Engel vs Snomaster vs ARB vs Weaco Episode 7

[@AUSSIETRAINDRIVER]

I've had an ENGEL, NATIONAL LUNA, and now a SNOWMASTER. I can honestly say, these are the best fridges on the market today, multi speed compressor, digital temp and battery shut off selection, bottle opener, stainless outer, lockable lid clips, free bag!, inner removable baskets, drain plugs in the bottom, heavy duty handles for moving the fridge, and for a similar price to an ENGEL. Infact my 56L was so good I bought a 42L for weekenders too.! My 56L ran as a deep freezer for 14 months at home, not a single issue, then took it on a road trip to qld, when I got home I looked over it and the condenser was half blocked with cat hair and dirt and it still maintained -5c in the cabinet in 38c heat for 2 weeks! My Engel while reliable struggled to bring temp back down after opening the lid on hot days, as did the national luna. Both great fridges if you don't plan on opening them! Do yourself a favour and treat yourself with the SNOWMASTER you won't look back! Also for power figures, I ran my 42L off a deep cycle 38AH battery overnight when away, just turned the compressor to low when on battery power. It maintained the inside temp and took 4 nights (32hrs) to drain the battery without a single charge. With an average overnight temp of 22c.

[@cubul32]

How is the noise when snomaster is running vs engel?

[@nickriley5132]

Im just about to invest in a new fridge . So glad I found this review series. It must have taken an age to make. Thanks very much. Subscribed and buying a snomaster :)

[@melbigelow1200]

You guys put a lot of work into this series! We spend days at a time on the boat so it looks like Snomaster since that's what you bought. Thank you!!

[@OttoMatieque]

I bought a Snomaster Expedition last week (but saw this video today). Thanks for the comparison info.

[@JoshSinnott97]

I live in Australia, where snomaster isn't as popular yet but we still have plenty of stores across the country that supply them and you've convinced me to 'bite the bullet' even though I'm sure I'll be more than satisfied and it'll be a reliable work horse. The reason I'm choosing snomaster is because I need a dual zone and Engels model is far from acceptable as far as temperature control goes seeing as you can only set the freezer and the fan next to the freezer powers the fridge. Loved the series of tests that you filmed for the fridges so much I subscribed. Keen to see what else this channel has to offer

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Josh Sinnott let us know how you get on? I have been pretty happy with my move from Engel to snomaster, ticks all the boxes.

[@amotoguiomar]

Great test and videos! I was looking for some detailed info about camping fridges and I was so lucky to find your videos. After watching carefully the 7 episodes I decided to get a Snomaster. Thanks for all the valuable tips! Cheers

[@leenderdhoutzager9389]

Good work, thanks guys, now I can buy myself a Snomaster with confidence

[@bpchristensen]

First let me say that one of the things I LOVE about KZbin is the democratization of science - You have taken a potentially very complex topic and broken it down into a series of tests performed by lay people that really provide useful information in addition to raw data that let's me interpret things my own way. Thank you for all the work and passion! I'm curious what you'd have to say about my scenario: I have a late model Jeep JKU that I use for solo hunting trips up to 4 days and extended (up to 2 weeks) trips with my wife. I'm just beginning the process of building it out for these purposes and trying to find the fridge with the most capacity and greatest versatility at the best price that is no longer than about 68cm. For now I just have the starting battery, but I may add an aux battery as part of the installation of fridge. I like the idea of solar, but when we're on extended trips we tend to move every day and run the engine for at least an hour or so. I'd also be very curious about your thoughts on some of the "off brand" units available now on Amazon (Costway, Whynter, etc). if you have opinions. Thanks again!

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

bpchristensen thank you for the comment. Please drop me an email [e-mail] to get some more info. I will add the scenario to our list

[@fabianflensburg4707]

thanks for the series. i watched to episod 6 until i had to buy a frigde. i bought the dometic cfx60. one issue was the lit. i like it much better to have it mounted on the long side. so i can open it from the drivers seat. it runs great. beers cool down very fast. i sleep next to it (vw t3 vanagon) and there is no issue with noise at all. i use two 74ah starter batteries and a 80 watt solar pannel (in addition to the starter battery). works great. the fridge runs all the time. love it. next step is to get two agm batteries.... once the ones i use now are death ;)

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Awesome, thanx for watching the series. The dometics are really quiet. Keep watching I have some compressor tests launching soon. Keep it Dusty, cheers

[@bucket1249]

Really like my snowmaster lp66 .Checks off all the boxes.Best bang for the buck!

[@caeciliusmetellus3038]

A great test thx for such much work.

