best yacht refrigerator

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

6 of the best: Marine fridges

• Duncan Kent
• May 4, 2022

Duncan Kent looks at the options for marine fridges on the market and picks out six of the best for your boating needs

Fridges can use a fair bit of power – some more than others. The most energy efficient 12Vdc fridges are the compressor-driven, top-loading type, with thick insulation and good lid seals. Thermo-electric or absorption fridges are the least efficient and can draw up to 200Ah from your batteries in 24 hours.

Many older yachts have simple cool boxes, basically a poorly insulated box with an ill-fitting lid, but they can often be upgraded using an easily available fridge conversion kit, especially those that allow the compressor to be mounted remotely.

Top-entry fridges are ideal for sailing yachts as their contents won’t fall out if opened when heeled. They also retain the cold inside when you open the lid, like a domestic freezer.

As with top-loaders, drawer-style fridges help prevent cold air escaping when opened and keep their contents safe when heeled. They also avoid the need to empty half the fridge out to reach items at the bottom.

Some install domestic 220Vac fridges to save money at purchase against a good quality DC marine fridge. All are front opening, though, and require an inverter to be running permanently when away from your berth, greatly diminishing any savings made.

Commonly, marine fridges have air-cooled condensers, sometimes fan-assisted, which vent into the cabin. Fine in a UK winter, but not in hotter climes so venting them outside will improve efficiency and reduce the cabin temperature. Bluewater cruisers are better off installing a water-cooled condenser, which usually has a bronze cooler plate fixed to the hull underwater.

Best top-opening Marine fridges

Isotherm cruise 41l.

The Isotherm 1410G Cruise is a well-insulated, 41-litre fridge box with a stainless- steel wall liner, a single wire basket and a well-sealed and insulated lid.

It comes with a fan-cooled compressor that can be mounted on the side of the box or remotely within 1.5m of it, making it ideal for retrofitting into an existing cool box area. Clever gas pipe couplings with integral valves enable easy DIY installation and ensure no gas is lost during the process.

Featuring dual fridge and freezer control systems, the fridge is said to draw only 270Wh over a 24hr period and can be set, via the manual thermostat supplied, to operate within a temperature range of between +10° to -10°C.

RRP: £1,090 Buy it now from Cactusnav

DOMETIC COOLMATIC CB40W

The Coolmatic CB40 is a ‘ready to instal’ 40l capacity fridge with a sealed and insulated lid and single wire basket.

The air-cooled, compressor-driven chiller unit features the ubiquitous, low-power Danfoss BD35F compressor with integrated low voltage protection, electronic fuse and automatic polarity protection. The chiller can either be attached to the bottom of the fridge box or remotely within 1.5m of it using integral valve gas pipe couplings.

With a range of cooling from +10°C to -12°C, it comes with a simple to use, built-in manual thermostat.

RRP: £1,053 Buy it now from Dometic

VITRIFRIGO TL43

Available with or without remote couplings for water cooling and with a self-sensing 12/24Vdc compressor, this 43l top-loading fridge box is designed to insert into the existing cool box cavity on a small to medium sized yacht.

The compressor cooling unit can be attached to the box or mounted remotely within 1.4m away and a mechanical thermostat controls the temperature between +10°C to -10°C. The smooth, injection-moulded plastic inner lining also has a small compartment for making ice cubes.

Power consumption is quite miserly at 45W, which at 12V over a 24hr period should only draw around 30-40Ah, depending on the ambient temperature.

RRP: £856 Buy it now from Vitrifrigo

Best front opening marine fridges

On medium to large cruising yachts, it’s often nice to have both top-, and front- opening fridges, the latter often being reserved for use when static.

ISOTHERM CRUISE ELEGANCE

Designed to offer flexibility and efficiency in mobile environments, Isotherm’s Cruise Elegance front-opening fridge comes as standard with smart, brushed aluminium doors that are two inches thick, thereby providing ample insulation where it is most needed.

Unlike most top loaders, this fridge also sports a magnetically sealed freezer compartment for making ice and keeping a limited amount of frozen food in top condition, avoiding the cold air leaking into the general fridge area and icing it up.

As with a domestic fridge, there is space to store tall bottles upright in the door itself. Available in 49l, 65l and 85l capacities.

RRP from: £890 Buy it now from Marine Superstore

KIRAVANS DC50 50L

For those willing to sacrifice a few features to save money, this 50l budget fridge is primarily designed for the caravan/camper market but is equally suitable for small boats.

The main downside being the compressor is permanently attached to the unit and cannot be located remotely, but it fits into the overall box shape so installation shouldn’t be problematic.

The thermostatic controls are almost identical to the more expensive marine models, as are the power requirements (45W @ 12/24V), and they are said to run almost as efficiently.

There’s plenty of room inside for provisions, although no salad box. It also has a large icebox at the top, albeit not double-skinned and sealed like some.

RRP from: £525 Buy it now from kiravans

Best drawer type marine fridges

Drawer-style fridges are not only a great space-saving idea, but they also make finding items much easier than delving into the depths of a top-loader. They can be an expensive option for general use, however.

VITRIFRIGO DW35

The Ocean range of stainless-steel drawer fridges and freezers from Vitrifrigo are elegantly designed with an aesthetically pleasing, brush steel finish.

The DW35 (35l) single drawer fridge or freezer is the latest addition to the range and is ideally sized for a small sailing yacht’s galley. It has a meagre 35W power consumption with autosensing for either 12Vdc or 24Vdc power supplies, plus LED indicated thermostatic control.

They are available in volumes ranging from 35-300 litres, with or without integral iceboxes and a choice of water-, or air-cooled condensers. They also come with a magnetic catch plus a secure latch to prevent them accidentally opening at sea.

RRP from: £1,332 Buy it now from Vitrifrigo

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Choosing The Right Marine Refrigerator For Your Boat

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There's no doubt that a way to keep things cold aboard makes your boating life more pleasant. Here's what you need to know.

Having some form of refrigeration aboard your boat is a godsend. It keeps perishables fresh, prevents milk from going sour, and, should you also have the luxury of a good freezer, can store ice cream for delicious relief on hot days.

If you spend a lot of time at the dock where shore power is readily available, or if you have an onboard generator that you use frequently, your best choice may be a 110v AC refrigeration unit. It's relatively inexpensive, dependable, easy to install, and should give you years of trouble-free service. Most boaters don't live at the dock, however. If you spend time cruising and anchoring out, a better option may be to use either a 12v DC unit or an engine-driven refrigeration system.

Here's what you need to know if you're considering adding or replacing a marine refrigerator aboard your boat.

What Is Marine Refrigeration?

Before getting into exactly what refrigeration is, it's important to understand what it is not. It is a common misunderstanding that refrigeration creates cold, but this is not the case. Rather, refrigeration is the transfer of heat from one area to another. Basically, all refrigerators work on the same principle: A gas is compressed and allowed to expand inside an evaporator (the plate that gets cold inside the refrigerator). As the gas expands it absorbs heat which is then dissipated on the outside of the refrigerator, either to air or sometimes through a seawater heat exchanger. The expanded gas then passes back through the compressor and the cycle repeats. Although there are some exceptions, which we'll cover in a moment, most refrigeration systems consist of six principle components: compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, refrigerant, and thermostat.

Types Of Marine Refrigeration Units

There are three main types of marine refrigeration units: 1. Self-contained units (all-in-one or split systems), 2. thermoelectric, and 3. holding plate systems. Each type has positives and negatives depending on your boat, where you boat, and your marine refrigeration needs.

Self-contained marine refrigeration units. The easiest type of marine refrigeration unit to install is a self-contained unit that looks very similar to one you may have in your home. All the components are typically built into the case with the compressor sitting on a metal tray outside and below the insulated cabinet.

Other self-contained marine refrigeration units are a 12-volt DC split system with the compressor and other components sometimes a fairly considerable distance from the insulated box, which only contains the evaporator plate. Many of these systems are available for DIY installation, with converting an icebox to proper refrigeration a popular upgrade.

The simple installation of only two major components — compressor and evaporator — make these units very popular, and they have greatly improved in recent years. The compressor cycles on and off as the box warms and cools. The amount of time it runs depends on the unit, whether it is raw-water or air cooled, and the amount and type of insulation encasing the cold compartment. While these units draw relatively little current, the total amperage draw over a 24-hour period can be more than the boat's electrical system can handle. A close evaluation of your boat's battery size and recharge capability is in order when installing a 12v DC refrigeration system.

Thermoelectric systems. Thermoelectric refrigeration is the exception to the rule and uses no refrigerant. It is also 12v DC powered but uses what is known as the Peltier effect and has no moving parts except a heat-dissipating fan. These quiet units can last a lifetime, and installation is simple, but they're not for every boat. They're far less efficient than other types, requiring more amps to cool a box. They'll cool the box to 40 to 50 degrees below ambient temperature, which is inadequate for the tropics and other hot weather areas, and possibly not worth the power drain.

Holding plate systems. Engine-driven systems with holding plates are the most powerful system for those wanting deep freezes and lots of ice. The compressor typically runs only once or twice a day for short periods, assuming adequate insulation in the box. However, the initial cost is far more than the cost of a 12v DC unit and it is more complicated, so there's a greater potential for problems. If you consider an engine-driven compressor, factor in the cost of labor of mounting the compressor on the engine itself rather than on a nearby stringer. This allows the compressor to vibrate and move with the engine, resulting in less wear and tear on bearings. Also consider that you will not want the compressor to block access to other components. Usually this type of unit is installed by qualified professionals while other types of 12-volt units are easier to install by a "do-it-yourselfer." Some units have two refrigerant channels in the holding plates with the option of separate AC or DC run compressors for use when plugged in to the dock.

Look for marine-grade construction materials. Most holding plates are made of electropolished or powder-coated stainless steel which is corrosion-resistant and attractive. Water-cooled condensers exposed to seawater should be made of a noncorrosive material such as cupronickel. Marine-grade materials add to the initial cost of the unit, but if you're going to make this kind of investment, buy a dependable unit that will last. Check the manufacturer's warranty — longer is better.

Powering A Refrigerator

There are basically three options when it comes to powering refrigeration: 1. AC units that are powered either from a shore power connection or generator, 2. DC units that run from a boat's battery bank, and 3. engine-driven units that have a compressor powered by a belt running from the engine.

