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A portable mini refrigerator is a must-have if you love taking outs or going camping with your family. But, you may find it challenging when purchasing a mini fridge since they are available in the market in diverse shapes, volumes, and brands. To help yourself out with this challenge, rely on this mini-fridges guide!
Having well-preserved food and cold drinks is one of the major requirements of any traveler or camper. A portable mini fridge for camping is an ideal item to help you keep your food and beverages chilled or frozen for the required time. Even better – these mini-fridges are known to increase the shelf life of perishable goods that you might carry.
One outstanding reason to recommend a portable mini refrigerator is that it is efficient and requires low power input. For instance, where there is no electricity, the portable fridge is powered by a solar panel or car battery. Read on for more information about the different types of this item.
Our overall best portable fridge is Cooluli Mini Fridge. This product works as a cooler and warmer. Thus, you use it to maintain the warmth of your food or keep your drinks chilled. It has the support feature of direct current (DC) power and the alternating current (AC) power. It means that you can use it in your house, office, or outdoors with your car or a power bank.
It is small thus fits on any desk and be carried easily. We recommend this product because its temperature, size, and model are perfect! It is also power efficient. A lot of customers have reported their utmost satisfaction from it. More information about this portable fridge is in the review section.
Brand Name | Cooluli |
Item Weight | 4.84 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 10.2 x 7.7 x 10.5 inches |
Capacity | 4 Liter |
Color | White |
Brand Name | Alpicool |
Item Weight | 18.92 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 23.54 x 12.6 x 10.24 inches |
Capacity | 15 Liters |
Color | Grey |
Brand Name | Chefman |
Item Weight | 4.44 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 9.5 x 7 x 10 inches |
Capacity | 4 Liter |
Color | Pimk |
Brand Name | AstroAI |
Item Weight | 4.54 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 9.45 x 6.89 x 10 inches |
Capacity | 4 Liter |
Color | White |
Brand Name | MOSAJIE |
Item Weight | 4.69 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 10.9 x 10.5 x 8.2 inches |
Capacity | 4 Liter |
Color | Black |
Brand Name | COOSEON |
Item Weight | 5.99 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 14.1 x 12.8 x 9.8 inches |
Capacity | 6 Liter |
Color | White |
Brand Name | Cooluli |
Item Weight | 10.98 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 11.4 x 10 x 13.4 inches |
Capacity | 10 Liter |
Color | White |
Brand Name | CalmDo |
Item Weight | 30.2 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 22.8 x 14.6 x 19.7 inches |
Capacity | 36 Cans |
Color | Black |
Brand Name | Cooluli |
Item Weight | 15.62 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 11.4 x 13.8 x 16 inches |
Capacity | 20 Liters |
Color | White |
Brand Name | kealive |
Item Weight | 8.27 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 13.77 x 11.02 x 15.7 inches |
Capacity | 26 Liters |
Color | Red |
For you to be satisfied with the portable fridge you purchase, there are several factors that you must consider before buying. These aspects are essential in determining the durability and efficiency of the purchased item. Therefore, you need to be keen on them for the best choice of a portable mini fridge.
There are different choices of portable camping fridges. The most common ones are the chest fridge design and the upright freezers. The main difference between the two is that the chest design opens from the top, allowing you to see what you need easily. On the other hand, upright mini-fridges open from the front with a door.
The three main kinds of portable fridge include the compressor fridge, absorption fridge, and the thermoelectric fridge. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks. Each of these types is discussed in detail below. As a reminder, selecting the best type of portable camping fridge depends on the intended use. One class may be better than the other when handling a specific task.
Most of the compressor portable camping fridges function like the home fridges. They comprise of a two-way compressor that helps in cooling the interior. One of the outstanding benefits of using the compressor fridge is that they are power efficient. As a result, compressor camping fridges can use solar panels for electricity.
Unlike the compressor fridges, absorption portable mini fridges do not have any moving parts. Instead, these mini fridges utilize refrigeration gas and the process of exchanging heat. The gas used is usually ammonia, where it is first boiled in liquid form and then cooled down. If you like camping in one position for long periods, this is the ideal item for you.
