit. This is because excessive heat would disrupt cooling out. So, make sure you are following the instructions very clearly for effective usage.
Pros
- With LED indicators
- Easy to use with carrying handles
- Dual-mode
- Multi-purpose use
- Highly portable
Cons
- May take longer to cool items
- Size may fall short of your expectations
[Ranking 7]: Black+Decker Travel Freezer
Here is another regular looking freezer that is provided by Black+Decker. As compared to our previously reviewed fridge, it is a bit large. It is available with all the required convenient features such as a reversible door, removable shelf, temperature control button, and side storage space. After removing the shelf, you will experience even more space than before.
This travel freezer is ultra-quiet in operation and keeps most of your things cool for longer periods. We’ve also rated it as the best ice cream truck freezer with regards to fit qualities. Also, the powerful compressor and heavy-duty insulation help you to utilize the product for a longer duration even after the power source is disconnected. No matter the size of your items, it stores almost every kind of food item on sides as well as front cabinets. Most of the users have customized the outer looks of the fridge with stickers and all that stuff.
The setup is flat and freestanding that easily fits in the room corners or under desks and counters. However, when it comes to battery protection, it contains no such feature. But, it utilizes almost 70 watts of power which is not that enough for battery consumption. Overall, this product with a warranty is worth considering trying in 2020 as the best camping refrigerator. Need the best portable dishwasher? We have reviewed Black + Decker Portable Dishwasher.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Heavy-duty insulation
- Custom storage
- Removable glass shelf
- Low power consumption
Cons
- Not highly portable
- Lack of handles
[Ranking 6]: Ausranvik Car freezer
Want an ideal-sized car fridge? If yes, go with Ausranvik’s freezer with interesting features. Its high-tech features consist of an LED touch control display panel, USB port for charging, Energy saving design, and bottom’s drain plug. These features have excited us the most to include it in our list of top 10 portable freezers 2020. It can work on both 110v AC and 12/24v DC power source. Both the power cords are included within the package. In terms of temperature setup, it ranges from -4˚F to 68˚F.
How can we forget the battery protection feature to consider? Its intelligent battery saver with three levels of Low, Medium, and High helps to keep every circumstance under control. Even if you have to change the power source, don’t re-set the temperature as it is automatically retained with the help of memory function. With the heavy-duty insulation, your stuff will remain cool for almost 8-10 hours after power disconnection.
And, the feature of drain plug helps you to clean the interiors easily. Simply tap the plug after washing with water or detergent. Thus, it’s quite an exclusive feature offered with the product at affordable prices. Ultimately, this mini deep freezer is the best fit for the guys who are looking for a portable car refrigerator. Thus, all the features correspond to making it an ideal fit for the purpose.
Pros
- LED display with touch control panel
- Heavy-duty insulation for long-term cooling
- Drain plug exclusive feature
- 3-level battery protection
- Memory function
Cons
- The manual guide not so informative
- A little inaccurate temperature display
[Ranking 5]: Igloo Iceless Portable Freezer
This one by Igloo just goes perfect and true to the specifications. Even after a vertical structure, this mobile freezer is highly portable and suits the pocket of every buyer. Yes, it is another best 12v refrigerator with durable plastic and in-built swing handles. Moreover, the freezer is featured with convection cooling and brushless motor that let you cold up things for a longer period.
The formation is alike a small cute suitcase. What comes as worth noting with the product is a handy feature. This feature goes fine with every kind of user whether they are kids or old people. In terms of temperature, it can cool down things up to 36˚F below the temperature present outside. Also, this freezer is capable of becoming your portable ice cream freezer with regards to convenient benefits.
Another thing we liked about the freezer the most is the customer-friendly return policy. Also, we believe that internal dimensions are ideal for every user out there who is looking for a portable multi-application freezer. No doubt, the material is plastic, but when you get heavy-duty polyethylene material, it stands out better among others.
Pros
- Heavy-duty polyethylene plastic
- Friendly customer care
- Multi-application
- Budget pick
- Brushless motor & convection cooling
Cons
- May not be ideal for use in trucks
- May fall short of size to some users
[Ranking 4]: Whytner Portable Refrigerator
Here comes black deep freezer by Whytner. The two-color and three size options make the product worth notable for many users who are conscious of design as well as capacity. If we talk of looks, it’s like your normal freezer. On the other hand, a freestanding setup makes it handy and easy to transport. The reversible door with a recessed handle is providing a great finish to the overall freezer.
For rigid protection and accidental door open, it comes with a cylinder lock and corresponding two keys. At the same time, you will have temperature control which can be customized in the range -10˚F – 2˚F. Internals of the freezer is also similar to regular ones with a removable wire shelf. The space and dimensions for this freezer are pretty good if we consider other refrigerators with horizontal structure. So, if you don’t want to switch off from the design of your regular freezer, this would be perfect to go with.
However, this mobile freezer lacks any handle. But, we think that won’t be a big deal if you are quite satisfied with other worthy features. Right inside the freezer, you have an easy to operate the temperature control button. For any queries such as warranty related information or customer care service, simply head to the user manual provided and be happy always!