Most 12v DC units come with an air-cooled condenser, although a water-cooled condenser, often an upgrade, is preferable, especially in warmer climates. Water cooling is more efficient, so you get greater cooling capacity with a smaller unit, and they can be installed almost anywhere. Air-cooled condensers must be mounted where they can be ventilated to dissipate the high heat removed from the ice box. For 12vDC running at dockside, simply plug in your battery charger and replace the battery power you're using. Away from the dock, your primary consideration is how often and how long you must run your engine to have ice and cold food. Having a dedicated battery bank for your refrigeration unit is a good idea, but remember that you still have to run your engine, generator, or have a wind generator or solar panel to recharge the battery. You can increase your options with an AC/DC refrigerator or icemaker. The dual-voltage units switch from AC to DC automatically when the AC power source is shut off.

Converting An Icebox

If you plan to convert your existing ice box to a refrigerator and/or freezer using a conversion kit, pay special attention to the box's insulation. Heat loss through leakage can be cut in half by increasing the insulation from 2 to 6 inches. Most refrigeration manufacturers will be happy to provide you with good information for properly insulating and/or building an ice box for use with their units.

Portable units can be a popular alternative for some boats that do not have space for a permanently installed refrigerator. They're a smaller, lighter, and a convenient alternative to hauling that heavy, bulky cooler of ice on every outing. But, typically, they don’t cool as well as a permanently installed unit.

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Best Marine Refrigerators

‍ ‍ ‍ Key Takeaways

• Most marine refrigerators have reliable energy efficiency and great cooling ability
• Avoid brands that have bad marine refrigerator reviews and poor customer service
• Many brands offer options for a power source and are compatible with a solar panel
• Take measurements of your desired space for a fridge and get one that is space saving
• Some boaters like a silent operation if it is near where they sleep

‍ Long boating trips are best when you can save food with a boat refrigerator. So who makes the best marine refrigerator?

The best marine refrigerators are the Costway Compact Fridge, Alpicool C20, and ICECO VL60. Marine refrigerator brands make various sizes, with different prices, and intended use to compliment your boat. Depending on your intended use will matter to the efficiency of the boat fridge.

In my experience, a boat fridge saves you money with storing groceries and keeping drinks cold on a hot day. If you plan on spending more than a day on a boat then you should try to find the best marine refrigerator for you.

Table of contents

‍ ‍ ‍ The Top 11 Best Marine Refrigerators

The most efficient marine refrigeration system is indispensable to boating enthusiasts who consider life on water their mantra. Marine fridges can elevate the experience of seafarers and dock dwellers alike while also maintaining the palatability of consumables regardless of the voyage's duration.

Optimal marine refrigerators, such as those outlined below, guarantee the sustenance of provisions during extended expeditions. With portable refrigerators or ones you install for boating, your galley is no longer confined to the shore.

Costway Compact Car Freezer

This cost-effective fridge packs a punch and is perfect for extended camping or fishing expeditions with impressive cooling abilities and ample storage capacity even in extreme heat. It can function as a fridge or freezer and operates efficiently with portable solar panels.

The roomy interior can accommodate beverages and fresh ingredients. Some users reported that the AC adapter’s lifespan is a concern and occasional temperature problems have been reported.

• Lower cost compared to other marine refrigerators
• Solid amount of space inside
• Energy efficient
• AC adapter could be better
• Temperature settings can move off of desired number

​​Alpicool C20

The Alpicool marine refrigerator boasts a lot of positives. It offers power-saving with its ECO mode and uses roughly 240 watts over the course of an entire day.

After disconnecting from a power source you can still have it powered through a battery and even use solar if you have that setup. It is a little on the small side but perfect for just one or two people wanting to keep their food cold.

• Does not use a lot of power throughout the day
• Lightweight and quiet
• Great job at providing cold air
• Not as large as other marine fridges
• Some may not want a portable refrigerator

A handful of user reviews have stated that this marine refrigerator is something that they would consider tough and made out of marine grade materials. This is a great option for chilled food items on both land and sea no matter the ambient temperature.

It can withstand the elements but do not leave it out for long periods of time in direct weather ailments. If you are looking for the best marine refrigerator this should be on your list if you are needing more holland capacity.

• Plenty of storage to hold cold food
• No problems keeping cold air and can run off of various power sources
• Quality materials making it very durable
• Fan might be loud for some
• More expensive compared to smaller models

Black + Decker Compact Refrigerator

This top brand mini fridge offers pleasant surprises in its compact form. User reviews noted that it kept food and drinks cool throughout a week-long fishing trip while even accommodating extra bottles with smart use of space.

It runs silently and has long-lasting durability. This makes it worth its 70-watt power usage for consistent cooling and ample capacity.

• Reliable cooling from reputable brand
• Proven to last years
• Has a freezer and is quiet
• Eats more power compared to other competing marine refrigerators
• Some users reported the freezer is too small

Ausranvik 63 Quart Portable Marine Refrigerator

Ausravik brings a quality marine refrigerator to the table with its solid cooling capabilities and slightly less in price compared to other brands. It can be used with a variety of power sources to get the job done.

It also has a great feature that will not slam your fingers down with the lid open. This is perfect for families or if you prefer to save your own fingers. You can also find this in various sizes that can meet your cold air and food capacity goals.

• Quick cooling and has low power consumption
• Good capacity depending on size purchased
• Great idea for the anti-pinch feature
• Temperature readings can be off sometimes
• Materials might not hold up in rough conditions

ENGEL Portable Marine Refrigerator

Engel has a history of making quality ice chests and this is right on par with the other quality items they have made. As a portable marine refrigerator this is an excellent choice.

It is well-designed and sturdy enough to handle tough conditions you might experience on the water. It also performs well as it is energy efficient and a not noisy at all. The only drawback seems to be the latches and they might have to be replaced after years of heavy use.

• Quality brand that was able to make another great product
• Silent and energy efficient
• Users have held onto this for over five years or longer
• Latches might have to be replaced after a few years

Whynter Portable Refrigerator

This marine fridge is perfect for traveling and cruising for long periods at a time. Its low power draw, versatility, and cooling capability make it a reliable choice.

It can run on both 110V AC and 12/24V DC power sources without needing to switch wires. It can quickly cool food items to -10 degrees in an hour in a 90-degree ambient temperature. Its robust construction and quiet operation are also notable.

• Great value for the price
• Quiet and can run off multiple power sources
• Quickly cools to desired settings
• A bit heavy when loaded down
• Temperature settings can be off after years of use

VBENLEM Portable Refrigerator

This portable fridge holds more than plenty due to its dual zone design and also saves energy. The electronic temperature control allows you to easily set the desired temperature.

The fridge even has an app for you to control or check on settings. It is durable and comes with an adapter to plug into various outlets for power.

• Plenty of storage
• An app that you control and easy to operate digital display
• Cools fast and is energy efficient
• Draws power even when turned off
• App may be confusing at times

Dometic Waeco Coolmatic

This adaptable and energy-efficient fridge/freezer outshines some of its weaknesses. It perfectly fits boats that have limited space and it seamlessly shifts between functions while saving power at only 48 watts.

The interior space is disappointing but it makes up for it if you are able to maneuver items in a certain way. The power cord is too short and requires an extension if needing to make it work in a given spot.

• Can use as a freezer
• Great cooling capacity
• Can fit on smaller vessels
• Small interior
• Power cord is short and requires extension

EdgeStar Convertible Refrigerator

EdgeStar’s convertible marine refrigerator is compact, durable, and perfect for cooling and freezing needs. With quick cooling abilities that will not drain your boat’s power it is a great option for short trips.

It also could be a convenient backup freezer for fresh produce since it features insulation that rivals traditional fridges. The locking feature and stainless steel finish demonstrate the care put into its design. The compressor did take up a bit more space than desired.

• Great cooling capabilities
• Solid locking feature
• Better if it had more storage space

Norcold 751

This Norcold marine fridge impresses with its sturdy build and generous capacity. Despite a slightly high power draw the cooling performance is superb after fitting an auxiliary fan.

The modern and minimalistic style fits well with most boat cabin styles. It can easily fit in a center console and perfect on a three-day fishing trip.

• Performs well to cool
• Great amount if interior space
• Modern style fridge
• Handles will likely break after a period of time

How to Find the Best Marine Refrigerators

Finding a marine fridge for you will take some time and patience. There are a plethora of options to consider and you will need to understand the intended use for it.

Most metal or stainless steel products indicate a refrigerator's durability. Some major brands offer a various warranties that help make it less of a concern. Look for marine refrigerators that are both stylish and long-lasting.

Type of Power and Use

Numerous 12V refrigerators can run on house batteries or switch between AC/DC. Power consumption varies based on insulation and compressor cycling.

In long-distance cruising you should aim for efficient systems. A propane marine refrigerator will have a fire/explosion risks and pilot lights must be monitored.

Amount of Space

Check the dimensions of potential ice chests, especially if space is limited. Mini marine fridges are usually compact enough but sailboat refrigeration systems may take up a lot of room.

Ensure your sailboat refrigerator fits the designated space in your cabin by measuring it precisely. You should also consider the additional space that a marine drawer fridge will require when opened.

Intended Use

For tougher environments you should aim for a stronger refrigerator. Determine the required capacity by considering if you will be cooking frequently or only storing drinks.

A regular cooler may be sufficient for drinks and then you can utilize the marine fridge. A marine refrigeration kit can enhance performance and its power consumption.

Ease of Transportation

If marine fridges are heavy then they will be a chore to carry often. Frequent use of a lightweight icebox by travelers and boaters makes it easier to carry along on trips.

How Much Sound

Compressor refrigerators are generally louder than absorption-based ones. Most consumers prefer brands that prioritize low running noise despite using compressors. This becomes especially important if the fridge will be running overnight near where you are sleeping.

Budget always plays a role in everything you do. Most boaters want to be able to get a good deal on a marine fridge without breaking the bank.

If you are able to calculate your finances then you should be able to judge your budget range. Keep in mind that the most expensive options are not always the best and that you should do enough research to best fit your needs.

Benefits to Having a Boat Refrigerator

A marine refrigerator provides the same benefits as a home fridge while out at sea and allows for fresh meals. Investing in a heavy-duty refrigerator can provide long-term health benefits and eliminate the need for constantly adding ice.

Although marine fridges have a high price tag and consume a lot of power they offer uninterrupted cooling and eliminate the need for constant re-icing like with a cooler. A standard cooler is more cost-effective in the long run since marine refrigerators require a continuous power supply.

Having one for a fishing trip is a great idea if you are wanting to harvest the fish soon after catching. You would be able to store them after cleaning in your fridge for safe keeping.

How to Take Care of Your Marine Sailboat Refrigerator

Many of these fridges are self-contained and small but it is wise to seek expert assistance to maintain the refrigerant and compressor. You should also have them checked annually and not left out in the elements if possible.

While you are using them you should inspect the seals for any damage and defrost units with a freezer. This allows you to maintain proper humidity levels and cooling capabilities without having your fridge use too much energy.

