Best Bar Fridge for Caravan Australia — 2026 Buyer's Guide

Planning to add a bar fridge to your caravan, campervan, or motorhome? Choosing the wrong fridge can drain your battery, take up precious space, or simply not survive the vibrations of the road. Here's everything you need to know.

What Makes a Caravan Bar Fridge Different?

A caravan fridge isn't just a small fridge — it needs to handle conditions that would kill a standard model:

• Vibration resistance: Road travel shakes components loose. You need commercial-grade build quality.
• Compact footprint: Every centimetre counts in a caravan. Measure your space carefully.
• Low energy draw: When running on battery or solar, efficiency is critical.
• Temperature performance: Australian outback temps can hit 45°C+. Your fridge must maintain cooling in extreme heat.
• Lockable door: Prevents the door swinging open during travel.

Best Bar Fridges for Caravans (2026)

1. Schmick HUS-BC46B2 — Best Compact Option

At just 46L and with a lockable door, this is the most popular caravan bar fridge in our range. Small enough to fit in most caravan kitchen cutouts, efficient enough for solar setups, and lockable so it stays shut on the road.

• Capacity: 46L
• Dimensions: 473W x 450D x 510H mm
• Lockable: Yes
• Energy: High efficiency

👉 Shop the Schmick HUS-BC46B2

2. Schmick HUS-RND70B — Best 70L Option

If you have a bit more space, the 70L rounded design gives you room for a weekend's worth of drinks and food. Quiet running technology means it won't disturb your sleep in the caravan.

• Capacity: 70L
• Lockable: Yes
• Quiet running: Yes

👉 Shop the Schmick HUS-RND70B

3. Schmick Dellcool Silent Fridge — Best for Off-Grid

Uses absorption cooling instead of a compressor — meaning zero vibration, zero noise, and extremely low power draw. The trade-off is cooling performance in extreme heat, but for most Australian conditions, it's perfect for off-grid caravan use.

• Capacity: 40L
• Compressor: None (absorption)
• Power draw: Ultra-low

👉 Shop the Dellcool Silent Fridge

4. Schmick SK90-B — Best Mid-Size

A 90L solid door fridge that's still compact enough for larger caravans and motorhomes. The solid door retains cold better than glass door models — important when you're opening the fridge frequently in hot weather.

• Capacity: 90L
• Door: Solid (better insulation)
• Front venting: Yes

👉 Shop the Schmick SK90-B

Caravan Bar Fridge Size Guide

Tips for Installing a Bar Fridge in a Caravan

1. Measure twice: Measure the cutout space AND the door swing clearance.
2. Ventilation: Ensure 50mm clearance on sides and back, or use a front-venting model for enclosed installations.
3. Secure it: Use straps or a bracket to prevent movement during travel.
4. Level it: Use adjustable feet to keep the fridge level — compressors don't run well on angles.
5. Lock the door: Always lock before driving to prevent spillage.

FAQ

Can I run a bar fridge on a 12V caravan battery?

Most bar fridges run on 240V mains power. For 12V operation, you'll need an inverter or choose a dedicated 12V model. For mains-powered models, campsite power or a generator is required.

Will a bar fridge survive outback temperatures?

Quality bar fridges with commercial-grade compressors (like Schmick and Rhino) are rated for Australian conditions. Avoid cheap imports that may struggle above 35°C ambient temperature.

Ready to Shop?

• Mini Bar Fridges (26-70L) — Perfect for caravans
• Small Bar Fridges
• Solid Door Bar Fridges
• All Bar Fridges