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From October through January, Christmas trips push into the Kimberley, the Flinders Ranges, K’gari (Fraser Island) and Cape York, and the inside of a parked 4WD can easily climb past 40°C.
The big decision is the type of cooling. A 12V fridge (more accurately a compressor fridge, usually running on 12V, 24V or 240V) works like a small household fridge. A 3-way fridge is an absorption fridge that can run on 12V, 240V or LPG gas, using heat rather than a compressor to drive the cooling. Below we compare the two for Australian touring, then list our shortlist, chosen based on specs, owner reviews and retailer information.
12V compressor vs 3-way absorption: the quick comparison
| 12V compressor fridge | 3-way absorption fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot weather | Holds a set temperature in high ambient heat | Cools to a fixed amount below the air temperature, so struggles in extreme heat |
| Levelness | Works on slopes and while driving on rough tracks | Must be close to level to cool properly |
| 12V power draw | Low and cycles on and off (under 1 Ah/h is common for a 40-50L model) | High and continuous, roughly 175-205 W heating element on 12V |
| Gas | Not needed | Runs for weeks on an LPG cylinder |
| Noise | Audible compressor hum | Almost silent |
| Install | Portable, sits on a slide or in a cargo area | Usually built in, needs external vents and a flue |
| Best for | 4WDs, rooftop tent setups, camper trailers on the move | Caravans and campers parked for long stays |
Efficiency and power draw
This is where the gap is widest. Dometic rates its CFX5 45 compressor fridge at 0.76 Ah/h on 12V at 32°C ambient with a 4°C interior, which works out to roughly 18 Ah a day. By contrast, the Dometic RM 2350 3-way uses a 175 W element on 12V. Divide that by 12V and you get around 14.5 amps, running continuously, which is why installers wire 3-way fridges so that 12V mode only works while the engine is running. Parked on 12V alone, a 3-way would flatten a 100Ah battery in well under a day.
Heat performance
CHOICE notes that compressor fridges perform well even in hot cars and high ambient temperatures, while absorption fridges can only cool to a certain amount below the surrounding air. That is fine in a mild Tasmanian autumn and far less fine at a Birdsville campsite in January.
Levelness and corrugations
Absorption fridges need to be kept level to work, and they are not suited to constant movement. On a corrugated track or a sloping bush camp, a compressor fridge just keeps running. For anything that moves daily, this alone settles the argument.
Gas, batteries and solar
Gas is the 3-way’s real strength. The RM 2350 is listed at 13.5 g of LPG per hour, about 325 g a day, so a 9 kg cylinder could in theory last several weeks, with no batteries or solar needed. A compressor fridge instead needs a decent battery setup. Dometic recommends a lithium battery of 100Ah or more for extended use and advises against running a fridge from the vehicle’s starter battery for long. A 100Ah lithium battery with 150-200 W of solar is a common pairing for a single 40-50L fridge in summer, though your real numbers depend on heat, shade and how often the lid opens.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Price band | Where to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dometic CFX5 45 | Best all-rounder for most 4WDs | A$1,300-1,500 | Check price at Snowys Check price at BCF |
| Engel MT45 Elite 40L | Long-term reliability, low peak draw | A$1,400-1,700 | Check price at Snowys Check price at BCF |
| Bushman 35-52L | Flexible capacity, efficient Secop compressor | A$1,300-1,500 | Check price at Snowys |
| myCOOLMAN 43 Recreational Series | Budget weekend touring | A$450-700 | Check price at Snowys |
| Dometic CFX5 75DZ | Families wanting fridge and freezer | A$1,800-2,100 | Check price at Snowys Check price at BCF |
| Dometic RM 2350 (3-way) | Built-in fridge for camper trailers and vans | A$1,600-1,900 | Caravan and RV dealers |
| Thetford N4175 (3-way) | Larger caravan fridge with auto gas switching | A$2,900-3,200 | Caravan and RV dealers |
The picks
Dometic CFX5 45
The CFX5 range has replaced earlier CFX models, and the 45 is the size most 4WD tourers end up with. It holds 46 litres (about 67 cans), weighs 18.9 kg and runs on 12/24V DC or 240V AC. Dometic’s rated consumption is 0.76 Ah/h at 32°C ambient, which is a hot-weather figure rather than a mild-day one, and that’s a useful sign for summer touring. It has battery protection and app monitoring. RRP is about A$1,449 at time of writing (October 2026), per Dometic Australia.
- Suits: couples and small families on trips of a week or more.
- Strengths: strong hot-weather efficiency rating, wide dealer and service network, plenty of slides and covers.
- Trade-offs: premium price, and at 694 mm long it needs measuring against your cargo area or drawer system.
Engel MT45 Elite 40L
Engel’s Sawafuji swing motor design is widely used in Australian touring and is known for its low current draw. The 40L Elite draws a variable 0.5 to 3.0 A on DC, runs on 12V, 24V or 240V with automatic voltage selection, and carries a 5-year warranty. It weighs 24 kg. Engel lists it at A$1,599 at time of writing (October 2026).
- Suits: buyers who value proven durability over app features.
- Strengths: low maximum current draw, simple controls, 5-year warranty.
- Trade-offs: 40L is a little smaller than rivals at the same size, and it’s heavy for its capacity.