You should also look for moisture that could cause unwanted mold, bacteria, and pests. The most common places for mold to grow would be where the door closes. This could mean you have an issues with the seal but that would be an easy fix.

Various Types of Marine Refrigerators

There are a handful of marine refrigerators on the market that cater to specific uses. It is important to know what type you are interested in so that you do not purchase one needing special attention upon setting up.

Portable Units

It is easy to understand why portable refrigerators are so popular among vessels that are mobile. They are easy to install, operate right out of the box, and come with their own batteries or compatible with yours.

They are cheaper and more flexible than conventional marine refrigeration options. Some use isotherm marine refrigeration which is known for boosting cooling efficiency and can even be converted from a standard refrigerator using a boat fridge kit.

Cold and Holding Plates

Marine cold plate refrigeration provides an efficient cooling without needing constant operation. Choosing between eutectic and an evaporator plate involves trade offs such as an eutectic plates cool slowly but keep temperature longer and  evaporator plates cool fast but lose cold quickly.

Choosing holding plate systems to cool your engine efficiently and can also retain temperatures for hours with proper insulation. These offer great ice retention but note their higher cost and power consumption compared to other sailboat refrigeration options.

Thermoelectric and Propane

Thermoelectric systems draw excessive power for modest cooling, struggle with temperature control, and are restricted to certain boat types. They boast longevity even though they are not the best in the other categories.

They typically can last for decades and even the entire lifespan of a vessel. Keep in mind of their enormous amount of power use due to their unconventional refrigerant-free approach.

Propane is considered risky by some boaters but it is still a viable option for many. Proper safety measures ensure reliability as long as you are keeping an eye on things.

Some marine absorption fridges will utilize a cutting-edge technology that eliminates compressors and fans for noiseless operation. An absorption fridge will harness low-grade heat to power most of the cooling and provide a great alternative for energy hogging fridges.

Are Marine Refrigerators Easy to Install?

Installing a self-contained drop-in refrigerator is easy since the compressor is included. Most featured products either have no separate compressor or none at all. Assembly of Isotherm fridges is best done by a professional unless you are confident in tackling that.

These types of refrigerators are commonly portable and ready to use once plugged in without any additional setup required. It is important to consider a variety of factors such as power source, size, location, and loading style when placing built-in fridges.

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Daniel Wade

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Marine Refrigerators: Make the Right Choice for Your Boat

Selecting the right marine refrigerator for your boat is crucial to ensuring a pleasant and convenient boating experience. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which refrigerator best suits your needs.

In this article, we’ll discuss the essential factors to consider when choosing a marine refrigerator and provide recommendations based on different boating requirements.

What Separates a Marine Refrigerator from a Household Unit?

Marine refrigerators are designed specifically for use on boats and yachts, providing cold storage for food and beverages. They are typically built to withstand harsh marine environments and have a few key differences from standard household refrigerators:

• Size and design: Marine refrigerators are usually more compact and designed to fit into the limited space available on boats. They may have front-opening or top-loading designs to maximize space efficiency.
• Power source: Marine refrigerators can run on various power sources, including 12V or 24V DC systems (from the boat’s battery) or 110V/220V AC systems (from shore power or a generator). Some models may have dual voltage capabilities, allowing them to switch between different power sources as needed.
• Energy efficiency: Since boats often have limited battery capacity, marine refrigerators are designed to be energy-efficient. They often use well-insulated compartments and efficient cooling systems like the Danfoss compressor, which is popular in marine refrigeration.
• Vibration and corrosion resistance: Marine refrigerators are built to withstand constant movement, vibrations, and the corrosive effects of the saltwater environment. They often use stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials in their construction.
• Secure closures: Marine refrigerators typically have secure latches or locking mechanisms to prevent doors from accidentally opening when the boat is rocking or in rough seas.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Marine Refrigerator

When selecting a marine refrigerator, keep the following factors in mind:

• Space and size: Measure the available space on your boat to ensure the refrigerator fits comfortably. Take into account the unit’s depth, width, and height, as well as any ventilation requirements.
• Power source: Consider your boat’s power system (12V/24V DC or 110V/220V AC) and whether you need a dual voltage refrigerator to switch between power sources as needed.
• Energy efficiency: An energy-efficient refrigerator is essential on a boat, where battery capacity may be limited. Look for units with efficient cooling systems and good insulation.
• Design: Choose between a front-opening or top-loading refrigerator, based on your personal preference and space constraints.
• Material and construction: Opt for a marine refrigerator with corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, to withstand the harsh marine environment.
• Cooling method: Marine refrigerators typically use either absorption or compressor-based cooling systems. Compressor refrigerators are more energy-efficient and provide better cooling performance, while absorption refrigerators are silent and require no moving parts.

Top Marine Refrigerator Recommendations

Based on the factors mentioned above, here are our top marine refrigerator recommendations for various boat sizes and requirements:

Small Boats:

• Isotherm Cruise 42 : This compact, top-loading refrigerator offers 42 liters of storage capacity and features a highly efficient Danfoss compressor. It’s perfect for small boats with limited space.
• Dometic Coolmatic CRX50 (Amazon): A front-opening refrigerator with 45 liters of capacity, the CRX50 can run on both 12V/24V DC and 110V/220V AC power sources. Its stainless steel construction ensures durability and corrosion resistance.

Medium to Large Boats:

• Vitrifrigo DP2600 : A spacious, front-opening refrigerator with a separate freezer compartment, the DP2600 offers 230 liters of total storage capacity. It features a highly efficient Danfoss compressor and can operate on both 12V/24V DC and 110V/220V AC power sources.
• Isotherm Cruise 195 : With a total capacity of 195 liters, the Cruise 195 offers ample storage space and features separate refrigerator and freezer compartments. Its stainless steel construction and efficient compressor make it a reliable option for larger boats.

Additional Features to Consider

Apart from the primary factors, consider the following additional features when choosing a marine refrigerator:

• Secure door latches: These prevent the refrigerator door from accidentally opening during rough seas or boat movement.
• Adjustable shelves: Having adjustable shelves allows for more flexibility in organizing your refrigerator’s contents.
• Reversible door hinges: A refrigerator with reversible door hinges can be easily adapted to fit different boat layouts.
• Temperature control: A built-in thermostat or digital temperature control allows you to maintain the ideal temperature for your stored items.

Final Takeaways

Choosing the right marine refrigerator for your boat involves careful consideration of various factors such as size, power source, energy efficiency, design, material, and cooling method.

By assessing your boat’s specific requirements and keeping our recommendations in mind, you can find the perfect refrigerator to enhance your boating experience.

Remember to also look for additional features like secure door latches, adjustable shelves, reversible door hinges, and temperature control for added convenience and functionality.

Happy boating!

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The Best Marine Refrigerators

Written by Anthony Roberts / Fact checked by Jonathan Larson

Has your boat cooler been affording you a less-than-satisfactory experience for a long while now? Or do you simply want to go heavy-duty from the get-go and enjoy the remarkable, innovative things that the best marine refrigerator has to offer?

Indeed, any solid marine refrigeration system that any sea vessel isn’t limited to keeping a few beers and a couple of your catch fresh anymore. Rather, you get the whole nine yards of luxuries you normally only get to enjoy when you’re on land. Imagine partaking in a bountiful feast anywhere you are on your voyage.

To anyone who adheres to the idea that “boating is life”, opting for a more comprehensive refrigeration unit is the way to go. Whether you like to spend most of your days at your favorite dock or at sea, these marine appliances boost any boater’s quality of life, as the following selections readily prove.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B

Jump to Review

Alpicool A50

Whynter FM-45G

Table of Contents

1. BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B Compact Refrigerator

2. alpicool a50 portable refrigerator, 3. whynter fm-45g portable refrigerator, 4. ausranvik apr-42w portable refrigerator, 5. iceco vl60 dual zone portable refrigerator, 6. engel mr040f-u1 portable fridge, 7. vbenlem portable refrigerator, 8. dometic crx-65 refrigerator and freezer, 9. smeta sdw-40 compact refrigerator, 10. norcold nr751bb refrigerator, types of marine refrigerators, benefits and drawbacks of using a boat fridge, buying guide, care and maintenance, frequently asked questions, top 10 marine refrigerator reviews.

At once stylish and brimming with the quality this brand is known for, this supposedly mini refrigerator is actually packed with big surprises.

I got a refreshing peek at how much of a doozy this small refrigerator is when a friend of mine brought it along in one of our yearly fishing trips to the Keys. Back then, I thought it wasn’t really a boat-friendly fridge, and it gave me the impression that it belonged more in a dorm or office. But after it kept our drinks and food, and (thanks to the freezer) a few ice cubes cool for the entire week-long affair, I was sold.

It’s not all about consistent cooling, too. This is one of the few fridges that let you squeeze in an extra bottle or two or even three if you know how to capitalize on the space it gives you. That being said, it works better as an all-around refrigerator and not as a beverage-only ice box.

I’ll also take zero-noise operations any day, and I’m glad this one won’t be out of place in a library. While I’ve only used mine for less than a year, my friend has been using hers for 5 years now. That’s enough proof for me of how durable it is. Do take note, though, that she is not a regular boater like me.

• Consistent cooling you can expect from a recognized brand
• Proven to last for years
• High capacity for its size
• Freezer included
• A bit more power-consuming

This portable refrigerator readily stands out in essential benchmarks like cooling, capacity, and durability.

When I said “everyone’s needs”, I meant it. After all, who could possibly shun a refrigerator that draws little power? This is to the point that you won’t mind leaving it on for days and even weeks. That’s exactly what’s been by regular habit and setup with this fridge, and I literally have nothing to complain about except a minor thing I’ll explain below.

It cools any water bottle or beer I place inside it in less than an hour. I even like to set it at 27 degrees at times to enjoy cooler beverages than usual, which I find especially gratifying if I go to warmer fishing ports like Port Aransas in Texas. It’s as easy to control as it’s modest in eating up my boat’s power.

I think the anti-shaking feature doesn’t get enough attention. I’ve ridden my center console a few times with this at sea and have encountered killer waves on more than a handful of occasions. It has consistently managed to keep its contents intact every time and has not slipped at all. Also, I don’t mind taking it out to saltwater sites too much because of the primarily stainless steel build.

I like the relative tallness of the entire thing. It allows me to fit some of the larger and taller wine bottles I like to bring along sometimes. The capacity hits the spot, and even if it’s fully filled, I don’t mind carrying it. In fact, I can safely say it’s one of the lighter ones I’ve owned.

• Quick and excellent cooling capability
• Energy-saving and easy to control
• Anti-shaking feature
• Adequate capacity and lightweight
• Stainless steel for topnotch durability
• Poor customer service

Most coolers cost twice as much as this refrigerator but lack the terrific perks you can get from it such as rapid cooling with various modes and decent power-saving at a comparatively affordable price.

