Kermode Overlanding

Choosing the Best 12V Cooler for Your Road Trip

Choosing the Best 12V Cooler for Your Road Trip

Are you gearing up for a road trip? Don’t forget to pack food and drinks for the journey.

But keeping them chilled and fresh can be a challenge, especially with traditional coolers that struggle to maintain a consistent temperature, often resulting in melted ice and soggy food.

That’s where portable electric coolers come in.

Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a long journey, ensuring your refreshments stay chilled is paramount. After all, nothing ruins a road trip faster than warm drinks and spoiled snacks.

But with so many options on the market, finding the right cooler can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in.

 We’ve rounded up a list of top coolers, covering different sizes, styles, and price ranges to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.  Keep reading to learn more.

1.  Alpicool C20 

For road trips, the Alpicool C20 Portable Fridge is a real game-changer. This little powerhouse ensures your snacks stay fresh and your drinks stay ice-cold all the way.

With its temperature memory feature and three levels of battery protection (Low, Medium, and High), this fridge keeps performing without draining your vehicle’s battery.

And with its roomy 20-litre capacity, it fits up to 25 cans of Cola – perfect for any occasion.

But what makes the Alpicool C20 stand out is its amazing affordability without skimping on quality.

It’s a great bang for your buck, giving you all the features you need without breaking the bank.

If you’re looking to keep frozen goodies chilly in a small space, this portable cooler is the one to grab.

Specifications:

  • Temperature Range: +20°C to -20°C
  • Cost: $85.00
  • Weight: 8.5kg
  • Voltage: 3.75 at 12V
  • Refrigerant: R134a       
  • Storage Space: 20 Liters

 

2. REPG D30

The REPG D30 is a must-have for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. With a 30kg capacity, this portable thermoelectric fridge keeps your food and drinks cool on the move.

It’s perfect for cars, RVs, or trucks, featuring a convenient handle for easy transportation.it is a great option when you’re road-tripping or exploring nature, the D30 ensures you always have chilled refreshments.

With rapid ice-making capabilities and thick foam insulation, it locks in the temperature and freshness without leaks.

Though a bit hefty at 22kg, its benefits outweigh the challenge of carrying it.

Plus, it’s equipped with an anti-leakage inner tank, a mute function for quiet operation, and battery protection. The D30 is the ultimate companion for your on-the-go adventures.

Specifications:

  • Temperature Range: +20°C to -20°C
  • Cost: $128.00
  • Weight: 22kg
  • Voltage:  3.75 at 12V
  • Refrigerant: R134a       
  • Storage Space: 30 Liters

3. CRONY Cf15

CRONY CF15 is designed to fit easily into tight spaces, making it a great choice for your car or truck’s centre console. It runs on DC 12V and comes with an intuitive app for easy control.

Built with a lightweight design, the CRONY CF15 is easy to carry wherever you go.

Its advanced fan technology ensures quick and efficient cooling, chilling your drinks and snacks perfectly.

Made from durable ABS plastic, it’s both lightweight and strong.

With wheels for added convenience, the CF15 is easy to transport.

It’s ideal for camping trips and road travel, ensuring your food and drinks stay cold and refreshing throughout your journey.

Specifications:

  • Temperature Range: +20°C to -20°C
  • Cost: $110.00
  • Weight: 10kg
  • Voltage:  3.75 at 12V
  • Refrigerant: R134a       
  • Storage Space: 15 Liters

4. CF45

The CF45 is a top-notch 12V cooler offered at a great price. Ideal for family road trips or as a portable fridge, it’s a smart choice, especially with its budget-friendly price tag of around $109.

Packed with features like an LCD, digitised temperature adjustment, a built-in LED light, and an internal basket, this electric cooler offers more than just the basics.

It can freeze down to -4°F (-20°C), providing authentic car refrigeration.

With its high-efficiency compressor and adjustable ECO and HH modes, you have temperature control and energy efficiency at your fingertips.

Whether you need it as a fridge or freezer, the CF45 delivers powerful chilling performance.

Plus, it seamlessly operates with your car battery or solar system, ensuring reliability on your road trip.

Specifications:

  • Temperature Range: 4°F (-20°C),
  • Cost: $106
  • Weight: 15.6
  • Voltage: 12/24 DC, AC 100-220V
  • Refrigerant: R134a       
  • Storage Space: 45 Liters

5. U series

Featuring a larger capacity cooler that remains easy to move around, the Alpicool U series stands out as an excellent choice.

Thanks to its convenient set of wheels, you can effortlessly pull the unit from place to place without the need to fully lift it.

Models in the Alpicool U series, including the U45, U55, U65, and U75, offer 12V DC coolers designed for camping trips or travel adventures.

With fully insulated bodies, these coolers ensure your drinks and food stay chilled for longer periods. Plus, their high-performance compressors keep noise levels low, at just 45 dB.

Each unit in the Alpicool U series comes with additional features for enhanced functionality, like a display panel, 4 cup holders, and a heavy-duty handle.

This thoughtful design makes using and transporting your cooler a breeze, even in rugged outdoor environments.

Specifications:

  • Temperature Range: +20°C to -20°C
  • Cost: 35L ($106), 45L ($99.00), and 55L ($109)
  • Weight: 15.6 kg
  • Voltage: 12/24 DC, AC 100-220V
  • Refrigerant: R134a
  • Storage Space: 35L / 45L / 55L

6. NLD series

Perfect for day trips and weekend getaways, the NLD Series ensures your food and drinks stay refreshingly cool. With capacities ranging from 35L to 55L, you can pick the perfect size for your needs.

