BougeRV’s Portable Solar Fridge: The Quiet Annoyance You Didn’t Expect
▼ Summary
– The BougeRV CRD2 40 is a portable 40-liter fridge/freezer combo with a battery, charging options (wall, 12V, solar), and reversible doors for flexible placement in tight spaces.
– It performs well for portability, fitting in cars, boats, or RVs, but has slow cooldown times and mediocre insulation, requiring frequent compressor cycles.
– The fridge is reasonably quiet (38dB) but has inconsistent temperature accuracy, with sensors sometimes misreporting readings by up to 4°C in the larger compartment.
– Several design flaws include a confusing app, inconsistent battery connectors (barrel vs. USB-C), and bright displays/beeps that disrupt sleep, highlighting BougeRV’s lack of attention to detail.
– While the $509.99 battery-included model is a solid choice for adventures, the battery-less version ($349.99) is less practical compared to cheaper fixed-location alternatives.
Modern refrigeration on the go requires smart solutions, and BougeRV’s CRD2 40 portable fridge-freezer combo aims to deliver just that. Designed for adventurers, vanlifers, and outdoor enthusiasts, this battery-powered unit offers flexibility with solar charging, multiple size options, and rugged portability, though not without some frustrating quirks.
Priced at $509.99, the 40-liter model (also available in 49L and 58L variants) balances capacity with mobility. Its compact dimensions (28.7 x 18.14 x 17.24 inches) and 41.9-pound weight make it suitable for RVs, boats, or car trunks, secured by multiple tie-down points. The dual compartments, 32.5L for refrigeration and 7.2L for freezing, feature reversible doors, a thoughtful touch for tight spaces. Unlike bulkier competitors attempting ice-making functions, this model focuses purely on storage efficiency.
Performance tests revealed mixed results. Cooling from room temperature to 4°C (39°F) took 37 minutes in the main compartment, while hitting -18°C (0°F) in the freezer required 101 minutes, slower than some rivals. Insulation proved underwhelming, with temperatures rising rapidly during power-off tests. Still, noise levels stayed impressively low at 38dB, quieter than many portable alternatives.
The built-in 173Wh battery lasted 11.5 hours in eco mode with pre-chilled contents, though runtime halved when starting from ambient temperatures. Solar charging compatibility is a plus, but the required 5521 barrel connector, instead of the more universal XT60, adds inconvenience. Worse, the bundled battery inexplicably lacks USB-C charging, forcing reliance on the fridge’s internal port.
User experience suffers from puzzling design choices. The companion app mislabels compartments, battery indicators lack precision, and the display’s unadjustable brightness disrupts nighttime use. A concerning temperature plunge (-29°C observed) occurred during low-battery states, though normal operation resumed after recharging.
Despite its flaws, the CRD2 40 excels as a mobile cooling solution for off-grid scenarios. The battery-included bundle justifies its premium over the $349.99 base model, especially for those valuing portability. Just be prepared to overlook some baffling oversights, like an upside-down battery logo and inconsistent temperature readings, that suggest BougeRV prioritized function over finesse. For adventurers willing to tolerate these quirks, it remains a viable, if imperfect, travel companion.
(Source: The Verge)