The 65-watt power is higher than most, but if you know how to play your cards right, you can keep its power draw consistently low. I often use a dedicated battery for it and keep it on low power mode, and it has managed to outshine plenty of soft-sided coolers I’ve used in the past. I normally let it run continuously for 12 hours this way and regularly enjoy cold food and drink while fishing.

The Fast Freeze feature is neat in that I can always turn it on for an hour to get my beer cold, especially if it’s hooked to my sailboat’s engine. I don’t mind filling it up with fish, too, because of its relatively spacious interior. This has since become my secondary, go-to sailboat freezer, for these reasons.

I also think the drain plug deserves to be highlighted because it more than makes up for the heft of this gadget. I don’t know about the brand’s statement that it makes cleaning easier, but it does drain any liquid that I need to get rid of fairly quickly and hassle-free. Ultimately, it only means I don’t have to break my back just to do so.

• Plenty of useful cooling modes
• Spacious interior
• Decent power draw
• Useful drain plug
• More affordable than most
• Heavy for its size

Overall, this is one of the more responsive brands out there, and this refrigerator’s plethora of features like the dual-zone, rapid cooling, among others.

I bought this when it was new in the market and cost $100 less. It’s one of the bargain purchases I’ve made with that considered because I like a lot of the primary and secondary features of this boat freezer. I’d be more than happy to buy another one for what I got.

However, do keep in mind that it’s only been a few months since I bought it. Even so, I’ve tested it a lot in that relatively short amount of time. I love that the accompanying cables are long enough to accommodate relatively wide distances and are equally flexible.

During one fishing trip to Lake Fork, I discovered that it reverts to and maintains the temperature that you last set once you turn off the engine. This is neat, as I don’t have to keep it running. I also noticed how quickly it cools, and I’ve enjoyed ice-cold beer and ice cream, and milk for my kiddos, with the temperature set at a steady 30 degrees.

The general build appears sturdy, but I obviously can’t say much about the durability yet. The miscellaneous features I like are the drain plugs and the divider since it keeps my food and drinks organized without extra effort. Cleaning becomes less of a hassle, too.

A note about the anti-pinch lid: my kid once had the unfortunate experience of having his fingers bear the brunt of a closing lid. It caused him significant pain for a good portion of a week. This is why I’m more than happy to give this feature my nod of approval for the amount of pain it will spare as a result of these seemingly “minor” accidents.

• Long, flexible cables
• Fast cooling
• Offers neat, power-saving opportunities
• Adequate capacity
• Lots of helpful extra features
• Noisy operation

Anyone who won’t settle for anything less than top-notch quality should choose this heavy-duty, almost military-grade refrigerator. It works well in both land and sea applications.

My wife and I have since made this our favorite ice box every time we either go camping or fishing. The main reason stems from the fact that it can hold up to a week’s worth of supplies while alternating between plugging it in and letting it run on a 12V DC solar battery. I alternate between the two fairly elementary low and high energy modes to make the most out of it every time — it always manages to maintain its set temperature regardless.

The quality of construction deserves all the recognition in the world. It virtually enlightened about what type of quality you could expect from ICECO. I wouldn’t be surprised if this refrigerator can shrug off getting hit by a car head-on or dropping from a couple of floors.

So far, after close to a year of ownership, I still enjoy the said advantages. There have been a few instances when it got wet in a rain shower while I was out at sea, but it never showed signs of deterioration. I don’t know about other users who said it’s silent, but I can confirm that the fan can be a little too loud.

• Excellent interior design
• Easy to optimize cooling
• Heavy-duty build
• Handles most boats’ optimal heel angles well
• Great value for mone

However portable this fridge might be, I actually won’t hesitate to make it a permanent ice box in any pontoon or sailboat.

This was one of the top-rated marine refrigerators I owned. I bought Engel coolers before and have only gotten quality out of most of them. I wanted to try out what they have to offer in the boat fridge category, and, looking back now, this one served as an outstanding introduction.

This one promptly stood out to me because it looked well-designed to me, as far as the entire thickness and the cooling ability are concerned. For one, it integrates a top lid, which I always use as a gauge of high cooling power. Coupled with the energy-efficient and noiseless operation, I can safely say that it set the bar high for qualities that I look out for in my boat fridges.

For these reasons, it became a regular fixture in my good, old Sabre 28 for a number of years. I’ve lost count of the numerous times I’ve enjoyed freshly grilled seafood, steak, and beers from it. In fact, I’ve wired it to a li-ion battery and haven’t taken it out of the vessel since.

It’s tightly sealed, to the point that it still beats the newer models out there in cooling and maintaining temperature. I almost always let it run 24/7 every time I take off with it. I won’t bother listing the 30-degree incline support as a pro since it should be a given, but it does go to show that Engel knows what to deliver in a boat refrigerator.

• Proven energy-efficient
• Silent operation
• Steady cooling and temperature retention
• Proven to las
• Subpar latches

This refrigerator effectively pays homage to the classic fridge design, to the point that your boat becomes an extension of your home — if you don’t already consider it as such, that is.

The traditional design, which honestly appealed to me from the get-go, belies an advanced feature called “non-compressor absorption style”. I’m no AC expert, but the absence of a compressor makes all the difference noise-wise (or lack thereof). This is one of the most silent fridges I’ve owned.

Coupled with the conventional design that I like, this only makes it well-deserving of a spot in this list. That’s not to say that its performance doesn’t warrant attention. At best, it’s a solid refrigerator — not too outstanding but still above-average. I’m probably used to refrigerators that have faster cooling options.

I know a fellow boater who uses this as a mainstay marine refrigeration unit in his sailboat. He says he likes the energy-saving he gets out of it, especially when compared to other more high-end units out there whose plugs he needs to pull before long because they gobble up engine power. He confidently leaves this one all the time for this reason.

It’s a bonafide space saver thanks to its inherently “mini” quality. I was prepared to be disappointed in the capacity, but I was pleasantly proven wrong when I saw how many beer cans you can squeeze in its 40L capacity. Again, I attribute this to the traditional design.

• Traditional design
• Decent cooling
• Notable energy-saving
• Close to silent operation
• Compact but still capaciou
• Pales in cooling when compared to other boat fridges

This fridge/freezer’s dynamic performance, energy efficiency, and adaptability overshadow a couple of its alleged weaknesses.

I bought this to replace the refrigerator in my Hunter 33 cruiser. With the limited space I can work with, I’m just glad it fits to a tee. I have to admit that I struggled a bit in finding a replacement refrigerator that I wouldn’t need to make adjustments for, but thanks to this box, my search ended abruptly.

Above all, this refrigerator shines in the way it seamlessly shifts between functioning as a freezer, refrigerator, or a mix of both. It takes getting used to how it works, particularly familiarizing yourself with its temperature control, to show you its magic. Ultimately, it allows me to rely on it completely and not have to bring along another cooler just for keeping things frozen.

It doesn’t eat as much power, too, and only operates at 48 watts at most. I can easily compare it to my other units, especially if I take the same week-long fishing trip to the Keys, and this one often saves. It must be because I don’t leave it constantly running in the same mode and shift temperatures frequently.

• Doubles as a freezer
• Notable cooling capability
• Fits most boats with small cabins
• Power-savin
• Power cord could be longer
• Relatively small capacit

For its consistency in cooling, extremely silent operation, and well-designed interior, this compact refrigerator already ticks plenty of the right checkboxes.

I’ve been looking for a permanent refrigerator for my Island Packet 31 after I refurbished it last year. To fit the more modern aesthetic, I chose this SMETA fridge because I like the huge capacity you get for such a mini-refrigerator, besides its evident contemporary style. I had to make a few minor adjustments to suit its size, though.

It claims to fit 28 cans, but I haven’t tried that out yet since it works great as a conventional storage refrigerator for me. I often pack it with fresh vegetables and fruits, milk, and, of course, a couple of suds. It has never disappointed me, and only doubles its charm because of its zero-noise operation.

During one trip to Lake Conroe, I and the boys were craving some steak, and we bought some at the supermarket before setting off. We had nothing else to keep it in, so we just stowed it in this chest. Long story short, it managed to keep the T-bones frozen for the entire day until we threw it on the grill for dinner , that is.

This is the only fridge in this list whose seals I’m willing to highlight. They’re nothing short of excellent, to the point that they defeat the purpose of the included door lock. Overall, it serves as a good sign that the brand knows how to design a refrigerator well.

• Compact but relatively capacious compared to others
• Not a freezer but can maintain frozen goods for a long time
• Excellent seals
• Big power draw

This Norcold marine refrigerator requires a bit of familiarity with its functionality to make it work its wonders. Once you make that effort, you’ll find out what kind of a gem this fridge truly is.

The first thing that I liked about this fridge is that it immediately convinced me that it’s built for marine application. Except for the handle that leaves a lot to be desired, everything feels sturdy and I’m happy with the overall sheerness and thickness. It radiates durability from these qualities alone, and I expect to get plenty of mileage from it.

The brand doesn’t state the exact power requirement, but I’ve since discovered that it draws around a maximum of 5.5 amps. That still falls within the average range of most fridges I use, so that’s fine. I would have preferred it to be only 3 amps, but for the superb, almost high-end-worthy cooling performance that I regularly enjoy after fitting it with an auxiliary fan , I’m more than willing to make that tradeoff.

For the size, the capacity is generous. It accommodates most kinds of pantry food and drink well, and this fridge has never felt lacking in space, which is a feat rarely achieved by fridges I’ve used. Moreover, the compressor isn’t loud at all, and even makes me wonder when it’s running and when it has stopped sometimes.

• Satisfactory thickness and sheerness
• Superb cooling performance
• Generous capacity
• Stylish, neutral design
• Noise-free compresso
• Poor-quality handles
• Brand not clear about the power need

There’s more than one way that marine refrigerators cool your drinks, food, and catch, and that’s a good sign that the technology is only evolving over time. Given that everyone wants to keep everything fresh while saving on power, engineers have since discovered ways to achieve this by introducing variations to these refrigerators.

Nowadays, the most coveted marine fridges are almost always energy-efficient, airtight, silent, and can handle an angle of heel of 30 degrees at most. But on the whole, these ice boxes still fall under three main categories, and they shall be expounded on below.

Portable Refrigerators

The vast majority of the units featured in this review arguably fall under this category. Basically, these refrigerators combine the portability of standard coolers with the benefits of a self-contained unit. More often than not, they come with their own batteries or you can use your own, as long as it is compatible with any given unit.

Much like your standard drop-in boat fridge, you can hook them up to a vessel and let their built-in refrigeration systems and insulation take it from there. In fact, they’re so easy to install that they literally operate right out of the box. A lot even incorporate techy features like Bluetooth capability for more convenient operation.

