How to Select the Best Cooler or Portable Fridge for Your Camping Adventures

Choosing the right camping cooler or portable fridge can significantly enhance your camping experience. After all, fresh, cold food on a long trip gives you so many more options for what you eat.

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an extended adventure, keeping your food and beverages fresh is crucial for your health, too. But, with so many options available, it can be challenging to decide which camping cooler or portable fridge best suits your needs.

This guide will help you navigate the various types of camping coolers and portable fridges, key features to consider, the pros and cons of different options, and budget considerations to help you make an informed decision (among other things). So, with that, let’s get started!

Types of Camping Coolers and Portable Fridges

When considering your perishable food storage options, you really have two primary choices: traditional coolers or powered, portable fridges. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Traditional Coolers

Traditional coolers are the most common and widely recognized type of camping cooler. They are typically made from durable plastic and feature a simple design with a lid and handles.

But, some coolers are made more robustly than others. For example, we carry a line of Iceland Coolers with polyurethane foam to provide excellent insulation (up to nine days of ice retention in the 75-liter cooler shown above!). And with UV protection on all surfaces, these coolers stand up to the rigors of long journeys and sun exposure.

Another reason why we like Iceland Coolers so much is the freezer-style sealing gasket on the lid. There is no question that when you close the lid on one of these things, it seals tightly to keep the cold in and the heat out. This feature is on each available size of chest-style Iceland cooler, too.

Speaking of sizing, an advantage of going with a camping cooler is that there is a virtually endless range of sizes you can get. For shorter trips, you might consider a 20-quart cooler like the one pictured above. Alternatively, you can invest in a 110-quart cooler with a handle and wheels for your extended outdoor adventures. Iceland Coolers has various other sizes available as well, including 45 quart and 70 quart options.

Advantages of Traditional Coolers

• Affordability: Traditional camping coolers are generally more budget-friendly compared to portable fridges.
• No Power Required: There’s no need to worry about bringing a power supply along for the ride!
• Simplicity: Easy to use, with no complex features or settings to manage.

Given these broad features and benefits, traditional coolers are great options for a variety of outings, from quick picnics with the family to short camping trips. However, given the quality of construction and insulation power of Iceland Coolers, you can plan long adventures, too - up to 11 days with the longship 110-quart camping cooler.

There are some drawbacks to using a traditional cooler, though:

• Limited Cooling Duration: Ice needs to be replenished regularly, even when using a high-end cooler like those mentioned above.
• Less Consistent Temperature: Temperatures can fluctuate in traditional coolers, especially in hot conditions.
• Heavier When Full: Ice adds significant weight to traditional coolers. When using a large cooler that requires a lot of ice, this can add up to a very heavy load to lift!

Portable Fridges

Portable fridges are the top-tier option for keeping your food and drinks cold. These units offer the highest level of cooling performance and often come with a range of advanced features.

For example, one of our favorite portable fridges is the Dometic CFX3 55IM. Not only does this cooler hold up to 53 liters of food, but it also comes with refrigeration and freezer capabilities (though it is a single-zone unit). This unit even includes an ice maker, which is a fantastic feature when you’re camping in the summer and want an ice-cold beverage after a day of hiking, fishing, or bike riding.

If you want something a little larger, the Dometic CFX3 75DZ might be up your alley. This dual-zone portable fridge gives you 75 liters of space and the capability of using both sides at the same or different temperatures. This 12-volt unit can be powered by DC or solar, too, giving you many different options for keeping it powered up.

Yet another intriguing portable fridge option is the National Luna 50-liter Legacy smart fridge and freezer. This is a great option if you have some rough-and-tumble adventures planned. The stainless steel exterior takes the bumps and bruises of off-road travel really well. The proprietary off-road compressor is a champ when the trails get rough, too.

But, as Brody explains in the video above, this portable fridge isn’t just about being tough - it’s also filled with features making it easy to use. For example, it has Bluetooth connectivity that enables you to turn zones on or off as needed. You can also use the onboard controls to select precise temperatures, set the depth of discharge for the battery, and select different modes to adjust the fridge’s performance.

Advantages of Portable Fridges

 Now, while these portable fridges have unique features and amenities, generally speaking, they offer the following benefits:

• Superior Cooling: Portable fridges can reach and maintain lower temperatures than traditional coolers and offer options for freezing food.
• Energy Efficiency: Many portable fridges are designed to be energy-efficient, making them suitable for extended use on long trips.
• Advanced Features: Features like digital displays, thermostats, multiple compartments, and smartphone control provide greater control and convenience.

