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Serial boat owner Drew Maglio picks out 8 of the best portable refrigerators available right now and explains what features to look out for…

As opposed to passive coolers which rely on dry ice blocks, chemical cooling agents, or old fashioned ice cubes and a well insulated container to keep things cold, the best portable refrigerators use 12/24DC and/or 115/220V AC electricity to preserve their contents. There are two basic variations of portable refrigerators, which include thermoelectric coolers using […]

This article Best portable refrigerators: 8 top options from thermoelectric to co*pressor coolers appeared first on Motor Boat & Yachting.

Serial boat owner Drew Maglio picks out 8 of the best portable refrigerators available right now and explains what features to look out for…

As opposed to passive coolers which rely on dry ice blocks, chemical cooling agents, or old fashioned ice cubes and a well insulated container to keep things cold, the best portable refrigerators use 12/24DC and/or 115/220V AC electricity to preserve their contents.

There are two basic variations of portable refrigerators, which include thermoelectric coolers using the Peltier Cooling Method (i.e. a cold plate to remove heat and decrease ambient temperatures), and co*pressor-driven systems that are more properly called portable refrigerators.

If you missed the recent guide to the best boat coolers, it’s worth reading that piece first, as there are a lot of impressive options to consider before you consider buying one of the best portable refrigerators.

The Dometic CFX range includes some of the most feature-rich portable refrigerators on the market right now

co*pared to thermoelectric coolers, co*pressor-driven systems are vastly superior at both cooling efficiency and capacity — albeit at a far greater cost of entry.

While co*pressor-driven systems can typically maintain temperatures set via thermostatic control, thermoelectric coolers can typically only maintain temperatures of 40-50 degrees F below ambient air temperature.

For this reason thermoelectric coolers are only advisable in temperate climates where daytime temperatures do not exceed 75-80F (24-26C). Furthermore, a good practice when using a thermoelectric cooler is to place a large block of ice in the cooler before running the unit, as thermoelectric coolers do not cool down as quickly as co*pressor-driven systems. With these limitations in mind, the following are some product reco*mendations.

8 of the best portable refrigerators available right now

Thermoelectric portable refrigerators

Halfords 40 Litre Mains and 12V & 24V Electric Coolbox

Specifications

Capacity: 40L

Power: 12V/24V/Mains

Dimensions: 435 x 550 x 370mm

Weight: 8.4kg

Reasons to buy

• Affordable

• co*pact

• Has removable internal dividers

• Can operate on 12V and 24V DC power and 240V AC power

Reasons to avoid

• Energy inefficient

• Mediocre build quality

Eco rating: 2/5

This thermoelectric cooler by Halfords is a relatively inexpensive and co*pact option for usage as an active cooler in a temperate and moderate climate.

Being able to run off DC and AC power with a pull-out handle and integrated wheels, this cooler is a great option for those that need a cheap, co*pact, and no-frills cooling solution.

Buy it now from Halfords

Note: We may earn a co*mission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Coleman 765556 portable thermoelectric cooler

Specifications

Capacity: 40L

Power: 12V

Dimensions: 450 x 410 x 610mm

Weight: 8.16kg

Reasons to buy

• Affordable

• Ergonomic and sleek appearance

• Can be operated in a horizontal or vertical position

• Features a fan to evacuate heat away from the Peltier cooling element

Reasons to avoid

• Only accepts 12V power

• Inefficient when co*pared to co*pressor-driven units

Eco rating: 2/5

This thermoelectric cooler by Coleman is a versatile and affordable option for those looking for a multi-faceted portable refrigerator.

Suitable for use either horizontally or vertically, this unit could even be permanently utilized or mounted as a mini-fridge if ambient air temperatures are moderate enough.

This portable refrigerator is popular with truckers, RVers, and boaters alike.

Buy it now from Amazon

co*pressor-driven portable refrigerators

As opposed to the thermoelectric coolers above, co*pressor-driven systems are superior portable refrigerators in nearly every way—albeit at a substantially greater cost of entry.

There is one particular downside however that shoppers should know about: because co*pressor-driven portable refrigerators rely on a relatively large and heavy co*pressor to evacuate heat, they tend to be substantially larger in terms of dimensions, as well as heavier for a given capacity, when co*pared to thermoelectric coolers.

With that in mind, here are our reco*mendations for co*pressor-driven portable refrigerators.

Norcold NRF-45 AC/DC Portable Refrigerator/Freezer

Specifications

Capacity: 45L

Power: 12V/24V/120V

Dimensions: 430 x 400 x 648mm

Weight: 20kg

Reasons to buy

• co*pressor-driven system that can run off both AC and DC power

• Low wattage

• Relatively affordable for a big name portable refrigerator

• Has dual-zone functionality (fridge and freezer)

• Specifically marine-rated

Reasons to avoid

• Industrial/dated appearance

• Spotty reliability

Eco rating: 4/5

This portable refrigerator by Norcold has been a staple among boaters and sailors alike for years due to its affordable price, cooling efficiency, co*pact footprint, and brand recognition.

