12V Camping Fridges: Choosing the Right Compressor Fridge for Your 4x4

Warm lager and soggy sandwiches are not part of the overlanding dream. If you're still hauling a cool box around and topping it up with ice every couple of days, it's time to stop.

A 12V compressor fridge runs straight off your vehicle or leisure battery, holds a set temperature in any weather and doesn't leave your food floating in meltwater. We've just added three new models to the range, so here's how to pick the right one.

Why swap the cool box for a compressor fridge?

A cool box is only as good as the ice you put in it. Once the ice goes, so does everything else.

A compressor fridge works like the one in your kitchen. It cools to a temperature you set and holds it, even when it's hot outside. All three of our new models are rated from +20°C down to -20°C or lower, so they work as a fridge, a freezer, or whatever suits the trip.

Every model in this range also shares the following:

• 12V and 24V DC: runs from cars, 4x4s, trucks, buses, a dual-battery setup or solar
• 3-level battery protection: a low-voltage cut-off stops the fridge flattening your starter battery when you're parked up
• Digital control panel: set the exact temperature in °C or °F, with ECO mode to save power and MAX mode to pull the temperature down fast
• Reversible, removable door: opens from either side, and lifts off completely for cleaning
• Off-road ready: withstands short-term inclines up to 30°
• Drain plug: empty and rinse in seconds
• CFC-free full polyurethane foam insulation

RX-30S: the compact one (27.5L)

If space is tight, start here. At 27.5L it's plenty for a weekend's food and drink, and at 603 × 375 × 373mm it's the smallest of the three, so it fits most load bays and cab spaces. It weighs 11.8kg, cools to -20°C and draws 50W.

Best for: weekend trips, solo travellers and couples, smaller vehicles and anyone short on load space.

Price: £229.00 inc. VAT

View the RX-30S

RX-40S: the all-rounder (39.1L)

The middle child, and probably the sweet spot for most people. You get 39.1L, with space for taller bottles, which is enough for a long weekend or a full week's food and drink. It cools to -20°C, draws 55W and weighs 13.3kg. Footprint is 603 × 375 × 457mm, so it's the same width and length as the RX-30S, just taller.

Best for: week-long trips, couples and small families, and anyone who wants room without going big.

Price: £249.00 inc. VAT

View the RX-40S

DW-45S/W-45L: the big one with wheels (45L, dual zone)

This is the flagship of the new range. It's a true dual-zone fridge-freezer, so you can run fridge on one side and freezer on the other, each with its own lid and set separately. It cools down to -22°C, so frozen meat in one zone and cold beers in the other are no problem.

It also comes with built-in wheels. At 17.6kg empty, a loaded one is a pain to carry from the truck to camp, so you can wheel it instead. The extras are interior LED lights for finding things after dark and a built-in bottle opener. It draws 60W and measures 665 × 439 × 519mm with the wheels on (670 × 406 × 507mm with them removed).

Best for: longer trips, bigger groups, and anyone who wants proper frozen food and cold drinks at the same time.

Price: £279.00 inc. VAT

View the DW-45S/W-45L

Side by side

	RX-30S	RX-40S	DW-45S/W-45L
Capacity	27.5L	39.1L	45L (dual zone)
Temperature range	+20°C to -20°C	+20°C to -20°C	+20°C to -22°C
Power rating	50W	55W	60W
Size (mm)	603 × 375 × 373	603 × 375 × 457	665 × 439 × 519 (with wheels)
Weight	11.8kg	13.3kg	17.6kg (with wheels)
Extras	n/a	n/a	Wheels, LED light, bottle opener
Price (inc. VAT)	£229.00	£249.00	£279.00

Which one should you buy?

• Short trips or limited space: RX-30S.
• One fridge to do most jobs: RX-40S.
• Longer trips, bigger crews, or you want a separate freezer: DW-45S/W-45L.

Prefer a drawer fridge or a fixed installation? Our range also includes the Apex4WD 30L Drawer Fridge at £294.99 and the APEX50RV Dual Zone 50L at £349.00. See the full fridge range.

Powering your fridge properly

A fridge is only as good as the power behind it. Plugging into the 12V/24V socket works, and so does wiring to a dual-battery system. For off-grid trips, we'd recommend running it from a leisure battery topped up by solar or a DC-DC charger, so your starter battery stays safe. The built-in low-voltage protection is a backstop, not a plan.

Build the setup around the fridge with:

• LiFePO4 batteries
• DC-DC and MPPT chargers
• Solar panels
• A 12V fridge cable (50A Anderson, suitable for all Apex4WD fridges)

Finish the rig with a roof rack, an awning or a drawer system.

Delivery

Free UK mainland delivery is included. Fridges ship with a specialist 2-man service due to size and weight, and delivery usually takes 2-4 days. Collection is available from our warehouse in Stotfold, Bedfordshire. Delivery doesn't cover N.I., the Isle of Man, the Scottish Highlands or the Channel Isles, so message us for a quote.

Not sure which fridge or setup you need?

Message us and we'll help you put the right kit together: sales@apex4wd.co.uk or 01462 516137.

In stock now!