The fridge is the most energy-hungry appliance in a campervan and the one you interact with most often. Choosing between a drawer-style fridge (pulls out horizontally) and an upright fridge (opens like a domestic fridge) affects your kitchen layout, power budget, and daily comfort.
This guide compares the two types across every relevant metric for UK van conversions.
How They Work
Both types use a 12V/24V compressor (typically Danfoss/Secop BD35 or BD50) and the same basic refrigeration cycle. The difference is the form factor and how the storage compartment is accessed.
Upright fridge: A single or double door opens outward, revealing shelves and a salad crisper. The compressor is mounted at the back or bottom. Standard widths: 40cm, 50cm, or 60cm. Heights: 50cm to 85cm.
Drawer fridge: A drawer or multiple drawers pull forward, with basket or shelf dividers inside. The compressor is mounted at the rear of the drawer housing. Standard widths: 30cm, 40cm, or 50cm (single drawer) or 60cm (twin drawers).
Power Consumption
The compressor is the same in both types. The power difference comes from cold air escaping when the door or drawer is opened.
| Factor | Upright | Drawer |
|---|---|---|
| Cold air loss on opening | High — cold air spills out of the front | Low — cold air stays in the drawer |
| Typical daily consumption (40L, 20°C ambient, 5°C internal) | 18–25Ah | 15–20Ah |
| Recovery time after opening | 10–20 minutes | 5–10 minutes |
| Annual power consumption (compressor running, UK average) | ~6,500–9,000Wh | ~5,500–7,500Wh |
The drawer fridge is marginally more efficient because the cold air stays in the drawer when opened, while an upright fridge loses cold air from the entire interior every time the door opens. The difference is about 15–25% in real-world use, not enough to drive the decision on its own but worth noting.
Both fridges use more power in summer (higher ambient temperature, more frequent door openings for cold drinks). Both use less in winter (colder ambient, less need to open the fridge for fresh food). The annual average is the relevant number for battery and solar sizing.
Usable Capacity
The rated capacity (in litres) is misleading for comparison because drawer fridges waste less space to shelving and door storage.
| Rated volume | Upright — usable | Drawer — usable |
|---|---|---|
| 40L | 28–32L (shelves + door bins waste space) | 34–38L (full drawer depth accessible) |
| 60L | 42–48L | 52–56L |
| 90L (twin drawer) | N/A | 78–84L across two drawers |
A drawer fridge stores more actual food per litre of rated capacity because you can pack items directly into the drawer without shelf height restrictions. An upright fridge has dead space under shelves and behind door bins.
Accessibility
This is where the two types differ most in daily use.
Upright: You open the door and see everything at once. Items at the back require reaching past items at the front. Items on the bottom shelf require bending down. The door needs clearance to swing open — typically 45–60cm of open space in front of the fridge.
Drawer: You pull the drawer out and see everything at once. No reaching to the back. No bending. No door swing clearance needed — you just need enough space to pull the drawer out (full extension: typically 45–55cm).
For van life, where the fridge is often under a worktop or next to a bed, the drawer fridge is significantly more accessible. You can access it from a seated position (sitting on the bed or on a bench), and you do not need to clear the area in front of the fridge to open it.
Installation Comparison
| Factor | Upright | Drawer |
|---|---|---|
| Installation orientation | Must be level (compressor oil return) | Must be level (same compressor) |
| Clearance required | 5cm rear, 2cm sides, door swing 45–60cm | 5cm rear, 2cm sides, drawer pull ~50cm |
| Installation depth (standard) | 55–60cm (deep) | 48–53cm (shallower, fits under worktop) |
| Counter cut-out | Full-height opening | Shorter opening (drawer + 10cm gap above) |
| Weight | 18–25kg | 22–30kg (drawer mechanism adds weight) |
| Ventilation | Rear or base, some require roof vent | Rear only, easier in low-profile builds |
A drawer fridge fits in kitchen layouts where an upright fridge would not — under a worktop, at the end of a run of cabinets, or below a raised bed. An upright fridge usually needs a full-height cabinet and door swing clearance, which constrains the layout more.
Price Comparison (UK, 2026)
| Type | Brand/Model | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upright | Dometic Coolmatic CRX-50 | 50L | £550–£650 |
| Upright | Waeco/Dometic CFX-40 | 40L | £500–£600 |
| Upright | Shoreline SR50 | 50L | £450–£550 |
| Drawer | Dometic CDF-36 | 36L (single) | £700–£850 |
| Drawer | Vitrifrigo DW50 | 50L (single) | £650–£800 |
| Drawer | Isotherm D29 | 29L (single) | £550–£650 |
| Drawer (twin) | Vitrifrigo DWT60 | 60L (twin) | £900–£1,200 |
| Drawer (twin) | Dometic CDF-45X | 45L (twin) | £1,100–£1,400 |
Drawer fridges cost 30–50% more than equivalent-capacity upright fridges. The premium is for the drawer mechanism, the structural reinforcement needed, and the lower production volume.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose an upright fridge if:
- Your van has the depth and door-swing clearance for it
- Budget is a primary concern (upright is cheaper per litre)
- You prefer the familiar open-a-door-and-see-everything layout
- You have a standard-height kitchen cabinet (85cm+)
- You want a combined fridge/freezer with separate compartments (more common in upright models)
Choose a drawer fridge if:
- Your kitchen layout is space-constrained (under worktop, in a galley)
- You want to access the fridge from a seated position
- You prioritise energy efficiency and cold air retention
- You are building a high-end conversion with a generous budget
- You want a twin-drawer setup (one fridge, one freezer)
Real-world recommendation
For most UK van conversions — a Ford Transit Custom, Mercedes Sprinter MWB, or similar — a drawer fridge is worth the extra cost. The accessibility and layout flexibility advantages are significant in a small space. The Dometic CDF-36 or Vitrifrigo DW50 are the best options at the 40–50L capacity that suits a single person or couple.
For larger vans (Sprinter LWB, Crafter), or if you need a freezer compartment, an upright fridge with a separate freezer section (Dometic CRX-110 or similar) is the better choice.
Related Reading
- 12V Compressor Fridge Power Consumption Tests
- Root Vegetable Storage in a Van
- Van Life Diet & Meal Prep Guide
- AGM vs Lithium Batteries for Van Life