While other options on this list have likely passed it by in terms of both quality and value, this unit remains a good buy.

Buy it now from West Marine

Bodega 12V portable refrigerator

Specifications

Capacity: 36L

Power: 12V

Dimensions: 368 x 360 x 724mm

Weight: 17kg

Reasons to buy

• Many additional features – detachable battery, smartphone control, built-in lights, integrated cutting board

• Has wheels which make transport much easier

• Dual-zone functionality (fridge and freezer)

• Stylish and a good value proposition

Reasons to avoid

• Relatively heavy for a given capacity

• Not specifically marine-rated

Eco rating: 4/5

This portable refrigerator by Bodega is a true wild card on this list as it is the most dynamic and portable option—all at an incredibly affordable price of entry.

Featuring wheels and a robust handle, this unit is truly meant to be transported during use and is therefore suitable for weekend boaters.

Things like an integrated cutting board, dual cooling zones, and the ability to be controlled via a smartphone app, make this unit the most functional and ergonomic portable refrigerator on this list.

Buy it now on Amazon

Kohree 12V Portable Refrigerator

Specifications

Capacity: 25L

Power: 12/24/110/240V

Dimensions: 350 x 320 x 570mm

Weight: 12.4kg

Reasons to buy

• Extremely affordable for a co*pressor-driven unit

• co*pact

• Versatile – can run off 12/24V DC or 110/240V AC

Reasons to avoid

• Fewer features than other coolers on this list

Eco rating: 4/5

For the budget-conscious, this unit by Kohree cannot be beaten, which is why it is an Amazon best-seller.

Being co*pact and co*patible with both AC and DC power, this unit is a quality all-rounder without the big name brand tax.

Buy it now on Amazon

Dometic CFF12 portable cooler

Specifications

Capacity: 13L

Power: 12/24/100/240V

Dimensions: 235 x 380 x 562mm

Weight: 9.5kg

Reasons to buy

• Versatile – can run off 12/24V DC or 110/240V AC

• co*pact

Reasons to avoid

• Not the cheapest co*pact cooler out there

Eco rating: 3/5

New for 2023, it’s great to see Dometic improving not just the design of its smallest cooler but the capacity – the co*pany has eked out an additional 18% of internal volume (from 11 litres to 13 litres) despite being almost the same size as its predecessor.

To put that into perspective, the inner space is now big enough to hold 20 standard size 0.33-litre cans. The lightweight co*pressor technology and ‘super-slim’ design of the Dometic CFF12 make it easily portable, and a useful new feature is the detachable cupholder with adjustable fingers to hold various sizes of bottles and tumblers.

It will run from an AC source of 100-240 volts or 12/24V DC and the temperature is adjustable between +10°C and -18°C – cold enough to keep ice creams frozen.

There is also a small external storage co*partment for items such as phones and keys to be placed, and a shoulder strap makes it easier to transport from car to boat or just up the beach when you arrive.

Buy it now from Dometic

Dometic CFX3 Portable Refrigerator

Specifications

Capacity: 32L

Power: 24V

Dimensions: 398 x 407 x 694mm

Weight: 16.78kg

Reasons to buy

• Premium build quality and co*ponents – specifically marine-rated

• Stylish rugged, industrial appearance

• Can be used as a fridge or freezer

• Features battery protection to prevent excess battery drain

• co*es in different sizes

• Features ice trays (55 quart unit)

Reasons to avoid

• Expensive

• Relatively high average draw for a co*pressor-driven unit

Eco rating: 3/5

This portable refrigerator by Dometic is the highest of the high-end solutions on this list — albeit with a price to match the renowned Dometic name.

co*pared to previous generations of Dometic portable refrigerators, the new CFX line is stylish with a rugged appearance, which means it can double as a seat.

With marine-rated co*ponents and integrated battery-saving features, this portable refrigerator is likely to be the best performing and longest lived option in the corrosive marine environment.

Cruising boaters without built-in refrigeration systems often find ways to permanently install Dometic units like the one pictured above onto their vessels, which speaks volumes to the trust they have in the brand.

Buy it now on Amazon (32L)

Buy it now from Dometic (36L)

Buy it now on West Marine (45QT)

Buy it now on West Marine (55QT)

Engel 19QT Portable Insulated Live Bait Fishing Box

Best portable refrigerator for fishing

Specifications

Capacity: 18L

Power: 12V

Dimensions: 422 x 297 x 343mm

Weight: 3.29kg

Reasons to buy

• Features an aerator to preserve bait

• co*pact

• Integrated bait net

Reasons to avoid

• Build quality could be better

• Not very well-insulated for frozen bait or as use as a cooler

Eco rating: N/A

One more bonus option for the fisherman among us, there is a portable livewell/cooler offered by Engel that is well worth a closer look…

Buy it now from Amazon

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated boating page for more marine products.

This article Best portable refrigerators: 8 top options from thermoelectric to co*pressor coolers appeared first on Motor Boat & Yachting.