Smittybilt Fridge Selection Guide
Fridges 101: How to pick your next fridge
Choosing the right portable fridge for camping or travel can be tricky if you’re not sure what to look for. So, let’s break down the key features and benefits of our fridges to help you find the one that fits your adventure needs.
Why Refrigerate?
Let’s take a look at what makes a portable fridge better than a traditional cooler. You might be surprised by the modern features packed into a Smittybilt 12V compressor fridge.
Unlike coolers, these fridges use high-efficiency LG-branded compressors—similar to what you’d find in your kitchen—to circulate refrigerant through cooling tubes. Each of the dual chambers can be independently temperature-controlled. Want to keep your ice cream at 17°F? No problem. Need your lunch meat to stay fresh but not freeze? Set the second chamber to 38°F. Dual-zone temperature control gives you total flexibility over what you bring—and for how long.
Here’s another game-changer: no ice means more space. You can store nearly twice as much food in a Smittybilt fridge compared to a cooler of the same size.
Love data and control? Smittybilt fridges come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, so you can monitor and adjust temperatures right from your smartphone.
One of the coolest upgrades on the Waypoint and Basecamp models is the onboard, removable 15.6Ah battery. That means you can pre-chill your fridge at home, bring it to camp, and keep everything cold—no power supply needed. Need more time off-grid? Additional batteries are available to extend your trip.
Even better, these fridges are solar ready. Just plug your solar panel directly into the fridge to keep your system charged and running longer in the wild.
Standard Features
Both Smittybilt fridges—the Waypoint and Basecamp—are built for rugged performance and smart convenience. Each unit features removable wheels, extended and lifting handles, and an insulated cover to help reduce power consumption in hot conditions. A high-performance LG compressor powers the cooling, delivering reliable operation whether you’re using it as a fridge or a freezer—perfect for keeping your food fresh or your meats frozen off-grid.
For added versatility, the lids are fully reversible, allowing you to configure access based on your setup. Both models come with 12V and 110V power cables and tie-down straps for secure mounting in your vehicle. Inside, integrated LED lighting makes it easy to grab what you need, even in low light.
Every fridge is backed by the Smittybilt Advantage Warranty, which includes a 3-year warranty on the LG compressor, giving you long-term confidence and peace of mind on every journey.
Waypoint™ vs. Basecamp™
Choosing the right fridge for your adventure starts with understanding how you roll—solo, as a couple, or with the whole crew. Storage needs, trip length, and convenience all matter. Are you packing light for a weekend getaway or gearing up for a full week off-grid with the family? Smittybilt offers two rugged, feature-packed options built to handle your needs on and off the trail. Here’s how the Waypoint and Basecamp stack up:
Waypoint – 55L of Smart, Compact Efficiency
The Smittybilt Waypoint is the ideal companion for couples or solo travelers looking to go off-grid for a few days without sacrificing food quality or convenience.
- Capacity: 55 liters (Fits ~88 cans)
- Best For: 1–2 adults, 3–5 day trips
- Design Perks:
- Dual-zone cooling lets you store frozen steaks on one side and crisp veggies or leftovers on the other.
- Temperature control adjusts in 1-degree increments so you can dial in the perfect setting.
- Bluetooth connectivity lets you monitor and control the fridge from the passenger seat—or even your tent—without digging around in the trailer.
Whether you’re planning a long weekend or want to reduce grocery stops, the Waypoint packs serious capability into a travel-friendly size.
Basecamp – 75L of Adventure-Ready Capacity
When you’ve got a bigger crew, longer trip, or just need more room, the Smittybilt Basecamp is the answer. It shares all the tech and durability of the Waypoint, but with more internal space.
- Capacity: 75 liters (Fits ~112 cans)
- Best For: Families, group travel, events, or extended trips
- What It Can Handle:
- A week on the road with the whole family.
- 40 lbs of carne asada, pollo asado, guac, and salsa at Overland Expo.
- 800 Otter Pops handed out at a motorcycle poker run—yes, from a single fridge.
- Emergency kitchen backup when your home fridge fails.
Whether you’re road-tripping, tailgating, or hosting at base camp, the Basecamp keeps everything chilled, frozen, and organized.
