The Best Electric Coolers of 2023

These portable refrigerators can be powered by your car battery or by mobile power packs, solar panels, and other sources. You can fill your iceless cooler to the brim with food and beverages and keep it at a constant temperature indefinitely.

We'll help you find out the best electric cooler right for your needs in this comprehensive buyer's guide. You can use the links below to jump to the recommendation that best fits your needs, or you can scroll down to see all of the high-quality options we chose for this list.

1. ARB Zero Portable Fridge & Freezer

Important Specifications 

• Brand: ARB

• Capacity: 2.44 Cubic Feet

• Configuration: Internal Freezer

• Color: Black

• Product Dimensions: 21"D x 33"W x 25"H

• Voltage: 5 Volts

• Finish Type: Matte

• Shelf Type: Wire

• Form Factor: Chest

• Model Name: Zero

Product's highlights

The ARB Zero Portable Fridge Freezer is a massive cooler. It has roughly the same capacity, weight, and size as the Dometic but costs significantly more. The extra versatility is worth the cost for those who pack a variety of foods.

For starters, this cooler is nearly half a foot taller than the Dometic Dual Zone, providing more storage space for tall wine bottles. Second, the ARB comes with three baskets as opposed to two in the Dometic.

While the ARB's single-lid design may cause concern, the freezer section has its own lid inside to keep your food insulated when you open the fridge section.

Finally, if you don't want to use the fridge/freezer combination and only use one temperature zone, the separate baskets and compartments can be removed to make more space, resulting in a single larger space with a total capacity of 69 L.

Pros

• Versatile

• Two distinct zones

• Storage that is tall

• Extremely long-lasting

• Power pack that matches (not included)

Cons

• Heavy

2. Dometic CFX3 75 Dual Zone Powered Cooler 

Important Specifications 

• Brand: DOMETIC

• Capacity: 75 Liters

• Color: Black and Silver

• Installation Type: Freestanding

• Number of Doors: 2

• Product Dimensions: 19.5"D x 35.9"W x 18.6"H

• Finish Type: Matte

• Form Factor: Chest

• Model Name: CFX3 75DZ

• Pattern: Solid

Product's highlights

Dometic's CFX3 75 Dual Zone Powered Cooler is the 55's bigger brother. This electric cooler is significantly larger, heavier, and more expensive than the more modest Dometic CFX3 55, but its additional features make it a fan favorite for more serious adventures.

The Dometic CFX3 75 Dual Zone, as the name implies, has two storage compartments that allow you to cool and freeze at the same time. Each compartment can be set to any temperature, allowing you to tailor the cooler to your specific requirements. This electric food cooler has a 75L capacity and can accommodate 113 soda cans.

Pros

• Large storage capacity in relation to its weight

• Dual zones for the fridge/freezer combo

• Dependable and long-lasting

• Controls via an app

Cons

• Heavy.

3. ICECO VL60 Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator 

Important Specifications 

• Brand: ICECO

• Capacity: 63.4 Quarts

• Configuration: Compact Internal Freezer

• Energy Star: 4 Star

• Color: Gray

• Special Feature: The unneeded compartment can be shut down to save on power.

• Number of Doors: 1

• Product Dimensions: 19.4"D x 31.2"W x 18.8"H

• Refrigerant: R513A

• Finish Type: Glossy

Product's highlights

If you like the idea of a dual-zone electric cooler but don't want to pay the high prices of the Dometic or ARB options, the ICECO VL60 Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator is for you. ICECO is a well-known brand that has received overwhelmingly positive feedback on all of its electric coolers.

This large cooler has two zones, each capable of reaching any temperature within the cooler's temperature range. The ICECO also has two cooling modes, MAX and ECO, for quick freezing when needed and energy efficiency when not.

The sturdy construction of ICECO's coolers is particularly appealing to us. To provide quality insulation, the metal shell has thick walls, good seals, and steel fasteners.

The compressor is covered by a 5-year warranty, so you can be confident that this electric cooler is a good investment. Finally, the electric cooler includes wired baskets for organizing your food as well as an interior LED light to help you find what you're looking for even in the dark.

