BougeRV ASPEN 30 Portable 12V Fridge Review: Dual Zones for Cooling and Freezing On-the-Go

As summer begins and camping and road trips commence, keeping food and drink cold on the go is essential. Instead of hauling and draining ice when it melts, you can use a portable electric refrigerator. BougeRV has three sizes of portable coolers that will keep the essentials cold, whether powered by offshore power, battery, or plugged into a vehicle; we’re going to look at the BougeRV ASPEN 30 specifically.

The BougeRV ASPEN 30 is a dual-system 34Qt portable refrigerator with an IceDrive system. It costs $399.99 and includes AC and DC power cords and a battery base that clips onto the side of the unit.

A BougeRV 220WH Portable Power Station for the ASPEN 30 costs $199 when sold separately or $559.99 when bundled with the refrigerator. There is also an optional 100W portable solar panel that can be purchased separately for $219.99.

The dual zones can be set to any temperature. Use both sides as a fridge, freezer, or any combination that works best. The temperatures are set easily from the control panel and marked L or S for the large or small compartment.

I recommend pre-cooling the ASPEN 30 before heading out or loading it with items. Three cooling modes require different power consumption and cooling time.

The IceDrive system offers both Ice-cold and Fridge modes. With the touch of a button, the Ice-cold zone can be cooled to -4 °F, and it will maintain a constant low temperature between 0 °F and -9 °F, regardless of environmental factors. The second zone can be adjusted between 37 °F and 68 °F to keep other foods fresh.

Eco Mode uses 48W and saves energy, while Max Mode uses 60W and cools faster.

For extremely fast cooling below freezing, press both buttons on the far left together and enter IceDrive mode. IceDrive will cool the larger side to 0 degrees Fahrenheit in only 30 minutes.

The inside of the ASPEN 30 includes some nice features. There are beefy, spring-loaded handles on each end, which are helpful for moving the cooler around, though it can get quite heavy for one person to easily move when the cooler is full.

Each zone includes a basket, and the small side has an extra container perfect for frozen items. There are also draining plugs under each zone, which can be handy if you make a mess.

Two LED lights are also included and turn on when the lid is opened. Perfect for camping and overland trips after dark.

The BougeRV ASPEN 30 is a great option for a portable refrigerator. It has nice features and can be powered in multiple ways, making it great for any situation. I love the removable baskets, and the lights are a nice touch.

With three cooling modes, you can save power or cool down to 0 degrees in 30 minutes; this fridge can meet just about any use-case scenario.

If the ASPEN 30 seems too small for your needs, an ASPEN 40 and ASPEN 50 are also available for $459.99 and $499.99, respectively.

The BougeRV ASPEN 30 retails for $399; it is available directly from the manufacturer. Use code AP25 to get 25% off on Aspen Series coolers.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Dual temperature zones; Beefy, spring-loaded handles on each end; Multiple powered options; Lights when opened; Removable baskets in each compartment; Includes AC and DC charging cables; Can be powered off-grid with an optional 100W solar panel or optional portable power station

What Needs Improvement: The BougeRV ASPEN 30 can be heavy for one person to lift when filled