An electric cool box is a must have for any long day trips or family holidays. A perfect way to maintain the freshness of your food and drinks over a lengthy period of time.
What could be better on a warm summer’s day, than going on a family adventure and knowing that you’ve got some nice cool snacks to treat yourself to along the way.
You can also get an electric cool box that has a warming feature too, those that have this are capable of keeping foods warm to a suitable eating temperature. Pretty impressive as I’m sure you will agree.
An electric cool box is one that requires charging, whether this be in your car’s 12V power socket or the household mains.
Are you on the search for an electric cool box that is going to be a worthy investment and actually maintain the correct temperatures for your food and drink?
If this is the case then we’ve compiled a guide of the best electric cool boxes on the market.
In a hurry with an important trip to attend, but still searching for the right electric cool box to accompany you?
Then not to worry as we have selected our top pick below.
In a hurry? This is our winner!
Best Electric Cool Boxes – Comparison Table
Best Electric Cool Boxes – Reviews
iceQ 32 Litre Electric Cool Box - Red (240V AC & 12V DC)
Our top pick is the iceQ portable electric cool box. This 32 litre box has great capacity for storing all of your food and drinks, making it ideal for those in bigger groups..
Its heavy duty thermal lining simply works to keep your food hot or cold. It keeps your food cool down to 10 degrees celsius and warm up to 60 degrees celsius. This multi-option makes it great for diverse uses.
Inside the cool box, you will find a divider that creates 2 handy compartments.This is a neat feature if you prefer to keep your food and drinks separate, but it also helps to keep everything in place.
This cool box can be powered through the mains at your house or you can charge it on the go via the 12V port in your car.
- It works effectively at keeping food cool over long periods of time, ideal if you are using this cool box through the warmer months.
- It is a good size and has the capacity to store a lot of food and drink.
- The handle along the top of the cool box makes it easy to carry around.
- This cool box comes with a quiet fan which doesn’t make a lot of noise when it is in use.
- As it is made from heavy duty materials, when this box is full it can be difficult to carry around.
- It is a slightly more expensive purchase.
Campingaz power-box plus thermoelectric cooling-box, 12 V and 230 V, Unisex, 2000030253, Grey-White, 28 Litres
Next we have selected the thermoelectric powerbox plus by Campingaz. This cool box can be charged via a USB lead or electric mains and comes with four different modes allowing you to control the performance via the adjustment wheel. These include night mode, eco mode, max mode and energy efficient mode.
If you are someone that finds cool boxes with a loud fan disruptive, then this is a great choice for you, simply putting this cool box into night mode reduces the noise of the fan.
This electric cool box is energy efficient with an A++ rating.
You will also find a handle across the top making it a lot easier to carry between different locations.
Impressively, this cool box comes with anti-microbial internal walls which inhibit the growth of mould and the development of unpleasant odours, helping to keep the contents of your cool box fresh at all times. This is particularly useful if food is going to be stored for a couple of hours at a time.
This electric cool box is also available in three different sizes so you can choose the one that is best for your needs.
- It is generous in size and has the capacity to fit seven 1.5 litre bottles standing upright.
- Reviews show that customers who have purchased this cool box, were impressed with the period of time that the food maintained a cool temperature.
- It is durable and sturdily built so it can withstand heavy handling and long journeys.
- It is more expensive than some that you will find on the market.
- Some customers experienced difficulties in getting the lid of the cool box on and off.
Marko Cool Box Food Drinks Cooler Electrical Heater Portable (24 Litre Electrical Coolbox)
The Marko Electric cool box is great for storing hot and cold food. This 24 litre cool box is slightly smaller in size, but still has an ideal capacity to cater towards smaller groups and families.
It is multi-functional with the power to cool food and drinks down to 15-18 degrees below ambient temperature and can keep food heated up to 50-65 degrees by thermostat.
Inside of the cool box you will find a removable divider, great for those who choose to store their food and drinks in a particular way, but also suitable for those who may wish to remove this divider and use the cool box without it.
This cool box also has a carry handle which locks into place and is designed to hold the lid open.
- An ideal option for those on a budget as it comes with an affordable price tag.
- The two power options are ideal for allowing people to charge the cool box in the most convenient way for them.
- It’s more compact size makes it a great option for those who are travelling.
- It works effectively to keep food and drinks cooled for hours without losing freshness.
- The fan is prone to making a slight noise which some people may find distracting.
MOBICOOL MCF40 - 38 l Compressor Cooler, Blue/Grey, Cool Box 12/24 V DC / 100 -240 V AC, Mini Fridge for Car, Truck, Boat, Motorhome and Power Socket
Next up we have chosen the Mobicool thermo-electric cool box. This cool box is 20 litres in size and has a great capacity for storing large amounts at one time. Impressively, it can also store 2 litre bottles standing upright.
It is capable of keeping food cool up to 15 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature.
This Mobicool cool box is made with high-quality foam core insulation and thermoelectric cooling technology, which helps to keep your food cooler for longer.
You will also find a compartment in the top of the box where you can store the USB leads after use, ideal as this way they do not consume much space and you always know where your leads are.
Inside this box there is one piece of inner lining which is easy to clean, as it can simply be wiped after each use.
- The versatile handle makes it easier to carry around and it also holds the lid closed when you are traveling.
- It’s designed specifically to fit into cars and vans with ease, so it can be stored in the back of these vehicles without taking up a lot of room.
- It’s good value for money at an affordable price.
