SetPower RF25 and RF30 Pro Review: A Convertible Compressor Fridge That Keeps Its Cool

Introduction

SetPower has built a reputation for low-cost yet reliable DC compressor fridges. Their new 27-quart model takes that idea further with a convertible lid that expands capacity to 34 quarts, plus an integrated ice pack designed to keep contents cold overnight without power. We spent time testing both configurations to see if the claims hold up.

The RF25 is compact and lightweight, making it a strong fit for smaller vehicles, side-by-side setups, overlanders, or RVs where space is limited. It measures just 24 x 13 x 14 inches and weighs a featherweight 23 pounds. Swapping to the tall lid adds 3 inches to the height and almost 4 pounds of weight. Tie-down points on all four corners are included for off-road use.

Design and Convertible Lid

The lid is the defining feature of this fridge. It is convertible, changing the unit from 25 liters to 30 liters simply by swapping the lid. The lid is also reversible, so it can open from either side. The swap takes seconds and requires no tools.

The reason the larger configuration is called the RF30 Pro is the mounting bracket inside the lid. This bracket accepts an optional ice pack that clips in place. The RF30 Pro ships with this smaller ice pack, while the RF25 comes with a larger ice pack that slides into the center divider, creating two compartments.

It is important to note that this is a single-zone refrigerator. There is only one temperature setting on the side. The ice pack divider provides two separate compartments for organizing food and drink, along with a small dairy compartment up top. It does not create independent temperature zones.

The tall lid also allows for storing two-liter soda bottles or one-gallon milk jugs upright. This means you can close the lid without laying anything down, using the interior space much more efficiently.

Performance Testing: Temperature and Power Draw

SetPower developed their own smart compressor that uses only 28 watts in eco mode or 40 watts in max mode. This is not a thermoelectric cooler but a full compressor fridge, despite the marketing calling it an electric cooler.

The unit runs quietly compared to cheaper refrigerators. Measured at 43 dB from a meter away, it is whisper quiet in eco mode.

In our temperature test, the fridge was set to 32 degrees Fahrenheit in max mode with the extended lid on. The claim is 15 minutes to reach 32 degrees. After approximately 25 minutes, the compressor stopped, and the internal thermometer read 37 degrees. That is not horrible and is about the temperature you want for refrigerating food, but it did take longer than claimed.

For the energy test, the Energy Star guide that came with the fridge states 173 kilowatt-hours used in a year, which works out to about 474 watt-hours per day. We ran the fridge in eco mode with the divider in place and the temperature set to 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Over 24 hours and 3 minutes, it used 188 watt-hours. That is about twice as good as the Energy Star guide suggests.

Overnight Test: How Long Does the Ice Pack Last?

The major selling point of this fridge is the built-in ice pack divider. The fine print states the ice pack needs to be completely frozen for the fridge to keep contents cool overnight. We set the temperature to minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit in max mode and let it freeze for four hours until the ice pack was solid.

After freezing, we unplugged the fridge and left the ice pack inside. Starting at about 5 degrees Fahrenheit, the internal temperature rose to 41 degrees after 12 hours. The temperature crossed the 40-degree threshold around 5:36 a.m., meaning it held refrigerator temperatures for about 6 hours. At the 8-hour mark, it was 40.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

While 40 degrees is the absolute maximum you would want refrigerated food sitting at for any length of time, the test did pass. The fridge kept contents at refrigerator temperature for 8 hours with just the ice pack doing the work alongside the insulation.

App Connectivity and Controls

The fridge comes with a mobile app for remote control. If the fridge is in the trunk or outside a camper, you can monitor and change settings remotely. The app showed a steady temperature around 36 degrees Fahrenheit over 24 hours, with a nearly flat line on the graph. The temperature dropped as low as 35 and peaked at 39 degrees, which is a very steady performance.

The basic controls include temperature setting, current temperature display, eco and max mode switching, battery level settings (low, medium, or high), and Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion. The display is very basic.

The extended lid includes measurement markings, useful for measuring fish on a fishing trip, and can double as a cutting board. There is no interior light, which is unusual for modern refrigerators.

RF25 vs RF30 Pro: What’s the Difference?

The RF25 with the small lid is 27 quarts. With the large lid, it becomes 34 quarts. The only difference between the two models is the lid and which ice pack is included.

The RF25 with the tall lid bundle includes the larger ice pack that slides into the fridge as a divider. The RF30 Pro includes the smaller ice pack that clips into the lid. Both ice packs can be used at the same time, with the larger one sliding into the divider section and the smaller one clipped into the lid.

The smaller ice pack is available for an additional $10 charge. If you plan to use the fridge unplugged for any length of time, opting for the extra ice pack that clips into the lid gives a little extra run time.

The RF25 with the tall lid bundle is priced at $209 with a discount code, and it includes both lids plus the larger ice pack. The RF30 Pro, which only comes with the big lid and the smaller ice pack, is $239. Given that the RF25 with the tall lid bundle is cheaper and includes both lids, it is the obvious choice.

Buying Advice

SetPower provides a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, which is class-leading for a budget refrigerator brand. Competitor fridges with five-year warranties cost about three times as much. Even if the fridge fails right after the warranty period, you are paying about $70 per year to own it, compared to around $120 per year for some competitors.

The RF25 with the tall lid bundle is the best value. It includes both lids, so you can switch between the compact and tall configurations depending on your vehicle or space needs. The larger ice pack is also included, which is the more useful accessory for overnight use.

If you plan to use the fridge unplugged regularly, consider adding the smaller ice pack for $10. It clips into the lid and provides additional run time without power.

Conclusion

The SetPower RF25 and RF30 Pro deliver on their core promises. The convertible lid is genuinely useful, the energy consumption is impressively low, and the ice pack system works well enough to keep food at refrigerator temperatures overnight. The temperature pull-down is slower than claimed, and the single-zone design means you cannot freeze and refrigerate simultaneously, but for the price, this is a compelling option for campers, overlanders, and RV owners.