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Best Electric Cooler for Camping
Best Electric Cooler for Car
Best Mini Fridge
Best 12 V Electric Cooler
Best Small Electric Cooler
Best Igloo Electric Cooler
Electric coolers are improved ice coolers. Unlike traditional ice chests, these will keep your food cold for as long as you keep them plugged. Most of them operate at 12V, which makes them perfect for use in your car, boat and such. You can take these coolers with you on camping and picnics as well.
Some of the best electric coolers have both a cooling and a heating feature. It makes your life easier when you are on the road. You can switch between these two modes depending on the weather and the nature of the food you put inside. Some coolers even come with accessories such as cup holders and side zippers.
By the way, if you are interested, you can read our articles about the best electric water heater, and best heating pad.
When you are shopping for an electric cooler, be sure to check its features and match them with your needs. If you need one for a large group, look at its capacity. If you need something portable and smart, sacrifice capacity for size. Similarly, if you need one that would work just like your home fridge, look at items with professional grade compressors.
Finding the right electric cooler could become tough, especially when you have so many options to choose from. To make this easy for you, we have reviewed some of the best electric coolers in the market. Explore these reviews below and pick one based on your needs.
Best Electric Cooler for Camping
1. Dometic CFX75DZW 12v Electric Powered Cooler, Fridge Freezer
You may go anywhere with the rugged body design of the Dometic. It is equipped with some of the most efficient and innovative cooling technologies. You can add it to your boat, truck, or car or take it with you on your camping trips. After purchasing the Dometic refrigerator, you don’t have to carry ice along with you when going to picnics, tailgating, or camping. The removable wire basket can be easily attached to the cooling compartment.
It requires 12/24-volt DC or 120-volt AC power, so you can move it seamlessly from your vehicle to your home. It offers an electronic thermostat with a LED display of the temperature. Space saving handles make it easy to place it inside the car or truck. It uses an energy saving LED for the interior light and the detachable lids and hinges are made of stainless steel.
You can recharge other electronic devices through its USB port. Moreover, it offers removable baskets with dividers for easy cleaning and practical storage. You can set the temperature from minus -7F to plus 50F, or minus -22C to plus 10C; so you can use it as a freezer and refrigerator at the same time. It is ideal for the heavy duty trucks that remain on the roads for many hours and camping passionates alike.
It provides efficient performance and extreme cooling even in the harshest conditions. It is great for the people who love and spend lots of their time on boating or camping. The soft touch and digital control make it easier to adjust the cooling temperature as per your requirements.
Are you looking for a thermoelectric cooler to save money and time when you are on the road or camping? Then consider it an ideal selection. The Dometic CFX cooler should meet all of your requirements. It will give you the same cooling as you get from the regular home refrigerator. However, it will consume less electricity due to its efficient power management systems. It will make your trips and picnics more joyful when you will be with your friends or family.
Best Electric Cooler for Car
2. Koolatron 18 qt. Compact Cooler
The Koolatron Cooler is designed to fit between the front seats. You can place it in your SUV or minivan seamlessly, due to its slim body, that adjusts perfectly between the front seats. You can easily give it the power it needs through the 12V cigarette lighter outlet of your car and you can place 23 12-ounce cans in it. The rugged body design allows you to carry it everywhere without the fear of breaking it. The latchless lid makes the opening easier so you can open it with a single hand during the drive.
It is designed for the modern lifestyle particularly if you constantly spend your time on the road, then consider that the Koolatron is made for you. It will keep your drinks and snacks cool for a long time without the use of ice. The technology of the Koolatron Coller has replaced the need for traditional ice coolers. It is ideal for tailgating, boating, camping, excursions and road trips. You may also place it in the room as an extra fridge at home since people call the Koolatron Cooler technology more sophisticated than a home refrigerator. It takes less power than the parking lights of the car. You will not require to stock up on ice after every few hours to keep your beverages and food cool for a long time.
Once it is plugged in the 12-volt outlet, it starts cooling the contents up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the outside temperature. For instance, if it is 85 degrees Fahrenheit outside then the beverages and food will remain at 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Many people want to know whether the thermoelectric coolers and refrigerators are environmentally friendly or not. The answer is yes at least in this case. The Koolatron 18 qt. does not make any noise or heats up the surrounding when working. Moreover, it does not emit any ozone-damaging gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons. It works differently than the home refrigerator because it does not use any traditional compressor.
