This phase-change system still works well on an incredibly hot day, but all those moving parts make a 12-volt fridge more expensive than a thermoelectric cooler. 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. These are usually advertised as “ice-free” coolers, and that’s how we used and tested them. You could add sealed gel ice packs to an electric cooler to help it absorb more heat, but dumping in a bag of ice can cause electrical shorts and isn’t recommended. The Koolatron – P27 has the best combination of size and performance. With the best cooling performance on a 90-degree day, this 29-quart cooler will help keep your food and drinks cool.
You can set up camp anywhere near an AC outlet or your car to enjoy ice cold or steaming hot food. Electric coolers are governed by the ambient air around them. When you plug in a typical freezer or fill a typical cooler with ice, you can expect a pretty consistent internal temperature. Many are rated to +/- a certain range compared to the outside air. igloo ice chest So if it is extremely hot outside (100F) and your electric cooler has a minimum temperature range of -40F ambient, then you will only experience a storage temperature of 60F! We have seen countless times when people purchased a thermoelectric cooler to store frozen goods only to realize that everything has melted after a short period of time.
Their 30 Quart wheeled cooler has been a popular item for quite some time now and for good reason. If you want something truly portable and space saving, the Cooluli mini fridge is for you. This little guy does not have a ton of room at all, but it’s not supposed to. That said, if you want a small igloo cooler with wheels fridge for a kayak or a canoe trip, you won’t find a better one. Also a great idea if you’re diabetic and need to keep insulin cold while fishing on a hot day. A thermoelectric cooler is an iceless cooler suitable for bringing along in your RV or car to keep your food and beverages cool.
We will admit that if you aren’t planning to setup camp anywhere for an extended period of time, then iceless coolers aren’t the best choice. As you have seen, there are plenty of models to choose from, and knowing exactly where to begin. However, we have a detailed guide below on what to look for when choosing the best thermoelectric cooler. We will say, that you shouldn’t expect your electric coolers to function as well as a mini-fridge would – but close.
To keep you and your food safe, this electric cooler was constructed with an eco-friendly semiconductor refrigeration chip to keep everything freon-free. You can also move the mini electric cooler outdoors with an 8-foot long extension cord just plug the cooler into your car charger or boat charger. To make maneuverability even easier, the Coleman Powerchill can open from the left igloo ice chest or right side and keeps the contents 40 degrees cooler than the external temperature. In our testing, the Coleman Xtreme kept ice frozen for a full week (170 hours), 30 hours longer than the Igloo MaxCold (140 hours). It measures 28.4 by 15.8 by 17.5 inches, its design incorporates bevels and angles all over the place, and it has a ruler and cup holders molded into its lid.
It is compatible with a 12V power supply with a 48Wattts rating. The versatile design liets you set it upright like a fridge if you want. Or it can sit flat like a traditional cooler or chest freezer.
The best 12V cooler is the Coleman PowerChill Hot/Cold Portable Thermoelectric Cooler. It has two functions, both warming and cooling technologies, which offer users more options and the ability to transport different types of food. The long extension cord also allows for more flexible placement.
Coolers aren’t complicated, which is a good thing to remember in the face of all that advertising. After spending many years evaluating more than 40 cooler models, we’ve chosen eight that are well made, well insulated, and well suited for a range of outings. Just plug it into your cigarette lighter adapter and it Cools to 39°F below outside temperature. Use as a chest in the Truck or sit it vertically for use as a home, office or dorm refrigerator.
You may not have heard of the company before but the product is actually pretty good. 26 quart capacity means you can store up to 30 cans of beer or soda in here. There’s an internal divider if you want to keep your food and drinks separate. The Coleman Powerchill Thermoelectric Cooler has a large 46Litre capacity while being lightweight and portable.