Needless to say, portable fridges are ideal for extended camping trips, overlanding, and situations where you need reliable and long-term food storage. But, given their compact size and relatively light weight, you can also use any of the fridges mentioned above for shorter camping and overlanding trips.

There are a few disadvantages to be aware of when shopping for portable fridges that you should consider when shopping:

• Expensive: There is a much higher upfront cost when buying a portable fridge.
• Power Dependency: Fridges need a reliable power source for extended use.
• Requires Space Inside Your Vehicle: Many folks install their fridge inside their vehicle or trailer, which takes up precious space for other gear.

Key Features to Consider When Shopping for a Cooler or Portable Fridge

Given that traditional camping coolers and portable fridges both have unique pros and cons, it’s helpful to discuss some general features of each to help you narrow your focus as you shop for food storage.

First and foremost, consider the capacity and size you need your camping cooler or portable fridge to be. A small unit (say, up to 20 quarts) is ideal for a day trip or a night or two camping solo. But, if you’re on a long trip or bringing the whole family along, a large cooler or fridge (over 100 quarts) might be a better option.

A second feature to think about is the quality of the insulation in the cooler or fridge. With traditional coolers, look for models with thick walls and high-quality insulation to enhance its ability to keep your food cold for extended periods of time.

With portable fridges, you want a good combination of insulation and cooling power provided by the compressor. A well-insulated fridge also means it requires less power to maintain the desired temperature.

Other considerations to make include the following:

• Power Source: Battery-powered coolers and fridges offer a lot of convenience, but the battery needs regular recharging. Solar-powered options are convenient as well, but a series of cloudy days can quickly drain the battery. Most people opt for powering coolers and fridges with their vehicles. Adding an auxiliary battery specifically for your cooler or fridge helps protect against draining your vehicle’s starter battery.
• Portability and Durability: A camping cooler or portable fridge is a big investment, so prioritize brands that have reputations for durability (like Iceland Coolers, Dometic, and National Luna). Likewise, consider lightweight options and those with handles and wheels to maximize your ability to move the unit from one place to the next.
• Modern features: As noted earlier, powered fridges like those from Dometic and National Luna have precise thermostat controls, onboard displays for changing settings, and smartphone apps for controlling settings remotely. These features enhance the functionality and convenience of these fridges.

Budget Considerations for Your Portable Fridge Search

Coolers and portable fridges come in all shapes and sizes. You can find them at all sorts of price points, too.

Naturally, smaller coolers will be the most budget-friendly. An Iceland Coolers 30-can soft cooler, for example, is $279.99 compared to the $449.99 price tag on the Iceland Coolers 110-quart longship model. Yet, despite the higher price tag on the larger cooler, it’s still a tremendous value, given the amount of storage space it offers. Combined with the capability to keep ice for up to 11 days, you get a lot of bang for your buck.

But, a cooler isn’t the best option for everyone, and that’s okay! If investing in a portable fridge is the best option for your situation, just be prepared to pay a higher premium for a powered unit. For example, the Dometic CFX3 55IM is just under $1,100, while the Dometic CFX3 75DZ is just under $1,250. The National Luna model discussed earlier is $1,465.

Now, if you’re having sticker shock, consider this - you absolutely get what you pay for when shopping for a camping cooler or portable fridge. Sure, there are dirt-cheap options out there, but you’ll get dirt-cheap performance.

When it comes to safely storing your food, getting the best cooler or fridge you can afford is the way to go. Just think of it as an investment rather than a simple purchase. Get the right cooler or fridge for your needs, and it’ll be something you can use for every camping and overlanding trip you take for many years to come!

A Better Selection of Camping Coolers and Portable Fridges

There’s another layer to the process of selecting the best camping cooler or portable fridge for your outdoor adventures - buying what you need from a trusted source. We’ve been in this business for a long time, and we like to think we’ve built a reputation for having the selection of gear you need with the good old-fashioned customer service you deserve.

At BTR Outfitters, we don’t just carry the best coolers and fridges; we back up our inventory with real-world experience by using the products we recommend. This means we can give you a better buying experience and a better overlanding experience, too. But, hey, that’s why BTR - pronounced better - is in our name!

If you need help selecting the best cooler or fridge for your needs, or if you have any questions about other outdoor gear, don’t hesitate to call us at 888-323-5902 or drop by our facility at 6662 Interstate 20 in Abilene, Texas.