Boo R50 & Bekule R50: One Compressor, Two Stories
Full disclosure: I ordered the Bekule R50 first from Wired Campers. While waiting for delivery I watched Ads Ventures’ video that included the Boo R50. I realised the units looked almost identical, and decided to dig into the spec sheets before writing this post. The result is the comparison below—kept strictly neutral so you can decide for yourself.
1. Side-by-Side Specification Check
| Feature | Bekule R50 | Boo R50 |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor | LG variable-speed DC | LG variable-speed DC |
| Nominal Voltage | 12 V / 24 V DC | 12 V / 24 V DC |
| Published Capacity | 43.7 L (net) | 50 L (gross) |
| Internal Split | 40.6 L fridge / 3.1 L freezer | 40 L fridge / ~3 L freezer |
| Freezer Temp Claim | –20 °C to –12 °C | –10 °C to –4 °C |
| Rated Input | 60 W | 60 W |
| Dimensions (H×W×D) | 532 × 380 × 479 mm | 532 × 380 × 479 mm |
| Weight | 16.2 kg | 16.2 kg |
| Door | Dual-hinge, tool-free | Dual-hinge, tool-free |
| Noise | < 45 dB | < 45 dB |
| Bluetooth/App | Yes | Yes |
Sources: Bekule product sheet and North Coast Campers Boo listing.
Reality check: identical cabinet, electronics, and cooling hardware. The only substantive difference on paper is how each brand chooses to report capacity and freezer range.
2. Why the Spec Sheets Look Mismatched
-
Gross vs Net Volume
Boo rounds the outer cabinet volume up to 50 L, whereas Bekule quotes the usable internal space of 43.7 L. Same box, different yardsticks. -
Conservative vs Optimistic Freezer Figures
LG’s R50 platform will hit about –18 °C at the evaporator in controlled testing. Bekule publishes the best-case –20 °C, while Boo lists a softer –10 °C floor to guarantee real-world performance in hot vans. -
Marketing & Channel Strategy
LG sells the bare chassis to several private-label brands. Bekule positions itself as a lifestyle accessory with polished packaging and UK support; Boo markets as a budget Dometic alternative with headline “50 L” capacity and a loud 3-year warranty claim.
3. What the Price Tag Actually Buys You (UK, Aug 2025)
| Cost Driver | Bekule R50 | Boo R50 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Street Price | £389.99 | £429.00 |
| Warranty | Standard 1 yr (retailer backed) | 3 yr parts & labour (brand backed) |
| In-box Extras | Mount screws, cut-out template | None (surround kit sold separately) |
| Customer Support | UK helpline & returns centre | Varies by reseller |
| Finish Options | Black or brushed-steel front | Gloss black or silver decal |
Translation: hardware equality means the price delta is paying for service, packaging, and brand experience—not a better compressor.
4. Neutral Takeaways
-
Performance parity. Both fridges draw ~45 W on cycle and cool within minutes once they’re vented properly.
-
Spec-sheet gaps are cosmetic. Different capacity and temperature numbers come from marketing choices, not engineering.
-
Pay for what matters to you.
-
Pick Boo R50 if a longer warranty and “50 L” badge justify the extra ~£40.
-
Pick Bekule R50 if you prefer a slightly lower price, included mounting kit, and UK-based customer service.
-
Either way, budget for correct ventilation, a fused 12 V supply, and a solid cabinet mount—the usual culprits when any camper-fridge under-performs.
Quick Note on Origins — The Alpicool R50 Platform
Most 40- to 50-litre, dual-hinge camper fridges on the market share a common DNA: the Alpicool R-series chassis. Alpicool—a long-established Chinese OEM—moulds the cabinet, supplies the LG variable-speed DC compressor pack, and pre-installs the electronic control board. It then sells:
-
Alpicool-branded R50 units (direct to retailers and via Alibaba/Aliexpress), and
-
“white-label” R50 shells to brands such as Boo and Bekule, who add their own badges, packaging, manuals, and warranty structures.
Because the core hardware is identical, real-world cooling performance, power draw, and acoustic levels do not change from badge to badge. The differences you pay for are mainly:
-
Warranty terms and service infrastructure (e.g., Boo’s headline three-year seller warranty vs. Bekule’s UK help-desk and standard one-year cover).
-
Bundled accessories (mounting screws, cut-out templates, protective covers, etc.).
-
Brand presentation (retail packaging, marketing language, after-sales documentation).
Practical upside for owners: knowing the Alpicool lineage can make sourcing spare parts, firmware updates, or extra baskets easier, as those often ship directly from the OEM rather than the reselling brand.
Legal Fine-Print & Transparency Statement
All brand names, trademarks, and model designations remain the property of their respective owners. Specifications quoted are taken from publicly available datasheets, retailer listings, and the author’s own measurements of a Bekule R50 sample, cross-checked August 2025. This article is intended for consumer education only. If Boo, Bekule, Alpicool, or any other party believe a detail here is incorrect or requires clarification, please contact us and we will gladly update the content
Need install guidance? Our team will be fitting this and coming up with there own verdict at Custom Solutions UK we hope to help people get in the know, soon as I have a question I need answers. I hope this helps with your purchase decision making.
Video that triggered this deep-dive: Ads Ventures DIY van build featuring the Boo R50 (YouTube ID U3YLDQwDuCA