The major difference they have is that they’re not a permanent fixture and can be moved anytime and anywhere, depending on your purpose.

Cold Plate Refrigeration Units

Marine cold plate refrigeration units remain efficient options because you don’t have to leave them running on all the time. They can either come with an evaporator plate or a eutectic plate. Each one has its upsides and downsides.

A eutectic plate, for example, takes longer to cool down but will retain its temperature longer, too. A cold plate refrigerator with an evaporator plate is the exact opposite in that while it cools down quicker, it loses the cold faster, too.

Holding Plate Systems

If you’re going all the way, then I advise you to consider holding plate systems. Usually, these are directly connected to the engine, especially their compressors, for relatively more powerful cooling. Depending on the insulation, you normally don’t have to keep them running throughout the day. As soon as the holding plates’ liquid has been frozen, which normally doesn’t take long, it retains its temperature for hours.

These systems were named as such for their ability to “hold” their temperatures extremely well, so expect only optimal ice retention if you go this route. Do note that they often eat up too much power on the whole and cost twice or thrice the prices of other sailboat refrigeration systems.

Thermoelectric Systems

I listed this as last because, to me, these thermoelectric systems aren’t that practical. They’re often overshadowed by self-contained units because they tend to draw too much power just to achieve decent cooling. They don’t do well in hotter weather as well and are limited to a few types of boats only.

Nonetheless, one perk that they have is that these systems tend to last for decades — some even last for as long as any vessel stays in active use. It’s a system that makes do without the conventional refrigerant, but as said above, it requires more power to compete with those that do.

Absorption System Refrigerators

A couple of the selections here feature this novel technology. Basically, they forgo compressors and fans completely, making them the epitome of today’s silent fridges. Instead, they use low-quality heat to drive the majority of the cooling performance.

The most obvious benefit of having a marine refrigerator available on hand is that it essentially gives you the same advantage as a home fridge. You can partake on freshly cooked meals even while you’re out in the deep blue sea, fishing for marlin, for instance.

If you have an established cruising or fishing habit, it won’t hurt to invest in an ice box that will not limit you to pre-cooked meals which are not only unappetizing most of the time but less nutritious, too. Think of the long-term health benefits you’ll enjoy if you choose this route.

In fact, people who like to cruise for days or take fishing holidays that last for weeks are compelled to chuck the usual ice box for a more heavy-duty refrigerator for the said sole reason. Additionally, you can enjoy the other apparent benefit of not having to exert extra effort to keep your items cool, unlike in a cooler where you need to re-ice it regularly or make sure it’s kept out of the rain or direct sunlight.

Since plenty of units can run on both AC and DC lines, most can assure uninterrupted cooling, too. That’s actually part of the reason why marine fridges sport such lofty price tags, especially the regular, non-portable types described above or your standard Isotherm marine refrigerator or most high-end Dometic marine refrigerators. That additional power draw — one of the highest in most vessels, in fact — can already be considered as a downside.

As for another disadvantage, power consumption undoubtedly stands out as a glaring con. Unlike a standard cooler where you only need to pack your drinks with ice to achieve cold beverages, for example, marine refrigerators require a continuous power supply to achieve their purpose. Even though a given fridge proves to save you power through its design, any conventional ice chest still costs less in the long run.

When deciding on what marine fridge to buy, it’s best to stick to the following fundamental factors.

Power Source and Consumption

Many refrigerators are 12V, which is great because that means you can run it off the house batteries your vessel might have or in your possession. Equally numerous models can efficiently switch between AC and DC batteries for convenience.

Depending on the insulation’s construction, the integrated compressor cycles on and off as long as the unit is running. This has a significant impact on power consumption as the unit’s wattage or amperage. If you prefer to cruise for long distances and times, you may want to consider more heavy-duty and efficient systems that won’t have to be frequently recharged to maintain their performance.

If you’re considering a propane marine refrigerator, you’ll have to be mindful of the fire and explosion hazards of such a fridge. Pilot lights that stay unlit for too long might leak gas, which is why this kind of power source doesn’t appeal to me.

Boating Habits

How exactly do you conduct your usual boating? Do you like to cruise and fish in warmer lakes? For this, you might need a more powerful fridge that can manage the climate.

Moreover, how often do you cook while you’re out at sea or in a lake? You might want a higher-capacity refrigerator that can function as a freezer as well so you can store any item you like. If you only like to bring drinks, then you might make do with a typical cooler instead. At best, this should give you an inkling about how much capacity you need your fridge to have.

Incidentally, you can always improve their performance by converting them with a marine refrigeration kit.

Allotted Space

Will it fit the allotted space for refrigerators in your cabin? Unless you’re willing to make adjustments to your boat, you’ll have to take the time to take the exact measurements of your prospective product and the space available in your cabin. Anticipate the extra space that a marine drawer refrigerator will occupy every time you open it, assuming you choose that kind of fridge.

Since plenty of these refrigerators are self-contained and compact, I often just rely on professional help to get most of the cleaning done, especially if we’re talking about maintaining the refrigerant and compressor. I make sure to have them checked once every year.

Check the seals if they’re still holding up well. I also defrost some of my units, especially those with a freezer to keep them working. Much like in a cooler, you should also check the interior and exterior for any signs of moisture that could become breeding grounds for molds, bacteria, and pests.

Who makes the most favorite marine refrigerator?

More or less, all the brands featured here have a right to claim that label, based on what I got from the models featured here. BLACK + DECKER already has plenty of clout reputation-wise but isn’t exactly known for its marine-readiness as much as Alpicool, Whynter, and Ausranvik’s models are known for theirs. For promising brands, you have to keep an eye out for ICECO and SMETA, for both brands exceeded my expectations.

A Vitrifrigo refrigerator might not have been featured here, but they’re actually a ubiquitous appliance in plenty of yachts. Most are praised for their relatively long lives.

What refrigerator accessories should I buy?

Given their compact size, not a lot of units are amenable to additions of, for example, compartments to increase their capacity. Based on my experience, you might want to consider those that can accommodate an auxiliary fan so you can boost their cooling performance. Any other aesthetic accessory should be dictated by your preferences.

How do you install a marine refrigerator?

If you bought a self-contained, drop-in refrigerator, then you shouldn’t have much of a problem installing it because you don’t have to figure out where you’re going to place the compressor. All the products featured here actually don’t come with a separate compressor or don’t have them at all! Isotherm fridges tend to take the most assembly steps, which is best done by a professional installer.

In short, these refrigerators come ready to use and only have to be plugged in like your conventional home fridge to start cooling. Their being portable only necessitates their ability to promptly work out of the box. That being said, you still have to anticipate most built-in fridges’ power source, the size and location, and whether they’re top-loading or front-loading when deciding where to place them.

With the information and products shared and featured here, I’m confident that you’ll land the best marine refrigerator before long. So keep your cool, pun very much intended, and check every feature that you know you’ll be able to make the most out of. What’s a few hours of pain compared to years — if not decades — of euphoric boating?

I am passionate about water sports and technical fields, so combining both makes me interested in making contents about boat accessories. With my partner, we went on many trips and sports games together, which led us to think about how we can spread our joys and passions to many people.

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The Best Marine Refrigerators: Keep Your Food & Drink Always Cold

Written by J. Harvey / Fact checked by S. Numbers

Whether your fishing trip or camping excursion is a week- or month-long, you can get guaranteed food and drink freshness with the best marine refrigerator. Using portable marine refrigerators is essentially like being able to take your pantry anywhere with you.

No need to be mindful of keeping the cold air inside with blocks of ice. Just peace of mind that you can cook a nice lunch or dinner after a day of catching fish. Every boater’s dream life, in short.

Want to land the ones that have the most efficient marine refrigeration? You better start paying attention to these three primary factors then.

• Cooling and Temperature Control: It’s a given that most marine refrigeration units perform stellarly in keeping their contents cold. However, there are some products that actually have compartments intended specifically as a freezer or fridge.

Some units are even innovative enough to allow you to shift each compartment to a freezer/freezer combination, fridge/fridge, or a mixture of the two. You should also consider how easy it is to control and monitor the temperature of the unit with the use of an LCD control panel.

• Energy Efficiency:  Power consumption is important because boats don’t have an infinite power supply. This is why many users like units with Eco Mode for more power saving.

12v refrigerator marine refrigerators are the norm among boaters because they can conveniently hook it up to their vessels’ batteries. A couple of units can run on their own batteries with set charging times and battery life. Many incorporate 12V/24V connector cables for versatile charging.

• Capacity:  Most brands use quarts or cans as a guide for users to figure out how spacious each refrigerator is. Capacities of 45 cans or more are suitable for most long trips, but of course, this still depends on how long you tend to be out at sea or in the great outdoors.

To me, these are the most important for the general purpose of portable marine refrigeration systems. I’ll expound on a couple of other vital factors in the accompanying Buying Guide of my marine refrigerator reviews.

• Solid cooling performance
• Virtually noiseless
• Lightweight

• Huge capacity
• Decent power draw
• Comparatively low cost

• Above-average cooling
• Considerably quiet
• Relatively more affordable

Table of Contents

1. Alpicool C20 Portable Refrigerator

2. costway ‎23499-cype car refrigerator, 3. whynter fm-45g portable refrigerator, 4. ausranvik portable refrigerator, 5. black+decker bcrk17b compact refrigerator, 6. alpicool c50 portable refrigerator, 7. engel mr040f-u1 portable tri-voltage fridge, 8. iceco vl60 dual zone portable refrigerator, 9. dometic ‎cfx-35w electric powered cooler, 10. edgestar ‎crf150ss-1 convertible refrigerator, 11. dometic crx-65 black refrigerator, 12. vbenlem portable refrigerator, factors to consider when choosing a marine refrigerator, what is the ideal size of a marine refrigerator, how to install a boat fridge, how do i organize my boat refrigerator, can you use a regular refrigerator on a boat, do sailboats have refrigerators,   top 12 marine refrigerator reviews .

What this unit lacks in capacity compared to other refrigerators for boats, it more than makes up for reliability and energy efficiency.

I’ve traveled with this box for more than 25,000 miles in both my camping, fishing, and cruising trips. It’s been with me to dozens of lakes and national parks. It may not be the ideal choice for hardcore travelers because of the limit in storage space, but it’s one of the most reliable and power-saving units I’ve owned.

I’ve paired it with numerous battery packs on my boat and my 200W solar setup on my RV. It typically doesn’t eat up power, especially if I set it to Eco mode and set the thermometer to -10. Expect it to consume around 240 watts for an entire day and overnight with that setup. That’s even with ambient temperatures reaching a little over 80 degrees.

