7 Best RV Fridge Fan Options in 2024: How Effective Are They in Cooling Your RV Refrigerator?
LOOKING FOR THE BEST FRIDGE FAN FOR YOUR RV?
You are in the right place because the 7 best choices for RV fridge fans are all featured here. How do we know they are the best? We have traveled and lived in our RV since 2010 and have personally tested and researched fridge fans to bring you the best.
If you have an RV fridge that isn’t cooling, freezing in places, or cooling unevenly, it might be a good idea to consider adding an RV fridge fan.
An RV fridge fan optimizes the cooling performance of your absorption-style RV fridge by ensuring a proper flow of cool air. From experience, the right camper fridge fan makes your RV fridge much more efficient and ensures all the contents are vastly closer in temperature from bottom to top.
🏆 Best RV Fridge Fan
Don’t have time to read the whole article?
Our pick for the best RV fridge fan is the Beech Lane Fridge Fan.
In this guide, we’ll share the best RV fridge options to help keep your RV fridge cool. We’ve also included a detailed buying guide to help with the selection and the best location to place your fan.
Quick Guide: Best RV Fridge Fan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beech Lane Fridge Fan
✔️ Silent performance
✔️ Fantastic air circulation with its 3,000 RPM motors
Titan 12V Double Rack Mount Cooling Fan
✔️ Perfect for large RVs with large fridges
✔️ Adjustable settings
Coolerguys High Airflow Fan
✔️ Nice and consistent airflow
✔️ IP67 residence technology
Battery-Operated RV Fridge Fans
1. Beech Lane Fridge Fan
The Beech Lane Fridge Fan tops our list of the best battery-operated fans for RV fridges. Out of the box, it’s seemingly simple but of good quality and the battery lasts a long time. The plastic construction is hardy and indestructible.
Quality aside, the size is also nice. It’s small enough not to take up much room in your fridge, leaving plenty of room for your left-over Dutch oven soup. The silent performance is also a nice bonus, especially when you need to rest or read while camping.
But the biggest advantage of this battery-powered RV refrigerator fan is the powerful 3,000 RPM motor. It’s powerful enough to recirculate the air in your refrigerator around your dishes and even out the temperature gradients. The motor moves the air around to avoid the isolation of temperatures. It’ll virtually eliminated the issue of hot and cold spots in our camper.
However, if the fridge is jammed full of food the air does struggle to circulate sufficiently.
The Beech Lane does still need batteries periodically but because it uses large D batteries they can last a couple months while being on 24/7.
A few things we found slightly annoying were the side-mounted on and off switch that on occasion get bumped and the battery door likes to fall out when you pick it up.
Otherwise, the Beech Lane is an essential accessory for any RVer. It’ll help to keep your RV fridge colder and keep your food fresher for longer.
Pros
✔ Great cooling performance
✔ Easy to use on/off switch
✔ Compact
Cons
❌ The side-mounted toggle switch is a design flaw
2. Camco Fridge Airator
The Camco Fridge Airator is a good product, small but mighty. It’s a tiny fan, roughly the size of a can of soda, and it fits in the palm of your hand, so it doesn’t take up much space, leaving plenty of room for ingredients for Dutch oven recipes, drinks, and more.
Its build quality is also okay, especially for the price; it’s certainly not indestructible, but it will withstand the rigors of RV life.
I highly recommend the Camco Battery-Powered RV refrigerator fan for smaller fridges. It’s small and doesn’t move much air, but it should be sufficient for appliances up to 6.5 cubic feet. The power supply from the batteries also lasts for a reasonable amount of time.
Most RVers use the Camco battery-powered RV refrigerator fan for their RV mini-fridges to keep the ambient temperature stable. It puts out a decent airflow, which doesn’t feel as much but makes a difference. It helps distribute air evenly in your camper refrigerator and eliminates the freezing issues and fluctuation of warm air and conditioned air.
Also, distributing cold air around the entire caravan fridge helps to stop the fins from icing up.
On top of improving your fridge’s cooling performance, Camco Fridge Airator also absorbs odors from your fridge. It uses a replaceable activated charcoal pack to absorb air odors.
Using this fan is also a breeze, thanks to the on/off switch which saves power when not in use. The Camco Fridge Airator is also battery-operated and runs on two D batteries, but I found that they take some elbow grease to get them on and out.
But overall, the Camco Fridge Airator is a nice RV fridge cooling fan that doubles up as an air cleanser and absorbs musty smells.