Pros
- Simple design & setup
- Custom temperature control
- Cylinder lock and keys for extra protection
- Budget-friendly
- Removable wire shelf & reversible door
Cons
- Some screws are loose
- No handles
[Ranking 3]: Dometic Mini Deep Freezer
You may have heard of brand Dometic in terms of the best portable freezers. This refrigerator is highly weather-resistant and made with the soft-touch panel and LED indicators for ease of use. Furthermore, the compact fridge is available in three capacity options. With flexible energy management, you won’t face any sort of excessive battery consumption. Now, let’s talk of the handy structure as the most worth considering part. It has an inbuilt handle and lightweight formation for multi-purpose usage.
The heavy-duty performance compressors ensure the stability and effectiveness of the product for the long-term. No doubt, the freezer is available at expensive prices, but it’s worth it. You can take it out in any weather even on the hot sunny day. We would like to recommend selecting the smallest model for the most compact feature. As the size increases, weight also increases and pose quite a difficulty in transportation.
For practical purposes, you are provided with 12v/24v DC outlets along with this camping refrigerator. At the same time, a simple setup has further made the product worth considering. However, it’s timing to get cold would vary depending upon the temperature outside. Well, that’s usual in almost every case. So, if you also find those stop foods expensive, make use of the Dometic freezer, and thank us later!
Pros
- LED indicators and soft panel
- Less battery consumption
- Flexible energy management
- Three capacity options
- Weather-resistant material
Cons
- The lid may be slippery
- Late customer service response
[Ranking 2]: Alpicool C15 Portable Refrigerator
The Alpicool C15 Portable Refrigerator is another perfect fit for renowned performance. If you love to go with a handy yet effective car freezer, this product by Alpicool can do wonders. Not just for driving, but you can have it for fishing, travel, and other outdoor purposes. In terms of capacity, you have got almost 6 options to choose from. The features such as car battery protection and reliable sealing outperformed benefits by its other models.
Even though the material is made up of plastic, it is durable, lightweight, and super easy to travel with. And, dimensions are worth noting if you are looking for a compact structure freezer. Along with the car’s 12V/ 24V DC system, you can operate it over the small solar system as well. Nonetheless, you can consider its variety of other ranges with different designs, features, and capacities.
If you’ve ever experienced any Alpicool’s models, they are battery efficient and consume less as compared to others. The 3-level battery protector will help your vehicle stay charged even on a high-way without run down. This 12v refrigerator also comes with the multi-application facility which you can use in different vehicles as well as for storage of different items.
Pros
- Multi-application
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Different capacity options
- 3-level car battery protection
- Thick and high-density insulation
- Deep chilling without ice
Cons
- Inappropriate padding
- The temperature may not be stable sometimes
[Ranking 1]: ARB Portable 12V Refrigerator
Want a technology-driven portable refrigerator? If yes, you must check out this ARB’s 12v portable freezer in a matte gun color and smart plastic contrast. The structure of the freezer is quite minimal. What comes as unique with the product is Bluetooth connectivity and mobile app remote control. However, Bluetooth connection is provided so that you can have full-control on freezer via Apple, Android, or ARB LINX devices.
The great 12v technology helps you monitor the battery condition efficiently. No doubt, technology is going to cost you a bit more than other units. But, you will also get immense benefits with game-changing and flexible features. Along with the custom settings on the product itself, you can control all of them via the app also. Just a single click can let you set temperature, brightness, and even get real-time notifications.
As you know that opening up a fridge for a long time can lead to its damage. Thus, the unit comes with the feature of real-time alerts so that you will get an instant message whenever someone has left the fridge open for quite a long period. On the other hand, on-product customizations are also easy to use. The backlit touch panel offers smooth usage as compared to other rough surfaces and buttons.
A carry bag is also provided for environmental protection and ease of transportation. The high-quality insulated canvas bag is pretty rugged, stylish, and weather-resistant. Overall, this 12v refrigerator performs exactly as mentioned in the description. You will get to experience less battery consumption and great technological advantages.
Pros
- Includes all required wiring harness
- Lightweight
- Tech-friendly
- Customized settings
- Newly inspired color scheme design
Cons
- A bit pricey
- The internal temperature may be less from the indication on the front panel
Comprehensive Buying Guide for Portable Freezer
Things to consider while buying a portable freezer
Coming up to the top 10 portable freezers is not easy unless you are a technical expert. Only after utilizing our expert knowledge in the areas of better product performance and marketing, we have selected our best 10 portable freezers. Now, we are going to share some of this information in the form of buying factors.
- Check your requirements
For what purpose you are going to use the freezer? It’s necessary to check up on it! The first thing that is going to impact with the point is capacity. Yes, camping fridges are available in different capacities or sizes. You can analyze the items you are going to store. Or, you can check upon the number of members using the freezer. In this way, the analysis of requirements is done to choose the best freezer.