[@hollyfortenberry5509]

I watched all the episodes and really appreciate the work you guys did! One suggestion is for Shaun, just a bit of friendly constructive criticism. Please do not interrupt Garreth so much. I felt like you really dominated the conversation and I wanted to hear more from the expert. I understand you were trying to summarize what he was saying but it was far too much and I think you actually ended up shutting him down a few times and we missed out of hearing what he would have said had he been allowed to continue. That being said, overall this was super helpful. Thank you both!

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Holly Fortenberry thanx for the comment. Will do

[@G55-j9z]

In case you did not know the ARB is made of Galvanized metal not plastic and only the base and the lid are plastic type material. as is the lid of the Engel And the New Engel Fridges have Digital Readouts and Duel Zones.

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

I think you missed what I said in the show, the test is done on my personal fridges and the ARB is a friends fridge. The Engel Dual Zone is not available in the middle east market. The dealer is not looking to import them. You correct in saying ARB and for that matter the Weaco also has metal components, but the plastic lid on both didn't perform in the insulation test.

[@louisebrugman2708]

Brilliant series. Thanks

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Thank you for the kind words, glad you enjoyed it

[@King88_8]

My father and I have always used Engel. However that temp control dial was absolute sh!t. Throw something on the fridge, pull it and mess up the temp. Lent my Engel out, couldnt get it back in time for a trip. Bought a Snomaster much cheaper as a temporary till i got my Engel back. The Snomaster is now my go to and the Engel is a spare. Its just better.

[@TDubya811]

Great test and review. What are your thoughts on lead crystal versus lithium batteries.

[@bellagray4444]

Great review and testing program, thanks for all the effort and thought you guys have put into this series. Two questions. What battery setup could I get to allow the Snowmaster to run off of it alone and for how long, and not on a car battery? Then if I want twice as much time, just buy another better setup backup. Second question: hooked to your vehicle battery you might go into dinner or a shop somewhere and be gone for a couple of hours. Will the Snowmaster continue to keep frozen food frozen without auto hookup, meaning when we turn off our vehicle, so goes the cigarette lighter port. How long could we be gone before the frozen food is no longer frozen. Of course that question is trickier due to ambient temperature, but we do have a remote vehicle control that would allow us to turn the vehicle on to cool it down from time to time if necessary.

[@berghwingofficial9501]

Great series. Question, what fridge u running on the bench in this episode?

[@danielmassengale]

That’s a Snomaster 12L

[@scamperstephen4811]

I normally have my fridge plunged in at home before I go away and most of the time I use it all the time at home as well for my extra beer

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Since I replaced my Engels with Snomaster, I use my Engels for exactly that 👌

[@stevenstjohn6681]

I have both snomaster and engel.my 60l engel goes with me to cape york and remote trips because it's tuff as nails and won't let me down.the snomaster in the work ute is great to but has been a thirst for power.and we have had a problem with my battery from that.snomaster has not got the reliability record like engel.

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Hi Everyone. We have an issue with the downloadable file on the site. I will rectify the issue in next 24 hours and post the link in the description.

[@wernerjacobi903]

Hi, I loved this series and would to download and look at those files, where can I do it?

[@petraroams]

Great in depth review - where can I find the Download - not on website currently... thank you

[@Akamai.808]

Durability test. How do these last in a mildly bumpy but frequent overland environment.

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

My answer on that would be that they are all equal. I have owned the Engel and the Waeco for about 6 years and the snomaster for just over 2 years and I have not had any issues from any of the brands. The ARB we tested actually spent about 8 months on the road through Africa, so I can't personally vouch for that one as I have never owned one, but it seems to as durable

[@alexshneider8718]

Hi guys it is a great job you have done, I have Optima BlueTop 975 CCA (75A) battery and I am consuming to buy SnoMaster Classic Dual Zone 56L, it leads me to the following question, for how long the SnowMaster will work on ONLY Battery before it will need to be recharged. thank you for your answer.

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

For any fridge I would safely work on 3 amps per hour. The bluetop or any deep cycle battery only allows 50 -60 percent usage. So I would be on the safe side saying that you only have 32.5 amp usable battery and if the fridge runs without cycling your worst case is 10 hours. Obviously if the fridge is closed and is at optimal temp you could be cycling more often which means the 32 amps could be consumed over a 24 hour - 30 hour period. Hope that helps

[@philfoote829]

I'm confused I have an angle and a Waeco happy with them wouldn't mind trying a snow master

[@inqonthat1463]

Taking 3 liters of 0C liquid water to 0C ice takes a huge amount of energy. Is the -0.5C reading indicate the bottles were frozen OR the temperature gauge was off?

[@timogrgic3693]

Snomaster is my number 1 pick.

[@shanecotty3275]

Good test and well done! Just one question: Did you compare internal sizes of these units? I know they are all sold as 40l but they may vary and it may make a difference. Just a thought.

[@mikekay213]

Watched all 7 episodes a second time, quick query all things being equal, which is better snomaster, plastic or stainless steel and why?

