Top Best 12 Volt Cooler: Guides & Ranking 2024

Hailey Abbott By, Hailey Abbott
Updated
Igloo 28 Quart Iceless Thermoelectric 12 Volt
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Igloo 28 Quart Iceless Thermoelectric 12 Volt

Igloo 28 Quart Iceless Thermoelectric 12 Volt Coolers feature an easy-carrying, swing-up bale handle and comfort grip for easy carrying. They cool without ice, and with the large opening on the lid you can make room for food and drinks. This cooler is made of rugged polypropylene construction with a stainless steel interior to keep contents cold. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Knox 48-Quart 12V Cooler

Knox is a simple and efficient way to keep your food and drink cool or warm. The cooler/warmer combo has 2 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. Read Review

3. Best For Traveling: Koolatron Fun Kool P25 Thermoelectric Iceless 12V Electric Cooler

Koolatron Fun Kool P25 Thermoelectric Iceless 12V Electric Cooler is the most advanced cooler on the market. It uses a patented cooling system that is 80% more efficient than the industry standard for a fraction of the cost. The result? Chill your drinks or food in under 3 hours without ice, water, or electricity. Read Review

4. Best For Traveling: JOYTUTUS 12 Volt Refrigerator, 23 Quart (22L) Portable Refrigerator Freezer

The JOYTUTUS 12 Volt Refrigerator, 23 Quart (22L) Portable Refrigerator Freezer is the perfect solution for when you're in need of a cold drink on the go. With a great capacity, the fridge-freezer has been designed with safety and convenience in mind. It features an adjustable H/M/L gear control that allows you to set the starting voltage to cater for an AC or DC car battery. Read Review

If you own a car, chances are you spend most of your time inside it. Even in the dog days of summer, temperatures can quickly drop with little warning. That’s why it’s important to keep food and beverages stocked in the car at all times. Your bug-out vehicle or a getaway vehicle is also going to be important for keeping you comfortable on those long road trips.

Having a cooler in your vehicle will allow you to stock up on food and drinks without spending half an hour every time you need something from the supermarket or vending machine. With so many coolers available these days, it can be daunting to know which one is right for you. Fortunately, our team has already done the work for you and narrowed down the best 12-volt cooler based on customer reviews and pricing information.

We think Igloo 28 Quart Iceless Thermoelectric 12 Volt is the best of the best among the top models. If you were dissatisfied with the preceding item, you have the option of selecting Knox 48-Quart 12V Cooler as an alternative. You may relax knowing that its quality is also good per what we researched.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Igloo 28 Quart Iceless Thermoelectric 12 Volt
Our Score:
9.7
Igloo
  • Swing-up bale handle with comfort grip for easy carrying
  • Molded-in side handles for two handed carrying or lifting. Capacity-32 12-oz cans; 26 quarts (24 liters)
TOP Choice #2 Knox 48-Quart 12V Cooler
Our Score:
9.5
Knox.Lifestyle by Focus
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 24 L / 26 QUART TRAVEL COOLER- Portable 12 V DC powered cooler with a compact footprint holds up to 31 standard 12 oz/355 mL cans and is tall enough to fit upright 2L pop bottles
  • MADE IN NORTH AMERICA- Proudly Canadian, Koolatron has been making industry-leading 12V coolers in North America for over 30 years
  • 【CAR BATTERY PROTECTION】The portable fridge for car can set the starting voltage by adjusting H/M/L gear control. When the car battery power is low, it will stop running to protect the car battery. JOYTUTUS 12v fridge can keep away from draining the car battery efficiently.
  • 【CONSUME LESS THAN 1kWh PER DAY】JOYTUTUS fridge freezer can be adjusted to MAX MODE for fast cooling and ECO MODE for energy saving. The rated power of MAX MODE is 45W while ECO MODE is 36W. The compressor will work about 16 hours per day and the consumption for MAX MODE is about 0.72 kWh per day.
  • 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!
  • 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
6 Koolatron P65 Kargo 12v Portable Cooler
Our Score:
9.0
Koolatron
  • Versatile Two-Way Design: Secure sliding door lock and removable shelves let you use the KargoKooler as a chest-style cooler or upright as a portable mini-fridge and unique split lid allows access to contents even in a tightly packed vehicle.
  • Warming and Cooling Functions: Eco-friendly iceless technology efficiently cools to 40°F (22°C) below surrounding temperature or warms to 140°F (60°C), using less power than your vehicle’s tail light.
  • Large storage space
  • Cools or warms food and drinks
  • 【Higher Lid, More Space】The lid of the F40C4TMP portable refrigerator for car is higher than the ordinary refrigerators. The 12-volt refrigerator can hold higher water bottles vertically. You don't need to worry about being unable to close the lid of the refrigerator because the food is not neatly placed. There is also storage space on the top, and you can put some small items like a knife and fork in it.
  • 【Fast Cooling With Compressor】2 in 1-a car refrigerator and freezer.No ice needed, you can adjust the temperature in the range of -7.6℉ to 50℉ according to your needs. With a powerful compressor, the portable fridge in an empty can cool down to 32℉ within 20 minutes and reach the lowest -7.6℉ about an hour. You can keep ice cream frozen and store fresh food like cheese, drinks, vegetables, beer, and snacks.
9 BougeRV 12 Volt Car Refrigerator Dual Zone
Our Score:
8.6
BougeRV
  • 【REAL DUAL ZONE】this 12v portable refrigerator has two compartments which you can control temp independently. It can be both a refrigerator and a freezer at the same time but it also can be a fridge/fridge, fridge/freezer, freezer/freezer so you can cool drinks and chill meat, etc at the same time.
  • 【APP CONTROL】you can control the temps, set the mode, turn on/off this car refrigerator all from your phone, conveniently and precisely. You can check the temps and the status of the unit any time you need it. You can control the left or right compartment separately for different needs, both of the temp range from -4℉ to 68℉. You can also lock the digital panel to prevent touching by mistake. Note: download the app refer to the user manual.
  • Keeps contents up to 40 degrees colder or warmer than the surroundings
  • 40-quart capacity holds up to 44 cans

