If you’re planning a camping trip this year, you’re not alone. Australians take around 15 million camping and caravanning trips annually, according to the most recent data from Tourism Research Australia. And this summer, it seems like just about everyone I know is going camping. I’ve actually just recently got back from my first camping trip in over a decade and loved it – but one thing that’s missing from my dream camping set up is a portable fridge freezer.
The next level up from a humble Esky or cooler, portable fridges and freezers make it easy to enjoy tasty meals and refreshing drinks when you’re camping for more than a couple of days, or in remote areas. Plus, you can usually power them using your car’s 12-volt battery or a separate setup.
So, if you’re also looking to upgrade your camping gear, I’ve rounded up some of the best portable fridge freezers on the market based on featured including cooling options, size, power functions, warranties and other reviews. Plus more details on how they actually work and what else to consider when you’re shopping for a new one.
2026’s top portable fridge freezers
- Best overall portable fridge freezer: Engel 40L MT-V, $1499 at BCF
- Best battery powered portable fridge freezer: Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 40L Electric Cooler and 2x Battery Bundle,
$2248$1298 at Anker SOLIX - Best for efficient cooling: Dometic 43.5L fridge freezer and cover pack, $1085 at BCF
The best portable fridge freezers in Australia
01
Engel 40L MT-V portable fridge/freezer
$1499, BCF
Best overall portable fridge freezer
Engel has a reputation as a leading brand for portable fridges and freezers around the world. In fact, it’s the brand that came up most often during my research (especially from avid 4×4 campers on Reddit). This 40-litre model can switch from a fridge to a freezer based on your needs, has capacity for 60 cans and a handy internal LED light.
It also gives you an impressive choice of power options, from your car to a powered campsite or home, with the ability to run on 12V DC, 24V DC or 240V AC. Plus a very high 4.8-star average from over 250 customers on BCF (and I’ve found their reviews helpful for a lot of my camping gear).
“Excellent fridge/freezer best on the market extremely quiet and efficient with battery use. The Old Engels over 40 years old I gave to my cousin is still working,” one customer shared in a recent review.
“Only used once, good on power consumption. Nice size for my Isuzu Mux cargo area,” another customer said.
Key features:
- 40L capacity with operation as an all fridge or all freezer (you can switch between them)
- Temperature range of 8°C to -18°C
- Can be run on 12V DC, 24V DC and 240V AC
- Energy efficient Sawafuji swing motor
- Rugged steel body, lid and handles with robust corner protection
- 3-stage voltage and battery protection
- Warranties: 5-year compressor/swing motor, 3-year power supply, temp control assembly, thermistor/s and fan motor
- Dimensions (mm): 631W x 508H x 360D
02
Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 40L Electric Cooler and 2x Battery Bundle
$2248 $1298, Anker SOLIX
Best battery powered portable fridge freezer
This portable fridge freezer from Anker SOLIX is great if you want the freedom to use your portable fridge without plugging it into the car or a powered site because it comes with two rechargeable 288Wh batteries that can last 4.3 days when both are fully charged. You can also recharge them from a car socket, wall outlet, USB-C cord or 100W solar panel.
The 40-litre fridge freezer also has wheels for even easier portability, three cooling modes and a temperature range from 20°C to -20°C.
BHG shopping editor Paris Blanchfield has this portable fridge on her list of must-have camping gear, saying: “If you’re camping in a remote spot, this kind of cooling power is a game-changer and prevents long trips back into town to constantly restock your food and water supply.”
Key features:
- 40L capacity (62 can) fridge/freezer
- Temperature range of 20°C to -20°C
- Two 288Wh batteries that can be recharged via a car socket, wall outlet, USB-C cord or 100W solar panel
- Three modes: Max Mode cools in 15 minutes, Smart Mode to balance cooling and efficiency and Eco Mode for power-saving
- 15cm durable wheels and fold-down handle
- Doubles as a power bank
- Dimensions (mm): 749 x 457.2 x 493
03
Dometic 43.5L fridge freezer and cover pack
$1085, BCF
Best for efficient cooling
Dometic is another portable fridge freezer brand known for its value and quality, and this particular pack comes with both the 43.5-litre fridge freezer as well as a protective – and insulating – cover. This means you can protect the fridge/freezer while on the road, and keep everything in it extra cool, while also being able to access the LED display and power ports as needed.
The fridge/freezer itself has a temperature range between 10°C to -18°C, reversible lid, two storage baskets and a spacious design that’s big enough to store larger drinks or meals upright. Plus it can be run on 12V and 24V DC power (i.e. from a vehicle) and 240V or 100V AC (i.e. a powered campsite or mains power).
“I have had this fridge for 2 years now and I can say it’s absolutely worth it, I have never had a single issue with it,” one customer shared in a recent 5-star review on BCF, where it has a 4.7-star average from over 480 reviews.
Key features:
- 43L capacity (62 can) fridge/freezer and protective cover
- Temperature range of 10°C to -18°C
- Can be run on 12V DC, 24V DC, 100V AC and 240V AC
- Dometic ACV20DC motor with integrated variable motor speed optimisation
- 3-stage battery protection system shuts off the unit to stop a flat car battery
- Warranties: 3-year warranty for fridge, 1-year warranty for cover
- Dimensions (mm): 715L x 398D x 475H
04
King 75L Stayzcool portable fridge/freezer and cover
$598, 4WD Supacentre
Best for families and long camping trips
With a huge capacity that could fit up to 115 cans of drink (or a huge selection of food) this dual-zone portable fridge and freezer plus cover offers great value for money. It also lets you set different temperature zones and has two lids, so you can run it as both a fridge and freezer at the same time whenever you want.
