The key advantage that a 12-volt refrigerator like this 50-watt model from Dometic has over a thermoelectric cooler is that it can keep your food cold even in extreme conditions. Other extra features that make this cooler stand out are removable dividers and a drain plug. The drain probably hurts insulation a bit, but it’s very nice for easy clean-out igloo electric cooler after a longer trip. This cooler kept coldest on hot days during our test, but it’ll still allow the contents to get up around 50 degrees sitting outside on a 100-degree day. We have a series of quality 12-volt travel coolers from Koolatron, RoadPro, Coleman, and Igloo. 12 Volt Coolers are just the ticket for that weekend road trip or camping.
If you just need to take the edge off and only have a couple hundred bucks to spend, spring for an AC cooler like the Igloo Iceless. The cooling element had built up some frost during the extra-cold day that we assumed might account for some of the poor performance. Even after the frost was thoroughly melted the next day it was clear that the Igloo just didn’t have the insulation to keep its cool. Compared to the size of the Koolatron – P27, the Wagan is just less than double the length.
You can stick this cooler just about anywhere and it is very affordable. If we had to pick one model to go with, we would recommend the small 10 liter. It is portable enough to take places but there is enough space to fit the essentials that you need.
It is the heaviest of the thermoelectric models we tested, though they are more similar in weight vs. capacity than the compressor units. The handles of the Igloo retract into the overall shape of the chest, which is a pretty neat feature when you want to squeeze this little box into a tight space. It also has a long DC cord, at 7′ 10.5″ — though no AC cord is included. This Igloo cooler has an eight-foot-long power cord, and it can be set horizontally or vertically, whichever you prefer.
The Wagan is just as nice to use, if you don’t need a thermostat to keep your cooler from freezing. The Dometic – TC35-DC-A is a cooler with extra features that might justify its cost among a select group of buyers, but in terms of pure functionality it’s not doing much extra. The main feature to note is a thermostat, which will allow you to fine-tune the internal temperature and save power. If you just want to keep your beverages at a more refreshing temperature without dealing with ice, it’ll do just fine. If you want to pack this with food and take it to a party, make sure you carefully pack the most perishable items next to a frozen water bottle or ice pack. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, in this case, it’s far outshone by its competition.
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