Comparing The Best Expedition Fridges On The Market

Comparing The Best Expedition Fridges On The Market
In this video we are comparing the best, top tier, real expedition quality fridges on the market, National Luna and Snomaster. Both of these brands are considered to be the best expedition level fridges, and I wanted to see how they stacked up while I had access to both of them. You have seen them before, and wondered why they are so expensive. Lets see how they perform. Is there a best? Do they look the same so they are the same?
While we are comparing, I will also give some insight on a few features both fridges have to giev you a bit of insight on key differences aside from the ability to cool.
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[@tradiebretty7566]

Have purchased a SnoMaster 85lt Expedition Series. Cannot fault it at all! Draws very little power. I have a lithium setup with monitoring system, and can see easily see the amps drawn. Had it running all night, from room temp, to small compartment 2degrees and large compartment -18 degrees, and battery dropped just 2% I agree that the lights are fantastic and the wireless, solar powered remote is brilliant! Given the position I have my fridge in my LC200, The control panel on the fridge was up the back and inaccessible; unless the fridge was slid out fully, and even the it was hard to see and use… The solar powered remote solved this issue. I keep it up front in cabin and can change temps and monitor fridge temps easily. Remote even has a torch in it! YES FOLKS! SOLAR POWERED TORCH!!! Haha I didn’t have to purchase remote separately, it all came in box. The wire baskets are powder coated and make for organising contents a breeze! It comes with 240 plug, in Australia, and a 12volt cigarette light plug. I cut the cigarette plug off and easily wired an Anderson plug on the end which makes for safe and secure power, and easy to disconnect if you want to remove fridge either at camp or when not in use. LC is wife’s daily drive. Cannot recommend this fridge enough! Your review was informative and accurate. I knew the National Luna fridges were also top tier items, but am glad I bought the SnoMaster!

[@IndependenceOverland]

That comment will be very useful for people, thanks for taking the time to write it! I absolutely love the Snomaster line too. Some of them have the ability to move the display for the end to the side as well. But the remote makes it so you really don’t even need to fuss around with that.

[@SolomonKamau]

thanks for the review bro, you broke this down into real world use which was what really matters. cheers

[@spyd3rsam273]

I also agree and have a SnoMaster for my overland setup. Power consumption is minimal which means I get to enjoy steaks and brews at trails end...

[@IndependenceOverland]

Yeah with it as a freezer it gets power hungry, but with solar it’s never a problem aside from the one time I was trying to make ice in 100 degree temps, with little sunshine.

[@caeciliusmetellus3038]

Thx for this good test

[@IndependenceOverland]

Thanks for checking it out

[@garykarczewski6678]

Thank you, for the video comparison. I was just about ready to purchase the National Luma however this makes me think go with the SnoMaster. I prefer to purchase USA products. I will reach out to SnoMaster to discuss the best model to suit my needs.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Todd at Snomaster is super easy to deal with and full of knowledge. Definitely give him a call!

[@CloudsOnTheSun]

Looks like the Snomaster is the go to. Thanks for posting.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Glad I could help!

[@chaseadventureoverland2431]

National Luna is the only 12v fridge to be certified for live organ transport. Take that however you want. Both are the best fridges on the market regardless.

[@IndependenceOverland]

The new NL models look intriguing, with their Bluetooth capability.

[@sebastienhakimejdaa9363]

Nice comparison. Went for the Snomaster 56l. Not a a lot of space in an Fj so couldn't go bigger. But man those fridges are expensive in the US. I live in Cape Town South Africa. Snomaster and NL are both South African brands. They are half the price here.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Man I wish they were cheaper here!

[@jailbreakoverlander]

Great job, I have the snomaster and wouldnt go back to any other ever.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Yeah nothing seems to stack up in terms of quality and cost. You decided on where the maiden voyage for the new rig will be? That thing is bad ass bud, your not wasting any time with it!

[@jailbreakoverlander]

@@IndependenceOverland ​ West always west. if the creek dont rise.,

[@OFFICIALUND]

Did all of my research in September, 2023. I ended up with a NL 60L "Smart" (i.e. bluetooth/remote equipped). I paid $1280 Shipped. At the same time, the Snomaster 56D (slightly less capacity) was $1464 and OUT of stock everywhere. I would have liked to have had the drain plug, but the "dimensions" of the Snomaster 56D were inferior for my purposes. Whereas the NL is longer, the Snomaster is Wider, and I would prefer the thinner profile in the back of my SUV. I would have loved to have had the dual doors, but National Luna also sells the "take off" hinges which I think will be tremendously useful at times. One other note about the cover: I've seen some pretty convincing tests that show the covers actually hurt efficiency . . . probably because they actually trap in some of the heat that the fridge is trying to offload. The tests were not conducted in direct sunlight, though.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Yeah I have been liking what National Luna has been doing lately. Since I currently own 3 Snomasters, I obviously love the things but I might give a modern NL a shot for the new build but we will see. I think this time around I will have to be very specific on what size fridge I get, like your situation. Interesting in the cover. I stopped using mine a few years ago and I haven’t really noticed much difference at all.

