The Electric cool box is one of my favourite inventions! Especially my Coleman Cool Box Xtreme (91 L); which has to be one of the best Electric Cool Boxes for Camping!
An electric cooler box may not be as beautiful to look at or fun to play with (my inner child never grew up from playing tea sets!) as the Luxury Picnic Baskets. However they really are just as essential for enjoyable dining out (and long car journeys) – dont you agree?
All the Electrical Cool Boxes reviewed here are convenient and portable (especially in a Beach Trolley!). They keep food fresh for hours so they are perfect for road trips! And as you know, I do love a road trip…and they rock for another outdoorsy favourite pastime – Camping!For a basic camping fridges you can use the electric cool boxes I recommend below. However if you want to control the temperature of the fridge or cooling for long periods look at the compressor fridge or 3 way camping fridges.
Firstly if you are short on time check out my star buy electric cool box plus another three of the best electric cool boxes on the market.
Scroll further then you will find my in-depth electric cooler reviews and Cool Box buyers guide with all your best electric cool box questions answered.
All our featured cool boxes run off of the 12v in-car charging socket in your vehicle, and some options also come with a mains adaptor as well. Unlike regular coolers that are meant to keep things cold, some 12V coolers give you the option of keeping things warm as an alternative. Many of the best brands come in a range of sizes/quarts.
Electric coolers are an investment – even a basic model will set you back (on average) £50.00 or more. But you’re likely to get a lot of use out of one if you regularly drive out to picnic spots. If you’re worried about the drain on your car battery then don’t be – many models have a built-in 12v protection circuit that will cut off automatically to stop the cooler from completely depleting your battery.
These are also great for doing the weekly shop – especially if like us you have to drive for at least half an hour to get to a large supermarket. I use my BERG Cooler for my bi-monthly ‘big shop’ trips to Inverness (I like to go round my big four of Asda, Tesco, Aldi and Lidl – I know, it drives my husband nuts!) and along with my standard Andes Cooler I can rest assured my frozen goods won’t be mush by the time I get home.
All the in depth reviews of the 2023’s best electric cool boxes look at the following criteria to find you the best buys:
- Type of electric cool box
- Power
- Temperature
- Insulation
- Removable Lid
- Size & Weight
Reviews of Top Selling Electric Cool Boxes
Perfect small plug in cool box for the car that keeps your food & drink warm or cool!
The AEG 6L IN car Plugin Cool Box great budget price electric cool box because its also a hot box and you can use it in the car or plug into the mains.
Like most of the cool boxes it doesn’t have a temperature gauge so you just need to check your food to be sure its right temperature. We used the heating element for a date night picnic and the food was still warm (65 deg C) after 2 hours. Cooling wise it gets down to about 5 deg C which is fine for a cooler of this cost!
I do find you get some moisture in this cool box but I put a towel in the base and its fine. Considering how cool it keeps everything I don’t mind this tiny issue.
All in all for the price you really can’t complain it’s the perfect dual electric cool and hot box for anyone new to picnicking.
Pros
- Comes with 240V plug & car adaptor
- Has two compartments
- Easy to clean
- Drink holders on top
- Very lightweight when empty
Cons
- Little noisey
- Collects bit of water in bottom
WHAT IS IN THE AEG 6L in Car Plug in Cool Box (Insulated Cooler & Heater):
- Thermoelectric cool box and warming box in one
- Ideal as a cool box for on the go in the car thanks to the comfortable armrest and drink holder, with practical carrying strap
- Cooling of food and drinks in the cool box up to 18-20 °C (below ambient temperature)
- Heat up to 65°C to keep food warm when travelling
- No cooling batteries required as the cool box is electrically operated
- Capacity of 6 litres (suitable for several 0.5 litre cans and bottles), dimensions: 18 cm (W) x 28.5 cm (H) x 37 cm (D)
- The cool box is powered by the 12 V car connection, a 2.80 m long cable is integrated (230 V power plug with optionally available 10698 voltage converter KA6)
Cool Box Dimensions: 44.6 x 30.2 x 20.7 cm
Perfect budget price picnic cool box to keep food warm or cool!
The Andes Large 25L great budget price electric cool box because its also a hot box and you can use it in the car or plug into the mains.
Like most of the cool boxes it doesn’t have a temperature gauge so you just need to check your food to be sure its right temperature. We used the heating element for a date night picnic and the food was still warm (65 deg C) after 2 hours. Cooling wise it gets down to about 5 deg C which is fine for a cooler of this cost!
I do find you get some moisture in this cool box but I put a towel in the base and its fine. Considering how cool it keeps everything I don’t mind this tiny issue.
All in all for the price you really can’t complain it’s the perfect dual electric cool and hot box for anyone new to picnicking.
Pros
- Comes with 240V plug & car adaptor
- Has two compartments
- Easy to clean
- Drink holders on top
- Very lightweight when empty
Cons
- Little noisey
- Collects bit of water in bottom
WHAT IS IN THE Andes Large 25L 12V/240V Cool Box Insulated Cooler & Heater:
- DUAL FUNCTION – 25L cool box with a dual cooling and heating function it is ideal for both keeping your food and drinks cool or keep any hot food purchased at an eating temperature. Will keep food warm for up to 2 hours and warm to 65°C. CE, GS certified.
- OCCASIONS – Perfect for picnics, camping, travelling, festivals, parties, long distance driving, outdoor sports and football tournaments.
- ADAPTORS – Provided with a 220-240V AC mains adaptor & 12V DC car adaptor to keep the cool box running when travelling to your destination.
- LIGHTWEIGHT – A lightweight but strong and robust design helps to protect both the product itself and the food and drink inside, with cup holders on top for complete convenience. This really is the ultimate is cool box design.
