Kings 45L 12V Fridge Review — Is Adventure Kings Worth Buying?
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In This Guide
The Adventure Kings 45L is the fridge that comes up in every budget 12V fridge conversation in Australia. It’s the 4WD Supacentre house brand — a brand that built its reputation on making gear accessible to Aussie campers who don’t want to spend premium money on entry-level adventures. The question isn’t whether it’s a quality fridge in the Dometic or Engel sense — it isn’t. The question is whether it’s good enough for your camping needs at $499, and whether that $499 is better spent here or elsewhere.
We’ve tested it, we’ve heard from campers who’ve run them hard, and we’ve got a clear verdict. Here it is.
Tip
Our take: The Kings 45L is a solid entry-level fridge for weekend campers on a budget. It won’t last as long as a Dometic or Engel, and it draws more power — but at $499 for 45L of capacity, the value proposition is real. For casual campers doing 5–10 trips a year, it does the job. For regular tourers or anyone camping in serious heat, the limitations will start to matter.
Key Takeaways
- Kings 45L rated 6.8/10 — solid value at $499 for 45L capacity
- Best for weekend campers doing 5-10 trips a year in temperate conditions
- Higher power draw (0.9-1.5A) means you need at least a 100Ah lithium battery
- BougeRV CRV35 at $399 is actually the smarter buy unless you need 45L
- Not recommended for serious outback touring or extreme heat
Available at:
Kings 45L Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Kings 45L |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 45L |
| Weight | ~17kg |
| Price | ~$499 |
| Power Draw | 0.9–1.5A |
| Compressor | Standard rotary |
| Temperature Range | -20°C to +10°C |
| Voltage | 12V/24V DC, 240V AC |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Adventure Kings 45L — Full Review
Adventure Kings 45L 12V Fridge
Best Budget 45LA 45-litre compressor fridge that runs on 12V, 24V, and 240V for $499 — genuine value for the weekend camper ready to step up from an icebox. Go in with clear expectations about build quality and longevity, and it delivers where it counts.
- Very competitive price for 45L capacity
- Decent build quality for the price point
- Popular in the 4WD community — well-supported online
- Available at 4WD Supacentre stores nationwide
- Dual-zone capable with optional divider
- Higher power consumption than premium brands
- Noisier compressor — audible at night
- Thinner insulation struggles in extreme heat
- Less proven long-term reliability
- Customer service can be inconsistent
Performance — What to Expect
The Kings 45L gets cold — but it’s noticeably slower and less efficient than premium alternatives. From a 25°C ambient, expect 45–60 minutes to reach 4°C compared to 20–30 minutes for a Dometic CFX3. Pre-cooling at home before you load up solves this for most trips. In Australian summer conditions (35–40°C), the thinner insulation forces the compressor to work harder and cycle more frequently, increasing battery draw and reducing headroom. It can technically reach -20°C as a freezer, and holds that reliably in mild weather — but in a 38°C campsite with direct sun, maintaining freezer temps is less certain. The rotary compressor is also louder than the variable-speed units in Dometic and Engel models — not obnoxious, but audible at night if your tent is pitched close by.
Warning
In extreme heat (40°C+), the Kings 45L may struggle to consistently maintain low temperatures compared to premium fridges with better insulation. If you’re camping in the outback in summer, the performance gap becomes meaningful.
Power Draw and Battery Life
The Kings 45L draws 0.9–1.5A when the compressor is running. Thinner insulation means the compressor cycles more frequently, so real-world average draw sits around 1.0–1.3A in Australian summer temperatures.
- 100Ah AGM battery: expect 20–30 hours of runtime before hitting 50% depth of discharge
- 100Ah lithium: expect 40–50 hours of runtime at 80% depth of discharge
For overnight camping, pair the Kings with at minimum a 100Ah lithium battery — ideally 120Ah+ if you’re running other 12V gear. For a detailed breakdown of how to size your battery to your fridge, see our 12V fridge battery runtime guide.
Build Quality and Durability
The external body is reasonably solid and the latches and hinges are functional, though they feel notably cheaper than those on a Dometic or Engel. The standard rotary compressor is reliable technology but less efficient and less durable under heavy use than the variable-speed units in premium fridges. The 2-year warranty (vs 3 years for Dometic and Engel) tells you something about how the manufacturer rates its own product. The honest calculation: a Dometic costs $800 more upfront but is realistically a 15-year fridge, while the Kings is more realistically a 4–7 year fridge with regular use — do the maths for your situation.
How It Compares — Kings vs Alternatives
| Kings 45L | BougeRV CRV35 | Dometic CFX3 45 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$499 | ~$399 | ~$1,299 |
| Capacity | 45L | 35L | 46L |
| Weight | ~17kg | ~12kg | ~18.6kg |
| Avg Power Draw | 0.9–1.5A | 0.8–1.5A | 0.7–1.2A |
| Compressor | Rotary | Rotary | VMSO3 Variable |
| WiFi/App | No | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 3 years |
| Our Rating | 6.8/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
The comparison table highlights something worth unpacking: the BougeRV CRV35 at $399 scores 7.8/10 against the Kings’ 6.8/10, despite being $100 cheaper. It’s lighter at 12kg, draws slightly less power, and has a better track record for customer service. The tradeoff is capacity — 35L vs 45L. If you need 45L, the Kings is your budget option. If 35L is enough, the BougeRV is the smarter buy. See our best 12V fridges under $500 comparison for the full breakdown.