[@michaelvanvuuren6087]

More important, what was the difference in power consumption between the 2 models?

[@garagepie]

They are both the best of the best!

[@IndependenceOverland]

I agree!

[@trevorschroeder6745]

Should do snowmaster vs Dometic

[@IndependenceOverland]

If I get the opportunity I certainly will do that. It’s just a matter of having one to play with.

[@topomoncho]

I just bought the 56D. I hope it performs well..

[@IndependenceOverland]

Both of my 56d models have been on for years.

[@lazarjr330]

I have owned a national lunar, currently on a 1 year run around australia with a bushman and an Engle, biggest mistake of my life,,,only buy national lunar if you don’t want to talk about fridges again..I’ve had 6 different brands.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Glad to hear you have had good success with yours!

[@smidee1]

Why is it when I'm looking for road test I find someone rocking the brochure?

[@IndependenceOverland]

I did a longer Snomaster test in a previous video. I just had 2 at the same time so I compared them.

[@TaylorVanBeek]

Awesome information! I'm actually looking for a fridge option right now for my overland setup on my f350.You'll have to check my channel out! Keep up the awesome content!

[@IndependenceOverland]

Subscribed! I'll check out that Theater video for sure, that looks awesome!

[@DutchK75]

I'd like to see the test on high and the fridges set at 0 degrees.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Sorry Dude, I no longer have the National Luna. If I do end up with one again, I will test it out.

[@DutchK75]

@@IndependenceOverland Oh... Well. I just bought a Ex85d. Pretty excited about it. Shipped freight. Wanted the Tr82d like yours. Out of stock everywhere. 85d...It's a BIG heavy girl. I have a new Peterbilt 579 coming. And I'm going to remove the passenger seat and put it in that space. This makes number 5 in my 12v fridge collection 😂 I wanted the 82d cause in the controlled environment of the cab. 60mm of insulation. Plus the bag. I believe is more than enough insulation for my purpose. And is a lot lighter. But can't find one. So I bought the BIG girl. My buddy Tyler has a Iceco VL65 in his truck. And it's a pig too.

[@IndependenceOverland]

@@DutchK75 your beating me with my fridge collection, nice work! That Pete should serve you well, some of the better trucks I have worked on over the years. I’m sure you’ll be happy with the new fridge! I talked with Snomaster at the Overland Expo and he sounded like there are some big delays right now.

[@DutchK75]

@@IndependenceOverland In a weird way these 12v fridge/freezers have become a hobby of mine. Love them. One you should take a look at is the 75L from Kickass. Australian company. They are now selling in the states. It to me is a better Iceco. Secop BD50F. 5 year warranty on compressor. 1 year on everything else. Comes with a bag. $899. And the basket arrangement is pretty sweet. Like a Snomaster.

[@flygirl4487]

What a dumb comparison

[@IndependenceOverland]

Why so?

[@flygirl4487]

@@IndependenceOverland The snomaster appears to have dual compartments with dual zone temp settings. The National appears to be the type with a single sensor in the frig side. So if it is cool enough, the compressor will turn off. Therefore in cooler climates, the freezer won't work as well. This style generally works like a traditional refrig. The compressor cools the freezer sixe and some air leaks over to the frig side through a vent. In traditional refrig, the vent opening size is controlled by the user. I suspect the freezer would perform better in hotter weather. Either way, I plan to get a dual door design and you are cute. :)

[@PS987654321PS]

@@flygirl4487 lol. This girl is cool. You go, fly girl!

[@IndependenceOverland]

@@flygirl4487 Just saw your response, sorry for the delay. I guess I didn’t know these systems work so differently. I haven’t seen a vent between the sides like a regular fridge has. But it still stands that both are sold as a dual zone, and one does it better than the other. The new National Luna stuff looks promising, I see they even added bluetooth support to their newest models so I’m curious if anything else has been reworked. Thank you for educating us!

[@OFFICIALUND]

@@flygirl4487 Wrong. See 12:19 . . . this NL is dual zone and dual control. It is true that these used to require that the refrigerator side be @ temp before the freezer side would kick in, but the new "smart" models have the ability to completely shut off either side.

[@Grootman]

no thanks, I wanna see the frudges, not you. Leaving right now and not watching it.

[@IndependenceOverland]

Bye 👋