A day on the water isn't complete without chilled drinks and fresh food within easy reach. But what should you choose for your boat: a refrigerator or a cooler ? The right cooling solution depends on the duration of your trip, the available space, and your boat's power consumption. In this article, we compare all the options so you know exactly which solution best suits your boating style.
We explain the differences, discuss the pros and cons of both systems and provide practical tips to keep everything as cool as possible — even on hot summer days.
1. What is the difference between a refrigerator and a cool box?
The biggest difference lies in the installation and cooling capacity . A fixed boat refrigerator is built-in and operates continuously on 12V or 24V. A cool box is portable, more flexible, and ideal for shorter trips.
At Watersports4fun, you'll find all the standard models in the refrigerator collection. Prefer something simple, lightweight, and portable? Then a cooler is ideal. View all coolers here.
2. Advantages of a fixed boat refrigerator
A built-in compressor refrigerator is the most powerful and reliable onboard cooling solution. Perfect for longer trips or when you regularly sail with several people.
- Constant and powerful cooling, even above 30°C
- Spacious and neatly concealed
- Low energy consumption thanks to efficient compressor technology
- Very suitable for multi-day trips or warm summer days
When installing, ensure adequate ventilation around the cooling unit. Browse our selection of boat refrigerators for all 12V and 24V models.
3. Benefits of a portable cooler
A cooler is flexible, compact, and versatile. Ideal for sloops, open boats, and day trips. You can take them to shore, the beach, or a picnic spot.
- Passive cooler: works with ice or cooling elements. No power required.
- Thermoelectric cooler: cools 10–20°C below ambient temperature. Suitable for short-term use.
- Compressor cooler: powerful, down to -18°C. Performance comparable to a small freezer.
View all variants in our cool box collection.
4. Power consumption and on-board power supply
Energy consumption often determines the best choice. A compressor refrigerator uses an average of 30–50 Ah per day. A thermoelectric cooler uses less, but also cools less efficiently.
Most boats use shore power to charge their batteries. Suitable cables, adapters, and power solutions can be found in the cable collection.
Are you making long trips without shore power? Then solar panels , an extra service battery, or a charge controller can make a big difference in cooling performance—especially in warm weather.
5. Tips for efficient cooling on water
- Chill food and drinks at home in advance.
- Turn on the refrigerator at least one hour before departure.
- Place cooling units out of direct sunlight.
- Fill a cool box properly: air cools less well than solid mass.
- Use ice blocks or cooling elements for extra-long passive cooling.
- Check the refrigerator door seals regularly.
Want more maintenance tips? Check out our boat maintenance blog.
Frequently asked questions about cooling on board
What is more energy efficient: refrigerator or cool box?
A compressor refrigerator is more energy-efficient and cools better than a thermoelectric cooler. A cooler is more practical for short trips.
Which cooling solution is best for small boats?
A compact cooler is ideal for sloops and open boats. They take up little space and are easy to transport.
Can I run a refrigerator on my starter battery?
This is not recommended. Always use a separate service battery. For charging via shore, you can find suitable cables in our cable collection.