Wondering if a car fridge is a good purchase for your next Australian road trip? The answer is yes! We’ve road-tripped all over Australia with a car fridge and now we wouldn’t leave home without one. In this article we the top benefits of travelling with a car fridge.
Top 10 Benefits of a Car Fridge
From saving money to eating healthier on your road trip – there are plenty of benefits of having a car fridge. Read on to discover why you need one on your next road trip or camping holiday.
Check here for pricing and reviews of top selling car fridges.
1. Constant Access to Food and Drinks on the Road
A portable car fridge is very handy when you’re on long road trips in Australia. It means you can always grab a cold drink or a snack without having to stop at shops.
This is great when you’re driving in remote areas where shops are few and far between like Driving the Nullarbor. You stay hydrated and have more energy, and you can also take any route you like without worrying about where to get food.
For families, this is especially useful. Kids often need snacks and meals at different times, and having food ready in the car fridge keeps them happy and reduces the number of stops you need to make.
Access to a portable fridge makes your trip smoother without the need to stop for snacks and drinks along the route, and you can get to your destination faster.
2. Keeps Food and Drink Fresh
One of the best things about a car fridge is how it keeps your food and drinks fresh, especially in Australia’s often harsh climate. Unlike a regular cooler that needs ice and can get warm over time, a car fridge maintains a steady temperature.
This means your sandwiches, fruits, and snacks stay fresh, just like they would in your fridge at home! You don’t have to worry about food going off, especially on long trips or in hot weather.
3. Save Money on your Road Trip
Having a car fridge is a great way to save money during road trips. When you pack your own food and drinks, you don’t need to buy expensive snacks or meals at service stations. This is really helpful in Australia, where prices can be quite high, especially in remote places like a Perth to Darwin Road Trip.
Before you start your journey, you can stock up on groceries in bulk, which is often cheaper. This approach is perfect for travellers who want to keep to a budget or for families who usually spend a lot on eating out.
A car fridge also lets you safely store leftover food, which means you waste less and save more. This is really handy on longer trips where you might cook your own meals or use campsite BBQs. Instead of throwing away extra food, you can keep it in the fridge for the next day.
This can help you cut down on food costs over your entire trip, giving you more money to spend on other parts of your travel. Plus, no more stocking up on bags of ice at the servo!
4. Convenience for Camping and Outdoor Activities
A car fridge is a game changer for camping and outdoor activities. It brings a lot of convenience to your outdoor adventures. You can keep your food and drinks cold and fresh, no matter where you are. This is super helpful when you’re camping in remote areas of Australia, far from shops.
You can have a cold drink after a long hike, or a fresh meal at your campsite, without worrying about ice or coolers warming up.
Also, a car fridge makes packing for your trip easier. You don’t need to worry about fitting everything around ice packs or trying to keep things cold. You can just load up the fridge as you would at home.
This is great for longer trips where you need a variety of food. You can store meat safely for BBQs, keep dairy products for breakfast, and have cold drinks available any time. This means more time enjoying the outdoors and less time dealing with food storage hassles!
5. Versatility in Different Situations
A car fridge offers incredible versatility, adapting to various travel scenarios. Whether you’re on a day trip, a weekend camping adventure, or a longer road trip across Australia, a car fridge meets your cooling needs. It’s not just for keeping food and drinks cold; you can also use it for things like storing medication that needs refrigeration or keeping bait fresh if you’re into fishing.
This versatility extends to its power options as well. Most car fridges can run off your car’s battery, but they can also be powered by portable solar panels or connected to a campsite’s power source.
The flexibility means you can use your fridge anywhere, from a remote beach to a bustling holiday park. You’re not limited to destinations with amenities, giving you the freedom to explore more off-grid locations.
6. Temperature Control
The ability to control the temperature is a key benefit of a car fridge, especially in Australia’s varied climates. Unlike traditional eskies, a car fridge lets you set and maintain a specific temperature. This means you can keep your meats, dairy, and other perishables at the right temperature to prevent them from going off, no matter how hot it gets outside.
It’s perfect for those long summer road trips where the inside of a car can become very warm.
This precise temperature control is also great for storing different types of foods and drinks at their ideal temperatures.
7. Durable and Designed for Travel
Car fridges are built tough, perfect for the demands of travel in Australia. They’re made to handle the constant movement, vibrations, and bumps you encounter on both smooth highways and rugged outback trails. This durability is essential, ensuring that your fridge will continue to work well on many trips.