Bushman 35-52L Fridge Freezer
Bushman’s party trick is adjustable volume: three lids and an extension collar let you run it at 35L, 45L or 52L. It uses a Secop (Danfoss) compressor with a rated 0.67 Ah/h at 12V (25°C ambient, -4°C interior), and it can run as a fridge, freezer or both. It weighs 24.5 kg and comes with 5 years’ warranty on the compressor and 3 on the fridge. Note that its consumption figure is measured at a cooler ambient temperature than Dometic’s, so don’t compare the two numbers directly.
- Suits: tourers whose needs change between weekend trips and long hauls.
- Strengths: flexible capacity, efficient compressor, Australian design.
- Trade-offs: heavier than most 45L fridges, and the extension collar is another part to manage.
myCOOLMAN 43 Recreational Series
If the budget is tight, the myCOOLMAN 43 brings a proper compressor fridge in under most premium prices. It holds 43 litres (about 60 cans), weighs 16.5 kg, cools from +10°C down to -20°C and has a listed average draw of 0.96 Ah. It has a three-stage battery monitor and a 3-year warranty. Snowys listed it at about A$497 at time of writing (October 2026).
- Suits: weekenders, first-time tourers and second fridges.
- Strengths: light, good value, freezer-capable.
- Trade-offs: shorter warranty and higher rated draw than the premium picks.
Dometic CFX5 75DZ
For a family on a long summer lap, a dual-zone fridge lets you run one side as a freezer and the other as a fridge. The 75DZ holds 75 litres in two zones and weighs 27.7 kg. Dometic rates it at 2.45 Ah/h at 32°C with one zone at 4°C and the other at -15°C, so budget for a bigger battery and more solar than a single-zone 45L needs. RRP is about A$1,999 at time of writing (October 2026).
- Suits: families, and anyone wanting frozen meat to last a fortnight.
- Strengths: true fridge and freezer in one unit, same ecosystem as the CFX5 45.
- Trade-offs: 892 mm wide, heavy, and power hungry in freezer mode.
Dometic RM 2350 (3-way, built-in)
If you have a camper trailer or small van that sits at camp for long periods, a compact built-in 3-way is still a sensible choice. The RM 2350 holds 90 litres including an 11L freezer, runs on 12V, 240V or LPG (selected manually), uses piezo ignition with a flame-failure safety device, and is listed at 13.5 g of gas per hour. It weighs 29 kg. Caravans Plus listed it at about A$1,720 at time of writing (October 2026). It must be professionally installed with external air intake, outlet and flue, and the vehicle should be level while it runs.
- Suits: camper trailers and vans parked for days at a time, especially off-grid on gas.
- Strengths: silent, runs for weeks on gas, no big battery bank needed.
- Trade-offs: 12V mode is for driving only, weaker in extreme heat, fussy about levelling.
Sold through caravan and RV dealers rather than general camping stores.
Thetford N4175 (3-way, built-in)
For a full-size caravan, the Thetford N4175 offers 169 litres (138L fridge, 31L freezer) with Automatic Energy Selection, which switches between 240V, 12V and gas for you. Listed figures put average gas use around 500 g per 24 hours, but 12V operation draws heavily and needs an engine-running signal. It weighs 45 kg and needs two external wall vents and a separately sold flue kit. Caravans Plus listed it at about A$2,970 at time of writing (October 2026), on backorder.
- Suits: caravanners who free camp on gas between powered sites.
- Strengths: big capacity, automatic energy switching.
- Trade-offs: expensive, heavy, and ventilation-dependent in summer heat.
Sold through caravan and RV dealers rather than general camping stores.
How to choose
Start with how you travel. If you move camp most days or drive corrugated roads, buy a compressor fridge. If your van or trailer sits at one spot for a week at a time, a 3-way on gas is worth considering.
Size for summer, not winter. In hot months people carry more drinks and need more ice. For two people on a week-long trip, 40-50L is the usual sweet spot. Families on longer trips often step up to a dual-zone 60-75L unit.
Plan the power system with the fridge. A single compressor fridge on a 100Ah lithium battery with solar is the standard touring setup. Keep the fridge in the shade, use an insulated cover, pre-chill food at home and keep it reasonably full. CHOICE recommends battery protection that cuts out at a fairly high voltage if you run from a vehicle battery.
Check measurements and weight. A loaded 45L fridge on a slide can top 40 kg. Measure your drawer system, cargo barrier and lid opening height before you buy.
Be careful with gas appliances bought online. Portable 3-way fridges have largely disappeared from major Australian camping stores. Some imported units are sold online, so check for Australian gas certification and have any gas fridge installed by a licensed gasfitter.
FAQ
Can I run a 3-way fridge on 12V while camped?
Not practically. A 3-way’s 12V element draws around 175-205 W continuously, so it is designed to run on 12V only while the engine is charging. At camp, switch to gas or 240V.
How many amp-hours does a 12V fridge use per day?
It depends on size, heat and use. Dometic’s rating for the CFX5 45 at 32°C works out to about 18 Ah a day. Expect more if you open the lid often or leave the fridge in direct sun.
Why does my 3-way fridge stop cooling in summer?
Absorption fridges can only cool to a fixed amount below the air temperature, and poor ventilation or a vehicle that isn’t level makes it worse. Check the external vents are clear and park as level as you can.
Is a dual-zone fridge worth it?
If you want frozen food to last more than a few days, yes. Just budget for the higher power draw when the freezer side is running.
