Keeping food and drinks cold is one of the biggest challenges of camping in Australia. Long drives, hot days and remote campsites far from the nearest servo all test your cold storage. Get it wrong and you face soggy sandwiches, warm drinks, wasted food and, worst of all, the risk of food poisoning. Get it right and you can enjoy fresh meals and cold drinks for days.
Today, campers have three main choices: the classic esky (ice box), the thermoelectric 12V cooler and the compressor 12V fridge. Each has real strengths and weaknesses. In this guide, the Campoz team explains how each type works, how cold each one gets, what they need for power, what they cost to buy and run, and which suits which kind of trip. Our 10-question FAQ at the end answers the most common questions about camping fridges and eskies.
1. How each type of cold storage works
Eskies and ice boxes are insulated containers that keep things cold using ice or ice bricks. They have no power or moving parts. Their performance depends on the thickness and quality of the insulation, the seal on the lid and how well you pack them. Hard-shell ice boxes with thick insulation and rubber seals, like our Premium 25 L Camping Ice Box, keep ice far longer than thin, cheap coolers.
Thermoelectric coolers use a small electronic device called a Peltier module, which moves heat from inside the box to the outside when powered. They plug into a 12V car socket, are light, quiet and relatively inexpensive, and many can also warm food by reversing the current. Our 6 L 12V Car Cooler & Warmer and 7.5 L 12V Portable Car Fridge use this technology.
Compressor fridges work like your home fridge, using a compressor and refrigerant to pump heat out. They hold a set temperature regardless of the weather, and many can also freeze. They are the go-to choice for touring 4WDers and long-term travellers, though they are more expensive and heavier.
You may also see absorption (three-way) fridges, often in caravans, which can run on 12V, 240V or gas. They are silent but generally less efficient on 12V and need to be kept level to work well. For most car campers, the real choice is between an esky, a thermoelectric cooler and a compressor fridge.
2. How cold each one gets (and why it matters for food safety)
Food Standards Australia New Zealand recommends keeping cold food at 5 °C or colder. Between 5 °C and 60 °C, bacteria that cause food poisoning can multiply quickly. So the key question is not just "does it feel cold?" but "can it keep food at 5 °C or below in the conditions I camp in?"
A well-packed esky with plenty of ice can keep food at safe temperatures, but only while there is enough ice. As the ice melts, temperatures rise. A good-quality, pre-chilled hard esky packed with block ice can keep food cold for a couple of days or more, depending on the heat, the esky and how often it is opened. A cheap cooler in the sun may struggle to last a day.
Thermoelectric coolers cool to a certain number of degrees below the surrounding temperature rather than to a fixed setting. On a mild day, that can be plenty cold for drinks and snacks. On a 35 °C day in a hot car, it may not keep perishable food at 5 °C or below. They are ideal for keeping drinks and lunch cool on a drive, but not for storing raw meat for days in summer.
Compressor fridges hold a set temperature, such as 3 °C, even on hot days, and many can freeze. They are the only option that reliably keeps perishable food at safe temperatures for long periods in Australian summer conditions. Whatever you use, a cheap fridge thermometer inside lets you check that food stays at 5 °C or colder.
3. Power: what each option needs
Eskies need no power, which is their biggest advantage. They work anywhere, never flatten a battery and cannot break down. Your only ongoing need is ice, which can mean regular trips to buy it on longer stays.
Thermoelectric coolers draw power constantly while they are running, because the Peltier module runs continuously. That is fine while the engine is running and the alternator is charging, but running one from your car's starting battery overnight can flatten it. Many people use them only while driving, then switch them off or top up with ice at camp.
Compressor fridges are more efficient: the compressor cycles on and off to hold the set temperature, so the average draw is much lower than a thermoelectric cooler. Still, running one for days needs a dedicated power supply. Most touring set-ups use a dual-battery system that charges while driving, a portable power station, or a deep-cycle or lithium battery recharged by solar panels.
To keep a compressor fridge running at camp without driving, you will typically need a solar panel or blanket of around 100 W or more, a regulator and a suitably sized battery. Our solar power for camping guide explains how to size a system. Small USB panels, such as our 60 W solar charger, are designed for phones, lights and power banks, not for running fridges.
4. Cost, size and practicality
Upfront cost. Eskies are the cheapest to buy, from budget coolers to premium ice boxes. Thermoelectric coolers are affordable and a big step up in convenience for road trips. Compressor fridges cost considerably more, and the battery and solar system needed to run them adds to the total.
