The 5 Best Portable Refrigerators

Whether for drinks, snacks, skin care products or other temperature-sensitive things, a portable fridge is a great way to keep your stuff chilled without having to store it in a full-size icebox. Not only do these models come in compact, space-saving designs that won't take up much room on a counter top or desk, but they also incorporate AC/DC adapters that allow them to be powered in the car or at the office. Some even feature heater functions that can help you keep your lunch or coffee toasty warm. Our list includes five of the top brands on the market, ranked in terms of quality, convenience, and affordability.

1. Cooluli Mini Fridge Electric Cooler and Warmer

Cooluli Mini Fridge Electric Cooler and Warmer

Few models out there are as compact or feature-rich as Cooluli's mini fridge, which boasts both a heating and cooling function.

Best Overall

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If you’re looking for a portable cooler that can do it all, the Cooluli mini fridge is it. It has a dual-mode thermoelectric motor that can be set to chill or warm, making it extremely versatile and useful throughout the seasons, but that can also be powered either by a conventional AC power plug or a 2A USB power bank, which further enhances its portability. At the size of a small carry-on, it’s also one of the most compacts models on the market, and incorporates a sturdy handle that makes it easy to transport from place to place.

Pros:

Lightweight plastic design
Comes in range of colors
Fan is silent

Cons:

Only runs in eco-mode with USB
Door doesn’t lock

2. Chefman Mini Portable Compact Personal Fridge Cools & Heats

Chefman Mini Portable Compact Personal Fridge Cools & Heats

Smaller than a microwave, the Chefman Mini may be one of the most compact portable fridges on the market.

Best Runner-Up

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When it comes to size, few models can compete with this Chefman Mini Fridge. Weighing just over four pounds, with dimensions smaller than those of a microwave, it just may be the most compact unit out there. It’s extremely easy to carry from place to place, making it a good option if you’re trying to keep your lunch cold at the office, but is also surprisingly feature-rich, offering both a chilling and warming mode and two different ways of powering it. Plus, it comes in two different attractive colors.

Pros:

Fits six soda cans
Includes car adapter
Cools down/warms up fast

Cons:

Fan runs kind of loud
Top handle is small

3. ICECO JP40 Portable Refrigerator Fridge Freezer

ICECO JP40 Portable Refrigerator Fridge Freezer

Your next beach or pool party won't be complete without the premium ICECO JP40 Portable Refrigerator.

Best High-End

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Mini fridges may be great for chilling a couple drinks, but they’re hardly capable of replacing your full-size icebox. If you’re looking for something that can double as an actual fridge, check out the ICECO JP40 Portable Refrigerator. It’s perfect for more involved outings, such as camping trips or visits to the beach, as it features a much larger capacity and more functionality — the heavy duty Danfoss compressor is capable of dropping the temperature down to freezing levels, without ice — than smaller models. It also benefits from a premium build quality that is sure to satisfy high-end tastes.

Pros:

Has a max and eco-mode
3-stage car battery protection
Backed by 5 year warranty

Cons:

Somewhat heavy
Very expensive

4. Alpicool C15 Portable Refrigerator

Alpicool C15 Portable Refrigerator

The Alpicool C15 is a heavy duty portable refrigerator capable of freezing its contents without ice.

Best Freezer

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Whether for ice cream or frozen drinks, there are times when you may need to keep your food really cold — like freezing cold. In that case, you should check out this Alpicool c15. As a portable refrigerator, it represents a perfectly good way to keep your lunch or sodas chilled during a road trip or other outing, but it’s especially effective at freezing its contents without the need for ice. And it’s especially ideal for car use, thanks to a three-stage car battery protection system that helps prevent your vehicle’s battery from running down.

Pros:

15 liter capacity
Durable plastic exterior
Well insulated

Cons:

Not aesthetically very pleasing
Large physical footprint

5. AstroAI Mini Fridge

AstroAI Mini Fridge

The four-liter AstroAI Mini Fridge will keep your drinks reasonably chill for a more than reasonable price.

Best Bargain

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You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get portable refrigeration, as this AstroAI Mini Fridge shows. The four-liter model is one of the most affordable on the market, but is every bit as capable of keeping your drinks at a nice, cool temperature as any other. It’s super compact, so you can take it with you wherever your go, and with a two-shelf interior can accommodate a range of items, from skin care products to sandwiches and fruit.

Pros:

CE certified
Two different adapters included
Three different color options

Cons:

Handle is a little flimsy
Doesn’t get super cold

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a portable fridge?

As its name suggests, a portable fridge is a refrigerator that is small enough to be easily transported from one place to another. “Small” in that sense varies, and so some models on this list will be more portable than others. We’ve included options that are no bigger than the size of a microwave, making them great options if you’re looking to chill drinks and snacks in an office or the car, but also models that are a bit larger and offer a bit more functionality, making them suitable for more heavy-duty use.

What should I look for in a portable fridge?

This depends largely on how you intend to use the fridge. If you’re looking only to keep chill smaller items, such as skin care products or a few cans of soda, one of the mini fridges we listed — which feature very compact designs and conventional thermoelectric motors — will likely work. But if you’re looking to keep cool or even freeze large amounts of food, whether for camping trips or other outings, you’ll probably want a more heavy-duty fridge/freezer, which feature more powerful motors and thicker insulation. Lucky for you, we’ve included those, too.