Pros
✔ Ultra-compact
✔ Perfect for the mini-fridges
✔ Absorbs smells
Cons
❌ Takes effort to get the batteries in and out
3. Makevivi RV Refrigerator Fan
The Makevivi RV refrigerator fan works great, uses very little space, and the battery life lasts a long time. It’s also cheap and much smaller, perfect for any RV space.
A major highlight of the Makevivi RV Refrigerator Fan is the 3000 RPM motor, which disperses the airflow in the fridge for optimal cooling performance. It promotes better air circulation and ensures the fins in the fridge are ice-free.
On top of that, Makevivi RV Refrigerator Fan maximizes the airflow with the multiple ventilation openings. The openings create more airflow in different directions, so there’s a continuous flow of cold air inside your RV fridge. It helps to keep your food longer and fresher.
Plus, the Makevivi cooling fan for a refrigerator operates quietly, so much so that you can’t even hear it running, which is key when you need to nap or read.
Makevivi RV Refrigerator Fan’s design is also super solid, and the plastic construction can take a beating. Meanwhile, using this fan is also a breeze, and the bottom sliding switch makes it easy to activate.
Pros
✔ Inexpensive
✔ Durable
✔ Great cooling performance
Cons
❌ Low airflow- not ideal for the large RV fridges
➡ SHOP Makevivi RV Refrigerator Fan
Hardwired RV Fridge Fans
4. Titan 12V Double Rack Mount Cooling Fan
The Titan 12V Double Rack Mount Cooling Fan is a powerful hardwired camper fan and a fantastic option for the largest RV refrigerators. I recommend this unit for RVers with diesel pushers, motorhomes, and campers.
It’s engineered for grille and vent mounting and will reliably cool your RV fridge even in the hottest climates. Even with the large size, it’s quiet and moves a lot of hot air. Once you install it, you’ll immediately notice the difference and see that your fridge doesn’t work as hard.
On top of that, the Titan RV fridge vent fan has six adjustable settings, which is nice for those who need to play with performance and comfort. It’s also waterproof and dustproof.
Of course, as with most hardwired options, the Titan RV fridge vent fan requires some elbow grease to mount. There’s a little DIY involved, but the good thing is that it comes with a complete mounting RV fridge fan kit. In my opinion, if you’re comfortably hardwiring a 12-V appliance to your RV battery, the Titan RV fridge vent fan is the best bang for your buck.
Pros
✔ Powerful
✔ Perfect for large RV fridges
✔ Adjustable settings
Cons
❌ Expensive
➡ SHOP Titan 12V Double Rack Mount Cooling Fan
5. DutchAire RV Refrigerator Fin Fan
DutchAire RV Refrigerator Fin Fan is a game changer and makes a world of difference to RVers with issues with their fridge cooling.
The unit boasts a high airflow, circulating more air for a steady internal temperature. It also eliminates ice or frost build-up on the fins. In short, it improves the fridge cooling performance and energy efficiency.
I also like the size of this unit, which is awesome for most camper refrigerators. It also seems well-built and has a simple design.
Using the DutchAire RV Refrigerator Fin Fan is also fairly simple, and the fan will run continuously unless you manually turn it off.
Mounting is also easy, and RVers like it comes with complete installation hardware. My only concern is that it runs a bit noisy, but that shouldn’t stop you from napping.
Pros
✔ Nice cooling performance
✔ Easy to use
✔ Well-built
Cons
❌ Bit noisy
➡ SHOP DutchAire RV Refrigerator Fin Fan
Exterior Ventilation Fans
6. Coolerguys High Airflow Fan
The Coolerguys High Airflow Fan is a fantastic option for RVers who want to create exhaust fans for their RV and increase the airflow on the outside. It delivers a nice and consistent airflow, and it’s a ticket to bringing down your RV fridge to temperature.
It eliminates the cold and hot air pockets in your fridge and ensures that your foods last longer and fresher.
An updated motor design is also handy at keeping the ambient noise down to 42bD, equivalent to a standard kitchen fridge, so you’ll barely hear it when running. The padded corners also help with dampening vibration noise during mounting.
The design also feels okay. A sturdy construction ensures that it can take a beating, while the IP67 resistance technology allows a refrigerator’s cooling fan to be completely dust and waterproof. The standard connectors make this unit compatible with many systems.
Pros
✔ Durable
✔ Easy to use
✔ Great performance
Cons
❌ Bit expensive
❌ Fins are more exposed and can break
➡ SHOP Coolerguys High Airflow Fan
7. Dometic Innovator Power Ventilator Kit
The Dometic Ventilator is our final pick on the list of the best RV fridge fans. It comes as a complete kit, including the temperature sensor.
