Best Budget Camping Fridges of 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide

Last Updated: January 2nd, 2023

Camping is the favourite free time activity of Aussies and there is no doubt about that. When going out camping on your favourite spot you need to have some key necessities ready with you so you won’t have any issues during your stay. When fully prepared you will be able to enjoy the trip more.

One of the key necessities is a camping fridge. A camping fridge can store all your food and drinks to keep them fresh for a long. You can thus enjoy a long holiday yet eat healthy right from your fridge.

Our Top Budget Pick of 2023

Best Budget Camping Fridges of 2023

These fridges come in all sizes shapes and materials. This article is about the best budget ones. We have picked the best 5 budget-friendly camping fridges on the market that will make your holiday experience more comfortable.

Here comes the list we have handpicked for your ease.

List of Top 5 Best Budget Camping Fridges

1. Brass Monkey Portable (Our Top Pick)

2. Advwin Portable

3. Evakool E047

4. Dometic CFX3 (Best User Interface)

5. Freeze-Way

Introduction:

If you were in search of a compact camping fridge for a short trip brass monkey portable fridge will be the right choice for you. It is a budget-friendly option great for a small family or a short journey where you need to carry fewer food supplies.

This unit offers just 15 Litres capacity which is one of the compact ones in the market. You can however make an additional 5-litre space with lid expansion.

You can select the right temperature for your food using digital temperature control. You can bring your food temperature down to – 20 degrees centigrades.

This is one of the most efficient camping fridges that requires only 12 Volts to run. A 3 stage battery system minimises damage to your car battery.

You can run this unit using a power bank or solar panel too. Brass Monkey offers you a 3 Year warranty on the product which means you can enjoy freezing your food for up to 3 years without any repair cost worries.

Features:

• Can hold 21 cans at a time
• 3 years warranty
• 3 stage low battery cut out
• Expansion lid extends space

Introduction:

Advwin Portable fridge is an efficient unit that can freeze your food within an hour. With a 27 litre capacity, this camping fridge is great for long travels. If you want to consider the best affordable camping fridge so consider this great unit. This unit has a temperature range of – 25 to 20 degrees centigrade.

The max mode helps to quickly cool down food. The Eco mode is designed to save energy costs. It helps minimise energy usage and is thus more economical.

This camping fridge is run on your car battery so the battery protection feature is introduced in it so it won’t damage your battery. The running noise is just 45 dB.

The noise-less operation helps you to enjoy your journey peacefully. The shock-resistant built design of the unit helps while traveling on bumpy roads.

Features:

• -25 to 20-degree centigrade temperature range
• Eco mode for energy saving
• Abs material built for long use
• Led display panel

Introduction:

Evakool Fibreglass Icebox can keep ice for up to 15 days. This depends on the quantity and quality of ice you use. The huge carrying space makes it easy for you to carry other items like drinks and fruits along with food for the journey.

Superior quality insulation is designed to last for a long and is highly efficient.

Side handles on the unit make it easy to carry it around once filled. When loaded with the food the Icebox becomes very heavy then the handles help to move it around.

Evakool has designed fiberglass ice boxes keeping Australia’s harsh weather conditions in mind. The legendary insulation will keep your food cold for a long time. Front locks on the unit help to keep your food secure while traveling on bumpy roads.

Features:

• Stores ice for up to 15 days
• Fiberglass built
• Quality insulation
• Long side handles

Introduction:

When looking for a budget camping fridge Dometic is a great option in the market. Dometic has designed this unit in a variety of sizes so you can choose one based on your convenience and requirements.

The CFX3 has been designed after almost 50 years of feedback and experience. This efficient unit can reach a temperature as low as – 22 degrees centigrade.

Dometic has improved the low voltage technology of its products. When the voltage drops too low the fridge automatically stops functioning.

You can even connect your wifi or Bluetooth to this device. Once connected to your mobile your can control your fridge temperature using the mobile phone.

