Every RV refrigerator gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Refrigerators are grouped by size: compact is under 3 cu ft, midsize is 3 cu ft up to 9 cu ft, and large is 9 cu ft and up. Price and capacity are scored on separate scales for each size.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Price | price per cu ft of storage | 30% |
| Capacity | total storage space | 25% |
| Energy use | rated energy use per cu ft of storage | 10% |
| Features | a freezer section, frost-free defrosting and digital controls | 25% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 10% |
Where the numbers come from
Capacity, power, energy use, features and warranty come from the maker’s product page, spec sheet or owner’s manual, or the maker’s own copy on a retail listing. Where the manual gives a measured capacity that differs from the size on the box, the manual’s figure is used. Energy use is the maker’s rated daily figure; a yearly figure is divided by 365, and an average current is multiplied by 12 volts and 24 hours. Prices are checked at the stores each page links to, and the lowest price at a store the page links to is used.
The factors
Price is the price divided by the total capacity in cubic feet, on a log scale, so halving the price per cubic foot always counts the same. For compact fridges, $900 per cu ft scores zero and $250 full marks. For midsize fridges, $380 per cu ft scores zero and $140 full marks. For large fridges, $320 per cu ft scores zero and $115 full marks.
Capacity is the total storage space. For compact fridges, 1.5 cu ft scores zero and 2.5 cu ft full marks. For midsize fridges, 3 cu ft scores zero and 8 cu ft full marks. For large fridges, 9 cu ft scores zero and 17 cu ft full marks.
Energy use is the rated energy use per day divided by the total capacity, so a big fridge isn’t marked down just for being big: 230 Wh per cu ft per day scores zero and 70 Wh full marks.
Features is 40% for a freezer section that holds frozen food, 30% for frost-free defrosting, and 30% for an electronic or touch control panel instead of a dial thermostat.
Warranty is the maker’s warranty: no warranty scores zero and 2 years full marks, so the common 1 year scores half.
What isn’t scored
Rated current, noise, outside size, weight, door layout, a reversible door, release date, and extras such as ice makers, door alarms and battery monitors are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. Features score neutral only when none of the three is published; a feature the maker doesn’t mention otherwise counts as absent. The exception is warranty: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero and is marked estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.