A thermoelectric fridge does not have any moving parts. The portable refrigerator uses thermoelectric plates. Electric current is usually passed on these plates, making heat transfer from one side of the plate to the other, leaving one side cold. These portable fridges are prone to drawing a lot of power, making them less efficient in campsites where electricity is inaccessible.
The most common way of measuring the size of a portable mini refrigerator is by using lites. In most cases, a portable camping fridge size will range from around ten to a hundred liters. However, for an upright fridge, the size can be a bit larger than this. Therefore, you should consider checking on dimensions before purchasing. You might not want to buy huge fridge if you're going to travel with it!
You now understand more about the portable camping mini fridge types and what to consider before purchasing. Now let us look at the products to expect in the market. Here, we will discuss the various best-rated mini-fridges, their key features, advantages, and disadvantages.
Interestingly, we will provide you with the overall best mini-fridge, runners up, and the budget-buy choice that suits your financial needs. Continue reading below to find out about the best portable camping mini fridge to purchase.
Brand Name | Cooluli |
Item Weight | 4.84 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 10.2 x 7.7 x 10.5 inches |
Capacity | 4 Liter |
Color | White |
Are you tired of going out of your office for lunch? Well, here is a solution for you. This portable fridge can be used both to heat and cool. It has a thermoelectric system that allows you to switch from cooling beverages to warming food.
Cooluli Mini fridge has both Alternating Current and Direct Current power adapters; thus, you can use it anywhere. While indoors, you plug in the AC adapter while in the car, you use the cigarette DC connecter. You can power it using a 3A power bank and an included USB cable.
With a durable and sleek design, this product's outside is finished with a beautiful matte and sits perfectly on the desk. Its portability is enhanced by the lightweight and PP (polypropylene) plastic design, a self-locking door that uses a magnet, and included DC adapter. Its handle at the top enhances convenience when transporting.
This portable mini fridge warmer is free from freon, thus one hundred percent safe. It is friendly to the environment since its thermoelectric chilling functions in the absence of refrigerants. The dimensions of its exterior are 11x7 – 1/4x10. It has a cooling capacity of 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit below ambient temperature and warming capacity of 122 to 144 degrees Fahrenheit. Its key features are as follows:
Brand Name | Alpicool |
Item Weight | 18.92 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 23.54 x 12.6 x 10.24 inches |
Capacity | 15 Liters |
Color | Grey |
The material used to make this portable mini refrigerator is strong plastic for durability. Also, it is lightweight to enhance more comfortable transportation wherever you go. It is well sealed and has high-density fluff insulation that aids the cooling capacity all along the journey.
Ensure freshness and save your energy by using the Alpicool C15 portable mini-refrigerator. This product's dimensions are 22.4 by 12.6 by 10.2 inches thus can fit on the desk. Its size is sixteen Quart can carry up to twenty cola cans. Its key features include:
Brand Name | Chefman |
Item Weight | 4.44 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 9.5 x 7 x 10 inches |
Capacity | 4 Liter |
Color | Pimk |
Interestingly, it is used both as a cooler and a warmer with just a switch flip. It would be best if you unplugged it before changing the settings. It means you can carry your lunch while it is still hot. For the best experience, ensure your drinks are cold before putting in the mini fridge while it is on the cold setting. So, food must be hot or warm before placing it in the portable refrigerator while in its hot setting.
Chefman Mini portable has a capacity of 4 liters and can fit six-twelve oz cans of soda. It has a detachable shelf inside that allows you to store small items like yogurt and cheese. With its one hundred percent Freon free state, it is environmentally friendly.