Once you shut off the car or boat engine while hooked up to the battery, its energy efficiency truly shines, especially if you set it on Eco. It never lets me down with its cooling ability. It can even freeze its contents overnight if you decrease the temperature further, but it will require more power if you choose to do so.

Other qualities I like are its near noiseless operation and the relative lack of weight compared to other units or marine refrigerator brands for that matter. I like that I can sleep next to it because all I’ll hear is a very subtle white noise. As for the weight, I like that I don’t have to ask for a helping hand every time I need to transport it.

• Consumes only a little power on average
• Not as capacious as other refrigerators

Don’t underestimate this fridge’s relatively low price point. It delivers the essentials without breaking the bank. The fact that it manages to throw in a few more nifty bonuses makes it one of the most affordable refrigerators on this list.

I use this mostly for lengthy camping trips that span for 5 or more days. However, I also tend to lug it around with me when I’m going on week-long fishing holidays. At an economical price, you get fantastic cooling and capacity.

Speaking of its cooling ability, it has handled plenty of extra hot excursions in the Midwest over the years. I’m talking about 95 degrees of unbearable heat here. It can be a real lifesaver for anyone who wants to preserve cool, refreshing drinks even if you’re putting up with hotter than normal temperatures.

You get plenty of breathing room because of the sweet depth of the entire interior. I tend to not be deprived of additional space for my drinks and fresh ingredients that I can later cook. Like most of the fridges I owned, it’s also able to function as a freezer and fridge based on your immediate needs, and that’s always a good thing for any serious traveler.

I’ve had it run off a portable solar panel and a Goal Zero Yeti 1,000. Power consumption is fairly standard, bordering on minimal. I usually get a reading of 45 watts every time I check it when the marine refrigeration compressor kicks in.

• Still energy efficient compared to most
• Subpar AC adapter
• Temperature setting tends to roll back

This is one of my favorite units to use when I decide to travel and cruise for months. I once lived in a sailboat years ago, and this refrigerator never let me down with its low power draw, sheer versatility, and cooling capability.

Almost any boat fridge 12v compressor has the natural benefit of actively helping you save electricity. I admit that that’s the main reason why I decided to go for this fridge. It’s able to run on a 110V AC power source or a 12/24V DC one without having to trigger switches and move wires so that’s a real plus. I like that it includes both cords for AC and DC, too.

I once had to deal with a sweltering 90-degree heat off the Texas Gulf Coast. I let it run on a 250Ah 12V DC AGM battery. It managed to drop the temperature to the desired level of -10 degrees from the said high ambient temperature in just an hour on Normal. I usually let it run on that mode and the Low Power one, and I’ve never woken to food items swimming in ice water in the morning.

I’m also a fan of the overall robust construction of this fridge/freezer. It’s basically all metal and the latch feels sturdy enough to be sat on. Despite its heavy-duty build, it’s as quiet as a mouse once it’s running.

• Automatically switches between AC to DC
• Great value for money
• Quite heavy

Compared to most portable fridges, this one always brings its A-game with quick cooling, low power consumption, and satisfactory capacity. All these without being much of a burden on your wallet.

It’s easy to use this on my sailboat because it works well with a 12/24V DC electrical system. Paired with the relatively fast way it cools its contents, I’d be more than willing to grab that opportunity especially if I’m fishing in the summer. You don’t want your catch to stay out in the heat for long if that’s the case.

That’s just half of what makes it great in my eyes, though. It’s a fridge that’s all about efficiency. For one, it only cycles when it needs to. If the ambient temperature is not too hot, the compressor won’t be triggered that much, allowing it to save plenty of power.

Having fallen victim to fridge lids inadvertently squashing my fingers in the past, I appreciate the brand’s inclusion of an anti-pinch feature. Mind you, these accidents hurt like hell, and I’ve read that they could even lead to irreversible damage sometimes. It’s a must if you usually bring along your kids with you when heading on any outdoor trip.

I bought the 45-quart one and got exactly what I anticipated as far as capacity goes. It’s alright for the size and manageable weight.

• Fast cooling
• Versatile support for 12/24V DC power supply
• Saves power by cycling less frequently
• Additional safety perks with anti-pinch feature
• Decent capacity and weight
• Tends to have inaccurate temperature readings

Being a vintage brand, it may seem only natural that a fridge from BLACK+DECKER should automatically be included here. Well, this just happens to be the only one I owned that really gave me what I would deem as truly brand-worthy features and performance.

This is actually a frequent fixture in our family yacht. We seldom take it out because we’ve delegated it as a sort of official food pantry. Anything fresh that can be chilled or frozen goes in this neat little ice chest. I have most of the cooling performance and reasonable capacity to thank for that.

Believe it or not, I’ve been able to store more than a week’s worth of food in this box. The glass shelf can be removed, after all, so I can put in more items than I normally can in fridges with the same capacity. It’s not too super in the drinks department, but I can stow a couple of water bottles and beer on the door’s shelf.

You can effortlessly set the temperature and even freeze anything you can fit in there, with the help of its tiny freezer. It doesn’t chill as quickly as other iceboxes I’ve tried, but it does manage to maintain its temperatures. I also checked it frequently in the past, during the first few months after we bought it.

I’m a fan of the dimensions. It’s a basic squarish shape that won’t give you any headaches as far as positioning is concerned. It also means it occupies less precious real estate than most.

• Great for storing food
• Versatile and convenient temperature control
• Can maintain consistent temperatures
• Space-saving dimensions
• A little louder than most
• Not ideal for drinks storage

This Alpicool product sets the bar high for what innovations portable refrigerators can bring to the table. Want better power-saving and outstanding cooling? This fridge is a full-on beast with those qualities.

I regard this as one of the best gem discoveries I made in recent years. I’ve always stuck to Dometic products and other established brands in the past. What drew me to this initially are superficial features like the minimalist design, space-efficient dimensions, and notably spacious interior. Generally, I’m still satisfied with all three.

However, what impressed me most are the cooling and energy-saving aspects. Even with the LED light thrown in, I can still count the number of times I’ve drained a fully charged battery after an entire day of use regardless of ambient temperature and humidity. Take note that I do leave it on Eco mode most of the time. I normally choose “power sippers” most of the time, and this one’s proven time and again that it deserves that label.

As for the capacity, I like to bring this along on my camping/fishing trips to Glacier National Park. I can bring 8-days worth of drinks with a couple of sandwiches and still have plenty to hand out to the fam and my fellow campers.

It’s highly portable thanks to the handle. Besides the LED light, I also like that it’s similar to a cooler because of the drain plug. I also love how the dimensions allow you to easily set it in a nice little corner of your boat or car without occupying too much space.

• Remarkably energy efficient
• Outstanding cooling
• Space-saving
• Comes with a sturdy handle
• Neat accessories
• Prone to temperature swings when near empty

This is one of the more well-designed beauties I’ve had the pleasure to own. It’s proven to last for years, barely eats up your boat or car’s battery, and has great temperature control.

This one makes it to this list primarily because I still use it even after 5 years. It handled regular use magnificently in the first three years of that span of time. I mostly took it along in RV rides, but it has also spent a fair amount of time on board my pontoon boat. I reckon it clocked 50,000 miles in total and is still going strong.

It can run entirely on my RV’s or the VMAX AGM marine battery that I frequently bring when out fishing. Even if it’s hooked up 24/7, the draw is minimal. On top of that, it can keep your meals frozen for you for the entire day. I’ve been able to prepare sumptuous meals like stews, a couple of Chinese fares, anything that can be grilled , and breakfast omelettes with its help even though I’m in the middle of nowhere.

I can safely say that its temperature doesn’t or only slightly fluctuates based on my experience with it over the years. The 40-quart size is generous enough, but not that notable. I like that I get to open its lid easier because of its dimensions, but that’s my subjective opinion. Overall, it’s decidedly sound and delivers great value for money.

• Proven durability
• Low power draw even when kept on 24/7
• Consistent cooling performance
• Poor customer service

ICECO is one of those less recognized brands that can prove to be a real gem for anyone looking for cheaper but high-quality fridges. The VL60 serves as one evident proof of this.

This fridge sports the versatility I’ve come to enjoy from products that let you use their cooling to mainly chill or freeze or a combination of both. Once you get the hang of controlling the temperatures, you can have chilled drinks sitting on top of frozen steaks and veggies that you can enjoy every day.

It can hold meals that can last up to one week depending on what food you’re going to make. Don’t expect this to be the case if you have plenty of other chilled or frozen ingredients to add to every meal. I like that I can compartmentalize everything from the get-go thanks to the interior’s design.

The compressor runs incredibly softly, almost whisper-quiet. It’s one of the most silent freezers I’ve owned, and this is coming from someone who knows what deep silence is all about, having spent a month camping in Big Bend once. I even have to double-check whether it’s running sometimes!

I’d be lying if I say the bargain price coupled with the 5-year warranty didn’t attract me from the start. Imagine my glee when I discovered how solid it is, especially in cooling and overall energy efficiency. I once took this to a three-day fishing marathon. Set on Eco mode, it only drew 0.30 amps on average and wasn’t much of a burden on my sailboat’s battery even when running 24/7.

• Versatile cooling
• Capacity suitable for a week’s worth of supplies
• Close to zero noise operation
• 5-year warranty
• Affordable but high-quality
• Saves plenty of power
• Low-quality power cord

Dometic is a household brand in refrigeration precisely because of products like these. It’s got every quality I like in my portable refrigerator.

I like how the brand has improved this product over time. I only recently bought it, having been wary of the negative feedback it got years back. I’m glad I decided to give it a try because it has given my other previous units a run for their money in performance alone.

It’s basically an electric-powered cooler because it’s built like one, but you don’t have to put ice in it. It also contains the average drain plug you see from a standard ice chest, which makes cleaning easy.

What I mainly love about it are its performance and amazing power-saving. It gives me plenty of control over what I want to chill or freeze. It’s also versatile in that I can have one side for freezing my meals and catch of the day, while the other’s for keeping my beverages cool.

It appears and feels to be as rugged as it claims to be. I especially like that they integrated stainless steel components in the right places. While I wouldn’t leave it out in the open, I’m fairly confident that this will give me 5 or more years of consistent cooling and freezing.

• Draws very little power
• Versatile cooling ability
• Durable construction with high-quality materials
• Relatively quiet
• Drain plug for easy cleaning
• Adequate capacity

Compact and durable, EdgeStar’s convertible refrigerator makes short work of most cooling and freezing requirements. Anyone who wants a dependable fridge they can comfortably haul around should consider this.

A trucker friend of mine recommended this to me. Since it’s more of a tiny freezer than a fridge, it’s actually quick cooling but doesn’t suck the power out of any vehicle you connect it to. I’ve hooked this up to my RV and sailboat often, especially if my trip would only last 3 days at most.

