Isotherm Vs Indel B Refrigerators

If you’re in the market for a new 12v refrigerator and unsure what the differences between Isotherm vs Indel B models are you’re in the right place!

While they look nearly identical, there are a few key differences to know before determining which one is right for you.

Isotherm refrigerators were originally designed for the marine market, which has very demanding requirements for energy efficiency and durable, corrosion-resistant materials.

However, OFF Indel B refrigerators are starting to take a growing share of the RV and camper van market — and with good reason.

Indel B refrigerators are owned by the same parent company, and manufactured in the same facility. But with one key difference in mind; they’re made for RV and camper van owners who don’t need expensive corrosion-resistant materials.

In this article:

• Important differences between Isotherm vs Indel B refrigerators
• Whether the Isotherm is worth it for your use case
• Where to buy and find deals

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I built my DIY camper van in 2020. At that time, Isotherm was the leading 12v refrigerator option, and consequently, what I chose.

I’ve been happy with it, and have no complaints whatsoever. (I’ve even got a full Isotherm review here)

However, Indel B refrigerators are becoming more common (and much easier to get your hands on). If I were building a campervan today I would choose Indel B over Isotherm.

Similarities: Isotherm Vs Indel B Refrigerators

Without a doubt, Isotherm and Indel B are the best fridges for van life and RVers on the market today.

There are a few key similarities between Indel B and Isotherm refrigerators.

Primarily, they’re owned by the same parent company which means they use similar quality standards and materials (for the most part – more on that shortly.)

Also importantly, they use the same SECOP compressor. This is the heart of any refrigerator and one of the most important components to consider when looking for a high-quality refrigerator that will last for many years.

Owned By Indel Webasto Marine

Indel Webasto Marine is a joint venture between Italian refrigerator leader Indel B and leading automotive supplier Webasto.

The two companies joined forces in January 2008, and the resulting entity produces marine and mobile refrigeration under the brand names Isotherm and Indel B.

Both fridges are made at the same factory in Italy under the same quality standards, but they are engineered and marketed for different primary use cases, which drives almost every meaningful difference between Isotherm vs Indel B refrigerators.

Same SECOP Compressor

Despite the price gap in Isotherm compared to Indel B, both lines use the same core compressor.

The Isotherm Cruise Elegance uses the fan-cooled 12/24V SECOP compressor with low power consumption and quiet operation.

The OFF Indel B Cruise refrigerator line is similarly equipped with a SECOP compressor with forced cooling.

The high quality compressor used in both Isotherm and Indel B refrigerators is the reason Indel B fridges strongly compete with Isotherm in the overlanding market.

Mounting and Installation

Both lines have moved to tool-free hidden mounting systems that allow flush installation without a visible flange.

The internal anchoring system eliminates the need for a mounting flange, with anchoring screws secured through the inside wall of the fridge for a clean, modern installation.

NOTE: An optional 3-sided mounting flange is available for Isotherm models.

Differences: Isotherm Vs Indel B Refrigerators

Based on their appearance alone, Isotherm and Indel B refrigerators look very similar. So what accounts for the $500+ difference in price?

Most notably, it comes down to materials.

Isotherm refrigerators are constructed with a much higher quality material as they are intended to be used in harsh marine environments where salt water is prevalent and can lead to corrosion.

Intended Use: Boat Life Vs Van Life

The original Isotherm was built for boats and marine life, so it has some very expensive components that aren’t necessary for vans or RVs.

The Isotherm Cruise Elegance line is designed exclusively for sailing yachts and motor cruisers, with refrigerators that must withstand violent movement, operate noiselessly, be thoroughly reliable, and consume an absolute minimum of battery power.

The OFF Indel B Cruise line is positioned for campervans, RVs, and land vehicles, where salt spray, constant wave motion, and extreme marine humidity are not factors.

Indel B refrigerators kept all the necessary high-quality components as the Isotherm models — like the same top-quality SECOP compressor — but eliminated the cost of expensive corrosion-resistant parts that aren’t necessary outside of marine use.

Insulation and Door Construction

The Isotherm Cruise Elegance line features 2-inch thick doors with extra foam insulation, requiring less power to maintain desired fridge and freezer temperatures.

By exceeding the standard insulation thickness used by most competing brands, Isotherm sets a high bar for thermal efficiency and reliability.

The thicker insulation reduces compressor run time, which extends compressor life and reduces daily power draw.