It is durable due to its cETL technology, which enhances safety. Do not worry if it malfunctions while still new since it comes with one-year insurance. The portable mini fridge comes with a user guide and is well-matched to 120 volts current and 12 volts charger. Other fridge’s key features are as follows:
Brand Name | AstroAI |
Item Weight | 4.54 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 9.45 x 6.89 x 10 inches |
Capacity | 4 Liter |
Color | White |
This portable fridge can maintain warmth up to 66 degrees Celsius and cool to 18 degrees Celsius under ambient temperature. It comes with two power adapters; one for the AC outlets and the other for the 12 volts cigarette lighter in your car.
The manufacturers recommend you to use the car AC adapter while the engine is on to prevent battery draining of power. It entails environment-friendly engineering containing 0% freon semiconductor chip of refrigeration. You can buy with no worries since the portable mini refrigerator comes with a three-year warranty from the manufacturer. Its key features include:
Brand Name | MOSAJIE |
Item Weight | 4.69 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 10.9 x 10.5 x 8.2 inches |
Capacity | 4 Liter |
Color | Black |
You connect this portable fridge to a 110-volt outlet with an already equipped AC adapter. When not indoors, you insert the portable refrigerator to the cigarette adapter (DC) of your car. It is small and easy to carry anywhere. It has a volume of four liters and accommodates up to six 12 oz cans. With its detachable shelf, small items such as milk and fruit are easily removable. Its key features are as follows:
Brand Name | COOSEON |
Item Weight | 5.99 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 14.1 x 12.8 x 9.8 inches |
Capacity | 6 Liter |
Color | White |
Portable fridges are for the storage of food and drinks mostly. However, Mini Fridge 6 Liter is a unique one, specially made for makeup. It is probably the best gift you can offer yourself if you are a woman who loves makeup. Its dimensions are 26x19x28 centimeters with a volume of six liters. This portable mini fridge for car comes with two plugs; one for the AC and the other for the cigarette DC. It means your beauty fridge is applicable both indoors and outdoors.
The Mini Fridge 6 Liter portable is designed stylishly with a mirror and LED lights. You can control the lights using a switch that senses touch. Also, you can adjust the brightness of the LED by use of a touch screen. This feature allows you to apply makeup even in darkness, or in environments with poor lighting.
The portable mini refrigerator is environmentally friendly and contains zero percent Freon. The technology used in designing is safe and enhances durability. It favors your personal space due to its small size, thus the best for portability. Its key features are:
Brand Name | Cooluli |
Item Weight | 10.98 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 11.4 x 10 x 13.4 inches |
Capacity | 10 Liter |
Color | White |
This portable mini fridge is for both warming and cooling functions. You control from cooling to warming by just a flip of a switch. It accommodates a capacity of ten liters and has dimensions of 9.4 by 11.4 by 13.4 inches.
The A.C. support is infinity, thus compatible with 100 to 240 volts current. It also has a D.C. adapter (12 V); therefore, it is applicable anywhere. The technology used in designing Cooluli Infinite White portable fridge is advanced, thus utilizes little energy and preventing frost. Once you purchase, you get a one-year warranty and excellent customer support. Its key features include:
Brand Name | CalmDo |
Item Weight | 30.2 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 22.8 x 14.6 x 19.7 inches |
Capacity | 36 Cans |
Color | Black |
This product uses a compressor for refrigeration, thus reaches the freezing point. It has a high capacity and accommodates up to forty-five 12 oz soda cans or thirty-six 16.9 oz beer cans. Interestingly, you can put a bottle of coke (67.6 oz) while standing. You can comfortably carry this portable mini refrigerator on rough roads due to its design, which minimizes shock by 30 percent.
After purchasing CalmDo 37QT mini portable refrigerator, you get two power adapters; the universal A.C. plug and the car's cigarette D.C. power plug. This product protects your car battery through three protection levels; low, mid, and high.