- DIMENSIONS – L: 40cm (16”) x W: 29cm (11 ½”) x H: 43cm (17”). Removable inside divider to keep things separate – Large section (L: 20 (8″)x W: 22 (8.5″) x H: 34cm (13″)), small section (L: 22 (8.5″) x W: 12 (4.5″) x H: 34cm (13”)).
Cool Box Dimensions: 40cm x 29cm x 43cm
Top of the range cooler for the picnic pro (but it dont do heat!)
The Alpicool T36 Car Fridge Freezer is a heavy duty and expensive cool box for anyone who is a picnic pro like us or who campers who might need an extra fridge and freezer. This is fridge/freezer cool box in one with two sections – perfect for truckers (as my trucker pals swear by them!). So what are the Aplicool T36 portable fridge freezer’s main selling points?
FAST COOLING WITH LG TECHNOLOGY. T series car fridge freezer adopt LG’s refrigeration technology, the refrigeration effect is better and stable, it only takes 15 minutes to cool down to 0℃. After disconnecting, the foaming agent and insulating materials can also freeze the refrigerator for several hours.
DUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL. Detachable sensor divider can switch single temperature zone to two separate temperature zone (Fridge/freezer) in one refrigerator.
EASY TO MOVE. With the durability of wheel and Magnetic foldable handle, this cooler could be protected in good condition even on the bumpy road, you can take it everywhere easily.
36L LARGE CAPACITY, PARTITIONED STORAGE. It can be a fridge or freezer for storing many types of food and items. And the freezer room incorporates a grid of storage baskets to easily get food without stickiness.
This Alpicool T36 Car Fridge Freezer 36L also comes in a 45L and 54L models for larger families or longer away from home. I am getting the larger model for our new CAMPERVAN!
Pros
Cons
- Size...it might not fit for all!
- Price...but HONESTLY WORTH THE INVESTMENT
- Adjustable handle and sturdy wheels
- Energy saving with 60W power
- Easy to clean out
- LCD control easy to use
- Fits 2L height bottles
- LED light inside for easy viewing
- 1 year warranty included
WHAT IS IN THE Alpicool T36 Car Fridge Freezer 36L :
- 12/240 Volt for car and mains outlets – Automatic switching
- Two durable wheels and fold-out Multifunctional handle for easy transportation and fold-away side carrying handles
- Split cover to minimise loss of cold
- High Enough for 2 litre bottles-space for the complete box (30 x 40 x 32 cm)
- Removable divider
- CABLE COMPARTMENT IN THE LID
Basket Dimensions: 30cm x 40cm x 32cm
Keep up to 72 cans cool in the car & at the beach.
The Berg 45L electric cool box has great storage capacity and can be used as a cooler or hot box. Its comes with the plugs you need to use in the car or across UK & Europe, which is handy.
It isn’t designed to be flipped on its end and used, it’s not got the right fan for that. You are told not to use cooling packs in this cool box, so you are reliant on its insulation. Its fine up to around 20 degrees or so as drinks are around 4 degree. However it only does to 16 degrees below external temp – bear that in mind if you live in hot places!
Also whilst its got wheels and double handles for easy portability, once full the wheels are not that sturdy. This is the perfect cooler to take camping or leave in your car. However I wouldn’t pick it to take on the beach.
Pros
- Comes with Car, UK & Euro Plugs
- Can charge from car
- Clever cord storage in lid
- Wheels & handles to move easily
- Can Heat & Cool
Cons
- No temp control or the temp reading
- Doesnt recommend using upright
- Large 45L capacity cool box fridge can store up to 72 standard 330ml cans and keep them cold
- Cooling capability of 16°C below ambient temperature. Great for camping
- Heating capability of between 60-65°C. Perfect for keeping take away boxes / food hot
- Portable – Comes on wheels and folding handles for easy transportation. Stronger than cool bag
- Supplied with 240V UK, 220V EU and 12V in-car plug cables.
Cool Box Dimensions: 58cm x 42cm x 45cm
Budget line electric car cool box from a reputable picnic brand.
No bells or whistles on this VonShef Electric cool box, it’s literally that – it will keep your cans and food cool but no ability to keep things heated.
When powered keeps food and drink cool to 8 -12°C. Powered by a 12V DC plug in connector (supplied), making it ideal for use in cars, caravans, camper vans, boats, trucks and more.
Box is deep enough to fit in four 1.5L bottles of water easily and easy to clean as well.
Equipped with a strong carry handle with lid lock – creates a firm seal for optimum cold retention and to prevent accidental warming.
Over all great for picnics or an overnight trip but if you want to use camping etc then pay more for a professional camping cool box.
Pros
- Lightweight when empty
- Food stayed cool when off (can take ice packs)
- Very quiet electric cooler
Cons
- No wheels or extendable handle
- Doesnt keep food hot
- Does Not plug into the mains
- No thermostat
- SPACIOUS COMPARTMENT – Large 22L capacity consisting of one spacious compartment offers up more than enough room for all your favourite lunches, snacks and beverages and will hold a 1.5 litre bottle in an upright position
- KEEP FOOD AND DRINKS COOL & FRESH – When powered keeps food and drinks cool to 8 -12°C12V DC PLUG IN CONNECTOR – Powered by a 12V DC plug in connector (supplied), making it ideal for use in cars, caravans, camper vans, boats, trucks and more
- CARRY HANDLE WITH LID LOCK – Creates a firm seal for optimum cold retention & security
- MANUFACTURER 2 YEAR WARRANTY INCLUDED
Cool Box Dimensions: 40cm x 24.1cm x 40.5cm
