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What Are the Pros and Cons of a 12V Fridge

What Are the Pros and Cons of a 12V Fridge

A fridge is crucial for any motorhome or RV – especially when you plan on staying in it for some time. However, finding the right appliance can be tricky, and with so many available on the market, you might get stuck on which one suits you best. If you have been looking at the idea of getting 12V appliances, you are likely asking yourself: what are the pros and cons of a 12V fridge?

In this blog, we will go through what you need to know. From what a 12V fridge is, the pros and cons, and even if we think they are worth the investment. Sound interesting? Keep reading to learn all the details. 

What is a 12v Fridge?

Also called a compressor fridge, 12V fridges utilise a compressor motor to keep the appliance cool, much like your fridge at home. Power (electricity) keeps the compressor motor running, which in turn fills the cooling system with refrigerant. 

12V fridges are popular among motorhome and RV lovers thanks to their features and benefits. As the name suggests, 12V fridges run on your motorhome’s house battery, which is typically a 12-volt DC power supply. They will also work on 24-volt power in the case of trucks or buses that have been converted into larger motorhomes. 

These appliances can also run on 240-volt generators or mains power, making them a versatile option for many motorhome owners. Because of this, they are also referred to as two-way fridges, but for the purpose of this blog, we will simply call them 12V fridges. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of a 12V Fridge

What Are the Pros and Cons of a 12V Fridge

Now, if you are thinking about getting a 12V fridge, you are going to be asking yourself – what are the pros and cons of a 12V fridge? To make things as easy as possible for you, we have condensed what you need to know, and will outline all the important details so that you don’t need to rack your brain coming up with the answer.

Pros to Consider

There are many pros to consider when you are looking at 12V fridges. From the variety of fridges that you can choose from to the storage space that these appliances offer compared to others, there are notable benefits to choosing these kinds of fridges over others. However, this doesn’t mean that they will be perfect for you, so we always encourage you to get an expert opinion before you make a final decision.  

Below are the primary pros of getting a 12V fridge for your motorhome:

  • Fridge variety – there are lots of different 12V fridges to consider, but they are not all made equal, and not all appliances will suit everyone’s needs. Be sure to look at a variety of options before you decide on one, and ask for expert opinions, as the appliance that your friend recommends to you might not be the best option for your motorhome
  • Fast cooldown – 12V appliances are able to cool down within 1–2 hours thanks to the compressor inside. As such, less energy is wasted waiting for the fridge to reach the proper temperature for use
  • No propane in 12V fridges –  no propane in 12V fridges means no open flame, so they are less likely to cause a fire. Many motorhome owners will prefer using only electric appliances to reduce safety risks, even if gas is safe to use when handles properly
  • Other power sources – 12V fridges can use the power provided by the tow vehicle if you are in a towable RV. This can help with saving money on energy
  • Reliable internal temperatures – these appliances are less impacted by the weather, and are able to maintain an internal temperature much better than many other appliances, ensuring that your goods remain fresh when you need them most
  • Better space and storage – 12V fridges offer more internal space for storage than many other fridge types. For example, a gas absorption fridge will have 8 feet of space vs 10 feet when weighed against a comparably sized 12V fridge
  • No vents required – these appliances don’t need to be vented outside, while propane-electric appliances need two large vent holes on the outside to ensure safety. This means that you don’t need to worry about dealing with unwanted guests in the form of pests, and that installation is easy and can be done yourself
  • No need to be level – 12V fridges aren’t finicky about being level like other fridge types, which again makes their installation easier than ever, and something that you can easily do yourself 

Cons to Consider

Of course, there are some cons to consider regarding 12V fridges as well. So, before you make a decision and decide how you want to move forward, consider some of the negatives of these appliances, so you know exactly what to expect. 

Below are the notable cons to bear in mind when looking at 12V fridges:

  • High battery usage – eats through batteries very quickly, especially in warmer weather. However, this can be a non-issue if you have an easy and reliable way to refill the battery, such as with solar power. Other systems may also be using this battery, which means that it will drain faster
  • Appliance limitations – you might need to limit appliance use to keep your fridge running if they also use the same 12V battery. This can make life on the road that much more challenging if you are not well-prepared
  • Noisy – more noisy compared to gas absorption fridges, but modern appliances are considerably quieter than they used to be, so this may not be a big issue 

If you still aren’t sure about getting a 12V appliance, we would also recommend looking at forums where buyers have discussed these fridges. Reddit posts can be particularly useful, as you will see many different opinions and better understand if one of these fridges is the right option for you. 

What Are the Alternatives?

12V fridges are not the be all and end all, and there are alternatives to consider when it comes to fridges or larger fridges and freezers. However, not all will be ideal for use in a motorhome because of safety, space, or efficiency. With that being said, though, there is one option that could work for you if you find that a 12V fridge won’t be the perfect fit – the gas absorption fridge.

Gas Absorption Appliances

A popular alternative is the classic gas absorption fridge, or the ‘three-way’ fridge. These can be powered by 12V battery power, 240v mains power, or LPG gas – hence the name, and are often used in motorhomes. 

Instead of using a compressor, these fridges work by using a gas-flow heating system exchange system. This extracts heat from the refrigerator, and cools the interior this way. 

Should You Invest in a 12V Fridge?

What Are the Pros and Cons of a 12V Fridge

The pros far outweigh the cons when we’re talking about 12V fridges. Not only are these appliances easy to install in any space, but they are highly effective and offer more space than other fridge types due to how they work. 

Overall, a 12V fridge is a worthy investment, and you get your money’s worth. If you find that a 12V fridge is the perfect fit for you, or you want help determining that, our range can help you determine the right fit. 

Final Thoughts

12V fridges are incredibly useful appliances, but you should always do your own research and determine if they are the right fit for you before purchasing one. Fortunately, there are a number of appliances available, and there is likely to be something to suit everyone’s needs here at Inlander Low Voltage.

So, what are the pros and cons of a 12V fridge? There are far more pros than cons to consider, with the most important ones being that these appliances offer more space than other fridge types, generally have reliable internal temperatures, have fast cooldown, and have no propane. 

On the other hand, you might not like these appliances due to the potential for noise and the high battery usage – but even these can be mitigated with using newer appliances and getting solar panels. 

To find out more, or if you want to inquire about our appliances, please don’t hesitate to contact us

Take a look at our incredible range of 12V appliances

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