How to choose a car cigarette lighter refrigerator

Most drivers are forced to constantly drive a car. A compact fridge powered by a cigarette lighter can be a useful device on the road. It is useful not only for long trips, but also for picnics, summer cottages, etc. What are car refrigerators and how to choose them?

What is it and how it works

An auto-refrigerator is a compact device designed to cool and maintain the temperature of products. Some models have the function of heating food. Automobile refrigerators feed mainly from the cigarette lighter, but with an adapter they can also be connected to a stationary network. A separate view is thermoelectric cooler bags.

According to the principle of cooling, all refrigerators can be divided into three types: thermoelectric, absorption and compressor. More about them:

Thermoelectric Models

This principle of operation is used in devices with a small capacity of up to 7 liters. Refrigerators are mainly powered by the cigarette lighter, but they come with a special adapter for stationary power networks. Products are cooled using a small fan that blows heated air out. The main advantage of thermoelectric models is low power consumption and compact dimensions. They gain the necessary temperature for a long time and do not have a freezing function. Unlike absorption and compressor type devices, thermoelectric refrigerators do not require special care and are quite suitable for off-road travel.

Absorption

Absorption refrigerators are more versatile, as can work not only from a stationary network and the cigarette lighter, but also from gas cylinders. Food is cooled using a special liquid refrigerant that constantly circulates in the device. Despite the efficiency and low Energy consumptionSuch refrigerators are very sensitive to sharp inclines of the machine. If the refrigerant circulation in the device is disturbed, the system will automatically shut down. In this case, the air temperature can drop significantly below zero.

Compressor

Such devices are rarely found in the market for electrical appliances. They are ordinary household refrigerators, but with more compact dimensions. They also work from a cigarette lighter or a stationary network. The main advantage of these devices is the large capacity and quick cooling of food. However, they have a high cost, heavy weight and consume more electricity than other models. Cooling occurs with the help of a refrigerant, as in absorption devices. Compressor devices may have a freezer and an extended freshness zone.

How to choose according to characteristics

When choosing a refrigerator for a car, you need to focus not only on cost and capacity, but also on technical specifications, including power consumption, dimensions, functionality, case materials, and the presence of a cord in the kit. The cooling principle also plays a large role, as the amount of energy consumption and work efficiency depends on it. Here are some helpful tips to help you choose:

1. Power consumption. Not only power consumption, but also performance depends on this parameter. For long trips and trips it is better to take compressor or absorption models, as they are able to keep food fresh for a long time. However, they consume a lot of electricity.Thermoelectric models are less powerful and are suitable for picnics or trips to the country.
2. Dimensions Before buying, determine the amount of free space in your car so that the refrigerator fits in the trunk or in the passenger compartment. Do not take large-sized devices for small cars, as they will take up a lot of space.
3. Functionality. A high-quality device must have a temperature control and a built-in thermometer. Some models have a heating function, which can also be useful in everyday life.
4. Case materials. The refrigerator must be resistant to external influences, sharp inclinations and movements of the car. It is better to choose models made of metal or durable plastic.
5. The presence of the cord in the kit. Most models can work not only from the cigarette lighter, but also from a stationary power supply. The kit must have an adapter and a long cord. For comfortable use, the cable length should not be less than 2 meters.
6. Type of cooling. It is important to consider the temperature regime that will be maintained in the cameras of the device. For long trips, it is better to choose a compressor or absorption refrigerator. Decide if you have enough temperature +5 or +7, which is supported in thermoelectric models. If you need a freezer with temperatures up to -18, then the compressor option is definitely suitable.

Pay attention to the structural strength of the device. There should be no cracks or dents. The cooling system in most models is quiet, but coolers with a fan can make noise. Take care that nothing is knocking inside the case. If the refrigerator is made of plastic, it should not be crushed or creak.

Rating of car refrigerators

In the market for electrical appliances, there are many models of refrigerators in the car. Some of them have improved performance and high durability. We have compiled a rating of the top 5 best devices, taking into account reviews and customer ratings.

Mobicool P24 (24L, 12V)

• Cooling system: thermoelectric
• Total capacity of cameras: 24 liters
• Power Supply: 12V
• Power Consumption: 48 W
• Refrigerator Energy Class: A
• Cooling: 18 degrees lower than ambient temperature
• Case Material: Shockproof Plastic
• Case color: Red
• Internal isolation of refrigerators: polyurethane foam
• Connection: from the cigarette lighter or from a stationary power supply
• Warranty period: 1 year

Fiesta 20l

• Cooling system: thermoelectric
• Total capacity of chambers: 20 liters
• Power Supply: 12V
• Power Consumption: 40/35 W
• Refrigerator Energy Class: A
• Cooling: 15 degrees lower than ambient temperature
• Case Material: Shockproof Plastic
• Internal isolation of refrigerators: polyurethane foam
• Connection: from the cigarette lighter or from a stationary power supply
• Additional features: heating up to 60 degrees
• Warranty period: 1 year

AVS CC-24NB (24L, 12 / 220V)

• Cooling system: thermoelectric
• Total capacity of cameras: 24 liters
• Power Supply: 12V
• Power Consumption: 40/35 W
• Refrigerator Energy Class: A
• Cooling: 15-18 degrees lower than ambient temperature
• Case Material: Shockproof Plastic
• Camera heating: up to 65 degrees
• Body color: gray
• Internal isolation of refrigerators: polyurethane foam
• Connection: from the cigarette lighter or from a stationary power supply
• Warranty period: 1 year

Ezetil e45 12v 12 volt

• Cooling system: thermoelectric
• Total chamber capacity: 42 liters
• Power Supply: 12V
• Power Consumption: 45 W
• Refrigerator Energy Class: A
• Case Material: Shockproof Plastic
• Case color: Red
• Internal isolation of refrigerators: polyurethane foam
• Connection: from the cigarette lighter or from a stationary power supply
• Country of Origin: Germany
• Warranty period: 1 year

Atlantic color: blue, 24l, 12v

• Cooling system: thermoelectric
• Total capacity of cameras: 24 liters
• Power Supply: 12V
• Power Consumption: 40/35 W
• Refrigerator Energy Class: A
• Cooling: 18 degrees lower than ambient temperature
• Case Material: Shockproof Plastic
• Case color: Red
• Internal isolation of refrigerators: polyurethane foam
• Connection: from the cigarette lighter or from a stationary power supply
• Warranty period: 1 year

To summarize

When choosing a refrigerator for a car, it is worth considering the technical specifications and volume of cameras. For long trips, it is better to give preference to large-sized compressor models, and for a simple picnic or a trip to the country, thermoelectric or absorption devices are suitable. Any device should have a solid case without cracks and chips. Make sure that the plastic does not bend under your fingers.

Title	Mobicool P24 (24L, 12V)	Fiesta 20l	AVS CC-24NB (24L, 12 / 220V)	Ezetil e45 12v 12 volt	Atlantic color: blue, 24l, 12v
Energy consumption	48 watts	40 watts	40 watts	60 watts	40 watts
Dimensions (WxDxH)	390x280x420 mm	380x260x360 mm	400x300x430 mm	580x380x423 mm	390x360x200 mm
Minimum temperature	5 ° C	5 ° C	5 ° C	4 ° C	5 ° C
Volume	24 l	20 l	24 l	45 l	24 l
Price	from 4000 rub.	from 5050 rub.	from 4100 rub.	from 15700 rub.	from 1100 rub.