You can also keep a check on your energy consumption using the phone. You will receive notifications on your phone if you accidentally leave the lid open.

It will also send low voltage notifications. The control panel on the unit is weatherproof so it won’t be affected by any accidental spillage but don’t keep it in rain ever.

Features:

• A wide range of sizes is available
• The lowest temperature is – 22 degrees centigrade
• WiFi connectivity
• Mobile notifications

Introduction:

Freeze-way has designed an efficient cooling unit that will help you stay healthy both on roads and indoors. This portable fridge will be a great option to carry with you for short outings.

An automatic cut-off system in the unit automatically disconnects the power supply from it once the voltage is too low to keep the unit running. This unit has space at the front for two bottles. Heavy-duty side handles make it convenient to carry the load around.

The unit comes with a carrying bag so you can keep your food well secured. The LCD temperature display feature makes it a lot easier for everyone to set up their desired temperature settings. The unit can be powered using the car battery or mains. Thus this freezer will be your companion even at home.

The unit has a square shape so no space is wasted. The internal fruit basket helps to store and organise foodstuff well. The unit has an Australian standard power adaptor so it can work well with both 12 and 24-volt power points.

Features:

• Strong side handles
• Includes a fruit basket
• Square design
• Thick built design

Conclusion

Our Top Pick: Brass Monkey Portable

15L Brass Monkey Portable Fridge or Freezer is the best compact fridge that weighs only 8.6 kgs. The unit has a 15-liter capacity making it a great option for a small journey.

The unit can lower food temperature down to – 20 degrees centigrades. This unit is a great option for traveling in the harsh weather conditions of Australia.

The unit can be run on your car battery as it needs only 12 Volts to function. The battery protection feature of the unit protects your battery.

The unit comes with 3 Year warranty which means you can enjoy it without any repair fear for long. A long warranty also warrants good quality.

Best User Interface: Dometic CFX3

Dometic CFX3 35 Portable Fridge/Freezer – 36L is the best budget camping fridge with an amazing user interface. You can connect the unit to your phone and easily control the temperature by sitting in your room.

You will also receive notifications regarding temperature and voltage on your device so you can easily control all features of the unit. The unit has a weatherproof panel that won’t stop working if you accidentally spill your drinks on it.

The food basket is easily removable and then can be cleaned conveniently. A carrying bag helps you to keep your food strictly secure and protected from damage.

Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Buy the Best Budget Camping Fridge

If you want to enjoy your time in nature fully you surely need to get a camping cooling unit. These cooling units will keep your food supply fresh and thus you can enjoy your time there fully.

You will get to see a variety of options in the market but what’s the right one for you will depend on how you want to use it. Here we will list some important features of a camping fridge you should keep in mind while purchasing one for you.

Cooling Space: You need to consider how much space your vehicle has. When filled camping fridges can be quite bulky. Thus make the decision wisely about how much space is available in your car and how much weight can it pull off.

Material & Durability: If you are looking for the best cheap camping fridge so must check the quality of the material as well. The built material highly affects the quality of your camping fridge.

The cheapest material used for manufacturing a camping fridge is plastic. The expensive ones however have an outer metal casing for improved durability. They provide added strength. The metal casing can however make the unit heavy.

Compressor Warranty: The compressor is the main workhorse of your camping fridge. If you have a cheap compressor in your unit then it won’t last for long. When looking for a durable camping fridge opt for one with a good compressor.

You May Like:

• Sleeping Tips for Campers
• Camping Checklist & Essentials
• Essential Clothes for Camping
• Delicious Camping Meals Ideas

FAQs

Can a budget camping fridge run on a car battery?

Yes, most budget camping fridges can run on your car battery as they need only 12 Volts to function. The unit has a battery protection feature that prevents your battery from getting drained so you can enjoy a long journey with fresh frozen food from your fridge.

Does the budget camping fridge have digital temperature controls?

Yes, all budget units have digital temperature controls. The temperature range does vary from unit to unit. You can select your desired temperature conveniently.