3 best electric coolers for cars
Electric coolers for cars are portable refrigeration units designed to keep food and beverages cool while traveling. Unlike traditional coolers that rely on ice packs or cubes, electric coolers use electrical power, often from a car's 12-volt DC outlet, to maintain a consistent and controlled temperature. Here are key points related to electric coolers for cars:
Power Source:
- Electric car coolers typically operate on 12-volt DC power, making them compatible with standard car outlets.Some models may also have adapters for use with household electrical outlets or optional adapters for other power sources.
Thermoelectric Cooling Technology:
- Many electric car coolers use thermoelectric cooling technology. This technology relies on the Peltier effect, where an electric current is used to create a temperature difference, resulting in one side of the device becoming hot and the other cold.
Cooling Capacity:
- The cooling capacity of electric coolers is measured in degrees below the ambient temperature. While they may not cool as effectively as traditional refrigerators, they are suitable for maintaining a lower temperature than the surrounding environment.
Heating Function (Some Models):
- Some electric coolers come with a heating function, allowing them to warm food or beverages. This feature is particularly useful for keeping pre-cooked meals warm during travel.
Portability:
- Electric car coolers are designed for portability, making them convenient for road trips, camping, picnics, and other outdoor activities. They often have carrying handles and may come in a compact, suitcase-like design.
Capacity:
- Electric coolers come in various sizes and capacities, ranging from small coolers suitable for a few cans of beverages to larger models that can accommodate a week's worth of supplies.
Multiple Power Options:
- Some electric coolers have dual power options, allowing them to switch between 12-volt DC power and standard household AC power. This flexibility makes them suitable for both car travel and indoor use.
Temperature Control:
- Many models have temperature control settings, allowing users to adjust the cooling or heating level based on their preferences.
Noise Level:
- Electric coolers generally produce less noise compared to traditional refrigerators. This can be an important factor, especially if the cooler is placed in close proximity to passengers in a car.
Energy Efficiency:
- Energy efficiency varies among models, and some electric coolers are designed to minimize power consumption, making them suitable for extended use without draining the car battery excessively.
Brands:
- Various brands manufacture electric coolers for cars, including Dometic, ARB, Koolatron, Coleman, and more.
Additional Features:
- Some electric coolers may have additional features such as USB ports for charging devices, LED interior lighting, and removable shelves or dividers for better organization.
Electric coolers for cars provide a convenient solution for keeping perishable items cool or warm during road trips and outdoor adventures. Understanding the specific features, capacity, and power options of a particular model is crucial for selecting the right electric cooler for individual needs.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best electric coolers for cars on the market- PORTABLE TRAVEL FRIDGE & HEATER: Whether you're travelling on the road or camping in an RV, camper or minivan, this large capacity storage container to heat & warm or cool & chill food & drink.
- PLUGS IN ANYWHERE: The cooler/warmer combo has 2 6 FT. Extra Long built in cords - one for standard wall outlets, and one for car power adapters. Both have storage compartments to be hidden when not in use.
- VAST STORAGE SPACE: This 48 quart cooler stores about 60 cans of soda or 6 two liter bottles and 15 cans of soda or beer. A removable divider creates 2 compartments for easier organizing and storing.
- CHILLS WITHOUT ICE: Forget ice packs that need constant refilling, take up precious space, and leave you with a watery mess when they melt. This cooler maintains a cool 40°F temp without any ice.
- DOUBLE HANDLES AND WHEELED: Two handles and wheels make it easy to carry or pull. A dual functioning handle allows you to carry your cooler in hand or pull it on the ground using the wheels.
User questions & answers
Question: | Do you think this is a better cooler than the Coleman cooler for a truck driver? I'm looking at this one or the Igloo one |
Answer: | Read my review of the Coleman Hot/Cold 40 Qt. Had a Coleman from 2000 that finally died due to a design flaw that allowed the fan to bind in the nacelle/ housing. Bought a new one that lasted 10 weeks. Finally got my refund 4 months later. Can't compare it to this one, but some of the other answers here are misleading. This product is not a portable refrigerator. Those have thermostats and use a compressor. Peltier devices are power hogs - about 5% efficient at transferring heat. So, 95% of the heat you feel on the exhaust of these is produced by the Peltier device, not from inside the cooler. Also, some heat is transferred through inefficient insulation. That's why it takes hours to remove heat from the interior of these coolers before you can start using them. |
Question: | Does this actually cool to 40 degrees or does it cool to 40 degrees below ambient temperature? That is a huge difference it gets to 100 where I live |
Answer: | We used it while traveling out west last August where temps were in the 100's and it kept everything really cold. |
Question: | ft cord is not long enough to reach the back of my minivan, will cooler work properly with a dc cord extension? Is it quiet enough to sleep next to |
Answer: | I believe it should work with a DC cord extension. We had the cool in our hotel rooms while traveling and had no problems with it being noisy. |
Question: | How long will it stay cold when not powered |
Answer: | If powered long enough to get to its maximum temperature of 38F and turned off it will stay cool for approximately 24 hours. By way of a couple of specific examples: (a) I’ve placed a bag of ice in this cooler when it was at its peak cool temp of 38F, turned the cooler in off, and had the ice stay frozen (without ANY liquid water forming) for 6-10 hours depending upon the outside temp, and (b) I’ve placed a bag |
Product features
K-Box- A Genius Solution to Meals On The Go
Often, carefully prepared meals for a planned outing meet their sorry fate in the overheated conditions of your vehicle’s trunk. The K-Box Electric Cooler is a traveler’s must-have. Food and beverages for a picnic, a barbeque, long road trips, wilderness adventures, or overnight camping trips can now remain heated or cooled throughout your trip. Consider the K-Box as a portable hybrid of a fridge and microwave in the convenience of your car.
