All 3 are good reliable fridges, with good compressors and insulation.

Engel:
Pros - Solidly built. Tough canvas travel bag.
Cons - Don't make a 50L size.  40L is a bit too small.  60L is heavy and
pricey.  Basic electrics (though the 40L anniversary model has a temp
readout).  Probably not the best choice if you want to use it regularly in a
boat as the steel case may rust.

Waeco:
Pros - Reasonably priced. Includes battery protection circuit, temperature
readout and inside lighting.  Separate 'dairy section'.  50L is a good size
for the price.
Cons - Lid hinge arrangement is not very robust.  Travel bag (nylon) not as
good as the Engel's (top vecroed flaps are a bit of a pain).  60L size not a
very useful shape (too tall).

Evakool:
Pros - Robust.  Separate fridge and freezer sections.
Cons - Basic electrics. Won't win any fashion awards (tacked on compressor
unit looks a bit cheesy, and as for the yellow colour - urgh!).

Repco currently have a 50L fridge on special for $700.  Looks OK, but don't
know anything about them.  May be worth investigating.

Rob

Hi.. I have the 73 litre autofridge, and it pisses on all the others.

It is set up in the back of me troopy with an ed6 deep cycle battery ,
plasmatronics regulator and an 80watt solar panel. Once cooled down it only
runs for two hours in the morning and two hours at night the other 20 hours
it is switched off. And that is opening and getting sh.t out of it 4 to 8
time s a day. It holds 0 degree all day and night even in 40 degree days.
The two panels on either side need to be kept clear. Usage is 16 amp hours
per day. I have on many occasion jump started other 4wd's whose batteries
have gone flat especially engel fridges. I cannot fault this fridge.

Look at any ocean going boats and yachts, 90% have an Autofridge, must say
something for quality, reliability and performance. I've had mine for 7
years and it has not missed a beat.

http://www.quirks.com.au/autofrdg.htm

Steve

I have an Evakool RF47 and could not be happier.
It is now the 2nd Evakool I have owned and I find them to be a great little
fridge / freezer. (The first one I sold with my old boat.)

When I was ready to buy my 2nd one I really shopped around and looked for
alternatives. The only others I found were Waeco and Engell.

I did not go with a Waeco because they are a much smaller fridge and have
very thin insulation in the walls. Check the sizes out yourself. Compare a
50L Waeco next to a 50L Engell or Evakool (or similar size) and you will
notice that the Waeco is much smaller inside. I don't know how they get
their measurements but they are not the same as the other fridges.

I did not go with Engell (although it was a very close decision) because
Engel is made of tin and would eventually start to rust, especially in a
marine environment.

We decided to go again with the Evakool. The walls are thick for great
insulation.
I like the separate freezer compartment too and it seems to be very
economical on battery power in the boat.

One thing I did not like at first was that the motor sits on the side of the
fridge rather than inside. It looks a little tacky.
I have since found out why they do this. With the motor placed on the side
of the fridge it allows for flow through ventilation from 3 sides. Also as
the motor heats up when being used, if it is positioned inside the case of
the fridge it actually heats up the bottom of the fridge causing the fridge
to run more often to compensate the extra heat. When the motor is placed on
the side of the fridge this does not happen.

Choice magazine did a comparison test about 18 months ago on portable
fridges and Evakool came out tops in those test's too. I think Engell was
2nd. I am not sure where Waeco came.

I am not trying to endorse Evakool, but I have had 2 now and have been very
happy with both.

I hope that helps.

Garry

Garry