Sub Trunk vs Side Fridge: Which Tesla Model Y Fridge is Right for You?

Transform Your Tesla Model Y into the Ultimate Adventure Vehicle

If you're serious about road trips, camping adventures, or simply keeping your groceries fresh in the Australian summer heat, adding a fridge to your Tesla Model Y is a game-changer. But with two excellent options available—the Sub Trunk Fridge and the Side Fridge—which one is the right choice for your needs?

At My Tesla Accessories, we offer both premium fridge solutions designed specifically for Australian Tesla owners. Let's dive into the benefits of having a fridge in your Tesla, then compare these two popular options to help you make the best decision for your lifestyle.

Why Every Tesla Owner Should Consider a Portable Fridge

Adding a fridge to your Tesla Model Y isn't just a luxury—it's a practical upgrade that transforms how you use your vehicle. Whether you're heading to the coast for a weekend getaway, embarking on a cross-country adventure, or simply running errands around town, having refrigeration on board opens up a world of possibilities.

Keep your drinks ice-cold even in 40°C+ Australian summer heat, ensuring refreshments are always at the perfect temperature no matter how long you're on the road. Fresh food stays safe and chilled during long drives, making it ideal for camping trips, beach days, or bringing groceries home without worry.

Road trips become more economical when you can pack your own meals and snacks instead of relying on expensive servo stops. Camping adventures reach new levels of comfort with proper food storage, allowing multi-day trips without ice that melts or coolers that leak. Beach days and outdoor events are enhanced with cold drinks and fresh food readily available. Your Tesla's silent cabin and efficient climate control make it the perfect platform for refrigeration, and both fridge options draw minimal power from your battery with negligible impact on range.

The Sub Trunk Fridge: Maximum Capacity, Hidden Storage

The Tesla Model Y Sub Trunk Fridge is the ultimate choice for serious adventurers who need maximum cooling capacity without sacrificing cargo space. This premium 33-litre portable refrigerator installs seamlessly in your Model Y's hidden under-floor sub-trunk compartment, keeping your main boot area completely free for luggage and gear.

Key Features of the Sub Trunk Fridge

With a massive 33-litre capacity, this fridge stores up to 24 cans or a full weekend's worth of food and drinks for the entire family. The hidden installation in the sub-trunk compartment preserves 100% of your main cargo space, making it perfect for families who need both refrigeration and luggage room. It's been Australian heat tested and proven to maintain optimal cooling even when parked in direct summer sun, with smart power management that automatically adjusts consumption to preserve your Tesla's battery range.

The fully portable design means you can remove it easily for picnics, camping trips, beach days, or use it as a standalone cooler wherever you need it. Remote temperature control via the CFridge Bluetooth app lets you adjust settings from your phone, and it comes backed by a 12-month Australian warranty on the unit plus a 3-year warranty on the compressor.

Best For

The Sub Trunk Fridge is ideal for families needing maximum storage capacity, multi-day camping trips and extended road trips, anyone who regularly carries luggage or camping gear in the boot, Tesla owners who want refrigeration without losing cargo space, and adventurers who need a portable cooler that can also be used outside the vehicle.

Considerations

Installation in the sub-trunk means accessing the fridge requires opening the boot and lifting the trunk floor panel. For maximum cooling efficiency in extreme heat, the optional ventilated trunk cover (sold separately) is recommended to improve airflow.

The Side Fridge: Convenient Access, Seamless Integration

The Tesla Model Y Side Fridge offers the perfect blend of convenience and integration, fitting seamlessly into your Model Y's side compartment with easy access that doesn't require opening the boot. Available in two versions—16 litres for the 2026+ Juniper model and 15 litres for 2019-2024 Model Y—this fridge looks like it came from the factory.

Key Features of the Side Fridge

Custom-designed to fit perfectly in your Model Y's side compartment without sacrificing storage space, the Side Fridge integrates beautifully with your Tesla's interior aesthetic. Dual temperature control allows cooling from 0°C to 15°C or warming functions, making it perfect for cold drinks or keeping food at ideal temperatures. It's been tested in extreme heat conditions and maintains temperature even in 40°C+ weather, ensuring your refreshments stay perfectly chilled.