Pros

• LED interior lighting

• MAX and ECO cooling modes are available.

Cons

• It does not provide subzero minimum temperatures.

4. GoSun Chill Electric Cooler

Important Specifications 

• Brand: GOSUN

• Color: White

• Material: Durable

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 23.5 x 19 x 16 inches

• Item Weight: 35 Pounds

• Chamber Depth: 23.5 Inches

Product's highlights

While any of these devices could be powered by a renewable source such as a solar panel and battery bank, none is more environmentally friendly than the GoSun Chill Electric Cooler. This is the ideal product for those seeking modern luxury while maintaining a sustainable lifestyle.

This electric cooler can be charged using the battery in your car, an AC adapter, or another power source. It can also be plugged into the PowerBank of the electric cooler, which can save a dead phone battery in an emergency.

On an 80-degree day, the PowerBank is powerful enough to keep the electric cooler's internal temperature at 40 degrees F for 10 hours or 10 degrees F for 6 hours.

Pros

• Excellent for solar table integration (not included)

• Eco-friendly

• Because of the handle and wheels, this cooler is the most portable in this category.

Cons

• Limited capacity

5. Whynter FM-45G Portable Refrigerator 

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Whynter

• Capacity: 1.41 Cubic Feet

• Configuration: Compact Internal Freezer

• Energy Star: No energy star

• Color: Gray

• Special Feature: “Fast Freeze” mode

• Installation Type: Freestanding

• Number of Doors: 1

• Defrost System: Automatic

• Product Dimensions: 16.5"D x 23.5"W x 20.5"H

Product's highlights

The Whynter Portable Refrigerator is a high-performing cooler with a lot to offer at a reasonable price. The unit's temperature range is very impressive, with the lowest minimum temperature on this list tied with the much more expensive ARB Zero. Not only is it the lowest we've seen, but it's also close to the lowest temperature an electric cooler can reach.

The Whynter electric cooler has a secondary "Fast Freeze" mode that increases power and reduces temperature as quickly as possible. It has one of the best control ratings of any cooler we reviewed, with a temperature control deviation of only 1.6 degrees F.

Pros

• Affordable

• There is a "Fast Freeze" mode.

• Excellent temperature control and minimum temperature.

Cons

• Handles are small.

1. Can Ice Be Placed in an Electric Cooler?

Yes, you could put ice in most electric coolers, but why would you? These electric coolers can keep sub-freezing temperatures and even make ice for you.

We don't recommend putting ice in an electric cooler and using it as a regular cooler without power. The cooling elements that allow it to function as a refrigerator are heavy and cumbersome. With ice added, there would be little room for food or beverages, and it would be much heavier than a traditional ice chest.

2. What Is the Best Electric Cooler Brand?

Dometic is consistently rated as one of the best electric cooler brands, with a wide range of sizes and options. If you can't afford the relatively high prices of Dometic products, there are many other great brands to choose from.

Engel, ARB, and National Luna are also highly regarded brands. We also admire GoSun's commitment to sustainability. If you can afford an ARB electric cooler, it is a fantastic brand with exceptional durability.

3. Are Car Coolers Bad for Your Battery?

Yes, if you leave an electric cooler plugged in while not driving, it will drain your battery. Quality electric coolers, on the other hand, have built-in battery monitoring and will shut down before draining your battery to the point where it can no longer start your car.

It could drain a car battery in a couple of hours to a couple of days, depending on the power draw, cooler size, and temperature. At that point, the cooler will shut down, potentially destroying your food.

As a result, you should plan to keep your cooler plugged in while driving. When stopped, however, it's a good idea to have a backup power source in case your car battery dies.

In summary, electric coolers are an excellent investment. They keep your food fresh while traveling and prevent a soggy mess of melted ice in the bottom.

These electric coolers can reach and maintain sub-zero temperatures, preventing your ice cream from melting. Plus, if you have enough power, such as from a solar panel and power bank, you can run your electric cooler indefinitely and use it as a standard home fridge and freezer.