Since it doesn’t take up too much space, I tend to bring it along as a backup freezer. I can put any kind of fresh produce like broccoli and other greens and fruits in it and enjoy healthy meals for days. The insulation rivals most conventional refrigerators with freezers that I can think of, and this is readily apparent in the consistent, fast freezing performance.

I’d have to give a thumbs up to the locking feature, too. It’s not at all hard to take the extra step to secure your items. That, plus the fact that it also sports a stainless steel finish is what convinces me that great care was given in making a fridge-freezer that will last.

I love that the size immediately complements how convenient it is to carry it around. It’s a fridge that you won’t think twice to carry with you because of how manageable it is and how you know bringing it along can guarantee fresh, healthy meals while on the go.

• Quick cooling
• Can be easily carried
• Made of high-quality, durable materials
• Neat locking feature
• Could use more storage space

There’s more to this fridge than meets the eye. If you think its seemingly narrow spread is claustrophobia-inducing, think again. It’s spacious and space-saving at the same time, deserve the Dometic seal of quality performance.

That being said, I’m actually more enamored by the midget-like size of this product. The cooling part is almost a given, having been made by a well-established brand. I got exactly what I expected: solid cooling from a brand that has built its reputation.

It can handle comparatively high temperatures well above. I once drove through Texas with this box next to me on the driver’s seat, and the mercury’s reading averaged 88 degrees. Incidentally, if that doesn’t tell you how compact it is, I don’t know what would.

It doesn’t hurt that hauling it around is a piece of cake even though it’s packed full of chilled food items that are housed in separate Tupperware containers. Speaking of categorizing, this is actually one of the few dwarf fridges I’ve owned that affords me this much organization.

Don’t be fooled by the number of shelves once you open it. As proof, I’ve been able to pack this with food like burritos, salads and their dressings, and various uncooked and pre-cooked meals.

• Relatively compact
• Very portable
• Decent cooling
• Great design for getting organized
• Included cord is too short

Despite its one glaring downside, this ice chest can still wow you with energy-saving features, close to silent operation, and roomy shelves.

Absorption fridges give the ready benefit of running as noise-free as possible. This one’s a prime example of what this technology can achieve in that regard. I even set this next to me while fishing once, and it’s like sitting next to a box. Good for not disturbing the fishes, too.

Another perk that I’d like to underline is the eco-friendly design. Almost all absorption fridges give this ready benefit, and there are unfortunately still very few available in the market. This is the only one in this list that has this advantage, I have to point out.

I love the way they wisely designed the shelves. They’re spaced just right in my opinion because I’ve been able to fit most of my drinks in each one. I don’t have to put them lying down to make the most out of the box’s entire dimensions.

It delivers exactly what it promises in power consumption. I tested it out and it only slightly deviated from the 0.8 kW/h that it claims. That’s still far less power draw than most compressor-run options available today. It just happens that this absorption fridge can go toe to toe with a lot of them, even a few of the products featured here.

• Silent operation
• Decently energy efficient
• Eco-friendly
• Easy temperature control
• Noteworthy shelf design
• Doesn’t cool as quickly as most

It won’t hurt to pay attention to these other vital elements when deciding on what marine refrigerator suits you best.

Noise Level

Most compressor-run refrigerators tend to be noisier than their absorption-based counterparts. This is why I favor brands that use compressors but manage to keep their products’ running sound to a minimum. Trust me, you’ll all the more appreciate it if you need to sleep near your portable fridge and it’s running all night.

Basically most products made of metal or contain a stainless steel finish give a ready hint of a fridge’s longevity. Almost any of the most recognized brands nowadays can guarantee at least 10 years, so this factor shouldn’t be much of an issue.

For one, you’ll find many Vitrifrigo marine refrigerator options that are as sleek as they are durable. I’d be more than inclined to buy a permanent one for my yacht, but they’re not exactly that budget-friendly.

Space Efficiency

Look at the dimensions of each ice chest you’re considering. This especially applies to anyone who only has a few meters of space to work with when deciding where to put a prospective fridge.

Mini marine refrigerators are almost always compact enough to address this issue. With that in mind, expect most sailboat refrigeration systems to eat up a significant space of your boat’s real estate.

Portability

Many travelers and boaters prefer lightweight options for a good reason. You’ll appreciate how easy it is to heave any icebox of your choosing once you regularly bring it along with you on most trips.

The Different Types Of Marine Refrigerators

A vast majority of the products featured here fall under this category. The main perks are obviously, one, they can be used on-demand and, two, they’re way cheaper than a lot of more conventional marine options out there.

Plenty of products that use isotherm marine refrigeration, known for the way it boosts cooling efficiency, and absorption options fall under this category, too. As it stands, it’s a broad category since portability mainly relates to size and not technology.

There is even a boat fridge kit you can use to convert a refrigerator into an isotherm one. I’ve read many notable isotherm refrigerator reviews in the past that can swear by their usefulness in marine settings, and I couldn’t agree more. To me, they’re just as good as any Norcold marine refrigerator out there.

Though I haven’t used marine cold plate refrigeration, I’ve learned from many of my friends who love to boat for weeks that this kind of fridge helps them save on power. I’m not surprised since it keeps its contents cold even if you shut it off for a period of time. Another term for it is holding plate marine refrigeration, so don’t be confused if some platforms use it instead.

• Propane-run

While now mostly frowned upon by boaters because of its risks, a propane marine refrigerator still remains as a viable option for many. Another disadvantage is that you’d have to carry a dedicated propane tank with you. It can be quite reliable, though, as long as you take the necessary steps to ensure safety.

To me, the ideal size is anything that you’re comfortable with. The best marine refrigerator for your purposes shouldn’t take up more space than you intend it to. The capacity should sufficiently cater to the items you take with you for every camping, boating or fishing trip.

Most of the options featured here can forgo any need to install since they can run out-of-the-box. You only need to hook them up to your solar panel, 12V battery or motor, or your car or boat’s engine for them to start running.

If you want to know how to install a permanent fridge on your boat, though, this can be a lengthy and technical process. I highly recommend you watch this video instead to get invaluable tips and a good overview of what to expect:

How your fridge chills or freezes its contents mainly dictates how you should organize your items. Understandably, ice chests are seldom alike. Stick to these tips

• If the ice chests contain shelves, it’s best to stick to its design.
• Chances are, there are spots that are colder than others, so do your best to discover them and position your items appropriately. Anything that needs more cold naturally has to be placed on the coldest portions.
• What are the items that you’re prioritizing? If it’s fresh food, then you’ll probably need to allot more space for them. They tend to eat up more space than their frozen counterparts.
• Anything you usually have to take out frequently should be easy to reach and take out as much as possible.

Yes. In fact, almost any household appliance you can think of can now be taken onboard a boat. There are plenty of workarounds to power supply with the availability of marine batteries and solar power. Most refrigerators

They do. Most come with these nifty appliances from the day they’re released from the factory and there are equally many that give owners a lot of leeway in customizing and personalizing their boat.

If they belong to the former, they more than likely use built-in refrigeration systems from the get-go. However, by no means are these systems permanent. They can always be replaced just like any other appliance . You can also carry any number of fridge your boat can support.

Any one of the products I featured here deserves the best marine refrigerator tag since they helped meet my needs. Ultimately, anything that doesn’t let me down in cooling, power draw, and capacity earns that recognition from me. I’m more than willing to bet that the same goes for you, so be sure you stick to the one that pairs well with you like any great shipmate!

“I am James Harvey – founder of Boating Basics Online. It is established with the drive to help out first-time boaters, which are those desiring to explore their way through the water. So if you are new to boating, start from here with me. “

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Boat Refrigerators: A Buying Guide

Thanks to boat refrigerators , it’s possible to stay on the water for many hours or even days and still enjoy fresh food and cold beverages. But like most boating accessories, the specific boat fridge you choose can make a big difference in your experience.

Unfortunately, when you shop for boat refrigerators, it may feel like you’re wading through a sea of numbers and letters with no clear direction or place to start.

So how do you pick? Consider these factors to find the right boat fridge for you:

“Built-in” Vs. Portable Boat Refrigerators

If possible, go with a built-in. Depending on the type of boat you own, you may have a galley with a dedicated place for a permanent or “built-in” boat fridge, or room to create that space. Built-in boat refrigerators will usually have a door on the side, like a typical mini-fridge, but sometimes they open from the top, like a cooler.

If you can, go this route. For a price comparable to portable options, a permanently placed boat fridge lets you enjoy refrigeration on every outing without lugging around a heavy piece of equipment.

A Portable Boat Fridge: the Next-best Thing

If you don’t have a permanent space for a boat fridge, don’t worry; you can still enjoy on-board refrigeration through the use of a portable boat fridge, sometimes called an “electric cooler.”

These devices do tend to look like coolers, but be aware that they are significantly heavier. Still, if a built-in fridge is not an option, a portable boat fridge is a worthwhile investment.

Several of our Dometic marine refrigerators are portable, such as the popular Dometic CFX-28US boat fridge . For even more space and premium features, consider the Dometic CFX-40W boat fridge , which has a capacity of 38 liters, can be controlled by Wi-Fi and offers a handy USB port for charging small electronic devices.

Power Compatibility

Some boat refrigerators run on AC power, some run on DC power, and some can do either.

If your boat runs on DC power and your boat fridge only runs on AC power, you’ll only be able to run your fridge using a strong enough inverter, an AC generator or shore power.

Likewise, if your boat runs on AC power and your fridge only runs on DC power, you’ll need either a powerful inverter or a DC generator to operate it.

Almost all boats today run on DC power (either 12 volts or 24 volts). Still, you’ll want to be sure you know your boat’s power type when you choose your boat fridge.

At Boat & RV Accessories, all our Dometic marine refrigerators can run on 12-volt DC or 24-volt DC power, and some can also run on AC power.

The size of your boat fridge will obviously be limited to the space available on your boat. So it’s important to carefully measure the width, depth and height of the spot where you want to put it.

Once you know your maximum outside dimensions, you’ll want to give yourself as much interior storage capacity as possible.

Boat refrigerators’ storage capacity can be measured in either quarts, liters, cubic feet or gallons. Here’s how these metrics roughly convert: 1 cubic foot = 28.3 liters = 29.9 quarts = 7.5 gallons

When in doubt, go for more internal storage space than you think you’ll need. And if you know you’ll need a good deal of space, consider a large unit like the Dometic CRX-1110E/F-S , with it’s generous 3.7 cubic feet of storage.

Storage Configuration

You’ll also want to consider how your next boat fridge is oriented and sectioned out. Is it divided into separate compartments? Are there spaces for all the types of items you want to store? Is there a freezer compartment, and is it big enough for your purposes?

