Are Car Refrigerators Relatively Practical?
3 Answers
For those who enjoy drinking ice-cold water or frequently go on long-distance trips, car refrigerators are quite practical. They can store a certain amount of food, making them convenient and cost-effective. When purchasing a car refrigerator, you can opt for a dual-purpose model suitable for both home and car use. Owners of both large and small vehicles can choose a universal 24V and 12V model. There are two categories of car refrigerators: 1. Semiconductor refrigerators: These can only cool to about 22 degrees below ambient temperature. For example, if the ambient temperature is 35 degrees, it can only cool down to approximately 13 degrees, and actual product performance may be worse. 2. Compressor refrigerators: These can cool down to -20 degrees and consume much less energy.
The practicality of a car refrigerator really depends on personal lifestyle habits. For people like us who frequently take long-distance trips, driving to Tibet or Yunnan with journeys lasting eight or nine hours at a stretch, having a small fridge to keep chilled drinks and fruits is particularly refreshing. During summer camping trips, it also helps keep ingredients fresh, avoiding the awkwardness of melted ice in a cooler. However, it does consume a lot of electricity—I don’t dare leave it running after parking and turning off the engine, fearing battery drain, so it’s best paired with a portable power source. In terms of size, a 20-liter capacity is the most practical; anything larger just takes up too much space. For long-term road trips or outdoor enthusiasts, this gadget can significantly enhance comfort, but it’s pretty useless for daily commutes.
As a mother of two, I find the car refrigerator particularly practical for family trips. When taking the kids to the suburbs on weekends, I can freeze yogurt, pudding, and pre-cut fruits in advance, so they can enjoy fresh chilled snacks anytime during the journey. It’s also great for storing medications. Recently, during a road trip with elderly family members, who have sensitive stomachs, the homemade meals stored in the fridge were much healthier than fast food from rest stops. However, choosing the right fridge matters—thermoelectric cooling is sufficient, while compressor types are heavy, expensive, and often not worth it. Also, make sure the power cord doesn’t interfere with child seats; safety comes first. Overall, it’s a nice-to-have accessory. You can manage without it, but having one significantly enhances the quality of family trips.