- Customer reviews show that this cool box is effective at keeping food and drinks cool over long periods of time.
- The fan inside this cool box is prone to making a rather loud noise when it is in use, which some people may find annoying.
Andes Large 25L 12V/240V Cool Box Insulated Cooler & Heater DC/AC Adaptors CE/GS Certified
Our next choice is the Andes insulated cool box and heater. This lightweight but sturdily designed cool box provides protection to both the product itself, and your food and drinks inside.
This 25 litre cool box comes with an impressive dual function feature. One side can keep your drinks and snacks cool, while the other can keep your food warm to eating temperature (up to 2 hours). Awesome if you have just stopped to pick up some warm snacks on route!
It comes with both a mains adapter and a 12V DC car adapter, so you can either charge it at home or on the go.
Inside, you will find a removable divider so that your food and drink can be kept in separate compartments if you choose to use it.
- This box is easy to use with buttons on the top for you to choose the functions that you require.
- When the lid is closed, you will see that there are cup holder compartments on top, a nice little practical feature, that makes it more convenient for you to store your drinks whilst you eat.
- It’s an ideal option for long journeys and camping trips as it has good storage capacity.
- It retails at an affordable price.
- The fan in this cool box can be slightly noisy which may be an issue for some people.
Connabride CB22 12V Thermoelectric Coolbox, Blue, 22 Litre
Finally, we have the Connabride electric cool box. It has a 22 litre capacity and a spacious storage compartment, great for fitting lots into!
It is also tall enough to store a 1.5-litre bottle in an upright position, giving you more than enough room to store everything that you need for your family trip.
Food and drink can be kept cool in this box at 16 degrees when it is powered, also helping to prolong freshness!
The handle along the top of this electric cool box makes it easier and more convenient to carry around. It also comes with a firm seal lid lock which helps to keep food cold for longer, with an added sense of security.
- In the lid of the cool box, you will find a compartment specifically for the power cables so that they can be stored away easily without consuming much space.
- It’s a great affordable option, ideal for those who are on a budget.
- This box is an ideal size and has the capacity to store lots of food and drink.
- It’s sturdy and strong design means that this box is likely to last you for many uses.
- This box isn’t ideal for those who find noises distracting, as some customers who have purchased this product found the fan to be noisy.
- The only way that this cool box can be charged is through the 12V port in either a car or a van, so it isn’t suitable for those who do not have access to a car or those who prefer to charge it prior to a trip.
Best Electric Cool Boxes – Buyer’s Guide
When looking to purchase an electric cool box, you’re going to want one that is powerful enough to see you through the day. The last thing you will want on a day trip or family holiday is having to keep charging your cool box up regularly.
Below we have listed a number of factors for you to consider whilst looking for the best electric cool box for you.
Power source
If a cool box is something that is going to be used regularly for long distance journeys or family trips, then investing in an electric one is recommended. Unlike traditional non-electric that uses ice packs, electric stays cooler for longer and can usually be charged at home or on the go via either USB or 12V from the car.
On the go charging
The first source and possibly the most useful for many people being the 12V charging port in your car. This way means that you can charge your cool box as you travel and is also a very useful way of maintaining its power.
If you are camping for example and have no other access to another power source, this way you can simply keep it charged up through the power in your car and continue using it over a number of days.
Home charging
The second source is via your household mains so you can charge your cool box prior to your trip and it is then ready from the get go!
Insulation
The second factor to consider is the insulation of the product as this is key to how well your cool box is going to perform.
If your cool box cannot hold its temperature throughout the day, then it has to work twice as hard to keep cool, ultimately using a lot more power as it will require regular recharging. This will be impractical for many people, so it is recommended that you choose one with a good level of insulation.
Noise
An electric cool box uses a motor and a fan to keep its contents cool and these two combined can sometimes be a little noisey. The cheaper cool boxes in particular tend to produce the most noise.
It’s important to consider the noise level depending on your use. Typically using it in the car to keep snacks cool isn’t going to be a massive issue, but sleeping next to it in a tent could keep you awake.
Size and time
Electric cool boxes are available to purchase in a variety of different sizes..
It’s pretty simple, but worth pointing out:
Bigger electric cool boxes are a lot more practical for longer trips or bigger families..
Smaller electric cool boxes are ideal for short trips and smaller families.
It is also important to note how long an electric cool box lasts after it has been charged.
Longer journey or ones where access to charging points will mean you need a longer battery life. However, thanks to modern technology, most cool boxes keep their temperature long after being turned off.
Frequently asked questions
How long will an electric cool box keep my food cool for?
The period of time that an electric cool box keeps your food cool is likely to differ between brands and the size of the box, however most last several hours (and keep things cool several hours after being turned off).
It is recommended that you charge your cool box to its full capacity before disconnecting it from its power source so that it has enough power to last throughout the day.
Are electric cool boxes expensive?
The majority of electric cool boxes on the market tend to start at very affordable prices from around £30.
This of course may increase between the different brands and is also dependent on the size of the box and any additional features that it may come with.
How does an electric cool box work?
An electric cool box comes with a thermoelectric heat pump which is mounted into the lid of the cool box, and also a fan system which disperses the heat outside the box.. They work together to maintain a low temperature in the cool box.However, you will find some that have dual function purposes and can also keep your food warm at the same time too.
Electric cool boxes simply need to be powered via the 12V port in your car or the electric mains at home. Some will come with leads for both so you can choose the best way that works for you.