The three-stage low-battery cutout safeguards your battery from over-discharge, promoting longevity.

These coolers are versatile and adaptable to various power sources, providing convenience wherever your journey takes you.

Digital temperature controls,

a robust compressor, and low energy consumption enhance the user experience.

Built to withstand vibrations with durable construction, the NLD Series coolers guarantee reliability.

Efficient cooling technology ensures optimal performance on all your adventures, making them a dependable companion for your travel.

Specifications:

  • Temperature Range: +20°C to -20°C
  • Cost: 35L ($90.00), 45L ($99.00), and 55L ($109.00)
  • Weight: 15.6 kg
  • Voltage: 12/24 DC, AC 100-220V
  • Refrigerant: R134a
  • Storage Space: 35L / 45L / 55L

 

7. X Series

The Alpicool X series cooler is a camper’s best friend It features an intuitive control panel, a convenient USB port for charging your devices, and two built-in cup holders for easy access to your drinks.

With its LED light, finding items in the storage basket is a breeze, even in the dark.

Cleaning is a breeze thanks to the bottom drain plug, while recessed handles ensure easy transportation. Whether you’re on a truck, vehicle, or RV trip, this car fridge is up for the adventure.

The detachable fridge door allows for versatile opening options, and the battery protection mode ensures your car’s power supply remains safe throughout the journey.

Specifications:

  • Temperature Range: +20°C to -20°C
  • Cost: 35L ($145.00), 45L ($152.00), and 55L ($160.00)
  • Weight: 15.6 kg
  • Voltage: 12/24 DC, AC 100-220V
  • Refrigerant: R134a
  • Storage Space: 35L / 45L / 55L

8. TAW Series

If you want a cooler with wheels, go for the Alpicool TAW Series. It comes with two sturdy wheels and a handle for easy transport.

This series offers plenty of storage for all your refrigeration needs, accommodating a variety of items.

The freezer section even has a grid of storage baskets for organised storage.

Even when unplugged, the cooler stays frozen for hours, thanks to its foaming agent and insulating materials.

Plus, the double detachable fridge doors can open in multiple directions.

The TAW Series boasts a high-efficiency cooling system that reaches temperatures as low as -4℉ (-20℃) while keeping noise levels low.

It’s also equipped with an LCD panel for precise temperature control and optional Max and ECO cooling modes for added convenience.

Specifications:

  • Temperature Range: +20°C to -20°C
  • Cost: 35L ($145.00), 45L ($152.00), and 55L ($160.00)
  • Weight: 15.6 kg
  • Voltage: 12/24 DC, AC 100-220V
  • Refrigerant: R134a
  • Storage Space: 35L / 45L / 55L

 

9.CR40

The CF40 is a portable electric car cooler with a 40-litre capacity that operates on 12/24V DC power. It’s equipped with a 3-level battery protection setting (H, M, L) to safeguard your vehicle battery during operation.

Operating at just 45dB, it ensures a quiet journey. Thanks to its compressor technology, the CF40 provides fast cooling, minimal power consumption, and reliable performance.

Even when empty, it can cool down to 32°F (0°C) in just 15 minutes, although reaching its lowest temperature of -4°F (-20°C) takes about an hour.

While slightly bulkier than the CF15, fitting it into smaller spaces might be a bit challenging. However, with its rubber sealing strip and magnetic lid, it effectively retains coolness.

And here’s a neat feature – the CF40 supports Bluetooth connection, so you can adjust the refrigerator temperature from wherever you are for added convenience.

Specifications:

  • Temperature Range: +20°C to -20°C
  • Cost: $149.00
  • Weight: 8.5kg
  • Voltage: 3.75 at 12V
  • Refrigerant: R134a       
  • Storage Space: 40 Liters

10. R50

The R50 from Coleman is a large portable refrigeration solution at an affordable price, offering a generous 50-litre capacity for all your necessities on the go.

Standout features include the optional night mode for quiet operation with noise levels as low as 45dB, making it ideal for overnight use. You can also customise the colour to match your preference.

The R50 features a two-zone design with a separate freezer compartment and individual temperature control for each compartment. Equipped with a brushless fan and a fully insulated body, it ensures efficient cooling performance. Its movable freezer compartment allows for full-height usage as a fridge, adding versatility for weekend trips.

Its compact dimensions and reversible door make it easy to fit into tight spaces in campervans, caravans, motorhomes, or marine kitchens.

Conveniently, temperature adjustments can be made via the digital control panel or app control, offering flexibility and ease of use.

Specifications:

  • Temperature Range: +20°C to -20°C
  • Cost: $149.00
  • Weight: 16kg
  • Voltage: 3.75 at 12V
  • Refrigerant: R134a       
  • Storage Space: 40 Liters

Conclusion

Selecting the ideal electrical cooler for your road trip is essential for preserving the freshness of your food and beverages throughout your journey. With a wide range of options available, from compact and budget-friendly models to larger, feature-rich coolers, finding the perfect fit can significantly enhance your road trip experience. We hope the information provided above helps you make an informed decision, ensuring you stay refreshed and satisfied throughout your travels.

Upgrade your road trip game with the perfect portable cooler from Kermode Overlanding. From compact and budget-friendly options to feature-rich coolers, we’ve got everything you need to keep your snacks and drinks fresh on the go. Don’t let melted ice or warm beverages ruin your journey. Make the right choice for your next adventure.

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