This fridge includes a 240V AC power cable, and has two DC inputs at either end, so you can choose the power source that suits your campsite. Plus it comes with a protective and insulating cover designed especially for it.
“This is a good size portable fridge freezer,” one customer shared in a 5-star review on 4WD Supacentre website, where it has a 4.7-star average from over 25 reviews. “It cooled in next to no time and served us well over the Christmas period and great as a backup to use anywhere anytime.”
Key features:
- 75L capacity fridge/freezer and protective cover
- Temperature range of 10°C to -18°C with option to run as fridge and freezer or at a single temperature
- Can be run on 12V DC, 24V DC or 240V AC
- Smartele compressor
- Dual opening lid design with bottle opener and covered USB-A and -C charging ports
- Warranty: 5-years
- Dimensions (mm): 958×488×461
05
Bluetti MultiCooler Fridge + B70 Battery Pack + 200W Solar Panel
$2897 $2198, Bluetti
Best solar panel camping fridge freezer
Bluetti has designed this portable fridge freezer bundle as an ultimate off-grid solution, with a 40L fridge/freezer that can also make ice, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and 200W solar panel for charging. You can also charge it through your car or AC power (with an adaptor).
It has two baskets in the main section for easy storage and organisation, plus a dedicated ice-making compartment, and has USB-A and 100W USB-C ports so you can use it to power other devices when you’re out in nature.
“The quality is obvious. Bluetooth connectivity and monitoring is excellent. We waited the recommended 24hrs, turned on the cooler at 25c. The set temperature of 4c was achieved in just under 30 mins. The ice maker works a treat, and is far quicker than we expected. AC/DC operations plus solar (if you have the battery inserted). Yet to try the freezer mode as initial requirements are for fridge only. The removable baskets are a winner. Overall capacity is perfect for camping and 4wd use,” one customer shared in a detailed 5-star review on the Bluetti site, where all the reviews were 4 or 5 stars.
Key features:
- 40L capacity fridge/freezer, LFP battery and 200W solar panel
- Rapid cooling from 86°F (30°C) to 32°F (0°C) in 15 minutes
- 3-in-1 design: fridge, freezer, and ice maker.
- Quiet operation of 30dB (fridge) and 45dB (ice making)
- Four ways to recharge, including solar, DC and AC options
- Warranty: 2-years
- Dimensions (mm): 738 x 440 x 475
How portable fridge freezers work
Portable fridge freezers draw power from your car’s battery, a mains connection, external battery, LPG gas or other power source to keep the contents cold or frozen. Most portable fridge freezers use the same compressor technology as a household fridge, circulating a refrigerant gas through the system to maintain the temperature.
But unlike the fridge in your home, portable fridge freezers typically operate on 12-volt (12V) or 24-volt power so that they can draw power from the battery in your car or motorhome. Each fridge freezer will have instructions on how to connect it – and it could be as simple as plugging it into your car’s cigarette lighter or other power socket.
Does a portable fridge freezer drain the car’s battery?
Modern portable fridge freezers have built-in battery protection systems so your vehicle doesn’t get a flat battery. They’re also usually designed to use less power than a standard fridge. Some portable fridge freezers can also be used on mains power (240 volts in Australia), or with rechargeable batteries, solar power set ups and external power banks or generators, giving you a choice of how to power your unit.
For example, you could use your car’s battery on the drive to a campsite, then plug it into a powered site.
Do portable fridges have separate freezer compartments?
While they are commonly called portable fridge/freezers, many of the models in Australia can be set to operate as a fridge only or as a freezer only, meaning you can choose between these settings based on what you’re storing.
But I have also found a small selection of models that can run fridge and freezer sections at the same time. For example, the Kings Stayzcool 75L portable fridge freezer has dual temperature zones, and the Bluetti MultiCooler Fridge has a dedicated ice maker.
How to choose the best portable fridge freezer for your needs
- Decide how much volume you need: Portable fridge freezers can range from around 13 litres to 100 litres, with 40-litre models among the most popular. That’s enough 60 standard drink cans, and most models in Australia list a quantity of cans to help you get a sense of the capacity.
- Check the dimensions: Portable fridge freezers can be large – some of the models here are nearly a metre across – so it’s a good idea to check where they’ll fit in your car.
- Factor in the weight: You can expect a medium to large portable fridge freezer to weigh from 13kg to 40kg, without anything in it. As well as considering how you’ll move it to and from the vehicle, keep in mind the weight it will add (cars typically can carry a few hundred kilograms, up to around 1500kg for a 4WD, but it may affect the way it travels on some roads).
- Consider accessories: If you’re spending a lot on a portable fridge freezer, a cover can be a smart addition to help protect it and add a simple layer of insulation. Additional adaptors, as well as batteries, solar panels or other external power sources are also worth considering so you have alternatives and back-ups in case something happens to your main power source. I’ve been impressed by the range of portable fridge/freezer bundles available at the moment, which offer great value compared to buying items individually.
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