Features:
- Plugs directly into car’s 12V outlet
- Contents remain 40 degrees F cooler than external temperature
- Compact and slim design that is ideal for cars and minivans
Best Mini Fridge
3. Coleman PowerChill Thermoelectric Cooler Mini Fridge
The Coleman PowerChill electric cooler could be a solid choice if you’re tired of dealing with food and beverage at room temperature when going camping. This portable device is designed for maintaining an optimal temperature, whether you need to keep drinks cool or the food hot. Thanks to its generous capacity of 40 quarts, it’s safe to say that you can keep a sufficient supply of items for the whole family.
Both car or boat outlets work nicely for the operation of this thermoelectric cooler. In terms of construction features, there are a few details that make this a more practical product than the competition. One great example is the flexible door design that lets you open the cooler from any side you prefer. The cooler function works without ice and delivers solid performance depending on the surrounding temperature. You can also use the warming mode for added versatility.
Best 12 V Electric Cooler
4. Wagan 12V Cooler/Warmer, 24L Capacity
The Wagan Cooler has a 24L capacity and can also be used as a warmer, so it’s very handy in the winter as well. You can put anywhere between 20 and 27 cans in this cooler depending on their size and the way you arrange them.
Apart from cans, you also have the option to put 2L bottles into this electric water cooler. You can put at least four bottles, standing vertically to avoid any water leakage. It can maintain a temperature of 32 degrees F below ambient temperature. That means whatever you put in it will remain cool even in the dog days. Simply plug it in your car’s power socket and you will enjoy chilled drinks throughout the year.
As I mentioned, you can also use it as a warmer during the winter. It heats up your food to 140 degrees Fahrenheit so it’s easy to go on long trips as your food and drinks will stay warm even when it’s freezing outside. You don’t have to eat cold food on your winter camping trips anymore. Just plug it in your car’s power socket and it will keep your food warm.
This electric cooler from Wagan is our pick for the best 12V electric cooler because of its ease of use. It comes with simple temperature settings. You can either set it for cool or for hot. The switch is easy to operate and it has indicator lights that make it easy for you to see whether it is operating at cool or warm mode.
This cooler is great for a family’s entire picnic. You can use it for lunch or dinner when camping. It’s great for road trips and for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. But these are not the only uses of this electric cooler. It’s also handy for elders who want to keep medicine cool when traveling. Since this cooler is CFC-free, it’s also safe for the environment.
Features:
- 12V cooler/warmer
- Cool and warm setting
- Heating temperature is 140 degrees F and cooling temperature is 36 degree F below room temperature
- Efficiently stores your item
- Great for car and home use
- Huge capacity that makes it perfect for an entire family
- Easy to operate temperature switch
- Indicator lights on the back of the unit
- CFC free
5. Igloo 28 Quart Iceless Thermoelectric 12 Volt Portable Ice Chest
Equipped with advanced iceless cooling technology, the Igloo thermoelectric cooler represents an excellent choice for the money. This is a convenient solution for maintaining food and drinks cool when you go on a road trip. The portable cooler is designed to establish a simple connection to the DC receptacle of your vehicle. It’s made in the USA using high-quality construction materials such as the sturdy polypropylene lining.
One solid detail that enhances its portability is the addition of practical side handles that are ergonomically built for easy transportation. You can also take advantage of a classic swing-up bale handle. Thanks to its iceless performance, this electric cooler offers a generous capacity of 26 quarts to grab all your favorite drinks and snacks. The brushless motor stands out due to being extra silent. Another notable feature is the long power cord.
Best Small Electric Cooler
6. Crownful Mini Fridge Electric Cooler
Anyone who needs a small and portable electric cooler should take a close look at the Crownful mini fridge. It has a stylish, colorful look that makes it suitable for different environments and applications. This personal cooler is particularly recommended for storing skincare products and cosmetics considering its compact size. However, it’s also practical for car use or to hold some drinks cool in the office.
The small cooler also offers a warming mode but the cooling ability stands out the most. It’s able to keep a low temperature of 32 Fahrenheit degrees below room temperature when it reaches its full potential. The device operates quietly and is built in an eco-friendly style without using freon. Take your pick between vibrant pastel colors such as green and pink or try the black or white versions for a more classic appearance.
Best Igloo Electric Cooler
7. Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler, 40 quart
The Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric cooler is among the best electric coolers from this company. It has a 40-quart capacity which means you can pack food for a large group for a week-long trip. It’s perfect for adventure and for those who spend a lot of time on the road. Put your lunch in it or take drinks with you on your next hike. They will stay as cold as you want.
This cooler is made of polypropylene, which means it will easily maintain inside the temperature you want even when the outside temperature is noticeably high. This material offers excellent insulation so minimal heat flows inside the unit. It’s like most other coolers in this list, and has a 12-V DC plug adapter. You can plug it directly into your car’s 12/24V supply outlet. It’s that easy to use.