Never Drink at Room Temperature Again
Drinks that are not cold, yet not hot, can throw the most enthusiastic traveller off kilter. The K-box Cooler enables you to keep a hot or cold beverage wherever you go, whenever you’d like. Super cool features, such as the simple hot and cold switch, wheels, and a pull-out handle pile even more convenience onto this traveler’s favorite.
Keep Perishable Items at the Perfect Temperature
If you’d like to keep your food or drinks chilled, move the switch to “cold” to attain the perfect temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. To warm up a meal, simply switch back to the “hot” option, and enjoy your warm meal minutes later.
Two Handles for Easy Lugging
Convenience is out middle name! Large cooling devices are heavy, especially when filled with mouthwatering meals and drinks. Large, square handles at the two ends of the K-box offer easy carrying for savvy vacationers.
A Word About the Wires
Two wires are included for both indoor and outdoor use. And when K-box needs to rest, roll the wires into the small sockets for mess-free tangle-free storage. Take the K-box with you wherever you go, and never go hungry again.
- ONLY FOR COOL : Cool up to 32°F (18°C) below ambient temperature, one-day ice retention without electricity, simplified circuit design avoids the lid burned from condensation
- 24 LITERS OF CAPACITY: Store ! (30) 12 oz cans ! Store beers and wines with ease; Inner dimensions are 12.8”(L) x 8.8”(W) x 13.1”(H); The removable divider makes small items like beverages, beers, wines, food, or fruits easy to separate, best gift for household
- DC ADAPTER: 12V cigarette lighters in vehicles; NOTE: stay divider 0.4" away from the bottom to avoid deformation
- ECO-FRIENDLY ENGINEERING: Semiconductor refrigeration chip is freon-free and environmentally friendly; The flip-up handle is locked towards the back and is open to the front, keep the lid tightly sealed, no worries of falling over when you drive in the bumpy road
- CE, FCC, RoHS certified; 3 Year Warranty provided by AstroAI - if you have any dissatisfaction with your product quality, please reach out to us immediately
User questions & answers
Question: | So why does it need to be used with ice or the frozen packs? Seems like that defeats the purpose lol |
Answer: | It keeps the cooler cold if you stop and turn acc feed off. I make 3 or 4 stops 60 to 90 minutes and it keeps lunch and drinks cold. |
Question: | would this function like a regular cooler if I was not in a position to be able to plug it in could I just put ice in it and would it stay same like t |
Answer: | Yes, you can use cooler packs or ice. I use the cooler packs even when using it plugged in. My car accessory plugs do not work when the car is off. So on trips when I stop the cooler packs keep things cool, and don't take up much room in the cooler. |
Question: | Can you put ice in it |
Answer: | I know of no reason you could not, but not sure why you'd want to. The cooler itself is much like any regular cooler, but with the Thermoelectric heat exchanger in the lid. It would not keep ice frozen as it will operate at ~ 40 F below ambient temp. If the ambient temp is 75, it would stay around 35-40F. |
Question: | Does this have a wall outlet plug as well |
Answer: | No, that has to be purchased separately. |
Product features
AstroAI Car Fridge 24L for Beverage, Beer, Wine, Fruits, Seafoods and more
The 24L portable refrigerator has a large capacity and can be cooled using a vehicle's 12-volt socket
Cooling At Home
Cool down your food without having to go to the kitchen fridge.
Cooling In Car
This cooler can be stored almost anywhere within your vehicle, so your items can be accessed easily while on the road
Cooling When Picnic
The 24 liter Cooler has a deep interior that can easily fit 2 Liter Soda and Wine Bottles. Now you to take full size drink containers and keep them chilled while on the road
SUFFICIENT CAPACITY
Exterior dimension:
15.3”(L) x 10.3”(W) x 16.7”(H)
Inner dimension:
12.8”(L) x 8.8”(W) x 13.1”(H)
SUFFICIENT CAPACITY
Beverages, beers, wines, fruits, vegetables, seafood, fresh food, and curing food are all pleasured to store. When you plan a barbecue or picnic on a trip or travel, the 24L fridge provides enough room to store them.
New design only made for cooling never causes a short circuit problem, which may burn the lid, no worry on a long travel
SUFFICIENT CAPACITY
Beverages, beers, wines, fruits, vegetables, seafood, fresh food, and curing food are all pleasured to store. When you plan a barbecue or picnic on a trip or travel, the 24L fridge provides enough room to store them.
