6 Best RV Refrigerators: Reviews and Buying Guide for 2020

What to Look For in an RV Refrigerator

As you sift through all the choices, here are some of the key features and considerations you should make note of:

Storage Capacity

The storage capacity of your refrigerator is vital. Your RV might not have the space to install a full-sized refrigerator, but when you spend weeks or months on the road, you want to make sure your fridge can hold all your groceries.

Some mini-fridges are nothing more than well-ventilated coolers. They might only be capable of holding a few beverages at a time. This makes them easier to transport, but hardly convenient. Try looking for refrigerators that have multiple shelves and enough storage space to hold vegetables, leftovers, and whatever else you’d like to store.

Don’t forget to look for refrigerators that have a freezer compartment too. Most campers would at least like to have the option to freeze their food, but a freezer compartment isn’t always a common feature.

Size

The best RV refrigerators have tons of storage capacity, but they’re still compact enough to fit inside your RV without too much trouble. This is especially important for people that might be using smaller RVs and already don’t have a lot of space to spare for a fridge.

Even if you find a fridge that seems to have all the space you need, you’ll want to make sure you have a spot to have it. It’s a good idea to map out where you plan to put the fridge beforehand so that you can take measurements and purchase something appropriate. Sometimes, larger refrigerators can also make more noise, so it’s best to keep that in mind.

Durability

Your RV fridge might come with all the space you need and fit perfectly inside your RV, but if it only lasts a couple of months, it can feel like a waste of money. Not all fridges are meant for long-term use, especially portable or compact refrigerators.

When you’re shopping, look for products that use steel or other durable materials that are likely to last the test of time. A fridge that can’t handle a little bit of jostling or a few dents is unlikely to last you long on the road.

Best RV Refrigerator Under $250

Need something that won’t cost you more than $250? You’re in luck, we’ve got a couple of great picks for you to choose from:

Midea Compact Refrigerator

With separate compartments for the freezer and refrigerator, the Midea Compact Refrigerator gives you what you’re looking for in a portable package. There’s even a section for you to store your fruits and vegetables so that they stay crisp for longer.

Depending on your space, you might easily be able to fit this fridge underneath a countertop or a desk. Unlike some choices, you can also count on this fridge to be a little quieter. In the limited space of an RV, even the quietest sounds can keep you up all night. Luckily, the “whisper” technology of this product shouldn’t disturb your beauty sleep too much.

Pros:

• Quieter than some other options
• Includes a freezer section
• Storage space for fruits and vegetables
• Fits under a countertop or desk
• Includes an internal light for better visibility

Cons:

• You might need to replace the internal light more frequently
• The fridge isn’t frost-free

Kuppet Compact Refrigerator

Some smaller fridges have trouble with temperature control and keeping your food cold enough. Luckily, that doesn’t seem to be an issue with the Kuppet Compact Refrigerator. If you don’t think it’s cold enough, you can always adjust the temperature. 

Some campers might decide to turn the fridge into a freezer with the temperature control option if they’re storing ice cream or frozen meals. If you’re trying to organize taller objects, you also have the choice to remove the glass shelf to make room for more items. 

Pros:

• Quieter than a lot of other fridges
• Has a removable glass shelf
• Includes adjustable temperature control
• Comes in multiple colors
• Easy to store under desks and countertops

Cons:

• Doesn’t include a separate freezer compartment
• No compartment for fruits and vegetables

Best RV Refrigerator Under $350 

If you’ve got a wider budget, you’ll find that there are plenty of high-quality refrigerators that won’t run you more than $350:

Linsion RV Refrigerator

Not all fridges are durable enough to withstand a life on the road, but the Linsion RV Refrigerator has the sturdy build that a lot of campers need. There’s a panel that allows you to easily control the temperature and two cables that you can connect to outlets inside your rig. 

To prevent the fridge from using up a lot of power, there’s a battery-protection mode to protect your RV’s battery as well as the fridge. If you notice any defects or issues with the fridge within a year, you can contact the manufacturer, and you might be eligible for a replacement.

Pros:

• Sturdy and durable
• Adjustable temperature control
• Has a battery-protection mode
• Includes fifty-four quarts of storage capacity
• Comes with a one year warranty

Cons:

• Might require more maintenance than other options
• Not as lightweight as some choices

Alpicool Portable RV Refrigerator and Freezer

Portability can be a concern with some RV refrigerators. You never know when you might need to move the fridge to another spot or even take it out of the rig when you’re at a campground. When it comes to portability, the Alpicool Portable RV Refrigerator and Freezer is easy to transport.

At first glance, it might just look like a cooler, but it contains a separate compartment to store items you need to freeze. You can also protect your battery by turning on the battery protection mode when you need to.

Pros:

• Durable and sturdy
• Easy to transport
• Lightweight
• Includes a battery protection mode
• Has separate compartments for freezing items

Cons:

• Might not have all the storage capacity that some buyers want
• Might be noisier than some other choices

Best RV Refrigerator in Class

With so many options, picking the stand-outs from the mediocre isn’t always easy. We’ve highlighted a few options that we consider to be the best in class:

hOmeLabs Mini Fridge

It might easily fit underneath your countertop, but the hOmeLabs Mini Fridge doesn’t skimp on storage capacity. It makes the most of its size by adding removable glass shelves and a few places to store your beverages on the other side of the door. If you need to adjust the temperature, all you need to do is turn the knob.

When you defrost the freezer, you won’t have to worry about dripping. The removable drain tray will catch anything and make the clean up that much easier.

Pros:

• Easy to clean and maintain 
• Removable glass shelves 
• More storage space on the door
• Includes a one year warranty
• Adjustable temperature control

Cons:

• Might not fit well into all RVs
• Might consume too much power

Costway Compact Refrigerator

If it weren’t for its compact size, some people might mistake the Costway Compact Refrigerator for a full-sized model. With two separate compartments to store regular refrigerated items as well as frozen items, you don’t have to limit yourself. There’s even a crisper drawer to protect sensitive foods like fruits and vegetables. 

To make it even better, there’s space on the side of the door for you to put taller items as well as beverages that might be too tall for the rest of the fridge. If you do need to make adjustments, the glass shelf is removable and should slide out without any hassle. 

Pros:

• Two separate compartments for frozen and refrigerated foods
• Includes a crisper drawer
• There’s extra space on the side of the door
• You can remove the glass shelf
• Environmentally-friendly

Cons:

• Might not be as quiet as some other models
• Not as lightweight as some other choices

Our Favorite Pick

While these are all high-quality options, if we had to narrow it down to the best RV refrigerator, our choice would be the Linsion RV refrigerator. This portable product is more than just a compact fridge that you can transport. The manufacturer has designed it to specifically fit inside mobile homes and RVs. The sturdy build ensures that it will survive most dents and dings, and the battery-protection mode helps you conserve power if you need to.

When you’re on the road, you deserve a fridge that comes with limited stress, and we believe that’s the Linsion RV refrigerator.