I’ve always been an avid camper. There have been countless times that I decided to go on a solo camping trip or try to convince my friends to come with me because I enjoy nature so much. As a result of my love for nature, recently, I’ve been exploring a couple of approaches to camping for longer periods of time and even living in a tent long term.
One of these approaches is camping with an RV. When RV camping, you have a lot more comfort, supplies, and space than tent or hammock camping, which makes for a completely unique experience.
Think about it…you don’t have to wonder how to insulate your tent floor or try and find ways to prevent your hammock from flipping during the night.
And as I was looking at what I could bring with me when camping with my RV, I stumbled upon a three-way camping fridge. That got me thinking, what even is a three-way camping fridge?
After some research, I found that a three-way camping fridges are more flexible and versatile in terms of how the appliance can be powered up compared to a standard fridge.
And because I know many avid campers like myself also want to find out more about three-way camping fridges, in this article, I will get into more detail about what they are as well as list you three of my favorite picks.
By the way, The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
What Is a Three-Way Camping Fridge?
A three-way camping fridge is a portable refrigerator that works with three different power sources. With a three-way fridge in your RV, you can choose to run it on propane, 12v DC, and 120V AC. This gives you a whole lot of flexibility when it comes to powering the fridge, allowing you to keep it running for much longer.
With many RV and camping fridges, you have only one or two choices of power source. So, if your primary power source runs out, you’re left without refrigeration for the rest of your trip – which could force you to start wondering how to safely store your food in your vehicle while camping without a fridge. But with a three-way fridge, you can have two backup power sources on your trip.
Most portable camping fridges run on batteries. While this is all fine for shorter camping trips, you don’t want to rely on a car battery for longer adventures. This is because battery power won’t last you too long when you aren’t driving, and if you exhaust the battery in your RV, that will lead to a whole different level of trouble.
There are tons of unique and modern pieces of camping gear available on the market. You can get camping stoves, dehumidifiers, and even air conditioners, which can really help you take your adventures to the next level. But in my experience, there aren’t many fridges that can compare with the three-way camping fridge.
Not only will these appliances help you keep your food cold and fresh for longer, but you can switch between different power sources according to your needs. So, if you’re going on a long RV camping trip soon or you plan on sprucing up your current RV setup, a three-way camping fridge could be the investment you need.
Best Three-way Camping Fridges – A Summary Review
In a rush? Here are the best three-way camping fridges on the market today.
If you’re on the lookout for the best 3-way camping fridge on the market, you can’t go wrong with the SMETA SCD-100. On the flip side, if you’re looking for the most value for money, I feel like the SMETA SDSX-40B2U-1 offers more for the price, which is nearly 3x less compared to the larger SMETA model.
I also came across the Kohree camping fridge, which isn’t a 3-way model, but still, it is a fantastic alternative if you don’t plan on using propane to power up your camping fridge anyway.
- 3-way power-up capabilities
- 1.2 cubic feet storage capacity
- Very quiet operation
- Removable shelves for more space
- It can be powered through propane(LPG), AC 110V, and DC 12V
- 3.4 cubic feet storage capacity
- Near silent when operating
- Sleek and modern design
- 50L total capacity
- Dual storage areas
- No noise when working
- Multiple power up options
Best Three-Way Camping Fridges
During my research, I came across a number of great 3-way camping fridges. Below, I’ll show you three of my favorite picks.
SMETA 3-Way Camping Fridge
If you’re looking for the best 3-way camping fridge on the market today, the this model by SMETA is arguably the best appliance you can currently get. It can be powered up through propane, AC 110V, and DC 12V – giving you plenty of flexibility.
This SMETA model also has a storage capacity of 3.4 cubic feet or just under 100 L, which is a lot, making it perfect if you decide to drink while camping and need to cool down your drinks if you don’t plan on bringing a portable camping ice maker.
If you do decide to run this camping fridge on gas, it consumes around 0.6 lb per day, provided you run it around the clock, which you should. In terms of drawbacks, it is pretty expensive.
- Powered up through propane, AC 110V, and DC 12V
- 3.4 cubic feet capacity
- Silent when working
- Modern and sleek design
- Very expensive
- Pretty heavy
- Can be powered through propane, AC 110V, and DC 12V
- 3.4 cubic feet storage capacity
- Near silent when operating
- Modern and sleek design
If you’re on the lookout for a 3-way mini camping fridge that is also much more affordable than the SMETA model from above, then this appliance is a great choice for you. It has a storage capacity of 1.2 cubic feet, and thanks to the removable shelves, you can easily store up all of your food and drinks.
One of the cooler features on this particular mini fridge is that the temperature can be controlled with ease simply by using the thermostat knob. It also have a very sleek and modern-looking design, which I particularly like. It’s also very quiet when working, which is always good news as it won’t be disrupting your night’s sleep.
- 1.2 cubic feet capacity
- Quiet operations
- Removable shelves for more space
- Fairly affordable
- Pretty chunky and heavy
- 3-way power capabilities
- Has 1.2 cubic feet of capacity
- Shelves can be removed for extra space
- Temperature can be adjusted through the thermostat knob
Best Alternative to a 3-Way Camping Fridge
Koohree 3-Way Camping Fridge
- 50L storage capacity
- No noise during operation
- Two different storage compartments
- Not a 3-way camping fridge
- Can reach a temperature of 32℉ from 77℉ within 25 minutes -4℉ within 75 minutes.
- This appliance makes almost zero noise when operating
- 40L freezing area and 10L refrigeration area
- Flexible and versatile power up capabilities
Conclusion
If you plan on going on a long camping trip, it’s best to have a fridge with you. With a high-quality three-way camping fridge, you’ll be able to keep supplies cold and fresh for longer. The only real downside to these appliances is that camping fridges can be expensive, but they offer a ton of benefits, which justify the price.
With a three-way camping fridge, you can easily switch between different power sources as needed. This allows for a lot of flexibility on your trip, and allows you to keep the fridge running for much longer.
