I don’t know about you, but when I’m Overlanding, there’s nothing like settling down at camp, cooking up a fantastic dinner on my Camp Chef PRO 60X grill, and cracking open a cold one while enjoying the cool, crisp, clean air.
Heck, just thinking about it right now makes me want to ditch work and head for the mountains!
Of course, to make the above scenario work, you have to have a good fridge to keep your beer cold (well, your food too, of course!). So that begs the question, which Alpicool portable refrigerator is the best option for you?
In this guide, we’ll present you with a variety of options so you can choose the best overlanding fridge for your needs.
Table of Contents
- What to Look for in a Portable Fridge
- Alpicool CF35 Portable Refrigerator
- Alpicool CF45 Portable Refrigerator
- Alpicool LGCF45 Portable Refrigerator
- Alpicool CF55 Portable Refrigerator
- Alpicool LGCF55 Portable Refrigerator
- Which Alpicool Portable Refrigerator is For You?
- Other Recommended Overlanding Gear
What to Look for in a Portable Fridge
Before we dive into the list of Alpicool portable refrigerators, let’s go over a short list of features you might want to look for in your search for a good fridge for your adventures.
Size and Weight
Obviously, the size and weight of the refrigerator is an important concern. On the one hand, you need to account for the space that your fridge will take up in your vehicle. On the other hand, you want to be sure you size the portable refrigerator appropriately for your needs.
So, for example, if you usually only go out for one or two-night trips, a smaller 37-quart Alpicool portable refrigerator might suit you just fine. But if you go on extended trips, the extra storage space of a 58-quart fridge will be a big bonus.
As another example, these fridges range from 28 pounds up to 37 pounds when they’re empty, so they aren’t exactly feather-light. Once they’re loaded up with food, their weight will obviously be much more.
Price
Price is certainly a factor to consider as well. The Alpicool portable refrigerator models listed below range from about $300.00 to $350.00. While this isn’t a huge price difference, there isn’t much sense in opting for a bigger, pricier model if you don’t need the extra space.
Other Features
There are plenty of other features to think about when buying an Alpicool portable refrigerator.
For example, having a dual-zone system (a freezer and a fridge) is a huge benefit. Each model below offers a fridge and a freezer room. Another feature that a good portable fridge should have is a low current draw. Each of the options we’ve listed here draws 45 watts, which can easily be accommodated by your vehicle’s battery or a small solar power system.
Of course, the construction of a portable refrigerator is an important consideration as well. As explained below, these Alpicool portable refrigerator options are all made of high-density insulating foam to help keep your food cool without requiring the compressor to work too hard to do so.
Speaking of the compressor, these Alpicool portable refrigerators come with two types of compressors – some are equipped with a high-efficiency compressor with ECO and HH modes, while other options come with an LG compressor. The LG compressors also offer the ECO and HH modes, but give you the added benefit of being a name-brand compressor that typically comes with a better warranty (three years, in some cases, versus a more typical year warranty on the other compressors that are available with these fridges).
So, with those Alpicool portable refrigerator buying tips out of the way, let’s get to our list of the top options!
Alpicool CF35 Portable Refrigerator – $299.99
If you need a portable refrigerator but don’t need a ton of space, the Alpicool CF35 is a great option.
Inside, you get 37 quarts of storage capacity, which is good for three dozen 12-ounce cans of your favorite beverage. And outside, this Alpicool portable refrigerator measures 27.2”x13.6”x15” and weighs 28 pounds, so it’s an ideal size for smaller overlanding rigs.
This overlanding fridge has car battery protection to prevent it from running down your vehicle’s battery. As an added bonus, it can be run with a small solar power system, too.
If you need to freeze items, you can chill this bad boy down to -20° Fahrenheit. Of course, the temperature of the unit is adjustable to meet your needs.
Made of thick high-density foam insulation, it can keep your food cool and fresh throughout your journey!
Learn more about the Alpicool CF35 Portable Refrigerator
Alpicool CF45 Portable Refrigerator – $309.99
As you can see above, the Alpicool CF45 offers 11 more quarts of storage capacity in a slightly larger form factor than the Alpicool CF35.
In this case, there’s room for four dozen 12-ounce cans of your favorite drink in a portable fridge that measures 27.2”x13.6”x18.2”.
As with all Alpicool portable refrigerators in this lineup, this one has an LCD display panel and a digitized temperature adjustment so you can quickly and easily change the temperature inside the fridge. And, like the previous model we discussed, this one has a built-in LED light with an internal storage basket for smaller items.
