Having cold drinks and fresh food ready in your Tesla is handy on a school run, a beach day or a longer Australian road trip. But which setup makes more sense: a compact side fridge or a larger fridge beneath the boot floor?
My recommendation is straightforward. Choose the 16L side fridge for everyday drinks and snacks. Choose the 33L sub-trunk fridge if you need more capacity for food, longer trips or freezing.
Neither is the right answer for everyone. The best choice depends on what you carry and which storage space you are happy to give up.
What is the difference between a Tesla side fridge and a sub-trunk fridge?
Our Tesla Model Y Side Fridge 16L fits into the side storage area of the boot.
Our Tesla Model Y Sub-Trunk Fridge 33L sits beneath the boot floor in the lower storage compartment.
Both leave the main cargo area available for luggage, shopping and everyday gear. However, neither creates extra storage space: the side fridge occupies a side pocket, while the sub-trunk fridge occupies under-floor storage.
That is the trade-off I would think about first.
Choose the 16L side fridge for everyday convenience
If your main goal is having cold drinks and a few snacks ready to go, I would lean towards the 16L side fridge.
It suits daily driving, family outings, beach trips and shorter road trips where you do not need to pack several days of food.
Its compact capacity encourages a simple setup: drinks, lunch and a few essentials, rather than filling a larger fridge you rarely need.
The side fridge also offers cooling and warming functions. If freezing is a priority, though, I would choose the sub-trunk option rather than treating the side fridge as a dedicated freezer.
Choose the 33L sub-trunk fridge for longer trips
If you regularly travel with more food, the 33L sub-trunk fridge is the stronger choice.
It offers just over twice the nominal capacity of the 16L side fridge, giving you more room for a mix of drinks, groceries and meal ingredients.
It also offers refrigeration or freezing, with temperature control through the CFridge app or the built-in control panel.
For a family road trip, a weekend away or a camping setup, that extra capacity can be more useful than keeping the lower storage compartment empty.
Think about access as well. Because the fridge sits beneath the boot floor, consider how you will reach it when luggage or camping gear is packed above it.
Which fridge preserves more useful boot space?
Both options keep the main boot area clear, but they preserve different compartments.
The side fridge leaves your sub-trunk available. That may suit you if you already use the lower compartment for travel gear or other bulky items.
The sub-trunk fridge leaves the side storage area available but uses the larger under-floor cavity.
Rather than asking which fridge takes up “no space”, ask which compartment you use least. That is often the better place to put your fridge.
Is the sub-trunk fridge worth the extra cost?
As at 4 October 2026, the 16L side fridge is listed at $579.95 AUD and the 33L sub-trunk fridge at $599.95 AUD, before freight.
That is a $20 difference in product price.
If you genuinely need more capacity and freezing capability, I think the sub-trunk fridge makes a compelling option at that price difference.
However, bigger is not automatically better. If the side fridge suits your daily routine and preserves storage you value, it can still be the better purchase.
Check the product pages for current pricing and freight to your location.
Which versions fit the Model Y, Juniper and YL?
The product ranges include options for the earlier Model Y, Model Y Juniper and Model Y YL 6-Seater.
Fitment matters, particularly with the side fridge. Its versions are model-specific and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Check your exact vehicle and select the matching option on the side fridge product page or sub-trunk fridge product page.
If you are unsure which version you need, contact us before ordering. Getting the fitment right is more important than choosing by appearance alone.
What about camping and Australian summer trips?
For day trips around Brisbane, beach outings or keeping drinks handy during the week, the side fridge is a practical compact option.
For longer journeys with more food to carry, I would favour the sub-trunk fridge.
Whichever you choose, follow the fridge’s installation and ventilation instructions. Check your vehicle’s power-outlet behaviour and the appropriate settings before relying on it to keep food cold while parked or overnight.
A fridge needs a suitable, continuing power supply. Do not assume that plugging it in means it will remain powered whenever the car is parked.
My own YL and camper plans
I am expecting my own Model Y YL in the coming weeks, and I want to show how these accessories work as part of a real travel setup.
My longer-term vision includes a Little Guy camper, practical food storage and a carefully matched power setup. Rather than simply describing what might work, I plan to add photos and first-hand observations once I have the vehicle and can test the arrangement.
For now, the fridge decision starts with something much simpler: how much cold storage do you actually need?
My recommendation
For cold drinks, snacks and everyday convenience, choose the Tesla Model Y Side Fridge 16L.
For more food storage, longer trips and freezing capability, choose the Tesla Model Y Sub-Trunk Fridge 33L.
Buy for your usual routine, not just the biggest trip you might take one day. The right fridge is the one that makes your Tesla more useful without taking over storage you already rely on.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between a Tesla side fridge and a sub-trunk fridge?
The 16L side fridge occupies the boot’s side storage area. The 33L sub-trunk fridge occupies the compartment beneath the boot floor and offers more capacity plus refrigeration or freezing.
Which Tesla fridge is better for everyday use?
The 16L side fridge is a practical choice for everyday drinks, snacks and shorter outings, particularly if you want to keep the sub-trunk available.
Which Tesla fridge is better for longer road trips?
The 33L sub-trunk fridge is the stronger choice when you need more room for food and drinks or want freezing capability.
Do these fridges take up boot space?
Both leave the main cargo area clear, but they occupy existing storage compartments. The side fridge uses a side pocket, and the sub-trunk fridge uses under-floor storage.
Will the same side fridge fit every Model Y?
No. The side fridge has model-specific versions. Check your vehicle and choose the correct fitment before ordering.
Can I run a Tesla fridge overnight?
Only with a suitable continuing power supply and the correct vehicle configuration. Follow the fridge instructions and check your Tesla’s outlet behaviour before relying on overnight operation.
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