Think about these tips for better purchase of best 12 volt cooler

Merchandise is much more than a physical item. It's the result of someone having an idea, working on it, and making it a reality. When you go out to buy, these would be the factors you should know once looking for best 12 volt cooler.

In fact, this is not about how much it costs and what other people think of it, but whether it will suit your requirements and last long enough even for users to have your money's worth out of it. This article will inform consumers about how and why you buy best 12 volt cooler.

Cooler Drain Systems

Many of our hard-sided coolers have drainage systems that allow you to drain the water out once the ice is melted. This is usually a pop-off or screw-on cap located at the bottom of cooler. Simply remove it and let the water flow out.

Wheeled (Rolling) Coolers

We mentioned above that if you have cooler needs such as mobility and large capacity or maximum ice retention it is a good idea to look into a hard-sided rolling model. These wheeled monsters can still be difficult to maneuver on uneven terrain, and will need assistance if there is no clear path. A rolling cooler is a good choice for camping, tailgating or days at the beach.

Bear-Resistant Ratings

Many top-rated hard-sided coolers can be listed as being bear-resistant. This is an important consideration if you are camping in bear territory. You should specifically look out for IGBC ratings. This indicates that a cooler has been tested and is in compliance with their regulations. You should ensure your cooler is included if you plan to travel in bear-proof gear or frequent backcountry areas.

Cooler Sizes (Capacities)

A few things to consider before we get started: Size. Importantly, coolers do not measure the interior capacity of all models. Some coolers use cans to measure interior capacity, others use liters or quarts. However, most manufacturers use quarts as a unit of measure. We've used that measurement in this article when it was possible. A final point: Don't let the product name fool you.

Ice Retention And Cooling Capabilities

Ice retention is one of the most difficult things to determine when researching coolers. This is largely due to external factors. The temperature of the air and direct sunlight have a significant impact. Ice quantity is also important. Most brands suggest a ratio of 2:1. You should also open the lid as often as possible to let warm and cold air into your cooler. Pre-chilling your cooler before loading it is a good idea to ensure maximum efficiency. To reduce the cooler's interior temperature, you should fill it with ice at least for a couple of hours. Once you are ready to go, add fresh ice in the right ratio. You can also expect your cooler to become pre-warmed if it is left out in the sunlight before you load it up.