But more importantly, it has motor fans that assist with the required air movement across your camper fridge to promote optimal cooling performance. The Dometic RV refrigerator fan ensures that there’s even airflow throughout your camper fridge so that it maintains a steady temperature for better food preservation capabilities.
Overall, the Dometic RV fridge fan kit is well built, takes a small footprint, and includes an on/off switch, wiring sensors, and mounting brackets.
Pros
✔ Small footprint
✔ Easy to use
✔ Great cooling performance
Cons
❌ Instructions are vague
❌ Not a super popular option
How To Choose an RV Fridge Fan
Fan Size
The fan size is important for compatibility and performance. The right fan size should be compatible with your RV radiator. Size also affects the fan performance; generally, the bigger the fan, the better the cooling performance.
Fan Speed
Other than size, you must consider the fan speed. Fan speed is usually expressed in RPM (rotation/round per minute). Generally, RV fans with higher RPMs have higher cooling performance.
Airflow
An RV’s fan airflow, expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM), also affects your fan’s cooling performance. As expected, RV refrigerator internal fans with higher CFM have better cooling performance.
Adjustable Speed Setting
While an RV fan should evenly circulate the fridge’s interior air, there’s always the possibility of overfilling, resulting in limited circulation.
On the other hand, if there’s too much space between items, too much air could be circulating.
With an adjustable switch circulating fan, it’s easier to monitor the temperature in your RV fridge and adjust the speed and cooling performance for optimal performance.
What Does an RV Fridge Fan Do?
The primary role of an RV fridge is to maintain a steady temperature in your RV’s fridge, regardless of the external conditions.
To understand better the role of a cooling fan for a refrigerator, we need first to learn how an RV fridge works. You see, an RV fridge is unlike your residential fridge. Your home fridge uses an electrical compressor to keep everything cold with chemicals.
On the other hand, an RV fridge uses absorption to keep cool. These are often called absorption fridges or absorption refrigerators. It needs an air draft to maintain steady temperatures. And so, an RV fridge cooling fan is necessary to pull out the hot air and maintain a steady temperature.
Without a fan inside an RV fridge, the hot air may get trapped in the fridge to form dead spaces, eventually restricting airflow.
Meanwhile, the presence of a cooling fan for a refrigerator means there’s proper heat dissipation. It draws air from the surrounding environment and blows it over the condenser fridge coils.
The camper fan also aids in air circulation within the fridge. It distributes the cool air, ensuring a uniform temperature throughout the fridge.
Overall, a camper fridge fan is necessary to keep your RV fridge running optimally, prevent overheating, and promote lower energy consumption.
Where to Put the RV Fridge Fan in Your Refrigerator
There are two main places to install an RV fridge fan. It’s either on the fins, inside the fridge, or the cooling system outside your fridge.
The placement of the camper fridge fans depends on the type of fan. The circulation fans are placed inside the fridge, while the vent fans are outside the camper fridge.
Absorption-style fridges use a set of fins, which absorb the heat from the air. A circulation fan placed on a shelf inside the fridge or mounted directly on the silver fins inside the fridge will help with better air circulation.
On top of cold air circulation, you must also eliminate the rejected excess heat from the fridge. The vent refrigerator fans help with this. They’re installed outside of the RV, pulling warm air around the fridge’s exterior and blowing it outside the RV. The vent RV fridge fans are typically mounted inside the vent cover or the RV’s roof.
Optimize Performance with a Wireless Fridge/Freezer Thermometer
On top of using an RV fridge fan, you could optimize your fridge’s performance in several other ways.
A fridge thermometer, an important RV kitchen accessory, allows you to check the inside temperature of the fridge and freezer without opening the door. It’s super important because it helps trap cold air more because you don’t have to keep opening the door.
RV fridge thermometers also give you peace of mind by ensuring you’re confident that your frozen or refrigerated foods won’t go bad. Plus, keeping your food at an ideal temperature keeps your food fresher for longer and reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses.
AcuRite Digital Wireless Fridge and Freezer Thermometer
The AcuRite is a dual-purpose wireless thermometer for a fridge and a freezer. It’s a great option for RVers who need to monitor the temperature of their unit without opening it. This wireless module transmits data to an easy-to-read LCD.
It also has the added benefit of an alarm, which alerts you in case of temperature spikes. Other extras include silicone sensor straps, magnetic backing, and a keyhole for mounting.
➡ SHOP AcuRite Digital Wireless Thermometer
AMIR Refrigerator Wireless Thermometer
You love the Amir Wireless Thermometer if you want to monitor the temperatures in your RV fridge, freezer, or outdoors. The best part is that it has an audible alarm function that alerts you if the temperature exceeds the pre-set temperature settings.
