There are a huge range of refrigerators available for caravans and RVs, but how do you know which one is right for you? What's the difference between 3-way & 2-way and which is best?
Here we will break down the 2 types of fridge available, as well as the pros & cons of each so that you can be confident you are choosing the best fridge for you.
There is no single best caravan fridge for every van. A 3-way absorption fridge makes sense when gas camping is the priority and the installation already has the correct external venting. A compressor fridge makes sense when you have a suitable battery and charging system, want stronger 12V cooling, or travel in hotter conditions.
Do not compare a 3-way fridge on 12V with an Engel-style compressor fridge and expect the same result. On many absorption fridges, 12V is mainly a travel-maintenance mode while the tow vehicle is running. Compressor fridges are designed to actively cool on 12V, so they behave very differently.
For free camping, include the cost and space for batteries, solar, DC-DC charging and wiring in the decision. A small compressor fridge may be easy to support; a large fridge/freezer in hot weather needs a more serious power system.
While all fridges use the same principle to provide cooling, there are two different ways that this can be achieved. Basically, cold cannot be created - rather it is the side effect of a lack of heat. Both methods use the change of state of the refrigerant (Liquid to Gas and back to Liquid) to essentially suck out the heat to provide this cooling effect.
In 3-way or Absorption refrigerators, this change is caused by the cycling of ammonia, water and hydrogen which naturally react together and only require a heat source to maintain the reaction. These fridges can operate on Gas, 12V or 240V. Dometic 3-Way fridge have dominated the market for many years, but more recently Thetford have begun to make great in-roads and provide a great alternative.
2-way or Compressor fridges work the same way as your fridge at home. As the name suggests, they must compress the refrigerant vapour back into liquid form to continue the cooling cycle. These caravan fridge operate on electricity only and can be powered by 12V, 24V or 240V. The latest many 12V fridges include or can be paired with 240V power options. Check the current product listing because power adaptors and mains leads vary by model.
For those who prefer free camping to caravan parks, the 3-way fridges offer great efficiency when running on Gas. A good 3-way fridge will be able to last a couple of weeks on a single 9kg gas bottle, so are great for those who like to stay off the grid.
The downside is they are much less efficient than the compressor fridges when running on 12V, so they will chew through your battery quickly if left running on 12V after your car has stopped. Some 3-way fridges come with AES (Automatic Energy Selection) which will automatically select the best energy source available. For example 12V while the car is running, then switches to Gas once stopped to avoid draining your battery.
For 3-way fridges without AES, you can use a Fridge Switch which detects when you stop driving and automatically turns the fridge off.
Compressor fridges are designed for 12V to be their primary power supply, so are much more efficient when running on 12V than the 3-ways. As efficient as they are, you will still need a suitable battery, charging and solar setup if you plan on spending time away from mains power. The right size depends on fridge size, ambient temperature, door openings, battery type and how long you stay off-grid.
For more information on battery and solar setups, see our related guides "Calculating How Big Your Battery Needs To Be" and "Complete Guide To Installing Solar Panels."
The absorption method of cooling used in 3-way fridges is less effective at cooling quickly, and can suffer in high ambient temperatures. Tropically rated 3 way fridges are available in some sizes and will achieve lower temperatures even when outside temperatures are quite high.
Cooling power is where the compressor fridges really shine - they work the same way as your fridge at home and are much better at maintaining the fridge temperature even in high ambient temps. If you are planning on spending a lot of your time travelling in hotter areas, Compressor may be the best option for you.
3 way have the advantage of being completely silent, as the absorption cooling method has no moving parts. They do have thermostatically switched fans to increase airflow but these are very quiet.
Compressor fridges are not silent, but most quality modern units are fairly quiet. The sound is usually a low compressor hum or fan noise rather than a constant loud motor. If the fridge is beside a bed, check reviews, mounting and cabinet ventilation rather than assuming every compressor fridge will be annoying at night.
Another thing to consider is installation. 3-way fridges must be properly vented to the outside of the RV to allow heat and any gas emissions to escape. They must also be completely sealed from the cabin so no gasses can enter the living area. The vents also help to keep the fridge cooled for maximum performance.
A helpful guide from Dometic about venting requirements can be found here:
Compressor fridges on the other hand are much simpler to install, and do not require any venting. They will also operate normally if the van is not level, while absorption fridges need to be level to work effectively.
Some 2-way fridges come with a remote compressor, which means instead of being built into the back of your fridge they can be stored nearby instead. This gives you maximum capacity in the fridge as you do not lose a portion of your cabinet to accommodate the compressor.
Once you have decided which type of fridge is best for you, you can use our handy comparison charts below to find your perfect fridge!
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