For the broader market including premium options, our best portable fridges for camping in Australia guide covers the full spectrum.
Who Should Buy the Kings 45L?
Buy it if:
- You’re a budget-conscious camper doing occasional weekends (5–10 trips per year)
- You specifically need 45L capacity and can’t or won’t stretch to $1,299
- You’re testing the 12V fridge lifestyle before committing to a premium unit
- You already have a robust 12V power setup (100Ah+ lithium) that can handle the higher draw
- You camp in temperate conditions rather than serious outback heat
Don’t buy it if:
- You’re doing serious outback touring or extended remote trips
- You camp 15–20+ times a year and want a fridge that lasts a decade
- You’re relying on it for food safety in extreme heat (40°C+)
- You’re weight-sensitive — 17kg is heavy for the capacity
- You’re running on a limited battery setup — the power draw will frustrate you
Available at:
Our Verdict
Our Verdict
The Kings 45L is genuinely good value at $499 for 45L of capacity. If you’re a casual weekend camper who wants a 12V fridge without a four-figure price tag, it does what it says on the box — it keeps food cold, it runs off your ute’s battery, and it gives you 45 litres of usable space for a couple of hundred dollars less than anything comparable. That’s a real win for the budget-conscious camper.
But if you camp regularly, power efficiency matters, or you’re doing any serious 4WD touring — spend the extra on a Dometic CFX3 or at minimum a BougeRV. The Kings will start to frustrate you in hot weather, and the long-term cost of replacing a 4–7 year fridge vs running a Dometic for 15 years is a real consideration.
For most buyers reading this, the BougeRV CRV35 at $399 is actually the smarter buy — better power efficiency, significantly lighter at 12kg, a higher overall rating, and $100 cheaper. The only reason to choose the Kings over the BougeRV is if you genuinely need that extra 10 litres of capacity. If you do, the Kings earns its place at $499. If you don’t, buy the BougeRV.
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Frequently Asked Questions
+ How long is the warranty on the Adventure Kings 45L fridge?
The Adventure Kings 45L comes with a 2-year warranty through 4WD Supacentre. That's shorter than the 3-year warranty offered by Dometic and Engel, and it's worth factoring into your decision if you plan to camp heavily. On top of the manufacturer warranty, all products sold in Australia are covered by Australian Consumer Law guarantees regardless of the stated period — so keep your receipt.
+ How does the Kings 45L compare to the Dometic CFX3 45?
The Dometic CFX3 45 is simply a better fridge in almost every measurable way — better insulation, more efficient compressor (VMSO3 variable speed), lower power draw, WiFi connectivity, and a proven track record of lasting 10–15 years. The Kings 45L costs about $800 less. If you camp occasionally and your fridge will spend most of its time in a garage, the Kings is hard to argue with at $499. If you're doing regular trips or any serious outback touring, the Dometic will pay for itself in reliability, power savings, and longevity.
+ Is Adventure Kings a good brand?
Adventure Kings (the house brand of 4WD Supacentre) has built a large and loyal following in Australia because they deliver functional gear at prices that undercut premium brands by a wide margin. Their fridges, ARB-style accessories, and camp furniture are generally well-regarded as entry-level to mid-range options. The honest caveat is that build quality and long-term reliability don't match Dometic, Engel, or ARB — and customer service experiences are mixed. For occasional use, Kings gear represents genuine value. For serious touring or heavy use, premium brands are the safer bet.
+ How much power does the Kings 45L draw? Will it flatten my battery?
The Kings 45L draws 0.9–1.5A when the compressor is running. Due to thinner insulation compared to premium brands, the compressor cycles more often — real-world average draw tends to be around 1.0–1.3A. On a 100Ah AGM battery you can expect 20–30 hours of runtime; on a 100Ah lithium, closer to 40–50 hours. We'd recommend a minimum of 100Ah lithium for overnight camping. Check our [12V fridge battery runtime guide](/12v-fridge-100ah-battery-runtime) for a full breakdown.
+ Can you use the Kings 45L as a freezer?
Yes — it can reach -20°C, and in mild to moderate temperatures it performs adequately as a freezer. In hot Australian summer conditions (35°C+), the thinner insulation means the compressor works harder to maintain freezer temperatures and may struggle to hold -18°C consistently. For casual freezing of ice creams or the odd steak, it'll do the job. For serious freezer use in hot weather, a premium unit with better insulation is the safer choice.
+ Where can you buy the Adventure Kings 45L fridge?
The Adventure Kings 45L is sold exclusively through 4WD Supacentre — you can buy online at 4wdsupacentre.com.au or pick up from one of their stores around Australia. They also have a click-and-collect option. Unlike Dometic or Engel, which are available through a wide network of outdoor retailers and dealers, Kings fridges are only available through the 4WD Supacentre ecosystem.