It takes the headache of chasing down and replacing ice out of the equation. We were actually quite surprised at just how igloo ice chest well the smaller units performed. They can get as cold as 35 degrees Fahrenheit and as hot as 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you’re shopping for a portable air conditioner, a HEPA air purifier – or any kind of cooling product for your home – then you’ve come to the right place. If you’re looking for a true bargain, the Knox Electric Cooler and Warmer is the one for you. Although small, it offers workable efficiency and quality for an affordable price. That’s just enough space for 2-3 days worth of food for one person or 1-2 days for two people. If you’re okay with making more frequent grocery runs or if you only need a restricted refrigerated space, this can be a good option. In stock expedited shipments will ship the same day, or the next business day for orders placed on a weekend, if the order is placed before 12 PM Central Time.
While some of these items are designed for compact and flexible storage, sometimes you just want the best and biggest cooler. If you are a truck driver or have an RV or pickup for a long road trip, you may want a big, powerful cooler that keeps plenty of items cool for the long haul. Some users report extended use in 100+ degree weather without an issue.
Another big difference between an electric fridge and a thermoelectric cooler will be the built-in thermostat. Dometic’s build quality is actually right in line with the higher price you’re paying, which is nice to see. Everything about this cooler is a little bit more rigid and carefully finished. Where other coolers feel like boxes of plastic with cooling modules glued to the side, this feels like a product someone set out to design. Koolatron makes a lot of different coolers, but this model hits the sweet spot for price and size. The cooling performance was also the best we saw among all the coolers we tested.
Next time you’re on a family outing, camping out, or enjoying outdoor sports events, you won’t need to search for ice for the cooler! Just plug the Plentikool thermoelectric cooler (and warmer) into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter. It cools without Ice – as low as 46 degrees below outdoor temperature- or warms food to 155 degrees. With its 8-foot power cord you can keep the cooler on the back seat and even belt it in. The Plentikool keeps foods colder than any other thermoelectric cooler.
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.
When you’re on a road trip, you want quick and easy access to drinks and snacks. This unit fits neatly behind the front seats or can act as a center console for rear seat passengers. The integrated cup holders also mean you can temporarily keep items there while you’re reorganizing items in the cooler. If you own an older truck or SUV that doesn’t have a center console, this item can fit perfectly between the seats or in the middle of the bench. This cooler comes with a helpful carrying strap and it weighs just nine pounds, making it a great unit to remove from the vehicle and take with you on a picnic.
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 ice chest 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.
But if you’ve got room for this bigger cube-shaped cooler, it’s more versatile. If you opt for a bulky product, then it might become very difficult to lift with drinks in it. We will always recommend getting a light item and then filling it up. One of the major reasons why we prefer this over standard ice coolers is the absence of melted water. Ice keeps melting over time, and the water often gets into food packaging.
I created CoolAndPortable.com to help home owners select the right portable air conditioner, cooler or air purifier for their needs & budget in just a few minutes. Of course, this Igloo is going to be much heavier when loaded with drinks and snacks. When empty, the cooler weighs 9-10 lbs depending on whether you pick the 26-quart or 28-quart one. But at anything less than 90 degrees F, the Igloo Iceless cooler will keep your stuff perfectly chilled. So if you want to store frozen food or ice in the Igloo Iceless , then pre-freeze it before you drop it in.