The time has come. Time to choose the most expensive appliance in your kitchen. But you’re finding out that appliance shopping for RVs is a whole different ball game than shopping for appliances you’ll install at home.
After taking an initial look at RV fridges, you’ve probably noticed one glaring difference from their residential counterparts. They’re expensive!
But the price tag won’t be your only obstacle. For starters, you won’t find many reviews on the best RV refrigerators available. And the reviews you do manage to find will make you wonder why you’d spend thousands of dollars on something that doesn’t last or operate as intended.
All in all, this lack of reviews (good, bad, or otherwise) makes it difficult to pinpoint the best RV fridge brands/models. I mean, you can’t just take these retailers at their word–right? You’ve heard the age-old advice: you can’t believe everything you read online (especially when it’s a company endorsing their own product). So, where can you find an unbiased source?
The answer is right here! In this article, we’ll give you the who’s who and what’s what–sharing our top-pick fridge models and tips to take when buying your fridge. (We’ll also flesh out why RV refrigerators are so much more expensive than residential ones).
What’s the Difference between an RV Fridge and a Residential Fridge?
Not only are RV refrigerators more expensive, they’re smaller and harder to find parts for, and they have a shorter life span. So why should you invest in an RV fridge when it’s cheaper to modify your RV to fit a standard-sized fridge–giving you better bang for your buck?
Honestly, a demo and reno might be a good option. But before you renovate your RV kitchen, first, get all the facts. Features-wise, a standard fridge and an RV refrigerator are not identical. The latter has unique features that make it specially equipped for an RV kitchen setup.
They Run on Multiple Power Sources
Your RV (or gas absorption) fridge can run on multiple power sources. It can run on your RV battery (12V DC), shore power (120V AC), or propane (LP). This is great for when you’re boondocking and don’t have access to shore power.
Low Amp Draw
While RV fridges can run on 12V of DC power, residential fridges need 120V. That’s 100 more volts you gotta come up with and a higher amperage draw. So, if you choose to make the switch, be sure you have an RV battery big enough to run your new fridge.
No Moving Parts
Unlike residential fridges, gas absorption fridges operate based on chemical processes—not mechanical. The lack of moving parts means that as they’re driving down the road, fewer things are likely to shake loose.
Lightweight
As with everything, your RV’s weight plays a part. Because RV fridges are built out of lightweight materials, you’ll be able to keep your camper within towing capacity. The lightweight composition is what, ultimately, sets the best RV fridges apart from your typical home fridge. Plus, the specialized sizing and engineering are why they’re so much more expensive.
But do note that there are some crucial points where the home fridge has the edge.
Cooling Performance
Unfortunately, RV fridges are susceptible to overheating when exposed to extreme heat. And when I say extreme, I mean your typical southern summer day where it hits 90 degrees. They have trouble keeping things frozen and the fridge cool in high temperatures. They also take a lot longer (like a day) to cool a smaller space.
The residential fridge, of course, doesn’t have this problem. It functions just fine and can cool larger spaces in a matter of hours.
Another big performance point is that if you travel in humid climates – I’m looking at you, Florida – your RV fridge will most likely need to be manually defrosted once a month.
That means taking everything out, pulling it out of its cavity, letting the build-up of ice melt, mopping up the newly accumulated water, reinstalling it, and then letting it take a day to get down to temperature before you rely on it again.
That’s quite a process.
Residential fridges are all auto-defrosted now. Headache cured.
Storage Capacity
A big downside if you’re a family of four or more hitting the road with a 6 cu. ft. fridge is that you’ll be making a lot of grocery runs. A fridge of this size just doesn’t have the space to hold 2 gallons of milk, 18 ct eggs, hotdogs, deli meats, cheese, ketchup, mustard, mayo, relish, and a week’s worth of protein and fresh veggies for dinners. So you have to make multiple trips during the week.
Top-Rated RV Refrigerators
Now let’s find the best RV fridge that fits your RV lifestyle.
#1: Norcold 5.3 Cu. Ft. (N4150AGR)
Starting at: $1,960
The Norcold N3150AGR offers 5.3 cubic feet of interior space. With its adjustable food fence in the door, you can keep items in place while you’re on the move, ensuring that nothing spills or gets jumbled up.
