For years, companies like Dometic have been selling powered coolers that function like portable refrigerators at the campsite. These devices typically run off 12-volt power, often plugging directly into the cigarette lighter port found in most vehicles. Now, several new players are entering the marketing space, bringing innovative ideas and lower price points.
One of these new models is the BougeRV CRPRO30 portable refrigerator, which delivers excellent performance and is reasonably priced and an excellent choice for backyard cookouts, weekend travelers, light overlanding, tailgating, or just going to the beach. Yes, when having people over, no more going to the store for ice, and no one walking in the house with their dirty shoes on.
BougeRV products are available on the BougeRV website and Amazon.
A Portbale Refrigerator You Can Take Anywhere
The BougeRV CRPRO30 looks a lot like a traditional cooler. It measures approximately 23″ x 13″ x 16″ and offers 30 liters of storage space, which is enough to hold 40+ 12-ounce cans or, as we experienced, a weekend’s worth of food. From meats, fruits, dairy products, and anything else you seek to keep cold, we found that CRPRO30 has just enough space to for a weekends of perishables for 3 people. The key is the proper organization of everything. BougeRV includes a removable divider to keep those items separate, I would find it nice to put meats on one side and fruits and veggies on the other.
This Portable Refrigerator is Not a Cooler
The first indication that this isn’t a traditional cooler comes when you go to pick it up. Due to its electronic components and compressor unit, the device weighs 28 pounds empty. Throw in some food, and you have a beast. BougeRV does offer wheeled versions for those who might be traveling on foot a small distance. I wouldn’t want to carry it more than 75 or 100 yards.
The CRPRO30 does have built-in handles, bolded into the units, but they are a bit on the shallow side, making it a challenge to get a good grip, especially with wet or cold hands.
Powering BougeRV Fridge
Like most BougeRV Fridges, the CRPRO30 can be powered in multiple ways. It can be plugged into a 12V DC car port, run off of the additional battery, or plugged into the 120V wall outlet. Most campers, trucks, and cars now offer 12V and 120V outlets. The possibilities are endless.
BougeRV also offers another more portable way to keep the refrigerator running while on the go. The company makes a 220Wh mini power station with a 12V port (plus a couple of USB-A and C ports) specifically meant for use with its line of powered coolers. This small battery pack weighs just over 3 pounds and can power the CRPRO30 for up to six hours (when in the shade) on a single charge.
Our CRPRO30 spends most of its time in the back of our Jeep Wrangler on road trips and camping excursions, and we used multiple little tricks to power it.
We almost constantly run with the 220Wh battery. Our setup includes plugging the fridge into the battery and then plugging the battery charging port into the rear outlet on our Jeep Rubicon. This outlet provides power when the jeep is running and constantly charges the fridge battery. Then, when we are out of the car on a hike or something, the fridge kicks over to battery power.
When in a campsite, we use the same concept, only running the battery into a Jackery 1000 solar-powered generator. This creates a situation where the 220Wh battery will charge during bright sun and slowly drain when overcast. At night the Jackery gives the 220Wh BougeRV battery the help it might need to make it through the night.
The cooler even has a built-in storage bin for the battery and its power cables, making it easy to take with you when hitting the road. And at $190, it is a less expensive option than buying a full-sized solar generator.
Tip: PRE COOL any BougeRV fridge at home before using it, especially if using the battery mode. Cooling down the fridge can rip through 15% or more of your charge immediately.
Fast and Efficient
One of the more impressive features of the BougeRV CRPRO30 is how quickly it can cool itself down when plugged into 120V. The unit can reduce the internal temperature from 77ºF to 32ºF in under 20 minutes. This quick cool down is achieved using “Max” mode, which draws 60 watts of power while active. That isn’t a big deal when plugged into an outlet, but it will impact the battery life on a power station. Alternatively, the unit also has an “Eco” mode, which reduces power consumption to 45 watts, improving battery life.
As long as it has power, the cooler can maintain a temperature setting of -8ºF – 50ºF. This allows users to bring a variety of items with them on their travels, including frozen foods like ice cream. The temperature and modes are adjusted using a control panel on the cooler’s exterior, with an LED screen that continually shows the current temperature.
BougeRV CRPRO30 Features
With the CRPRO30, this is found in some of the subtle details that went into its design. For instance, the cooler has safety tie-down points on either side, allowing it to be secured in place while driving. This isn’t necessarily something everyone will need or use, but the off-roading and overlanding crowd will appreciate having it.
The BougeRV CRPRO30 also has a built-in bottle opener, and interior LED lighting for finding food and drinks in the dark. Its digital display and controls are intuitive and easy to use too, allowing RVers to dial in the exact settings they need. The unit is even very quiet, producing just 45 decibels of sound while in use. That means it is nearly silent most of the time.
BourgeRV understands the importance of protecting the power supplies that we use with our devices. To assist with that, the company has included battery protection settings that ensure the CRPRO30 isn’t putting undue stress on a power station or vehicle battery. The cooler has three modes—high, medium, and low—that can be adjusted based on the type of connection being used to prevent unexpected surges. These settings also help prevent the refrigerator from completely draining a car battery while in use.
Great Fridge, Even Better Price
Overall, the BougeRV CRPRO30 is an excellent option for your next adventure. It is a convenient unit for SUVs, camper vans, and small trailers that don’t already have a built-in refrigerator. The fridge is also an excellent addition for tailgating, concerts, and festivals, or even backyard barbecues. Its versatility is one of its biggest strengths; it has made our traditional coolers a thing of the past.
The price is also ideal, especially for someone needing a fridge once or twice a month. The CRPRO30 sells for just $320 and $200 for the battery. BougeRV also offers sales quite often. At that price, this is an affordable upgrade and is the same price as most coolers. For more information, visit the BougeRV website.