These fridges also often come with travel-friendly features like reinforced corners, sturdy handles, and secure locks. These design details make sure the fridge stays closed and your food stays safe, no matter how bumpy the ride gets!
8. Healthier Travel
A car fridge can make your road trip experience healthier. With the ability to store fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy perishables, you’re not limited to the processed or fast food options that are often the only choices at service stations and convenience stores.
This is especially beneficial for those long drives across Australia, where finding healthy food options can be a challenge. Having access to fresh and nutritious foods means you can maintain a balanced diet even while on the road.
Additionally, being able to store and prepare your own meals reduces the temptation to opt for quick junk food. This is particularly important for people with specific dietary needs or preferences.
Whether you’re following a special diet or just trying to eat healthier, a car fridge gives you the control to manage your meals and snacks, ensuring that you have access to the kind of food that best supports your health and well-being while travelling.
9. Improved Travel Experience
Having a car fridge enhances your overall travel experience in many ways. Firstly, it adds a level of comfort and convenience that makes road trips more enjoyable. With cold drinks and fresh food readily available, your journey becomes more relaxed and pleasurable.
You can spontaneously decide to stop at a picturesque spot for a picnic without worrying about finding a place to eat. This freedom to explore and enjoy impromptu meals adds a special touch to your adventures on Australian roads.
Furthermore, a car fridge reduces the stress and disruptions of constantly searching for food outlets, especially in remote areas with limited options.
10. Longevity and Reliability
A major benefit of investing in a car fridge is its longevity and reliability. These fridges are designed for long-term use, making them a valuable asset for regular travellers. Unlike regular esky coolers that might need frequent ice replenishment or can wear out quickly, a quality car fridge is built to last and withstand the rigours of constant travel.
This means that once you’ve made the initial investment, you can rely on your car fridge for many years of road trips and outdoor adventures across Australia.
What is the Best Car Fridge for Aussie Road Trips?
Wondering what the best car fridge is for you? Here are our top picks:
✔️ Best for 4WDs
DUNE 4WD 45L Single Zone Fridge/Freezer
The Dune 4WD 45L Single Zone Fridge/Freezer is an excellent choice for 4WD enthusiasts due to its robust design and features.
It’s built to endure harsh Australian conditions, offering a reliable cooling range from 10°C to -22°C. The fridge includes a 3-stage battery protection system and brass anti-condensation coils, enhancing its performance and durability.
Its thick insulation, efficient LG compressor, and full polypropylene construction ensure longevity and low power consumption. Additional features like an internal LED light, bi-directional removable lid, and integrated tie-down plate add to its suitability for 4WD adventures.
Click here for pricing of the Dune 45L Single Zone Fridge/Freezer
✔️ Best Compact Option
Oztrail15L Console Fridge/Freezer
The Oztrail 15L Console Fridge/Freezer is an excellent choice for Australian road trips. Its compact size is ideal for installation in Utes and 4WDs, serving as a replacement for the centre console or being placed on a car seat.
It offers versatility, doubling as a fridge or freezer, making it suitable for long car rides and outdoor adventures. This fridge has some nifty features including:
- Temperature range of +20 to -20 degrees Celsius
- 18 can capacity
- Inbuilt cup holders
- USB outlets
- Internal LED light
- Phone holders
It’s designed for DC operation and includes a quick-release mounting base plate, making it highly convenient for travel.
Click here for pricing of the Oztrail 15L Console Fridge/Freezer
✔️ Our Top Pick
myCOOLMAN CEP 47L Portable Fridge/Freezer Grey 47L
The myCOOLMAN CEP 47L Portable Fridge/Freezer stands out as an excellent choice for Australian road trips due to its size and functionality. It features the Blue-Gen compressor and a three-level battery protection system, ensuring efficiency and safety. The fridge’s turbo mode allows for rapid cooling, and its two-way opening lid adds convenience. I
It’s compact yet offers a significant capacity (56 cans), perfect for limited spaces in vehicles.
This fridge is durable for everyday use and easily stored when not in use, making it ideal for various outdoor adventures.
Click here for pricing of the myCOOLMAN CEP 47L Portable Fridge/Freezer
Last words on why you need a portable car fridge
A car fridge is an essential tool for Australian road trips, offering a blend of convenience, cost-effectiveness, and comfort. Whether you’re exploring the Outback, camping, or on a family holiday, a car fridge will keep food fresh, and drinks cold.
It was one of the best investments we made, and we can highly recommend purchasing a good quality portable fridge for your vehicle.