There are no good or bad configurations per se, but you’ll probably find that some setups make more sense for you than others, depending on the foods and drinks you plan to take with you.

When Shopping for Boat Refrigerators, Consider Factors Such as:

• Built-in vs. portable options
• Power compatibility
• Size and storage capacity
• Internal organization options
• Interior light (or lack thereof)
• Temperature display format

Other Considerations

Once you’ve narrowed down your options based on the key considerations above, there are a few other details to consider.

For Both Portable and Built-in Boat Refrigerators, Think About These Factors:

• Is the opening a drawer or a door? Which do you prefer?
• Which way does the door open? Is it reversible?
• Does it have a light inside?
• Does it come with internal organization options, such as egg trays, bottle holders, adjustable shelves and vegetable bins?
• Does it have a digital temperature display?
• Is there a separate freezer compartment?
• Does its appearance match the style of your boat?
• Does it offer any extra features, like a USB port for charging other devices?
• Is it from a well-known, dependable brand?
• Is there a warranty?

When Considering Portable Boat Refrigerators, Also Ask:

• Does it have a convenient carrying strap?
• Does it come with a cover?
• Is it Wi-Fi enabled so that you can control the temperature with your phone?

Once you get to this point, choosing the qualities that matter most to you should be a little easier — maybe even fun.

Find Your Boat Fridge Now

Our lineup of Dometic refrigerators offers the reliability of a proven brand and a breadth of premium features, depending on the model.

Shop now and find your ideal Dometic fridge today!

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Portable Marine Refrigeration Test

Always wanted a refrigerator or freezer on your cruising sailboat or yacht, but didnt want to install a built-in marine refrigeration system our testers examine four portable units driven by compressor: the engel mt35f, the norcold mrft40, the norcold mrft60 (all built by japanese manufacturer sawafuji electric), and the waeco cf-40 coolmatic..

One of the advantages of a compressor-driven portable refrigerator is that it can also serve as a freezer. And compared to thermo-electric coolers, they require fewer amps to do the job. Cruising boats need to be energy efficient, so amp consumption with a 12-volt power supply was one of the key factors Practical Sailor looked at in this test. As in any marine refrigeration test, insulation is a key factor in efficiency, so our comparison also tried to single out the best insulated units. Ultimately, the linear compressor system used in the Engel and Norcold refrigerator/freezers proved to be more efficient.

There are three solid reasons why compressor-driven, portable refrigerators and portable freezers have displaced and overwhelmed all other competitors in every arena where they are used: They are quiet, efficient, and effective. They’ve also proven to be long-lasting and low-maintenance. The major downside is the high cost. However, if you need the capabilities of one of these units, there essentially is no alternative. Your best bet is to pick a unit that fits your needs and budget. In the April 2007 issue, we covered thermoelectric coolers. This time around,

Practical Sailor takes a look at portable, compressor-driven units that can serve as either a refrigerator or a freezer.

What We Tested

We found four units with at least a 34-quart capacity. From Engel, we received the MT-35F, and from Norcold, the MRFT 40 and MRFT 60. Japanese manufacturer Sawafuji Electric Co. builds all three. Waecos CF-40 Coolmatic rounds out the field.

All of these plug into cigarette lighter outlets, a convenient but trouble-prone connection to have on a boat. Replacing the fridge plug with a marine-grade plug and socket is an option, but we recommend hard-wiring the fridge to the boats 12-volt system. In any case, it is important that the sockets wire size and the socket or connection are rated to carry the current these devices require. They should be sized so that there is no more than a 3 percent voltage drop in the circuit.

Both the Engel MT-35F and the Norcold MRFT 40 lighter plugs have thermal fuses designed to blow at temperatures higher than 160 degrees F or if there is an electrical short. The Waeco and Norcold MRFT 60 have common, fused lighter plugs. Regardless of the plug fuses, we recommend making sure the lighter sockets is also fused or protected with a properly sized circuit breaker.

How We Tested

Tests were conducted simultaneously on all four units indoors, where we regulated the ambient temperature to 76 degrees F using air-conditioning. During initial testing, each unit was set to its coldest temperature level. We wanted to see how fast theyd cool and how cold they would get. It was important to know if these units were really capable of achieving and maintaining freezing temperatures.

For power, we used our robust Astron VS-70M power supply regulated to 12.8 volts DC and the manufacturer-supplied DC cable for each unit. Testers monitored the output voltage using a Sperry DM-4100A digital meter. (We did not test the units using AC power.) DC-amp-draw measurements were taken with a Fluke 336 clamp-on ammeter. We took several measurements over the following three hours as the boxes cooled. Noise levels were measured in decibels using a Radio Shack sound level meter held 6 inches from the compressor end.

Temperature measurements were taken using a digital Fluke 116 multimeter with a thermocouple temperature attachment. The sensor, a long, thin wire with the temperature probe at the end, was placed into the box as near as possible to the center. (We only opened the lid enough to get the wire inside, usually no more than a 1/16 of an inch.) Once we had the reading, we opened the lid/door for a second and read the Taylor 5924 analog refrigerator/freezer thermometer we had placed inside each unit as backup. As long as the readings were comparable, we recorded the digital reading. All were. Past experience testing other types of coolers, refrigerators, and freezers led us to take temperature readings at one hour and again at two hours. After each two-hour reading, we opened the lid and placed a one-gallon plastic jug filled with 100-degree water into the box. Three hours later, we took another temperature reading to see how well the boxes had done cooling with the water jug inside. Once each one of these temperature readings was completed and recorded, we let the coolers run unattended for 12 hours. We measured the temperatures again, then shut off the electrical power. Five hours later, we recorded another reading to see how well the boxes were insulated. The next day, after letting each unit return to room temperature, we cranked them up again, but this time, testers set them to the warmest temperature level. After they ran overnight, we checked and recorded the temperature each box was maintaining.

We wanted to see how well each cooler held food and drinks, so we packed each with the following:

(2) six-packs of canned soda

(1) six-pack of bottled beer

(1) gallon of lemonade

(1) gallon of ice tea

(1) pound sliced turkey breast

(1) 1 pound boneless ham

(2) pound blocks of cheese

In the final analysis, we picked winners based on performance, construction quality, warranty, power usage, price, and load capabilities.

Engel MT-35F

Engel is the worldwide brand name and distributor of a full line of portable fridge/freezers that range from 14- to 84-quart capacity. Engel refrigeration products, which are built by the Sawafuji Electric Co. in Japan, have been known for their quality since production started in 1962.

Our test model, the MT-35F, has a 34-quart capacity and its exterior is constructed of powder-coated and galvanized steel.

The Engel is designed to sit flat and open from the top. Its locking lid is removable for better access to the interior. Carry handles bolt onto the case sides, but we did not install them. The interior of the Engel is constructed of bright white, high-impact plastic for easy cleaning. A metal basket fits snugly inside and provides a means to hold or remove contents.

In our testing, we found the box temperature could be set between approximately 0 and 50 degrees F, making the unit useful as either a refrigerator or freezer.

The Engel held our full list of food and drink as well as three 1-pound packages of burger meat.

Bottom Line:

A top performer with an efficient compressor and low price. We rated it the Practical Sailor Budget Buy.

Norcold MRFT 40

The 40-quart Norcold is nearly identical to the Engel MT-35F. Both share a 25-inch x 14-inch footprint, but the Norcold is about 4 inches taller and uses the extra height to achieve increased capacity. Both are built in the Sawafuji factory, use the same compressor, and are constructed from powder-coated and galvanized steel outside, with high-impact plastic inside. The lid, lid lock, handles, and interior basket are the same, too, but the Norcold basket is a bit taller.

The Norcold performed well in testing and can be set to operate from 0 to 50 degrees.

We had no problem loading all of our groceries into the 40-quart Norcold. It had so much extra room, we were able to load 12 one-pound packs of burger meat, too.

A top performer.

Norcold MRFT 60

At 67 pounds, the bulky Norcold shouldnt be considered easily portable. Moving this big unit is a two-person job. It is another product of the Sawafuji Electric Co. and shares all the characteristics and features of the Engel and Norcold 40-quart. Everything is upsized here, with a larger compressor and interior.

The MRFT 60s top-mounted lid swings opens to the side and uses a chain stop instead of the rubber bumpers found on the smaller boxes. Two locks hold the lid closed tight.

This unit performed exceptionally well, taking a little longer to initially cool the bigger space, but it chewed up the hot water fast and remained colder than any other unit.

Divided into two equal-sized sections by a pair of metal baskets, the cavernous 60-quart Norcold swallowed up our provisions using only one basket. The other basket was empty and waiting for more stuff.

This brute will hold a ton of provisions, and it performed superbly.

Waeco Coolmatic CF-40

Waeco is a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of a wide variety of refrigeration systems. The Coolmatic unit we tested is constructed using a couple of different types of durable plastic. Even though its mechanical components are metal, its plastic exterior gives it excellent protection against corrosion.

The Coolmatic sits flat and opens from the top. The lid locks with two plastic latches and can be removed. It did not seem to shut as tightly as the other units we tested, in our opinion. Carry handles bolt onto the case sides, but as with the other units, we did not install them. A light is fitted to the interior; it switches on when the lid is open.

Though the Coolmatic generally performed as well as the others, it uses a less-efficient compressor, and in our test used significantly more power than the comparably sized Engel MT-35 and Norcold MRFT 40. Also, the temperature range setting did not seem to perform as advertised. When we set it to maintain a warm temperature, it shot right down to below zero.

The interior of the Coolmatic is divided into two sections, a main section with a metal basket, and a smaller, warmer section. We were able to load everything on our grocery list into the main section of the freezer, though it was a tight fit and filled the basket to capacity. We managed to pack four one-pound packages of burger meat into the small section that remained.

In our test, the Waecos Danfoss compressor was not as power-efficient as the best units tested. But we like the units completely plastic exterior and its price.

Conclusions

The compressor system used in the Engel and Norcold fridge/freezers proved to be far more efficient than the Danfoss reciprocating compressor used in the Waeco. In our tests, the Waecos amp draw was nearly 50 percent higher than a comparably sized Norcold unit. When coupled with the top-shelf construction and materials of the Engel and Norcold units, wed opt for one of these every time.

When shopping for a portable fridge/freezer, first find the right size, then buy whichever you can find at a cheaper price, Engel or Norcold. You may find only an Engel available in the size you seek as they market several more sizes than Norcold.

• Practical Sailor Value Guide: 12-Volt Portable Fridge / Freezers

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Great article. No need to be mindful of keeping the cold air inside with blocks of ice. Just peace of mind that I can cook a nice lunch or dinner after a day of catching fish.

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