Kings Goes Premium With Kings Plus AK55 Fridge Freezer

If you’ve read my previous reviews, you’ll know I don’t really pull any punches when it comes to budget gear. It serves a purpose, and yeah, I’ll buy the argument that more affordable gear can help people get out there exploring the bush easier. But I’ve never bought into the old line that “it all comes from the same factory” or that “the quality isn’t lower, just the prices.” That’s why this Kings Plus AK55 review might surprise a few people, myself included.

It’s why my recent review of the Kings Stayz cool 60L fridge basically amounted to: “it’s good for the price, but there are better products if you can spend more.” Kings didn’t love that. So, they’ve come back swinging, and after unboxing their new Kings Plus AK55, I’ve got to admit, I might need to eat a little humble pie. Kings has always made products that were “good for the money”, but this new fridge drops that qualifier altogether. This thing might just be good, full stop.

Kings Plus AK55 review: First impressions

While the Stayzcool 60L still represents decent bang for buck, the AK55 feels like it’s from a completely different world. Pulling it out of the box, you’re greeted by a tough-as-nails 304-grade stainless steel body that looks and feels like something you’d find from a brand charging significantly more.

In fact, the fit and finish are genuinely impressive. The panels are solid, the plastics are tidy, and there’s plenty of tie-down options. The removable handles make efficient use of space if you hard mount it, and the heavy-duty clasps lock the lid down tight for corrugated tracks. There’s even a padlock tab, so if you’re strapping it to the back of a ute, you’re not leaving your snags and stubbies at the mercy of opportunists.

The only real link to Kings’ cheaper Stayzcool range is the shared corner bumper design. They lack the refinement of the rest of the fridge but do offer protection if your fridge cops a wayward camp table. The AK55 feels like a fridge designed to take punishment rather than just look tough in a catalogue.

Cooling performance: Does it make my beers any cooler?

Short answer, yeah, it does. Specifically, the dual-zone portable fridges setup lets you independently run two compartments, meaning you can keep the beers icy and the steaks just above freezing. The divider takes up minimal room and can easily be removed if you’d like the extra volume too. It’s powered by a Secop compressor, which is a win for efficiency and reliability, and you get both Eco and Max modes. Crank it when you’re loading warm drinks before a trip, then drop it into Eco to sip power when parked up for days.

There’s also built-in lighting, which sounds small until you’re rummaging around in the dark at 10pm. Multiple power inputs let you mount it however you like. Additionally, Kings even threw in dual USB ports, letting you charge phones or cameras directly from the fridge. It’s a simple touch that adds a lot of practicality when you’re running lean on 12V sockets.

Is the Kings Plus AK55 worth $1,699?

This is where things get interesting. The Kings Plus AK55 retails at $1,699, which plants it squarely in the same bracket as MyCoolman and Dometic. It’s not far off the ARB Elements and Engel Platinum models it clearly draws inspiration from. With Kings’ business model, it’d be surprising if it wasn’t routinely on sale. At the moment you can grab it for $1,298.95 with a couple of tie-down straps included.

So yeah, it’s more than double the cost of a Stayzcool 60L, but you’re getting far more than double the fridge. The stainless body, proper seals, better compressor, and refined fit and finish all add up to something that’ll easily outlast the cheaper options. In a way, it feels like Kings is testing the waters for a higher-end “Plus” line, and honestly, they might be onto something.

The fine print

While it looks and feels like it could survive a cyclone, there’s no official IP rating listed yet, which means it’s probably best to keep it covered if it’s living on the back of your ute. Hopefully Kings clarifies that soon because everything else about this fridge screams “built tough.”

Kings Plus AK55 specs and features

• RRP: $1699 (currently $1,298.95 with tie-down straps)
• Compressor: Secop
• Body: 304-grade stainless steel
• Internal divider: Removable smart partition
• Seal: Reinforced, heavy-duty gasket (like your home fridge)
• Lid: Soft-close
• Cooling: Dual-zone with Eco/Max modes
• Power: Multiple 12+240V in/outlets + dual USB ports
• Mounting: Removable handles, tie-down points, and padlock tab

Kings Plus AK55 review: Final verdict

It’s early days, but the Kings Plus 55L AK55 might just mark a turning point for Kings. Instead of chasing the “good for the price” crowd, they’ve built something that can genuinely stand toe-to-toe with the big brands, and do it with some Aussie practicality thrown in. The only thing that remains to be seen is if people are willing to pay a more premium price for a traditionally budget orientated brand, and if the new offering will last the distance.

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