If you want a travel-ready fridge that fits most vehicles and handles a weekend off-grid with ease, the Waypoint is your match.
If you’re packing for a family, hosting events, or just need more space, the Basecamp has the volume and versatility to meet the moment.
Either way, you’re backed by top-tier components, thoughtful design, and Smittybilt’s trusted warranty—so all that’s left is to pick your adventure.
Accessories
Waypoint 55L Fridge Slide w/ Hardware – SBFRIDGESLIDE55L
Built to make fridge access simple and secure, the Smittybilt 55L Fridge Slide is the perfect companion for the Waypoint 55L Fridge/Freezer or any fridge up to 55L in size.
Key Features:
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Structural / 5-Year Finish
Built Tough: Galvanized steel construction with an E-coat and powder-coated finish for corrosion resistance.
Smooth Operation: Zinc-coated, steel ball-bearing slides for reliable performance on every pull.
Functional Design: Includes a polypropylene slide-out cutting board (15.75″ x 19.5″) for quick prep on the trail.
Secure Mounting: Fits most flat surfaces—ideal for truck beds, trailers, or cargo systems.
Includes: 4 nylon tie-down straps, stainless steel hardware.
Outer Dimensions: 30.7″ x 20.6″ x 3.5″
Inner Dimensions: 29.3″ x 18.7″ x 1″
Basecamp 75L Fridge Slide w/ Hardware – SBFRIDGESLIDE75L
Designed for the Smittybilt Basecamp 75L Fridge/Freezer or similar units up to 75L, this heavy-duty fridge slide gives you easy access and added surface space anywhere you mount it.
Key Features:
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Structural / 5-Year Finish
Rugged Build: Galvanized steel body, E-coated and powder-coated for lasting durability.
Prep Ready: Includes the same slide-out cutting board as the 55L version (15.75″ x 19.5″)—great for tailgate meals or campsite cooking.
Heavy-Duty Performance: Zinc-coated, steel ball-bearing slides ensure smooth operation even under load.
Universal Mounting: Compatible with flat surfaces like truck beds, cargo trays, or drawers.
Includes: 4 nylon tie-down straps, stainless steel mounting hardware.
Outer Dimensions: 40.7″ x 24.8″ x 3.5″
Inner Dimensions: 39.2″ x 22.4″ x 1″
Lithium-Ion Battery for Waypoint/Basecamp Fridge/Freezer – SB2889-15
Power your fridge wherever you go—even when vehicle power isn’t an option. The Smittybilt Lithium-Ion Battery is a reliable and portable power source for both the Waypoint and Basecamp fridge/freezers.
Key Features:
Warranty: 3-Year Limited Warranty
Capacity: 15,600mAh for extended off-grid use.
Output: 12V (3A max)
Battery Type: Lightweight, high-efficiency lithium-ion.
Perfect For:
Backup power
Replacing lost or damaged original batteries
Off-grid or unplugged fridge operation
Go Further with Confidence
From secure fridge slides to reliable battery power, these Smittybilt accessories help you make the most of your Waypoint or Basecamp fridge setup. Designed for rugged reliability and ease of use, they’re built to keep up with wherever your next trip takes you.
Quality is in the details
While we’ve covered the big features and benefits, don’t overlook the finer details—like powder-coated, corrosion-resistant finishes on fridge slides, or the insulated covers that help reduce power draw in extreme temps. Both the Waypoint and Basecamp fridges come with removable wheels, color-matched insulated covers, and Bluetooth connectivity for smart control on the go.
Need more flexibility? The heavy-duty fridge slides with built-in cutting boards make food prep and access easier than ever—whether you’re on the trail or at camp. And if you’re heading way off-grid, the optional lithium-ion battery provides extended run time without needing vehicle power.
Just like their winches, Smittybilt stands behind these fridge systems. You’ll get a 3-year warranty on the LG compressor, lifetime structural warranties on fridge slides, and multi-year finish and electrical warranties for long-term confidence—because adventure gear should last as long as your rig.
Featured Fridge Products
See our full line up
Now that you know what you are looking for, head over to our full line up of fridges, camping accessories, and much more!