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When it comes to coolers, sometimes you just get tired of having to fill it up with ice. This is especially true if you find yourself using a cooler on a regular basis.
What’s the answer? Well, the answer is really something iceless, which is why we present to you here the best thermoelectric cooler reviews.
We have looked at TONS of iceless coolers to find you the best electric cooler (also for car use). Here’s a closer look at our top picks.
Best Thermoelectric Cooler Reviews – Our Top Picks
| editors-choice | Editor's Choice | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to-middle | No products found. | No products found. | No products found. | No products found. | No products found. |
| item-title | Dometic CF18 12v Electric Powered Cooler, Fridge Freezer | K-box Wheeled Electric Cooler & Warmer | Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler | Coleman PowerChill Thermoelectric Cooler | Koolatron P-20 ThermoElectric 18 Qt Cooler/Warmer |
| to-top | Features: • No Ice Needed • Refrigerate or freeze to 0 F • Low power consumption • Refrigerant 1, type R134a. Climate class (DIN15502) T | Features: • Portable Travel Fridge & Heater • Plugs In Anywhere • 48 quart cooler (60 cans) • Removable divider • Chills Without Ice • Double Handles And Wheeled | Features: • 26-Quart • Molded-in side handles • 8' long power cord • Quiet brushless motor • Ergonomic design | Features: • Cools without ice • 40-qt. (1.3 cu. ft.) capacity (44 cans) • 12V plug (5 Amps/60 Watts) • Storage tray • Lightweight travel design (18 lbs) | Features: • Slim, compact design • Folding handle • Uses 12 Volts power • Quiet motor • Cools to 40F degree /22C degree below outside tem. |
| td-btn-amz | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
| editors-choice | Editor's Choice |
12V Electric Car Cooler Reviews
Dometic CF18 12v Electric Powered Cooler, Fridge Freezer – Best Electric Ice Chest Freezer
Coming in at a sturdy 29.6 pounds, and measuring in at 18.4 x 29.6 x 19.4 inches is the Dometic Portable Freezer/Refrigerator (available at Amazon right here). You can go small at 10.5 liters or go big at 106 liters.
Wait, what? Yes, you read correctly. We ARE reviewing electric coolers, and though this is a portable freezer and refrigerator, this one STILL fits the bill and falls under this category.
One user called this unit “life-changing.” The user is a truck driver who often kept a microwave and DC powered cooler in his truck. While it allowed him to save some money by avoiding eating at truck stops, picking up the Dometic changed his life completely. In the past, his menus were limited but since he now has a freezer on the go it has changed his life.
Many other users have rated this at 5 out of 5 stars, with one user commenting that it was an excellent buy as they use it on their sailboat as the primary refrigeration unit.
Is this the best electric cooler then? Well, we think it's a real jewel and one of the top iceless coolers for sure.
>> Check out Dometic's reviews & current price (Amazon link)
Also, check this video as it says everything about the Domestics' philosophy:
K-box Wheeled Electric Cooler & Warmer
The K-box cooler isn’t merely a cooler – it can also work as a warmer! You change between the modes via the switch situated on the lid. Not everybody will need this function, but for some people, it will be very nice to have.
This cooler runs on either 110V household current or 12V DC power. K-box provides cables & plugs for both types of current, so you don’t need to buy them yourself. Besides, you can use the 12V DC cable to power the cooler from your car’s cigarette port.
The K-box cooler is sized pretty decently – its capacity is 48 quarts. And given that you don’t have to put any ice in, you get way more storage space from this cooler than with traditional ice coolers of the same size.
This cooler also has integrated wheels, but they are small and not the best for off-road conditions. They’ll work effectively on only flat surfaces.
In terms of temperatures, the K-box cooler maintains 40 degrees Fahrenheit – pretty typical for refrigeration. However, note that this won’t be enough for some food items – before packing, be sure that you are taking food items that won’t spoil under 40 degrees.
Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler Review
If you are looking more for a name brand that you may recognize, then you check out the Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler (it's right here). You may have spotted that we briefly covered this product in our Igloo coolers for sale post. If you haven't see it, here's a quick recap.
You can pick this up in either a 26 or 28-quart size. The Silver and White colors give it a sleek look.
This unit cools down to 36 Degrees F below the outside temperatures giving you standard size refrigeration cooling capacities. Take it on the go on your next camping trip, to keep items cold as you travel or just to take with you for long hours at the office.