Weight And Portability

Weighing your cooler is an important factor for those who will be carrying it or moving it around regularly. For models with less capacity, they can weigh as little as 10-15 pounds and up to 50+ for those that have 75+ quarts storage. This number goes up dramatically when you load it down with food and drinks. Even though the handles are made of rope, some are plastic and others are nylon. They are too heavy to be carried for extended distances. We recommend wheels if portability is important. They are easier to carry for longer periods of time and more convenient for one person, so they're less burdensome.

Cooler Latch And Closure Systems

The cooler's closure or latch is a key feature of premium models and will play a major role in cooling performance. Two rubber T-handles are a common feature on high-end, hard-sided coolers. They keep the lid in place and prevent it from opening. They are extremely sturdy and user-friendly.

Cooler Construction

There are two main types of construction techniques used to make premium hard-sided coolers: injection molding and rotational molding. Yeti popularized rotomolding (even though they weren't technically the first company to do so) and is the dominant market at the top end. This type of cooler is made from a single, continuous piece of plastic which is then rotated to form the desired shape. These coolers have fewer stress points, so they are more likely to break under pressure. They also feature a thicker outer shell that ensures exceptional durability. Cost and weight are the main drawbacks.

FAQs

How Long Does A Cooler Stay Cold?

It all depends on how efficient the cooler is at insulation. This includes the temperature outside, initial temperature of food and its stacking. Food can be kept cold for up to 4 days with ice (the best), in ideal conditions. A high-end cooler may even keep it chilled for as long as 10 days.

How Much Do Coolers Cost?

Consider what your cooler will be used for. If you need it to store food or drinks for several days or at extreme temperatures then more money is an investment in food safety. A cooler that is cheap and cheerful may suffice if you just need to chill a handful of drinks for an afternoon barbecue.

How Do I Clean My Cooler?

Warm water and dish soap will generally clean your cooler. You can also use warm water and bleach to remove stubborn stains or odors.

Can I Use Dry Ice In A Cooler?

Most times, the answer is yes. Some coolers can be damaged by dry ice, but the majority should work fine. However, you will need to cover dry ice with blankets or other insulators. A cooler designed for dry ice is best if you plan to use it every day. You won't have to do any special tasks because the cooler has compartments to store dry ice.

Which Size Cooler Do I Need?

Although you might feel compelled to buy a large cooler, make sure it fits in the car. Smaller coolers can be lifted without the need for assistance. However, coolers with larger capacities can hold more ice and so tend to stay cool longer than smaller models.
Higher coolers can store bottles more upright. Models with recessed lids are better for loading items higher, but they may become warmer.

How Does A Portable Cooler Work?

Combining the insulation of the cooler with the ice you put inside, either ice cubes, ice packs, or foam, slows down warm air circulation and helps keep things cool.

Does Food Stay Cool In A Portable Cooler Without Ice?

But it will take longer than if you put ice inside the cooler. Insulation in the cooler stops food from heating up faster than if left out. The temperature of the cooler and how chilled the food were at the beginning will determine the time it takes to cool down. Even frozen foods will heat up faster if they are kept cool in a trunk compartment of a vehicle.

What Is The Best Hard Cooler?

There are many coolers. It really doesn't matter which cooler you choose. A cooler that is more resistant to damage will be the most suitable if you intend on using it every week.

Conclusion

best 12 volt cooler are usually made of high-quality materials, come with a warranty in case something goes wrong, and have a lot of positive customer feedback. If you want to buy the best commodity for your necessities, you must first understand what characteristics or qualities constitute an "ideal" item.

You can also look into Coleman Electric Cooler | 40-Quart Portable as an alternative to the options listed above. We hope that this list of excuses why investing in the best is worthwhile will assist you in making an informed decision when shopping online.


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About Hailey Abbott

Hailey Abbott
Hailey Abbott is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer for CampfireHQ. She has a passion for hunting and fishing, which she often enjoys with her family and friends. Hailey also enjoys staying active through sports such as golf, basketball, and softball. Hailey has worked as an editor for several years, providing content that is both accurate and engaging. She has also had the opportunity to interview numerous experts in various fields. This wealth of experience gives her a unique perspective when writing about the outdoors and other topics.

Read Hailey's full bio