The scales turn off the mini-refrigerator automatically to avoid extensive power drainage and enhancing battery functioning. Besides the food, you use this portable fridge to store other items such as cosmetics and breast milk, among others. Other key features are:
Brand Name | Cooluli |
Item Weight | 15.62 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 11.4 x 13.8 x 16 inches |
Capacity | 20 Liters |
Color | White |
Manufactured by Cooluli, this mini fridge is lightweight and offers you convenience. It is sleek and compact, therefore providing the perfect portability. Its dimensions are 11.25 by 13.75 by 16.25 inches externally and weight 13 lbs. The inner measurements are 8.8 by 9.0 by 13.6 inches. You can use it as a cooler or a warmer.
At the top front, this portable mini refrigerator has a digital thermostat display that lets you change your desired temperatures using touch buttons. Its cooling capability is advanced and uses an innovative semiconductor.
It does not consume energy excessively, emits no noise, and is 100 percent environmentally friendly. It comprises high ideals according to North American standards of electricity. You get a one-year warranty after purchasing the product. Its key features include:
Brand Name | kealive |
Item Weight | 8.27 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 13.77 x 11.02 x 15.7 inches |
Capacity | 26 Liters |
Color | Red |
This mini portable fridge is relatively high volume and holds up to 26 liters. It accommodates about 33 soda cans or six bottles two liters each. It lets you store all your camping foods by offering you the convenience of portability.
You use it both to cool and warm your items. It reaches low temperatures of up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit below ambient. When warming, this mini fridge reaches about 122 degrees Fahrenheit to 158 degrees. It is advisable to put preheated or precooled food items.
The cooling system of this mini fridge is power efficient and has no compressor. It minimizes vibration and noise effects. Its handle locks automatically over its tight casing make, thus ensuring the external temperature does not affect internal.
This portable mini refrigerator has a pair of built-in cords that support both standard outlet power (110 volts) and the car's D.C. socket (12 volts). To determine the right cable for either AC or DC, pick one that fits the A.C. socket or cigarette DC outlet in your car.
Kealive portable fridge manufacturers allow for a replacement or get your money back within 30 days of purchase. Also, you are guaranteed a warranty for twenty-four months; therefore, you need to worry less when purchasing. This mini fridge has the following key features:
It is normal to find yourself in a situation when you cannot understand specific topics or questions about a portable mini fridge. Also, you might be having problems regarding how to use the portable refrigerators or how they function. Below we provide a list of the most asked questions together with their answers.
The time taken for a battery-driven mini-fridge to run out of power is dependent on several factors. First, you will have to analyze the amount of energy the portable mini refrigerator consumes averagely in an hour under specific settings.
In most cases, the manufacturer provides this information. Secondly, you will have to consider your batteries' size. To come up with the approximate average duration, you will divide the cell's capacity by average of power consumed and multiply the quotient by 24 hours.
The time taken for your portable camping fridge to lose its cold temperature varies and depends on several factors. Some of these aspects include the fridge type, the environment change, the initial temperature of the portable fridge, the nature of commodities stored, and the frequency of opening of the lid. It is essential to check these aspects to determine how much time to have your food or drinks in the mini-fridge.
When deciding on the size of a portable camping fridge to purchase, you should consider its intended use. Other important factors include the number of people you expect to use the portable refrigerator, how long you expect it to last, and the amount of space available to keep in. Also, note that a bigger fridge might offer more storage volume, but draw more power.
For perfect operation of the portable fridge using a solar panel, its size must correspond with the recommended requirements of the refrigerator. A bigger fridge might require a more powerful solar panel. Also, note that a solar panel should only be to charge a battery and not run the portable mini refrigerator directly.
Now you understand more about mini-fridges. We have reviewed the different portable mini-fridges in the market and now it is up to you to decide which to purchase. Get to realize what you need in a mini fridge and choose the right one based on your needs. For example, decide whether you want a cooling only portable fridge or a warmer and a cooler before purchasing. It’s all up to you!
Image Credits - Amazon.com, Photo Stocks.
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Yvonne Ferguson is a culinary enthusiast and dedicated cooking tech reviewer. She’s constantly looking for the most up-to-date products and information to share with IceMakersHub readers. Yvonne enjoys making family-friendly recipes while sharing tips on choosing handy appliances for a healthy life.
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