- Insulation
We’ve kept in mind the factor insulation the most. The ultimate reason is battery consumption behind the process. You should select the freezer with thick and strong insulation instead of a thin layer. The benefit you get upon this type of selection is less battery consumption. The compressor has to comparatively work less which in turn draws less power. So, take note of it every time you buy the freezer along with the availability of a powerful compressor.
- Is it highly compact?
This is the next question you must ask every time if you are looking for heavy-duty compactness. As the name suggests, each mobile freezer is already compact. But, we are specifically talking about a highly compact feature. It comes with handles and weights. If your freezer has side, top, or molded handles, it’s going to be highly compact. You can travel easily with such a product. Nonetheless, weight counts among the second primary factor. So, go for the lightweight one to be it a highly portable freezer.
- Ease of use
The factor ease of use is quite wider here. You have to look for several sub-factors for its fulfillment. After analyzing the weight and portability of a particular car freezer, proceed like this. Now, you can consider the smooth operation of buttons or LED display, if any. Check if there is any hassle in operating the freezer in terms of the wiring harness. So, this is how we have ranked the ease of use factor.
- Amps
In the end, you’re going to use the portable freezer via car or any other vehicle’s battery. Thus, if the fridge draws more power, it affects the battery of a particular vehicle. In this case, the battery will drain more quickly. On the other hand, if amps drawn are less, it would be great for battery consumption especially when you’ve planned long-duration trips. We’ve also mentioned the feature of less battery consumption in almost each of our reviews.
For emergency purposes, you can add a solar system or a second battery to the vehicle. Most of the freezers come with the facility of operation with a solar system such as Alpicool C15 portable freezer.
- Noise level
Noise is with every freezer out there whether it is portable or not. However, most of our picks are quieter. Even though the factor may not be that important in mobile freezers, but it benefits to a certain extent. You can carry on with other operations quietly. Or, you can hear those noises if anything serious is going around.
- Blackout performance
The performance in blackout refers to the longevity of the freezer in a power outage. For how much it can keep your items cool even after power disconnection. This feature is extremely beneficial for portability. As you can’t guarantee the availability of power where you go, so don’t overlook this feature is provided in any freezer by respectable brand. The freezer that performs well in blackout can also save you from smelly and soiled food with avoidance of untidy cleaning tasks.
- Internal organization
It is another essential factor to consider. The internal organization of a portable freezer must be ideal enough. It should not be very small or very large that would be difficult to handle portably. You should also note the type of organization provided within the freezer. For instance, our Black+Decker Travel freezer comes with the shape of almost a regular freezer but within a small size. It has front as well as side storage space with a nice organization. Furthermore, the removable tray is there for better organization as well as space maximization.
- Extra features
Certain additional features such as safety lock, freezing smoothness, etc. are considered lastly. Freezer locks are most important if we look deeply. In case, you are traveling with children, safety locks play an essential role. On the other hand, you can take a look at combination freezing where both warming and cooling features are provided. You can consider different temperature settings and other similar features for the purpose.
Having discussed all the important buying points, let’s move ahead to the discussion of benefits as follows.
What are the benefits of using a portable freezer?
Let’s start by discussing the most precious benefits to obvious ones.
- Efficient performance
Most of the time, we see that small products are not that compatible as large version products. But, it’s not the case with portable freezers. First of all, they are designed by respectable brands for the ultimate purpose of providing compactness. Secondly, effective performance is guaranteed with every product. They do not just help in freezing items but also play a considerable part in even harsh weather. For instance, dual-mode with warming options is better for sunny weather.
- Space-saving
Being compact, these devices are highly space-efficient. So, this is the second benefit you derive from them. All in all, these camping refrigerators are manufactured keeping in mind the lightweight feature. It further promotes the ease of travel. Space-efficient devices are also compatible to fit everywhere. They won’t be placing any hassles when you run short of space.
- Energy-saving
As we have already mentioned in the buying factor that energy-saving feature is crucial for minimum battery consumption. Almost every mini deep freezer is energy-efficient. Well, it doesn’t mean that the refrigeration feature will fade. It simply helps your freezer perform better. It also puts less pressure on the compressor for overall durable performance. We appreciate this benefit as you will experience huge energy-bill savings every month.
- Affordable prices
Keeping in mind the exclusive benefits, every camping refrigerator is not so expensive. Your money worth its considerable features. However, we have found the affordable price range with almost every freezer. Your choices are also narrowed down depending upon your requirements. So, cost also varies based upon various features provided.
- Exclusive variety
Portable freezers are available in an exclusive variety of options. You can find them in different kinds of designs with various organizational spaces. This feature places them quite versatile than other regular. Nonetheless, it’s not extremely deep to compete between regular and portable freezers due to high-tech advancement.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Be an informed buyer after knowing the answer to every possible query of the best portable freezers.
Conclusion
So, this is all about portable freezers in detail. We’ve not just informed you of the latest top products but also provided insights on the informed buying decision. Before you look for any best freezer, make sure to go through every essential factor just like us. It’s a combination of expert and buying guide knowledge that we looked into mentioning the top 10 best portable freezers with a comprehensive buying guide and FAQs section.
Do check out the products and thank us in the comments section!
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