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If you spend a lot of time on road trips, you know that having snacks and cool drinks is essential for comfort. It’s especially true on long trips or remote areas, where your only options might be snacks at the petrol station.
In this article, we will examine the benefits of having a portable car fridge, learn about the different types, and review the essential features you should consider before deciding which one you should purchase.
Now, let’s get started so you can start chilling.
What Are the Benefits of a Small Car Fridge for Road Trips?
Having a small car refrigerator on a road trip has so many benefits. Here are a few essential ones.
Convenience
The convenience of having snacks, drinks, and even whole meals with you in your car on a road trip cannot be understated.
Healthier Options
A fridge is perfect if you like eating fruits, salads, or other healthy options on your trip. Or you may have food allergies or diet restrictions; in that case, a refrigerator is not just perfect but essential so you feel healthy when you arrive at your destination. No more scouring petrol stations or convenience stores looking for the “healthiest” junk food you can find.
Cost Effective
The cost of food and drinks at convenience stores and petrol stations adds up fast. With a refrigerator, you can buy your goods at a grocery store for a fraction of the cost, saving you significant cash by the end of your journey.
Temperature Control
No more melted chocolate bars, warm water, or drinks in the summer—your fridge will keep everything at just the right temperature for you to enjoy.
Versatility
With a portable refrigerator, you can take it on day trips to the beach or on longer road trips and benefit from healthy options on the go. You can also take it on camping trips to keep your essential foods fresh.
What Are the Different Types of Small Car Fridges?
Here are the two most common types of car fridges.
Thermoelectric Fridges
Thermoelectric refrigerators use electricity to transfer heat from the fridge’s inside to the outside to help keep things cool. They are lightweight, affordable, have low energy consumption, and are suitable for short trips. However, they have limited cooling capacity, making them less effective in hot weather and unsuitable for long trips.
Compressor Fridges
These are more like traditional home fridges because they use a compressor to cool the food inside rather than just transferring heat. Thus, they work even when the sun is blazing hot outside. Some models even have freezer options.
Compressor models are more expensive and use more power than thermoelectric. However, if you travel long distances in summer or like to keep your food cool on camping trips to the outback for days at a time, this option will work best for you.
What To Look for in a Small Car Fridge
It’s important to understand what to look for in a portable fridge to help you buy what you need and avoid disappointment. Let’s take a look.
Size
Size is a critical factor when travelling in a car, especially on long road trips or camping trips where you need to carry all your other necessities. Look at your space and where you want to put it, check the outside dimensions of the refrigerator, pull out the tape measurer, and make sure it will fit.
Portability
Portability is as important as size. You want to make sure it is easy to move in and out of your car. Look for options like sturdy carry handles and wheels to make it as easy as possible.
Capacity
Capacity and size are related, but they are not the same. Capacity refers to the space inside, not the outside dimensions. Look at the total volume of space inside, but also check out the inside dimensions. Then, consider what kinds of things you want to put inside and ensure they will fit.
Temperature Range
The temperature range will also be critical if you are going for more than a few hours or if it’s a hot summer day. You want a fridge that will keep your food cold and, ideally, one with a freezer option for those delicious ice cream treats for you or the kids! Portable refrigerators come in a few temperature options: single-temperature zones with only cooling, single-temperature zones that can be set to cooling or freezing, and other models with two compartments, one for cold and one for frozen goods.
For instance, the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refridgerator has a fridge and a freezer compartment. It also has the industry’s first built-in ice maker.
Power Source
A suitable power source is critical for anything but the shortest road trips. You want a fridge that holds a charge so it doesn’t always have to be plugged into a power source. Also, look for versatile recharge options.
For example, the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refridgerator will last 40 hours at full charge. It can be recharged with EcoFlow Solar Panels, your EcoFlow Portable Power Station, DC (car), or an AC (household) wall plug. EcoFlow RIVER 2 Series Portable Power Stations like EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro are the perfect companion for all your remote power needs,
Energy Efficiency
If you rely heavily on your car to keep your fridge charged, it will put more strain on your car battery and make your journey less fuel-efficient. Look for fridges that are well insulated and have energy-saving modes. Of course, if you have a solar model that holds a charge, that eliminates those issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
A small portable fridge made for travel will be compact enough to fit in your back seat or boot. It usually has carry handles to make it easy to get in and out. Quality models should hold a charge and come with versatile DC (car), solar, and AC (wall plug) recharging options.
Final Thoughts
Having a portable car fridge is the ultimate cost-effective convenience on road trips. You can eat healthier food that stays cold and bring it on short or long trips. No more scouring shelves in petrol stations trying to find healthy food and expensive drinks.
Before buying one, consider the size, capacity, portability features, and energy efficiencies. Of course, the temperature range is one of the most important things to consider. Does it only cool, or can it freeze and offer ice cubes like the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator? Examine all the options and find what works best for you. Then, sit back and enjoy your drive with fresh food and cold drinks at arm’s reach.