New design only made for cooling never causes a short circuit problem, which may burn the lid, no worry on a long travel
SUFFICIENT CAPACITY
Beverages, beers, wines, fruits, vegetables, seafood, fresh food, and curing food are all pleasured to store. When you plan a barbecue or picnic on a trip or travel, the 24L fridge provides enough room to store them.
New design only made for cooling never causes a short circuit problem, which may burn the lid, no worry on a long travel
Switch Power
Plugging into a vehicle's 12V socket, do not use while vehicle's engine is off, doing so may drain your vehicle's battery
But it is okay when socket plugs with fridge power shut off, it never drains battery out
Reusable Ice Packs
Storing 2 ice packs along with fridge makes items a long time cool and fresh
Reinforced Socket
Reinforced socket provides safety and durability. What's more? Better contact
- KEEP FOOD & DRINK FRESH ON THE GO | Powerful Thermoelectric Technology Provides Dependable Cooling & Warming for All Your Potables & Perishables | Maintains Drinks Icy Cold at 40°F & Maintains Hot Food at 130F. enjoy while While Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Catering, Dining Outdoors, Picnicking, Barbecuing, Road Tripping & So Much More
- 45-LITER INTERIOR COMPARTMENT | Holds about 60 cans of Soda or 6 two Liter Bottles and 15 Cans of Soda or Beer. Enough Space to Hold Dozens of Bottles, Food Trays, Dishes, To-Go Containers, | Easy-Clean Design Wipes Down in Seconds & Requires No Costly Maintenance
- CHANGE MODES WITH THE FLIP OF A SWITCH | No More Ice Runs! | Innovative Dual-Function Cooler Allows You to Keep Pre-Chilled Beverages Icy Cold or Maintain Heat of Pre-Cooked Foods As Long As You Have Access to an AC or DC Outlet | Includes Built-In Fans & One-Button Hot/Cold Switch for Safe, Effortless Operation
- WHEELS & HANDLE FOR COOL PORTABILITY | Bring the Refrigerator & Oven With You! | Bottom of Cooler Features Smooth-Rolling Wheels, While an Integrated Handle Easily Extends & Folds Away for Stress-Free Transfer & Tidy Storage | Airtight & Watertight Lid Cover Also Includes Ergonomic Grips for Quick Open/Close Access
- POWER ADAPTERS FOR HOME & VEHICLE | Complete Travel Cooler System Has You Ready to Transport Food & Drink Supplies Anywhere with a Hideaway AC Power Cord for Standard Wall Outlet & DC Adapter for Plugging into Car/Truck Cigarette Lighter | Be the Life of the Party Whether You’re Indoors, Outside, or On the Move!
User questions & answers
Question: | How long to cool to 40 f? i had it plugged in for hours and it only cooled down to 55 degrees f (too warm) inside a car with the a/c on |
Answer: | You really need cold items in the cooler to get it to 40. I froze my water bottles and put those in and that was enough to keep it at 40. |
Question: | Can you put ice in it |
Answer: | You can put ice in it and use as a regular cooler if the need arises |
Question: | Is this nsf or etl certified |
Answer: | ETI doesn't offer CERTIFICATIONS. Organizations that produce goods according to the ETI principles have, or strive for, humane working conditions. You can't BUY AN ETI CERTIFIED product. You are not going to see a statement of Certification -- or, if you do, stay AWAY because it isn't real, it wouldn't be from ETI. |
Question: | Does this kill ur car battery |
Answer: | If you run it off your car while your car is turned off then yes it will kill your battery. We kept it plugged into the car while the car was running down the road for a 3 Day Rd. trip. No issues there |
Product features
Keep food & drink fresh
Powerful thermoelectric technology provides dependable cooling & warming for all your potables & perishables. It maintains drinks icy cold at 40 °f & maintains hot food at 130°f. Enjoy while camping, fishing, hiking, catering, dining outdoors, picnicking, barbecuing, road-tripping & so much more.
45-liter interior compartment
Holds about 60 cans of soda or 6 two-liter bottles and 15 cans of soda or beer. It’s enough space to hold dozens of bottles, food trays, dishes, to-go containers. It’s easy-clean design wipes down in seconds & requires no costly maintenance.
Change modes with the flip of a switch
Innovative dual-function cooler allows you to keep pre-chilled beverages icy cold or maintain the heat of pre-cooked foods as long as you have access to an ac or dc outlet. It includes built-in fans & one-button hot/cold switch for safe, effortless operation. No more ice runs!
Wheels & handle for cool portability
Bottom of cooler features smooth-rolling wheels, while an integrated handle easily extends & folds away for stress-free transfer & tidy storage with airtight & watertight lid cover also includes
ergonomic grips for quick open/close access. Bring the refrigerator & oven with you!
Safety wire storage
With ivation electric cooler & warmer, you can safely store a car and wall charger for traveling convenience and portability.
Power adapters for home & vehicle
Complete travel cooler system has you ready to transport food & drink supplies anywhere with a hideaway ac power cord for standard wall outlet & dc adapter for plugging into car/truck cigarette lighter. Live the life of the party whether you’re indoors, outside, or on the move!
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