Best Camping Fridge Freezer UK 2026: Including the Totalfreeze 35L We Run in the Campervan
Updated: Sep 23
My totalcool fridge freezer in my Campervan
Quick Summary
We've been through five of these over the last few seasons, some living in the campervan or car, some just borrowed off mates for a trip. Our pick is the Totalcool Totalfreeze 35L, it's the one that's actually in the back of our own van day in, day out, mainly down to how little power it pulls and the fact it's UK based if anything goes wrong. It's not the only good one though. The EcoFlow Glacier gives you proper dual zone cooling, the Dometic CFX5 is built like a tank, the BERG 45L will even keep your takeaway warm on the way back from a session, and the BougeRV CRPRO is a decent budget option if you're running a smaller van or just want something for the car. Full breakdown below so you can work out what actually suits your trips.
Camping Fridge Freezers:
Anyone who's spent a long day on the bank knows the feeling: you've had a brilliant session, the campervan is parked up, and all you want is a cold drink and something decent to eat that isn't a warm sandwich that's been sat in a bag since 6am. That's where a proper camping fridge freezer earns its keep.
We're not talking about a bog-standard cool box here. A 12V compressor fridge freezer means cold beers waiting for you after a session on the stillwater, fresh food for whatever's going on the fire that night, whether it's living in the back of the campervan or tucked into the awning at the campsite. It's one of those bits of kit that quietly makes everything else better, and it's a must have item for camping or even long journeys in your car.
We run the Totalfreeze 35L day in, day out, so that one kicks off the list, but here's how it stacks up against the rest of the field.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you do pick any of these up through the links, it genuinely helps keep Fishing Field Fork going, so thank you. James
Why Bother with a Fridge Freezer Over a Cool Box ?
We were cool box people for years. Bag of ice, towel over the top, fingers crossed it lasts the weekend. It never quite did.
A compressor fridge freezer changes the game:
Proper cold, for days , no ice melting into a soup at the bottom of the box
Food stays fresh, local meats from the butchers, eggs, fresh produce actually stays cool, even on a scorcher
Frozen stuff stays frozen, handy for ice packs, ice cream, or whatever's come off the last trip
It runs off the van's leisure battery, a portable power bank, a 12V car socket, or standard mains power. This means you can plug it in at home to get it down to temperature before heading out, or keep it running on the road without any hassle
No more soggy butties, small win, but a genuinely important one to us
If you're doing more than the occasional overnighter, it's one of the better upgrades you can make.
A few things worth thinking about before you part with your cash:
Size 25-35L is plenty for a solo session or a couple of nights; 45-55L suits longer trips or if you're feeding more than yourself
Power draw the lower the wattage, the longer it'll run off the van's leisure battery without you worrying about it
Eco mode being able to switch between MAX (fast cooling) and ECO (energy saving) makes a real difference overnight, letting you chill things down quickly then ease off the battery once it's up to temperature
Single or dual zone dual zone lets you run a fridge and freezer side by side, which is handy if you want both cold drinks and frozen food
Power options 12V, 24V, and mains (230V AC) covers you whether you're on the road, at the campsite, or charging up at home
Bluetooth/app control being able to check the temperature and tweak settings from your phone without opening the lid is more useful than it sounds, especially first thing on a cold morning
Build quality if it's going to be bounced around in the back of a van, it needs to be tough
Warranty always worth checking, especially with newer brands
Quick Comparison
Fridge | Size | Power Draw | Dual Zone | Price |
Totalcool Totalfreeze 35L | 35L (35 cans) | 30-45W | Yes | ££ |
EcoFlow Glacier Classic | 35L | Higher | Yes | £££ |
Dometic CFX5 35 | 35L (56 cans) | Variable speed | Yes | ££££ |
BERG 45L | 45L (72 cans) | A++ rated | Yes | ££££ |
BougeRV CRPRO 20L | 20L | Standard | No | £ |
Right, onto the picks.
1.Totalcool Totalfreeze 35L, What We Actually Run
This one lives in the back of our van, so it had to top the list. It's a British brand too, which already says something, and the build quality backs it up, lightweight but properly tough, without the price tag some of the bigger names charge.
What actually stands out for us is the power draw. Just 30 to 45 watts, around 3.7 amps an hour, so it barely touches the leisure battery even after a few days off-grid. I run my Anker Solix power bank alongside it too, and between the two, power's never been something we've had to worry about.
It's a properly clever design too, a split-compartment layout with a larger front section that can run as either a fridge or freezer down to -20°C, and a smaller rear section that stays at a constant fridge temperature for things like milk and butter. There's a built-in battery protection system that cuts the unit out at 9.5 volts, so you're never left with a dead leisure battery and no way to start the engine. Once unplugged it'll stay cold for up to 8 hours too, which is handy if you're moving it between the van and the awning.
It also comes with a 24 month warranty and free return postage if anything ever does go wrong, and Totalcool dispatch next working day from their UK base for orders before 1pm, useful if you need a replacement part fast before a trip.
In practice, it's kept drinks cold and fresh food good through full days on the bank and overnight stays without us thinking twice about it. The 35L size is the sweet spot, enough room for a weekend's worth of food and drink, but it doesn't take up much room in the van.