The OFF Indel B Cruise line uses standard-thickness construction. This is one of the deliberate cost-reducing choices made to bring the price point down for the RV/van market, where shore power or robust solar systems are more commonly available than on boats.

Materials and Corrosion Resistance

Compared to Indel B, Isotherm is built with explicitly marine-grade, corrosion-resistant materials. This provides resistance to salt spray, sun, heat, UV and condensation in marine environments.

The exterior panels on Isotherm models are available in brushed aluminum silver (which reflects solar heat and resists corrosion better than painted surfaces), gloss black acrylic, and a stainless Clean Touch finish that is specially treated against salt and moisture.

While the interior brackets and shelving hardware in Indel B refrigerators are stainless, they use a standard plastic/ABS exterior in black. The exterior and body materials are not specified to marine-grade corrosion resistance standards.

For a van or RV that will never see salt air, this is a non-issue and a great cost-saving opportunity with Indel B refrigerators.

Energy Management Technology

Isotherm refrigerators are designed for easy integration of the Isotherm Smart Energy Control (ISEC), which reduces battery consumption by up to 50% under typical cruising conditions.

NOTE: ISEC is an upgrade device, not included with standard Isotherm refrigerators.

While Isotherm refrigerators are designed with a space for this module (should you choose to include it), Indel B refrigerators do not support ISEC or an equivalent intelligent energy control module.

For a van or RV with a well-sized solar and battery bank, this isn’t a problem. For a liveaboard sailboat managing tight amp-hour budgets across multiple days at anchor, the 50% consumption reduction matters considerably.

Cooling System Options

This is another feature which is primarily only important to boat owners.

The Isotherm line offers configurations not available with OFF Indel B refrigerators. These include ventilated air cooling as standard, water-cooled with a self-pumping kit for tropical conditions, and water-cooled through a sea water pump.

These additional Isotherm cooling options help eliminate power draw for boat owners, but aren’t a feature that can be used on land, making them irrelevant to RV and camper van owners.

Power Supply Options

All Isotherm refrigerators are available in AC/DC or DC-only. The AC/DC version accepts both 12/24V DC and 115/230V AC, making it useful for marina shore power or household connections.

Indel B refrigerators run on 12/24V DC only in its standard configuration.

For van life with solar, DC-only is rarely a limitation, but for boats moving between anchorages and marinas, AC compatibility matters.

Customization & Capacity Options

Isotherm refrigerators offers more design flexibility. The door panel is designed to be swapped out, and boat builders can order custom panel finishes, custom branding on the handle, and multiple flange configurations.

The full Isotherm range spans from 36 liters up to 320 liters capacity, with ranges including Classic, Silver, Inox, Inox Clean Touch, Combi and Elegance.

The Indel B refrigerator line is available in black only, in standard sizes (42, 49, 65, 85, 86, 100, 130 liters), without door panel customization options.

Warranty

The Isotherm warranty is 2 years from the date of purchase on all components and a 5-year limited warranty on the compressor.

Indel B refrigerators come with the same 2 year warranty, however they do not include the extended 5-year coverage for the compressor.

Cost Of Isotherm Vs Indel B Refrigerators

Indel B refrigerators are lower in cost by over $500, yet still performs just as strongly for van and RV applications.

In the US market, an Isotherm Cruise 65 Elegance typically retails around $1,400, depending on the finish, while an OFF Indel B Cruise 65 runs $815.

The gap widens at larger sizes — an Isotherm Cruise 85 Elegance often exceeds $1,600, while the OFF Indel B 85 falls in the $900-$1,000 range.

Which Is Better? Isotherm Or Indel B Refrigerator

The Isotherm Cruise Elegance justifies its premium primarily through marine-specific engineering: corrosion-resistant materials rated for salt spray and UV, extra-thick door insulation, a 5-year compressor warranty, ISEC smart energy control compatibility, water-cooled condenser options, and a more refined interior built to keep contents secure in rough water.

Isotherm features have real functional value for boat owners, especially anyone liveaboard or offshore.

However, for a van, camper, or RV, the OFF Indel B Cruise is the more rational purchase.

It uses the identical SECOP compressor, has the same basic interior volume and temperature performance, installs the same way, and lacks only the marine-specific upgrades that land vehicle owners will never use.

The roughly $500+ price difference between Isotherm and Indel B refrigerators reflects the cost of engineering and materials that simply aren’t needed outside the marine environment.