The connection between quantum entanglement and quantum refrigerators is an active area in quantum thermodynamics. Ongoing investigations are exploring how entanglement in the working medium of a quantum refrigerator can impact its performance. The paper focuses on a two-qubit Heisenberg XXZ spin-[Formula: see text] system featuring Kaplan–Shekhtman–Entin-Wohlman–Aharony (KSEA) and Dzyaloshinsky–Moriya (DM) spin–orbit exchange interactions as the operational physical matter medium for a quantum refrigerator. We provide explicit formulations for relevant thermodynamic quantities of the quantum refrigerator, dependent on the magnetic field (B) and the strengths parameters of spin–orbit interactions. The study explores the relationship between entanglement and thermodynamic properties, using concurrence as a quantitative metric of thermal entanglement. The results emphasize the significant impact of fine-tuning the amplitudes of both DM and [Formula: see text] strengths on improving the quantum refrigerator’s performance. Finally, the findings suggest that entanglement between the qubits is superfluous for enhancing the quantum refrigerator’s efficiency.