It also has an easy-to-read display and allows multiple installations. The Amir thermometer is also super easy to install, making it a useful RV kitchen accessory.
➡ SHOP AMIR Refrigerator Wireless Thermometer
Tips for Keeping Your RV Refrigerator Cool
Here are more tips to help keep your RV refrigerator cooler and longer:
✔ RV fridges can take up to 12 hours to reach the optimal operating temperatures, so it’s always important to power them before you need them. Starting it before gives the unit a head start.
✔ You must check the seals along the edge of the RV fridge, especially on the doors. If there are cracks, loose seals, or signs of compromise, make the necessary repairs before heading out. The seals could be a potential source of cold air leakage.
✔ Examine the outside of the refrigerator vent, and clear out any debris or dust that may impede proper air circulation.
✔ Never put warm foods in the fridge. Instead, chill foods or drinks to avoid raising the internal temperatures. Adding ice packs greatly helps with temperature reduction.
✔ Check the electrical fuses on the camper and the ones on the pole to ensure you’re drawing the full amount of power.
✔ Keep the fridge closed as much as possible. Remember that every time you open the fridge, cold air escapes, and warm air gets in, which causes the temperatures to rise.
✔ Use insulation. Wrap your RV fridge with an insulation material such as a blanket or sleeping bag to prevent air draft.
✔ Don’t overfill your RV fridge. More content in your fridge impedes optimal airflow to keep everything inside consistently cooled.
✔ Park your rig in a shaded site so the environment can help with the cooling process. Also, ensure your fridge is on level ground.
What Is Causing Temperature Irregularities in My RV Fridge and Freezer?
Different factors cause RV fridge and freezer temperature irregularities, and in the section below, we shall look at the most common causes.
Poor Air Circulation
Insufficient air circulation is the leading cause of temperature irregularities in an RV fridge. There are many causes of poor air circulation. For example, if you’re in a hot climate with no fan, you will experience poor airflow. Also, if you stuff and overfill your fridge, it may impede proper air circulation.
The problem with poor air circulation is that your fridge can’t deliver the cool air as it should and that there’s no steady temperature inside the fridge.
Bad Temperature Sensors
If the temperature sensors in your RV fridge are broken, they may fail to regulate your fridge’s internal temperatures. Be sure to confirm they’re working properly and that they’re not loose.
Blocked Exhaust
If the fridge’s exhaust gets blocked, it means the hot air trapped can’t escape, which may lead to temperature irregularity.
A fridge’s vent clogging happens more often than you’d imagine and may be caused by different factors, including dust and other impurities.
To fix this problem, remove the vent cover and examine any obstructions.
Types of RV Refrigerator Fans
The two main types of RV refrigerator cooling fans are:
- Fin fans
- Battery-powered fans
Fin RV refrigerator cooling fans are usually wired to the battery bank and installed inside the fridge, ideally on the cooling fins. The fin RV refrigerator cooling fans are great for those on full-time camping. However, they require some elbow grease to install.
On the other hand, battery-powered RV refrigerator fans are installation-free. Simply set them on the back of the fridge or RV fridge shelf. They’re as easy as RV refrigerator fans go, but you need to swap out the batter frequently.
FAQ: RV Fridge Fan
Should I Put a Fan in My RV Fridge?
Yes, installing a cooling fan for a refrigerator in your RV fridge is important. An RV fridge fan ensures proper airflow, improving RV refrigerator performance.
Where Do You Put the Fan in an RV Fridge?
The placement of the RV fridge fan depends on the type of fan. Generally, there are two main locations where you can place your RV fridge fan: inside the RV near the cooling fins or outside near the vents.
How Can I Improve My RV Refrigerator Cooling?
There are many ways to improve your fridge’s cooling performance. In addition to adding a fridge fan, other practices help with making your fridge cooler, such as turning on the unit 24 hours before leaving, adding ice packs, keeping the doors closed, and parking your RV in a shaded spot.
Conclusion: RV Refrigerator Fan
An RV fridge fan is an indispensable accessory that greatly improves RV refrigerator performance. It is a simple solution for those who find their fridge freezes up inside when there is hot weather.
Still not sure about the best RV fridge fan? We recommend the Beech Lane Fridge Fan.
These little fans keep the inside of your fridge at a nice constant temperature. It helps draw the warm air out, ensures that your fridge doesn’t go bad, and keeps your food cool and fresh. Some people even put these in their home fridges to prevent the back of the fridge from freezing and the front from getting warm.
RV owners who spend time in their RV will find even the best RV refrigerators can benefit from an RV refrigerator vent fan.
