Review: Stay Cool Anywhere With The Affordable BougeRV CR45 Portable Dual-Zone Fridge
(Camp Addict does NOT accept payment from any company to review or endorse their products.)
By Kelly Beasley
The BougeRV CR45 48 Quart Review (hands-on): This portable dual-zone fridge freezer is a versatile and feature-rich cooling solution designed to meet the needs of anyone needing a portable refrigerator.
It has a spacious capacity, fairly precise temperature control, ability to set a different temperature in each of the zones, and vehicle low battery protection, among other user-friendly features.
The CR45 offers a reliable companion for RVers, overlanders, and travelers.
In this portable refrigerator review, we explore the biggest benefits, cons and our thoughts about the unit as we've had it for almost six months as of this writing.
We also discuss our experiences, highlighting both the positive aspects and areas for improvement, along with other available sizes and temperature consistency, and we provide a conclusion for our BougeRV CR45 Review.
Full Disclosure: BougeRV sent us a CR45 portable fridge to test and evaluate. As with all products we agree to test, we are under no obligation to write a glowing review for a product just because it was given to us. If we like a product and think it's a good fit for our audience, we will discuss it on Camp Addict. If we don't like the product, you will never hear about it from us.
Purchase Options
You can either purchase directly from BougeRV's website or Amazon.
Use the following coupon codes on the BougeRV website for additional discounts:
CAMP100 - $100 off CR45 refrigerator
BougeRV - 16% off sitewide
First Impressions
Our first impressions, the box and opening the box, were very good.
The packaging protection was adequate with a strong cardboard box and thick foam contoured inserts.
When we removed the BougeRV CR45 fridge from the box, it's readily apparent that it is a well-made, quality product.
We were impressed. It's made from thick plastic, nothing that will easily crack or break.
The display is large enough to easily view and the handle is sturdy. The wheels are one place we could see some improvement.
They are quite small and do feel light as far as sturdiness.
But it should last fine for us as we don't pull it over gravel drives and it mainly stays indoors.
Outer And Inner Measurements
The BougeRV CR45 has outer measurements of 20 inches tall, 18 inches wide (from wheel to wheel), and 28 inches long (from the handle to the back wheel).
However, it is worth noting that the width and length can be reduced a little by removing the wheels and handle.
The inner capacity of the CR45 is 48 quarts (45 liters), providing ample space for storing food, beverages, and perishable items.
The inside of the fridge cooler has two compartments.
The large side:
- 15 1/2 inches tall
- 10 1/4 inches wide
- 12 inches deep
The small side:
- 8 1/2 inches tall
- 7 3/4 inches wide
- 12 inches deep
Weight and Maneuverability
The CR45 portable fridge freezer weighs approximately 44.1 pounds (20 kg).
While it may not be the lightest option on the market, it is still manageable for most users, even when heavier/full.
This is especially true because it features a sturdy handle making it easy to lift and transport on its two wheels.
Additionally, the removable wheels provide added convenience when moving the fridge freezer across different terrains.
Keep in mind that the wheels aren't made for hardcore off-roading, but perform well on smoother, harder surfaces.
Purchase Options
You can either purchase directly from BougeRV's website or Amazon.
Use the following coupon codes on the BougeRV website for additional discounts:
CAMP100 - $100 off CR45 refrigerator
BougeRV - 16% off sitewide
Temperature Settings And Consistency
The BougeRV CR45 offers precise temperature control with two modes: Max and Eco.
The Max mode ensures rapid cooling, ideal for quickly chilling beverages or freezing perishable items.
On the other hand, the Eco mode optimizes energy efficiency, maintaining a consistent temperature while minimizing power consumption.
The ability to switch between these modes provides flexibility to adapt to various cooling needs.
The lowest setting you can get with this is -4º Fahrenheit (-20º C).
This is great in optimal temperatures, but understand that it likely will not maintain that low (or higher) a temperature when it's blistering hot out or the unit is in full sun. It's just the nature of the beast.
Its highest cooling setting is 68º Fahrenheit (20º C).
Naturally, putting both sides in freezer temperatures and in max mode will use more power than, say, if both sides are in refrigerator mode and in eco mode.
This is important to understand if you have a limited power supply.
Low Battery Protection And Battery Options
One notable feature of the BougeRV CR45 is its low battery protection system.
The purpose of it is to NOT kill your vehicle's battery when you are using it to power your refrigerator cooler.
It safeguards the vehicle's battery from being drained by automatically turning off the fridge freezer at different voltage thresholds (you choose one of three cut-off voltages). Meaning, it won't give your vehicle a dead battery.