One user, in particular, seemed to get their money’s worth from this cooler taking it on a 4,000-mile summer trip that took them through 7 states and back. The user stated that it fit perfectly in the car and worked as advertised AND that all of the food stayed fresh.
Another user stated that it was the best thermoelectric cooler they had ever used in their semi-truck over a career that spanned over a decade. The user also went on to say that it cooled better than any mini-fridge they had tried and actually cooled better than other iceless coolers.
Coleman PowerChill Thermoelectric Cooler
Do you want an iceless cooler that actually looks like a refrigerator? Then you may want to take a much closer look at this Coleman Thermoelectric Cooler (you may remember that we already wrote about it when discussing the best Coleman cooler).
This cooler comes in at 40 quarts and measures 15 x 21.75 x 17.125 inches. The 40 quarts size boasts the ability to hold 44 cans of your favorite beverages in addition to any other snacks. The motor also cools contents down to 40 Degrees F below the outside temperature.
One user stated that it works great for those times when you want to bring your own food, such as on road trips or camping getaways.
One user and his wife prepared meals in advance so they would not have to eat out while they were on the road, and it worked fine. The user also noted that it was used in their cabin as a refrigerator and worked well also.
Another user actually put a dollar amount on what could be saved by using this cooler. Want to take a guess how much? How about a cost savings of $100 a day.
The user reported that their vacationing family of six stored food in the Coleman PowerChill and it stayed cold for the duration of the trip, ultimately saving them hundreds of dollars from eating out. That, according to him, made the Coleman the best thermoelectric cooler out there.
Koolatron P-20 Thermo-Electric 18 Quart Compact Cooler/Warmer
The beauty of some electric coolers is that some double as warmers as well. Such is the case with the Koolatron. This cooler/warmer is 9 pounds, comes in at a portable 17.8 x 9 x 16.5 inches, and fits nicely in tight spaces, such as between the seats in a car.
This iceless cooler (here's a product page at Amazon) will cool down to 40 Degrees F from the outside temperatures. It was also invented for over 30 years, so you can count on years of experience and testing to bring you THE best when it comes to iceless cooler technology.
One user reported using this unit to keep drinks and food cold on trips. The user stated that it came as advertised and fit nicely in their sedan, right behind the driver’s seat.
The user also mentioned the power of this unit, stating that it should NOT be plugged into the cigarette lighter for more than four hours when it is parked, as it will drain the battery. The solution that the user found was to take it into their motel room and plug it in.
What You Need To Know Before You Buy an Electric Cooler
Iceless coolers can be a great addition to your next camping trip, extended vacation, or even to take with you to work.
However, each unit is different and because of it’s difference, you need to take a closer look at your own needs. As you begin to decide WHICH will be the best electric cooler for your needs, think about what you want and what you don’t want.
Here are some questions to think about.
Do You Need Freezing Capabilities?
If you just need to keep some sodas and sandwiches cold, then you can really choose any of the ones on the list above, however when you start talking about extremely extended trips such as an occupation as a truck driver, then you are really getting down to some specific needs.
If you need the ability to freeze your food as well, then you may want to consider the Dometic Cooler reviewed above. Again, as a personal review stated – it was life-changing.
It can also save you tons of money that you would have spent eating out.
Do You Need Warming Capabilities?
You may find yourself needing not only cooling capabilities but also warming ones as well. If you are involved in activities that call for potlucks or a variety of foods, that may require you to bring cold dishes on some days and warm dishes on others, then you should check out the Koolatron Cooler and Warmer.
Do You Need Something That Can Fit In Tight Spaces?
When you take coolers with you on the go, such as a road trip or camping, then this typically means that others are coming along with you. This also means that space may be at a premium so the more portable the unit the better.
As a user mentioned above with the Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler, it was taken on a road trip across several states for thousands of miles and held up nicely, as well as fit ideally in the back of the car.
Best Electric Cooler – The Bottom Line
There are many different iceless coolers on this list and we hope that we were able to bring you a wide variety of the best electric cooler reviews. When it comes down to choosing though, the best thermoelectric cooler will be the one that fits your needs the most.
Take a look at what you will be using it for and what your specific needs are, and we are certain that you will be able to pick up a cooler that will suit your needs. And if by chance you haven't found yours here, we recommend you checking out all thermoelectric coolers available at Amazon.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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nothing comparing the quality.
i have burnef through 4 coleman’s in less than 2 years.
their average life span in 2 months, if you are lucky, before the motors burns out.
Coleman should be ashamed of themselves for selling such a horrible product.