Best Electric Coolers for the Car, Tested

That being said since you don’t need to include ice inside these you do get a nice boost of usable storage space. Igloo Coolers are probably a brand that most people recognize. However, a lot of people are surprised when they come to find out that Igloo also offers up some well-received iceless coolers to go along with their traditional coolers. While they have had several model changes and facelifts, their top two thermoelectric coolers (as far as we are concerned) are the Breeze 28 and the Powerchill 40.

Despite claims that an electric cooler can get 40 degrees below ambient temperatures, we mostly saw temperatures that would quickly lead to spoiled food over the course of a long trip. You also need to supply 12-volt power constantly to keep things cold, or treat the electric cooler like a regular cooler lgloo Cooler and pack it with frozen items anyhow. The interior of the lid is domed to allow a little wiggle room for taller items as well. One of the biggest deals and why we rank this so high is that lid. Without a compressor and cooling chemicals like a fridge, the air temperature is incredibly important.

They offer quick, targeted warmth or even heat distribution, depending on the type. They come in various sizes and designs, from portable to wall-mounted units. Each individual product may be shipped from different fulfillment centers across the globe as our product research team spends the time to source for quality yet affordable products. Compressor coolers use the same technology as your home refrigerator, cooling through a series of compressed air and refrigerants. They are definitely more effective in cooling and are ideal for drivers who need to keep items at a consistent temperature. Temperature control is accessible through an app, and the option to power it by a separate solar panel opens it up for use off the grid.

It is easy to move and carry as it is fitted with side handles, folding handle, and wheels. It has dual-top loading doors that are magnetically sealed to prevent heat loss or gain. It has two removable vertical dividers for loading versatility. Despite its size and price, the Cooluli is also built to last. This thing can literally run 24/7 for an entire year and still get the job done. On a boat or out camping, it won’t be a huge drain on your battery.

And it’s the only thermoelectric cooler using the patented Z-Maz high-performance cooling chip from Tellurex. A removable lap tray is also a convenient eating or work igloo ice chest surface. The automotive power cord has a multi-contact cigarette lighter plug to insure full contact. Plug in the blue side for cooling or the red side for heating!

igloo electric cooler

The dual-opening lid allows you to only open one side to prevent the temperature from escaping. The built-in handles and wheels allow you to tote this ice box everywhere you go. The cooler also features removable magnetic doors that keep the regulated temperature inside and everything else out. Closed-cell foam is considered a better insulator than open-cell foam because the tiny bubbles of gas in closed-cell foam remain independent from one another. Air bubbles that do not share cell walls and in effect stay insulated from one another are better at reducing the overall transfer of heat through the foam. Closed-cell foam is also much more expensive to produce than open-cell foam.

The modular lid allows for easy operation of both heating and cooling. It’s capable of cooling items up to 36 degrees Fahrenheit below the ambient temperature. The Ivation electric cooler and warmer has a small capacity that’s great for outdoor day trips. The 25-liter compartment in the igloo cooler with wheels cooler can even hold 2-liter bottles of soda with room to spare. Without the need for ice, this is a best powered cooler that can change modes with the flip of a switch. Since the cooler warmer is of such a small size, it features a carrying handle that folds easily when not in use.