Do You Need to Spend a Fortune on a Fridge?

There’s no denying it: the humble 12V fridge/freezer is one of the most important pieces of gear you’ll ever bolt into your 4WD. It keeps your food fresh, your drinks cold, and makes remote touring that much easier. But with prices for a decent 60L unit ranging from a few hundred to over two grand, the question is, do you really need to spend a fortune?

Recently I’ve had some hands-on time with the Kings 60L Stayzcool MKII fridge/freezer, and it got me thinking about exactly that. At $699, it’s a fraction of the cost of an Engel or even a MyCoolman. So, is it worth saving the cash, or do you really get what you pay for?

First Impressions

Let’s not sugar-coat it: the Kings 60L Stayzcool is good, not great. The fit and finish aren’t going to wow anyone, cheap plastics and a fairly basic LED panel that’s hard to read in direct sunlight take away from the experience. And whoever decided to paint the fridge black clearly hasn’t spent much time baking in the Aussie sun.

But despite those rough edges, there’s more to it than first impressions. The fridge feels solid with a steel casing, it cools reliably, and for most touring setups it will absolutely get the job done.

Where It Shines

The standout here is value for money. For well under a grand, you’re getting:

• A proper compressor fridge with both AC and DC inputs

• External, removable handles that make it easier to mount flush in a canopy

• A genuinely impressive 5-year warranty, longer than some “premium” competitors

• A clever twin-opening lid that works from either side without modification

That warranty is worth pausing on. The big knock against cheaper fridges has always been reliability. But with Kings backing this fridge for five years, the “what if it dies halfway up the Cape” argument holds a little less weight.

Stacking It Up

So how does it benchmark against the big names?

Engel 60L MT-V60F: The gold standard. Bulletproof, tough, and proven for decades. But you’ll fork out close to $2,000. Twice the fridge, sure, but three times the price.

MyCoolman 60L: Sleeker design, better controls, and some clever dual-zone options. Around $1500. Great for tech-heads but still a big chunk of cash.

KickAss 50L: Often considered the “middle ground” brand. Better finish than Kings, solid performance, but still nudging over $1,000.

By comparison, the Kings is rougher around the edges but punches way above its weight for the money. For the cost of a second-hand Engel that’s already had a decade of use, you can have this brand new with warranty.

The Trade-Offs

Of course, there are compromises. If you want nothing but the best, heirloom-level gear you’ll hand down to your kids, then the Kings won’t cut it. The Engel’s metal casing, legendary swing motor, and sheer toughness will always win for diehards.

But if you’re realistic about what you need, something to keep food and drinks cold for weekenders, family trips, or the odd outback run, the Kings makes a lot of sense. It’s not flashy, it’s not the toughest, but it works. And when it’s a fifth of the price, “good enough” starts to look very appealing.

The Verdict

The Kings 60L Stayzcool MKII fridge/freezer is the perfect example of “bang for buck.” No, it won’t impress the gear snobs at the caravan park. But it’ll keep your steak frozen, your beers cold, and your wallet a whole lot fatter.

If you’re chasing the ultimate, go buy an Engel. If you want something you can trust but don’t plan to bequeath in your will, Kings might just be the smart buy.

Feature	Details
Capacity	60L (fits 103 cans)
Cooling Range	+10°C to -18°C
Power	AC/DC compressor, dual DC inputs
Warranty	5 years, nationwide
Construction	Powder-coated steel & ABS with corner bumpers
Display	Multi-function LED
Extras	USB-A & USB-C charging ports, internal light, layered basket system, dual-opening lid, built-in bottle opener
Price	$699 (RRP)