If you are fitting a permanent fridge to a campervan, motorhome, or caravan, there are two types to consider: compressor fridges and absorption fridges. Both can be built into a furniture unit and both will keep your food cold, but they work differently and suit different setups.
Things to consider before choosing:
- How long are you planning to travel for?
- Will you be off-grid or on a campsite with hookup?
- What power sources do you have available: 12v, 230v mains, or gas?
One will be more suitable than the other depending on your answers. The sections below outline the differences.
Difference at a glance
Compressor fridge:
- Runs on 12V only
- Cools faster
- Works well in hot climates
- Does not need external vents
Absorption fridge:
- Operates on 12V, 230V and Gas
- Works silently
- Needs good external ventilation
Not all 12v is equal
Compressor fridges use 12v as their main power source, and do it far more efficiently than absorption fridges can. Absorption fridges draw 12v for two things: a small constant load for the display and thermostat, and a much larger one for the DC element. That element is only meant to run while driving, since it needs the alternator to keep up with its high draw, and it's built to maintain a temperature gas or mains has already reached, not to cool from scratch. It's the least efficient of the fridge's three power sources for actual cooling.
Where compressor wins
Compressor fridges cool fast and run efficiently on 12v, the power source every van already has. They're straightforward to install and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes to fit almost any space. With a solid DC setup behind it, battery bank, solar and DC-DC charging, it'll keep up even on longer off-grid trips
Where absorption has an edge
Run one off gas and it'll hold temperature for days on just the small load needed for the display and thermostat, which makes it a genuinely strong off-grid option if you're carrying LPG anyway. The trade-off: they're slower to reach temperature, struggle in climates above 30 degrees, and need external ventilation built into the installation.
Bringing it together
It comes down to your power setup. Compressor fridges come in a range of sizes and work well across the board, suiting anything from a weekend trip to a longer getaway depending on your needs and DC system. Absorption fridges are the better fit if your main power source is 240v or LPG and you're staying on level ground, serviced pitches, though they don't cope well in the heat.
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