Key Features:
- 3-way power
- Automatic transition from electric to gas
- Clean design
- Autocycle to reduce frost build-up
#2: Dometic Americana Double Door (DM2652RB)
Starting at: $2,241
With a solid steel frame, the Dometic Americana is one of the best-built RV fridges out there.
Key Features:
- 2-way power (AC/Gas)
- 2 crisper drawers
- Gallon storage
- A mere 2.7Amp draw
#3: SMETA 2.1 Cu. Ft. 12V/Propane Refrigerator
Starting Price: $479
If you don’t bring along a lot of perishable food items when you go camping, then check this out. SMETA runs smoothly on both electricity and propane with whisper-quiet operation.
So in a small camper where space is at a premium, SMETA is a good option for you.
Key Features:
- 3-way power
- Cools quickly and evenly
- Low energy needs (.8Kw/24 hrs)
#4: Norcold PolarMax Refrigerator Model 2118
Starting Price: $5,152
Now it’s time for a quiet fridge that can actually hold enough food to feed a family. The PolarMax has 18.3 cu. ft. of cooled storage.
Key Features:
- Humidity-controlled veggie drawers.
- Two-gallon shelves in the door.
- Three bottom drawers.
- Four-dour design for cold air retention.
Samsung 29 in. 17.6 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator (RT18M6215SR)
Starting Price: $999
Okay, so, technically, this Samsung Top Freezer Refrigerator is not a gas-absorption RV fridge because it has a linear compressor.
When we renovated our RV three years ago, we chose to buy a residential fridge. And boy, am I glad we did.
Not only is it a quarter of the cost for twice as much space, but this guy also comes with an ice maker. It automatically defrosts – which was a must since we’re in Florida – and it has plenty of gallon storage in the door for the three different milks I have to buy for my family. (Allergies are so annoying.)
Key Features:
- Ample gallon storage
- Fresh Air Filters
- Ice makers
- Automatic defrost
- Deep dual, humidity-controlled crisper bins
- Deli shelf
- Adjustable spill-proof glass shelving.
This was the right move for us because…
- We’re full-time RVers who need to be able to store enough food for three meals a day, seven days a week–not just keep leftovers cool.
- We’re in a hot and humid climate where consistent cooling is key to survival.
- We don’t go road-tripping every other weekend. So our fridge vibrating during travel isn’t an issue here.
- We have a sliding RV door, so this model could, in fact, fit through the door of our camper.
Three years in, this baby’s chugging along, doing everything it should.
Summary
Once you’ve found the right fridge for you, make sure you store your RV properly to protect that investment. You want it to be under cover so it’s out of the way of storm debris and sun damage.
You could store it in your home garage. But between your daily drivers, lawn equipment, and power tools, your garage is getting pretty tight. Besides, there’s a better way.
Store it with Neighbor – a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace that offers RV storage up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
With Neighbor, you can find RV storage options in all 50 states. You’ll even find storage spaces in your very own neighborhood. Find listings (from pre-screened hosts) nearest you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Run My RV Refrigerator on Solar Power?
Yes, you can run your RV refrigerator with solar panels, particularly if it runs on DC power. Make sure to have a suitable solar panel setup and battery bank for a consistent power supply.
Do I Need to Level My RV for the Refrigerator to Work Properly?
Yes, because gas absorption refrigerators rely on chemical reactions to cool, they need to be level to function properly.
How Do I Prevent My RV Fridge From Developing Odors During Storage?
Just like at home, make sure you throw away food before it turns into a science experiment in your fridge. Also, store baking soda inside to absorb residual odors.
What’s the Difference Between a 2-Way and a 3-Way RV Refrigerator?
The main difference between a 2-way and a 3-way RV refrigerator is that a 2-way runs on AC power and LP gas, while a 3-way can also operate on 12V DC power.
Can I Replace My RV’s Absorption Refrigerator With a Residential Fridge?
Yes, replacing your RV’s absorption refrigerator with a residential model is possible, but you need to consider power requirements, size, and installation constraints. Be sure to consult a professional for guidance.
