Engel , Whynter , Dometic?

189 bucks gets you a fridge freezer combo from Lowe’s.. before I decided to go this route I was looking at the dometic but it is expensive.. seen a couple 12v dometic knockoffs on amazon that was pretty reasonable..

 

I've been running Engel and ARB brands in my truck for years. Both of those brands are at the sweet spot on price vs features. I'd say the ARB edges out the Engel overall. It has more modern design and digital controls. The Engel temp setting is not a click-type and can get accidentally changed. Both are very durable though. Had them for years and no problems at all.

You can get cheaper ones, but the old adage "Buy once, Cry once" does apply. Oh the other hand you can spend a whole lot more on bells an whistles but again these two brands are nicely positioned on the price / feature / reliability scale.

Both of those fridge / freezers use ultra low voltage compressors so I'd say it's a toss up as far as efficiency. It's ok if they're left running for days when the truck is parked. I don't do that often but when I had to there was no problem at all starting the truck afterward. Anyways that's all I have. Hope that helps....

 

Here's a chart with specifics about Engel products.

Compare Engel 12v Fridge Freezer Technical Information

 

@Ridgeline
Do you have an opinion on the Engel MT40? It is 40 quart, has an ABS plastic exterior and is their "marine" fridge. Amazon has it for $707.58. I think this price is $100 lower than it was a few months ago.
(By comparison, the Engel 43 quart, with powder coated steel exterior, is $909.99.)

 

Truckfridge! Truckfridge! Truckfridge! Order off Amazon or their website or stop in behind the Pilot on the east side in Georgetown Ky. If you get a built in they'll put it in for you on the spot. I am currently using one of their big steel chest fridges but I've had 8 or so of them. None have died. As a hobby I build and rebuild camper vans and RVs. I've put Truckfridges in lots of them. Never had a problem with one. MUCH cheaper than Engel or ARB and just as good or better. Their chest fridges can be used as fridge or freezer (like Engel) and will keep stuff way below 0 if that's what you need. I'm not affiliated, just a big fan and I always wonder why people pay twice as much for an Engel or ARB. As for Norcold and Dometic, save your money. Junk. Truckfridges are real 12v compressor fridges and they sip power. Mine stays plugged in all the time, even over weekends at home.

 

To answer your question, Engel has a legendary reputation because of its Sawafuji swing motor compressor that has ONE moving part. Yes, just one. There are many YouTube videos claiming decades of trouble free service. To me, that is an amazing track record for any portable electric product.

I am leaning toward buying an Engel because I want a 12 volt truck fridge that I also can take in my car.
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That said, I would like to have a built in truck fridge - some day.

 

Truckfridge makes those too. That's what I have in my rig at the moment. Some Truckfridge stuff is rebranded IndelB and Vitrifrigo, both Italian and both old players in the marine/RV world. They use Secop/Danfoss compressors, good stuff. I'm not knocking Engel, but Truckfridge cost about half as much.

 

You can get a built in Engel with the Sawafuji swing motor in it as well. Engels are well worth it in my opinion. Never had a problem with mine and I can leave mine running for a week and still start the truck no problem.