Although this is a bigger Alipicool portable refrigerator, it’s still highly portable. It weighs just two pounds more than the CF35, but with portable handles on both sides, this unit is still easy to move (though when it’s loaded up, it might be a two-person job).
Other goodies include a high-efficiency compressor, adjustable ECO and HH modes, and it’s safe to run at up to 45° angles, making it perfect for your off-roading rig!
Learn more about the Alpicool CF45 Portable Refrigerator
Alpicool LGCF45 Portable Refrigerator – $329.99
This 48-quart Alpicool portable refrigerator is highly similar to the previous one, though the LGCF45 is equipped with an LG compressor.
As you can see in the graphic above, the storage capacity of the refrigerator and freezer spaces are the same as the normal CF45 Alipcool portable refrigerator. They also have the same LCD panel, internal storage system, and built-in LED light.
Additionally, this unit will freeze down to -20° and has the same three-stage car battery protection system that was discussed earlier.
Something else of note with Alpicool portable refrigerators is that they are built with a vibration-resistant design. This helps protect the device while you’re driving on tough tracks.
This fridge comes with a DC power cord and an AC adapter, so you can use it in the house or the car (this is a feature that’s common to all the models on this list, though).
Learn more about the Alpicool LGCF45 Portable Refrigerator
Alpicool CF55 Portable Refrigerator – $315.99
With the 58 quart capacity of the Alpicool CF55, we’re now getting into the territory of serious storage capacity.
As you can see above, you can store 60 cans of soda, yet the form factor of the Alpicool portable refrigerator remains quite small at 27.2”x13.6”x20.6”. And at 35 pounds, it’s still light enough that one person can move it around if need be (when it’s empty – loaded up might be a different story!).
The obvious benefit of this unit is the added storage space. This makes it an ideal option for overlanding enthusiasts that are in it for a long-haul trip.
With the flexibility of AC and DC power, you can run it off the car battery while you’re driving and camping, and on those occasions when you stay at a hotel or a campground with electricity, you can spare your vehicle batteries and use shore power.
And like the other models listed thus far, you get the benefit of easy portability, low noise from the compressor, the ability to cool down to -20°, and a vibration-resistant design.
Learn more about the Alpicool CF55 Portable Refrigerator
Alpicool LGCF55 Portable Refrigerator – $349.99
As with the previous Alpicool portable refrigerator with an LG compressor, this model shares just about all the other same features as the normal CF55.
At 30.4 pounds, this is one of the heavier options on this list but it is still a manageable size to maneuver with one or two people. Additionally, the size of the unit means it won’t take up a ton of space inside your vehicle, which is certainly something to consider if your vehicle is smaller or you have to utilize the interior space of your vehicle for sleeping.
This unit can run on low, medium, or high, depending on the temperature needs of your food and the ambient temperature in the car. It has the same car battery protection system as mentioned before, and it runs on solar power like the other models.
You also get the same LCD display with digitized temperature adjustment, high-density foam construction, and quiet operation.
Learn more about the Alpicool LGCF55 Portable Refrigerator
Which Alpicool Portable Refrigerator is For You?
Having the ability to bring cold and frozen food with you on your overlanding trips is a game-changer. It means you can enjoy a cold beverage on a hot day, bring fresh food with you on your trips, and meal plan so you have tasty meals that fill you up after a long day’s journey.
As I noted earlier, the differences to look for with Alpicool portable refrigerators are the size, weight, and price. Beyond that, these fridges share many of the same features and benefits for your overlanding adventures.
When buying any gear, it’s important to do your due diligence. Doing so ensures you get the right gear for your needs and budget. Taking a look at this list is a great start. Now narrow down the options to your top two or three choices. Then check out the differences between them and invest in an Alpicool portable refrigerator that you can use for years and years to come.
PREVIEW | PRODUCT | RATING | |
| Alpicool CF35 Portable Refrigerator (35 Liter) | ||
| Alpicool CF45 Portable Refrigerator (45 Liter) | ||
| Alpicool CF55 Portable Refrigerator (55 Liter) | ||
Alpicool C20 Portable Refrigerator (20 Liter) | |||
Alpicool APLT50-LG Dual Temp Control Refrigerator (50 Liter) | |||
| Alpicool C9 Mini Portable Refrigerator (9 Liter) |
Other Recommended Overlanding Gear
- First Aid Kit
- GMRS Radio
- Camp Chair
- Camping Lantern
- Waterproof Tarp
- Camping Table
- Small Axe
- Solar Shower
- Camping Cookset
- Portable Power Station