When you pre-cool the contents, it will keep them cold for as long as you keep the cooler plugged into a power supply. It has the ability to give you 38 degrees Fahrenheit below the ambient temperature. Just make sure you don’t open the lid every other minute as this cooler uses convection cooling. It blows cold air into the cooler that ensures all items cool quickly.
This is a versatile product from Igloo. You can put it upright and use it as a refrigerator. Alternatively, you can turn it into an ice chest by simply placing it horizontally. Since it has adjustable shelves, it takes only a minute to fit your food/ice in it.
Features:
- 12-V electric cooler
- Reliable brand
- Made from polypropylene
- Uses convection cooling system to keep your food items cold
8. Whynter FM-45G 45-Quart Portable Refrigerator/Freezer, Platinum
The Whynter has a 45-quart capacity which is enough for a whole group of people going out on an adventure together. Since this is a portable cooler, you can put it in your car and take it with you when going camping. It can work both as a freezer and a cooler/refrigerator. It comes with two power options i.e. AC and DC. You get the AC power cord as well as DC power cord with the package when you buy the cooler.
Unlike some other portable coolers in the market, this one from Whynter can cool food almost instantly. You don’t have to wait for hours before you can enjoy chilled drinks. Just set it to ‘fast freeze’ mode, wait a few minutes, and you will have freezer contents cooled to -8 degrees Fahrenheit.
This cooler has excellent insulation that runs through its lids and walls. This ensures that the temperature is easily maintained inside the unit.
Features:
- Fast freeze feature cools down the freezer contents almost instantly
- Works as a freezer and as a refrigerator
- 45-quart capacity makes it ideal for a large group
- Adjustable temperature
- LED display
9. AstroAI 24L Electric Cooler
If you’re searching for a traditional electric cooler that uses ice, this 24L model from AstroAI will fit the bill. This unit can only offer cooling abilities but it delivers excellent performance for the cost. It’s able to retain the ice for a full day when there’s no access to electricity. The large construction makes the cooler suitable for a maximum of 30 standard-size cans.
An included divider helps to keep your food items organized. You can also remove it in case you wish to expand the load capacity of the cooler. Thanks to an ingenious internal design, there’s no need to worry about condensation problems that can damage the lid. The refrigeration chip doesn’t rely on freon while the flip-up handle provides a good seal to handle bumpy roads during your trips.
10. K-box Electric Cooler/Warmer
With both cooling and warming abilities, the K-box portable fridge shouldn’t be missed when planning road trips. This device offers a 48-quart capacity and dual plugs so you don’t have to restrict its use exclusively in the car. There’s also a standard AC plug provided so you can truly take the cooler anywhere you go. The generous space inside is enough to accommodate a maximum of 60 cans of your favorite drinks.
Thanks to its iceless operation, this portable cooler is more convenient to use. Forget about refilling ice packs or other hassles. The cooler is engineered to keep a temperature lower by around 40 degrees Fahrenheit compared to the external surroundings. It’s also able to maintain foods hot when needed. Aside from the practical double cords, this cooler/warmer device is equipped with extra-sturdy handles and wheels for increased mobility.
11. Wagan EL6214 12V Personal Cooler/Warmer – 14 Liter Capacity
It is an essential tool for the people who get thirsty or hungry when driving their car. It is ideal for anyone who spends maximum hours of the day in vehicles as well as for the families who love road trips. You will be enjoying food and drinks on the go without stopping at food joints. So, save time and money by giving some place to this cooler in your vehicle. You can switch to hot or cold options according to your food and environment conditions. It is plugged into the 12V outlet so you may use the cigarette lighter outlet for giving it the required power. You can store a lot of produce in its 14 Liter capacity.
You can simply place it on the floor of your car, then plug the adapter into the 12V outlet of the vehicle. You can choose the hot or cold options by sliding the switch up or down. The switch is available on the backside of the cooler. If you use the cold setting, the contents of it will fall down approximately 32-36F below the outside temperature. If you selected the hot setting, the interior temperature will rise up to 140F. You can pre-chill the drinks and food items to assist the refrigerator to reach the lowest temperature in the real time.
Some fundamental features must be taken into account seriously while selecting a thermoelectric cooler for your vehicle. The storage capacity should be sufficient enough to meet your all needs regarding drinks and food items. Perfect temperature is, indeed, a major consideration of the customers who love chilled drinks. It is equipped with a soft touch temperature control where you can adjust the settings according to your needs.
Features:
- It allows the driver to move on without stopping again and again for getting food and drinks.
- You can store up to 12 soda cans in it, extra space for food items
- The cold, hot or off switch is equipped with indicator lights so you can easily view the temperature mode.