Electric Cool Boxes work like a mini fridge and are heavier than a passive cool box due to the motor and leads, so generally they are not great for picnics. First impressions count, and the dazzling blue of the VonShef Electric Cool Box really catches the eye. The 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. Some mention that it has lots of room in the cool box, while others say that the storage for the cables is very small.

This was in UK - I wouldn't be storing meat here if it wasn't getting cold, I know how they work, so would be just using them for drinks when here, but it isn't working at all, that was what I was saying. Another vintage-inspired steel cooler box, this sleek and chic beach-ready pal comes with a bottle opener attached to its side. It has an indented split lid, allowing for easy standing 2 ltr bottles on the opposite side of the fan. There’s a built-in opener for bottle capped beers and the main box can be opened part way or in full to give you easier access to the contents. I'm a cynical old bugger, if a company is not heralding the exceptional performance of their product, then I consider it's likely to be inferior to the competition and they've nothing to boast about!

We’ve rounded up some of the best cool boxes for every scenario, from hard cases to soft designs that fold down completely flat. Three-Way Fridge – not the name of your favourite ‘exotic’ film, but rather a description of the expensive absorption coolers which can run on gas cannisters, 12V and 240V. Passive Cool Boxes are generally a little heavier than a cool bag and have rigid plastic walls with better insulation inside. Remember that the weight of the box itself is only of partial consideration – it’s how heavy it will be when filled to the brim with grub and champers!

A top tip is to freeze things you don’t need that day to keep them colder for longer and it will also lower the temperature inside the cool box. The retro look is available in a number of sorbet shades and can hold up to 20 litres, proving it’s not just a pretty face. There will be some products that are amazing quality and packed full of additional features or specifications, but do take the time to really get an idea if you need that level of quality or if your budget and needs mean you should get something else. The Hi-Gear is also one of the only cool boxes we’ve found which will take a 2 litre bottle of pop standing up – there is a hole built into the underside of the lid especially for this purpose. One way around this is to purchase an electric cool box which will operate on either mains hookup or a 12V source such as a car battery or power pack to cool your goods down to the optimum storage temperature.There used to be a great TV advert in the UK which went something like “Ronseal quick drying wood stain – it does exactly what it says on the tin! With its ability to keep your food and drinks up to 18 degrees cooler than the ambient temperature, you can enjoy refreshing and cold beverages even when the summer sun is out. The best cool boxes were solid and were barely scratched when dropped; the worst shattered and broke when dropped. However, if you’re still on the fence and want to look at some more options, here are some great alternatives to consider. Cooling the box from the mains at home and then moving it into the car with the 12 volt plug, a little indication light to show that there is electrical connection.

The cable storage compartment is a reasonable size, so there is no struggle to close the cable cover.

A retractable handle quickly pushes down into the back of the cool box, but it also has side handles—removing any awkwardness if you try to pull over the uneven or gravelled ground. However, the IceQ states it is 20°C below ambient temperatures, which I have not noticed any difference. To help find you the most portable cool boxes, we tried carrying each half-filled cool box on an identical route so we could evaluate and identify any discomfort.

For France we use a Waeco CF25 which works like regular fridge/freezer but is designed for portable use. The great advantage though is that they are silent, but need to be kept on very level ground or they won’t work. If you need a proper cooker to do this though, be sure to check out our guide on camping stoves and kettles.

If you're into trekking, want something for the odd picnic, or to keep your lunch cool for work A cooler bag may be the way to go. so it's cooling at 13DegC below ambient, it seems that the below ambient figure gets better as the ambient increase. The main problem with this is that once you take the two cables from the space in the lid, you are very unlikely to get them back in again. A strap will also keep the lid open to avoid falling backwards, which can weaken the lid hinges over time. The plastic cover over the wire and plug shortage hole fell off on the first day but the rest of the box is very good quality with plentiful space and insulation.