Optional Detachable Battery
The CR45 is compatible with a (sold separately) detachable lithium battery.
This battery offers a reliable power source for off-grid camping and extended trips without needing to have a big portable power bank.
Battery insertion point below handle
It's also invaluable for being a battery backup if you lose power in your vehicle, RV, etc.
It will keep your goods cold until you realize you've lost power and fix it or until the power comes back on.
There have been a couple times the power cable wiggled loose during a drive (common occurrence with any portable refrigerator) and the backup battery saved the day!
The battery can run the fridge from 4-24 hours, depending on many different factors (ambient temp, how full fridge is, is it in Eco mode or not, etc.).
This battery takes about 3.5 hours to fully charge using the 12V/24V adapter.
Buy Battery
Buy Battery
BougeRV CR45 48 Quart Features
App Compatibility and Connectivity
BougeRV offers a dedicated mobile app allowing users to control and monitor the fridge freezer remotely via Bluetooth (can only connect to a single smartphone at a time).
The app provides:
The app controls provide convenience and flexibility, especially when managing the fridge freezer from a distance (within Bluetooth range).
Cables And Accessories
The BougeRV CR45 comes with all necessary cables (2) for DC and AC power connections, providing versatility in various settings.
The cables are good quality and ensure a secure and reliable power supply.
Cable lengths are adequate - the DC cable is 11 1/2 feet long, and the AC cable is 7 feet long.
Additionally, the fridge freezer includes a handy storage compartment for cables, preventing clutter and improving overall organization.
Our BougeRV CR45 Review: Experience And Impressions
During our testing, the BougeRV CR45 proved a reliable and efficient cooling solution.
The temperature settings allow for customization of the cooling performance according to your specific needs.
The low battery protection provides peace of mind. It prevents potential vehicle battery drain issues during extended trips.
Though we mostly used this at home and then in a van, NOT using a vehicle's primary battery supply, we did use it in my 4Runner a few times to get groceries and welcomed the battery drain protection.
What We Like:
What We Don't Like:
Other Available Sizes
So this is not the only unit they sell. BougeRV has two other sizes in this series and many other sizes in their other series of units.
These are called the "dual-zone" series. We're only sharing the other Dual-Zone series on this page as they have many other models, too many to list.
CR35 37 Quart (35L)
CR55 59 Quart (55L)
Conclusion
The BougeRV CR45 48 Quart Portable Fridge Freezer impressed us with its versatile features and reliable performance.
The optional lithium battery pack lets you take this fridge anywhere, including places you don't have access to power.
The outer and inner measurements, along with its manageable weight and maneuverability, made it suitable for various travel and camping setups.
The precise temperature control, low battery protection, and other features added to its appeal, ensuring efficient cooling and peace of mind during off-grid adventures.
While we noted some temperature inconsistencies and weight as minor drawbacks, the CR45 remains a solid choice for RVers and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a reliable and convenient portable fridge freezer.
All said, our BougeRV CR45 Review is a positive one!
Purchase Options
You can either purchase directly from BougeRV's website or Amazon.
Use the following coupon codes on the BougeRV website for additional discounts:
CAMP100 - $100 off CR45 refrigerator
BougeRV - 16% off sitewide
Author: Kelly Beasley
I dedicated myself to living the full-time RV life for over 6.5 years, immersing myself in the unique quirks and joys of the boondocking lifestyle and gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience along the way. In December 2020, my business partner and I made the transition to part-time RVing, but in January 2023, we hit the road once again, this time in our trusty vans. My mission is to help others embrace the RVing lifestyle with confidence and excitement, armed with the knowledge and resources needed to make the most of their adventures. I believe that the more you know, the more you can truly appreciate and enjoy the freedom and flexibility of the open road.
Hello,
I tried asking this on the BougeRV website and I just might completely off but when you say battery protection mode for the car battery….does this mean you can leave the cooler plugged into a car overnight without the car being turned on and the battery will not get drained? Or is this meant to protect the car battery when charging the cooler while the car is being driven?
How it’s supposed to work is that you can leave the cooler plugged in when the car isn’t running, and it will shut itself off when the battery supplying power to the fridge reaches the set voltage.
Though I might be a bit weary of doing this (relying on the fridge to turn itself off at a specific voltage) without having some way to jump the vehicle’s battery in case it is drained too low.
Fortunately, you can purchase a lithium battery jumper pack for a reasonable amount if you need to jump-start your vehicle. Not a bad idea to have one of these whether you use a portable fridge or not.