Why we rate it: Low power draw, UK-based support, a price that doesn't sting, Bluetooth app control, and a proper ECO setting. I love it
This is also a great fridge freezer on Amazon its a copy of the Totalcool 35L but much cheaper, its exactly same but a little bit bigger which is good, it gets great reviews.
Totalcool fridge freezer 35L in my campervan 
Totalcool fridge freezer 35L setup in my campervan My Totalcool fridge freezer 35L
2.EF ECOFLOW 35L Portable Fridge Freezer, 25‑Min Quick Freeze
If you want more bells and whistles, this is worth a look. The dual zone setup lets you run one side as a fridge and the other as a proper freezer, with up to a 20°C difference between the two and temperatures held within ±1°C solid if you're keeping both food and bait cold on the same trip.
App control via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth means you can check it's all sorted without getting out of your sleeping bag, which on a cold morning by the water is no small thing.
Best for: Anyone who wants dual-zone cooling and doesn't mind paying a bit more for the smart features. High quality item. Our Second choice
3. Dometic CFX5 35
We'll be honest, the Dometic CFX5 35 wasn't ours to begin with a mate's had one in the back of his Land Rover for a couple of years, every time we've borrowed it for a trip, it's been hard to give back.
It's properly built. The ExoFrame construction with protected edges and aluminium alloy handles means it's taken everything we've thrown at it bumpy field tracks up mountains, being chucked in and out of the boot, the lot without a mark on it.
On the cooling side, it doesn't mess about variable speed compressor is built for efficient cooling and freezing, and we've had it running down as low as -22°C when we've needed proper freezer temps for an extended trip. It'll run off mains power at 120V or 12/24V DC, so whether it's plugged in at home the night before or wired into the van, it's sorted.
The little touches add up too the high resolution colour display and soft-touch buttons make it dead easy to check what's going on, and the app lets you tweak the temperature and check the history over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which is genuinely handy when you're cosy in the van and don't fancy getting up. With room for around 67 cans, there's no shortage of space either.
Best for: If you want something that'll take a proper battering and still keep going, built like a tank, and the cooling power to match. Brilliant
4. BERG 45 Litre cooler
A solid all-rounder runs on 12/24V or mains, so it's just as happy plugged in at home the night before as it is on the bank. A++ rated for power consumption, has a USB port, and somewhat unexpectedly can flip into a heating mode to keep food warm at 60-65°C. A proper warm meal like a takeaway waiting for you after a cold morning session isn't a bad shout. It also has a Eco setting.
Best for: Versatility and that heating function is a nice bonus on the colder trips.
This is our third pick it's a serious bit of kit, holding up to 72 standard 330ml beer or cider cans, while also doubling up to keep a takeaway hot and ready for when you get back from fishing or a day out exploring.
5. BougeRV 12V Camping Fridge CRPRO 20L
I've had this fridge in the campervan for a while now and it's still knocking about, mainly living in the car these days. It's a good size for that, fits nicely in the boot or back seat without taking over the whole car, works just as well in a smaller van if that's more your setup.
Beers are the main thing I keep in it if I'm honest, and it holds them properly cold, no messing about with ice packs melting all over the boot. I've used it on longer trips in the car too, not just the van, and it's kept up fine over a few days without needing to plug in anywhere.
Battery life on it is solid, I've had it running a good few hours off-grid without worrying about draining the car battery, which was one of the main reasons I picked it up in the first place. It cools down properly quick as well, no hanging about for ages before it's actually cold.
It's just been reliable, no complaints really. Does what it says, keeps beers and food cold whether it's in the van or the car, and it's earned its keep enough that I've still got it kicking about rather than swapping it out for something else.
Best for: Getting started without spending big. Great for smaller Vans
A Few Common Questions:
How long will one of these run off a leisure battery?
Depends on the unit and the battery, but a low-draw fridge like the Totalcool (35-45W) on a 100Ah leisure battery should comfortably see you through 24 hours, often closer to 2-3 days if you're sensible with the rest of your power use.
What size do I actually need?
For a solo angler or short trip, 25-35L covers it. If you're away longer, feeding more people, or want both fridge and freezer space, step up to 45-55L.
Can I use these at home as well?
Yes all the models above run on 12/24V and mains, so they're just as happy plugged into a wall socket as they are in the camper van or car.
Do they actually freeze things, or just keep them cool?
Single zone units generally sit at fridge temperature. Dual-zone fridges like the EcoFlow GLACIER let you drop one side cold enough to freeze ice packs, or whatever else needs it, and the other side for you local meats and fresh produce.
Are they loud ?
There's a bit of compressor hum when they're working, much like a small fridge at home, but nothing that's kept us up on a quiet night by the water.
Related Reading:
If you're sorting out the back of the van, our Camping Van Sink Review is a good companion piece another bit of kit that makes camper van life that much easier. And for more on what we're packing for camper trips generally, check out the Campervan Camping gear page
Final Word:
For us, the Totalfreeze 35L does everything we need, low power use, decent size, and proper UK backup if anything goes wrong. But whatever your trips look like, a 12V fridge freezer is one of those upgrades that just makes life on the road, or the riverbank, that bit easier. Cold beers after a session, fresh food, and no more soggy sandwiches, small things, but they add up to the kind of field-to-fork trip we're always chasing.
Got one of these, or got a different favourite? Let us know in the comments, always good to hear what's working for other people out in the field.
Thanks James | Fishing Field Fork
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