Running cost. Eskies cost money in ice on every trip, which adds up over longer stays and regular camping. Thermoelectric coolers and compressor fridges use power from your vehicle or solar, so once you have the set-up, running costs are low. For people who camp often, a compressor fridge can pay off over time in ice savings and less wasted food.
Space and usable capacity. With an esky, ice takes up a large share of the space, and melted water can make food soggy. A 12V cooler or fridge lets you use the whole internal space for food and drinks, and nothing gets wet. However, compressor fridges are heavier and need ventilation space around the compressor.
Reliability. Eskies have nothing to break. Electric coolers and fridges depend on power, wiring and electronics. Carry the right cables and fuses, check connections before you leave, and keep a backup plan such as a small esky and ice if you are heading somewhere remote.
5. Which is best for your camping style?
Choose an esky if you camp a few weekends a year, stay close to towns where ice is easy to buy, or want a simple, reliable option with no power needs. Choose the best insulated esky you can afford, pre-chill it and pack it well. Our Large 48 Quart Camping Cooler suits families.
Choose a thermoelectric 12V cooler if you do a lot of road trips and day drives and want cold drinks and snacks without ice. They are perfect as a "driving fridge" alongside an esky for longer trips. Remember they are not designed to keep raw meat safe for days in hot weather.
Choose a compressor fridge if you camp often, travel to remote areas, take long trips or need to keep meat, dairy and leftovers safe for days in summer. Budget for a proper power system so you do not flatten your starting battery.
Many experienced campers combine options: a compressor fridge for perishables, an esky for drinks and extra ice, and a small thermoelectric cooler for snacks on the road. Whatever you choose, follow the basics: keep it in the shade, open it as little as possible, pack it full, store raw meat sealed at the bottom and check temperatures with a thermometer. For meal ideas that suit your set-up, see our camping meals guide.
Conclusion: match your cold storage to your trips
There is no single best way to keep food cold at camp. Eskies are simple, cheap and reliable for weekend trips. Thermoelectric 12V coolers are affordable and convenient for keeping drinks and snacks cool on the road. Compressor fridges are the gold standard for long, hot or remote trips where food safety matters most, as long as you have a proper power system. Whatever you use, aim to keep cold food at 5 °C or below, and your trips will be safer, tastier and less wasteful.
Explore our coolers, eskies and 12V car fridges and the full car camping range.
Car Fridge and Esky FAQ
1. Is a 12V fridge better than an esky?
For long, hot or remote trips, a compressor 12V fridge is better because it holds a set temperature without ice. For short weekend trips, a well-packed esky is cheaper and perfectly adequate.
2. What is the difference between a thermoelectric cooler and a compressor fridge?
A thermoelectric cooler cools to a certain number of degrees below the outside temperature and draws power constantly. A compressor fridge works like a home fridge, holds a set temperature, can often freeze and is more efficient.
3. How long will ice last in an esky?
A pre-chilled, quality hard esky packed with block ice can keep food cold for a couple of days or more, depending on heat, insulation and how often it is opened. Cheap coolers in the sun last much less.
4. Will a 12V cooler flatten my car battery?
It can if it runs from the starting battery while the engine is off. Use it while driving, or install a dual-battery system or portable power station for overnight use.
5. What temperature should a camping fridge be set to?
Keep cold food at 5 °C or colder, as recommended by Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Many campers set their fridge at around 2–4 °C and check it with a thermometer.
6. Can a thermoelectric cooler keep meat safe?
Only in mild conditions and for short periods. On hot days, a thermoelectric cooler may not keep food at 5 °C or below, so use an esky with ice or a compressor fridge for raw meat.
7. How do I make my esky last longer?
Pre-chill it, use block ice, pack it full, keep it in the shade under a blanket, drain melted water, open it as little as possible and use a separate cooler for drinks.
8. What size camping fridge do I need?
For a couple on a weekend, around 30–40 litres is common. Families and longer trips often need 50 litres or more, or a fridge plus an esky for drinks. Small 6–8 litre coolers suit snacks and drinks on the road.
9. Can I run a camping fridge on solar?
Yes, with the right system: typically a solar panel or blanket of around 100 W or more, a regulator and a deep-cycle or lithium battery or portable power station.
10. Do 12V coolers also keep food warm?
Many thermoelectric coolers have a warm mode that keeps food warm by reversing the cooling process. Compressor fridges generally only cool and freeze.