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

I prefer the stainless steel, they just seem to insulate better. I used engel for many years, but got to tell you since I moved to snomaster I wont look back. I still have my engel and waeco and use them occasionally as an extra fridge, and when doing so it just confirms that I made the correct move to snomaster.

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

thanx for watching

[@mikekay213]

@@ExpeditionExtreme thanks for the effort you put in the video much appreciated. The plastic case snomaster for same size so much cheaper, noticed compressor not made by snomaster

[@davidwestwood5968]

Would be nice if snomaster made a 60l squat like Engel.I’ve had 2 waeco’s 1engel .my 2nd waeco 65l was a troublesome pce Of so & so sold it.the Engel was great until somebody needed it more than me.still have 10 year old waeco and probably going with 60 Engel squat...cheers for the effort guy’s...

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

They have the 66l low profile which is very similar to my 60l Engel in size

[@davidwestwood5968]

@@ExpeditionExtreme I’m looking for single door squat so I can use #1 for freezer #1 fridge.snomaster 60l is out of stock and a little higher @ H525 Engel H441 price wise snomaster has it by $100 + cover...mmm decisions...

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Download Available here expeditionextreme.com/routes-downloads/

[@McCoymiked]

I’m on the website and I can’t find any of these results. The only pages on the website are videos, about, routes, and the store pages. Can someone post the link?

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

expeditionextreme.com/routes-downloads/

[@McCoymiked]

Expedition Extreme sweet, thanks!

[@stevenstjohn6681]

A bottle opener should not determine the choice over a reliable unit.a bottle opener is for city folks

[@hollyfortenberry5509]

I like how they discussed a quick weekend trip vs a long trip because I will be living in my van so my concern is long-term usage. I too think the SnoMaster is the most usable/aesthetic. But I wish they would have chosen which one came out on top based strictly on the data collected and not other factors that were not measured (such as handles, metal vs plastic, bottle openers, etc.). To me, the Waeco drew less power at only 23 vs 29 for the others. That seems like a significant difference and should weigh into the decision more than the look of the cooler, especially for those of us who are on long trips with just one or two people who are not going to go in and out of the fridge very often. I don't understand why they rounded up so high on that number (23 rounded up to "about 30")??? We don't all have tons of power like these guys seem to have.

[@AUSSIETRAINDRIVER]

You can always run the compressor on low on the snowmaster then it draws similar current to the other brands.

[@adamhesketh7690]

Hello, Gents! We just bought a Goal Zero Yeti 1000 and are now in the market for a fridge. The 2 of us plan to store mostly food for 2 to 3 weeks at a time. What's the best fridge for us!? Thank You!

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Adam Hesketh hi Adam, let me know more about how you will be charging the goal zero and we can look at putting something together

[@adamhesketh7690]

@@ExpeditionExtreme I plan to start with the Yeti 12V car charger which will give me 5-10A, 60-120W or build my own step-up converter. I then will likely invest in at least a 100w solar panel. Thanks E.E.!

[@adamhesketh7690]

I'm thinking Snomaster...

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Adam Hesketh ok great info. Gareth is away for a month on summer vacation. When he gets back we will film some of the scenarios

[@caeciliusmetellus3038]

100AH Batterie if no Lithium will only provide 60% means best case 2,5 Days of cooler runtime

[@gunfupanda4256]

Hey guys, one of the better fridge tests (in terms of methodology) that I've seen. People often make the mistake of looking at current draw at a particular point in time, rather than over a 24 hour period. But I'm curious, why no National Luna? A proudly South African brand which the Chinese (Snomaster) copied. Also the first company to pioneer the dual-compartment fridge-freezer.

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Grant Spolander thanx for the kind comment. Yes agreed, the national Luna would of been I nice addition, but unfortunately it does not make sense to purchase one and fly it across for a test. Maybe National Luna sends us one so we can test it... who knows. Glad you enjoyed the series

[@inquirer1599]

Amstel?

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

Inquirer15 👌

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

So if I leave my snomaster CL56 overnight for 8 hours without opening the lids will I be able to start my car in the morning?

[@mountainconstructions]

Howzit

[@ExpeditionExtreme]

lekker Howzit

[@completesalvation1755]

Too drawn out. I had to use 1.25 speed to watch and still fast forwarded. I don’t see this as that critical a issue. Freezer, battery, charger, inverter generator, good to go, use a meter to monitor the battery. Too much discussion.

[@bpchristensen]

it's all about your attention span and desire for details. If you're the kind of person that prefers the "cliff notes" version of everything , then yes I'd agree. However, I think this is a very complex topic and I actually enjoy the discussion of the minutiae. Then again, I have a boat and an overland Jeep so I'm quite keen on the subject of 12v electrics. ;-)