Energy efficiency is built in, drawing minimal power from your Tesla's 12V system with negligible impact on range. At just 11kg, it's lightweight yet durable, and easy access from the side means you can grab drinks or snacks without opening the boot. It comes with a comprehensive 12-month warranty for complete peace of mind.

Best For

The Side Fridge is perfect for daily commuters who want chilled beverages readily accessible, solo travellers or couples who don't need massive capacity, Tesla owners who prioritise convenience and quick access, anyone who values seamless interior integration and aesthetics, and those who frequently use the boot for cargo and don't want to access the fridge through it.

Considerations

With 15-16 litres capacity, it's smaller than the Sub Trunk option, making it better suited for drinks and snacks rather than full meal storage. The side compartment installation means it takes up space that would otherwise be used for side storage.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Capacity: Sub Trunk Fridge offers 33 litres (24 cans), whilst the Side Fridge provides 15-16 litres depending on model.

Installation Location: The Sub Trunk Fridge sits in the under-floor sub-trunk compartment, whereas the Side Fridge fits in the side compartment.

Cargo Space Impact: The Sub Trunk Fridge preserves 100% of main boot space, whilst the Side Fridge uses side compartment space.

Access: The Sub Trunk requires opening boot and lifting floor panel, whilst the Side Fridge offers easy side access without opening boot.

Portability: The Sub Trunk Fridge is fully portable for use outside vehicle, whilst the Side Fridge is designed for in-vehicle use.

Temperature Control: The Sub Trunk uses app-based control via CFridge Bluetooth, whilst the Side Fridge features dual temperature control (0°C to 15°C).

Weight: The Sub Trunk Fridge is heavier (portable cooler design), whilst the Side Fridge weighs just 11kg.

Best Use Case: The Sub Trunk excels at camping, multi-day trips, families, whilst the Side Fridge is ideal for daily use, commuting, quick access.

Which Fridge Should You Choose?

The decision ultimately comes down to how you use your Tesla Model Y and what matters most to you.

Choose the Sub Trunk Fridge if you regularly go camping or take multi-day road trips, need maximum storage capacity for family adventures, want a portable cooler you can use outside your Tesla, frequently carry luggage or gear in your boot and need that space preserved, or prioritise capacity over convenience of access.

Choose the Side Fridge if you want quick, easy access to drinks and snacks without opening the boot, primarily use your fridge for daily commuting or shorter trips, value seamless interior integration and aesthetics, are a solo traveller or couple who doesn't need massive capacity, or prefer a lightweight, permanently integrated solution.

Can't Decide? Consider Your Typical Adventures

Think about your most common use cases. If you're heading to the beach for the day with the family, the Sub Trunk's 33-litre capacity means everyone's drinks, snacks, and lunch stay perfectly chilled whilst your boot still has room for beach gear, chairs, and umbrellas.

For daily commuting to work, the Side Fridge lets you grab your chilled water bottle or lunch without opening the boot, keeping everything conveniently accessible. On weekend camping trips, the Sub Trunk becomes a portable cooler you can take to your campsite, keeping food fresh for days.

Both Options Are Australian Summer Ready

Whichever fridge you choose, both options are specifically tested and proven to handle Australian conditions. They maintain optimal cooling even in extreme heat, draw minimal power from your Tesla's battery, and come with comprehensive Australian warranties for peace of mind.

The Sub Trunk Fridge includes a 12-month warranty on the unit and 3-year warranty on the compressor, whilst the Side Fridge comes with a 12-month comprehensive warranty.

Ready to Upgrade Your Tesla Adventures?

Adding a fridge to your Tesla Model Y transforms it from a brilliant electric vehicle into the ultimate adventure machine. Whether you choose the massive capacity and portability of the Sub Trunk Fridge or the convenient access and seamless integration of the Side Fridge, you'll wonder how you ever managed without refrigeration on board.

Both options are available now at My Tesla Accessories with fast Australian shipping.

Browse our full range of Tesla camping and adventure accessories to complete your setup, and get ready to experience road trips, beach days, and camping adventures like never before.

Keep your drinks ice-cold, your food fresh, and your adventures unforgettable