Best Rv Cooler - Buying Guide 2024

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
Knox 48-Quart 12V Cooler
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Knox 48-Quart 12V Cooler

With a rugged, durable design, this 48-quart 12V cooler is perfect for camping, picnics and bringing to the beach. It plugs into any standard outlet and features a powerful cooling system with no need for ice. If you're looking for a way to keep food cold for hours without the use of ice, this is it. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Koolatron Fun Kool P25 Thermoelectric Iceless 12V Electric Cooler

Keep your drinks cold and your food hot with the Koolatron Fun Kool P25 Thermoelectric Iceless 12V Electric Cooler. It features a unique insulation design and a tightly locking lid that ensure you won't have to worry about water evaporation or ice melting, while keeping the interior environment dry and clean. Read Review

3. Best Convenient: Igloo 28 Quart Iceless Thermoelectric Ice Chest Beverage Cooler

Keep your drinks cold without the hassle of ice by using Igloo’s Beverage Cooler. This 28 quart iceless thermoelectric ice chest has a bale handle and comfort grip for easy carrying, and can cool drinks off the shelf with no need to fill it up with ice. Read Review

4. Best Versatile: Koolatron Voyager P27 Thermoelectric Iceless 12V Cooler Warmer

Keep food and beverages at safe temperatures, with the Koolatron Voyager. With its industrial design, this cooler works perfectly in any environment, from office to home. The two-way design allows for a variety of uses such as warming drinks and iceless cooling. Read Review

Whether you are getting ready for the summer road trip or simply want your RV to stay cool, then an RV cooler is a must-have. A cooler is a self-contained compartment with an interior lining of walls and a lid through which air can be circulated for cooling. With the rising temperatures outside and the growing demand of our outdoor adventurers, it’s time to get your own personal thermostat in your RV.

To keep your home from overheating and uncomfortable inside, investing in an RV cooler is one of the best RV upgrades you can make. Depending on where you live and how often you venture out; finding the right type of cooler can be challenging. The following article will help you find the perfect unit at a fair price.

Our team had to focus on researching and sifting through 18 hours to get such results for readers. These studies are based on customer star reviews and interviews about their feelings when using the product. When it comes to finding the best rv cooler, we believe Knox 48-Quart 12V Cooler is a worth product to buy. If you're looking for additional options and more in-depth advice, you may check out the following.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Knox 48-Quart 12V Cooler
Our Score:
9.7
Knox.Lifestyle by Focus
  • Vast Storage Space: This 48-quart large compact cooler stores about 60 cans of soda or 6 large 2-liter bottle with plenty of space for food & snacks. Portable and spacious.
  • Plugs in Anywhere: 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.
  • Easy to Carry and Store: Our ergonomic handle and compact design make this electric ice chest/warmer on wheels easy to carry for even 1 person alone. It fits easily into car trunks and seats for bulk free travel
TOP Choice #2 Koolatron Fun Kool P25 Thermoelectric Iceless 12V Electric Cooler
Our Score:
9.6
Koolatron
  • PRACTICAL AND DURABLE DESIGN- Features a sturdy carry handle, detachable lid, removable sliding shelf, and cord storage compartment
  • ICELESS THERMOELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY- CFC-free thermoelectric technology and brushless fan motor efficiently cools to 36°F (18°C) below surrounding temperature using less power than your vehicle’s tail light
  • 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
  • Cools without ice and leaves you more room for food and drinks
  • 18 1/4 inches by 12 3/4 inches by 17 1/4 inches
  • uses your car's cigarette lighter to cool without ice, unlocking more room for food and drinks, as well as keeping all contents fresh and dry. Takes cooler temperature down to 36F below surrounding air
  • WARMING AND COOLING FUNCTIONS Use in cooling mode to safely store meats and keep snacks and beverages cool on the go or switch to warming mode to bring home take-out or transport hot dishes to a family gathering
  • 27.5 L / 29 QUART TRAVEL COOLER Large capacity 12 V DC powered cooler with a compact footprint holds up to 48 standard 12 oz/355 mL cans
  • ICELESS THERMOELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CFC-free thermoelectric technology and brushless fan motor 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
  • SILENT&SHOCKPROOF - The sound of the 12v fridge is only 40 decibels when it is running, it provides a quiet and comfortable environment for you.Because of its overall external smooth lines and equipped with a multi-functional non-slip base, the lateral displacement is greatly reduced. When your car is climbing at an inclination angle of 35 degrees, the car portable freezer can still run stably.Our portable car refrigerator allows you to enjoy iced drinks in stable and quiet during the trip.
  • LCD PANEL&BLUETOOTH CONNECTION - The LCD panel allows you to directly see the operation of the 12v refrigerator for car and adjust the temperature range at any time. You can set any temperature between-4℉-68℉(-20℃-20℃) on the panel. Car cooler also has a Bluetooth mode, with a mobile app, so you can remotely control portable car fridge without being around the machine.Euhomy offer a 1-year quality assurance.If you have any questions about our car freezer,please contact our customer service team.
  • 👍ANTI-SHAKING: BODEGA 12v fridge provides a silent and comfortable environment for you.Because of its overall external smooth lines and equipped with a multi-functional non-slip base, the lateral displacement is greatly reduced. When your car is climbing at an inclination angle of 30 degrees, the car portable freezer can still run stably.Our portable car refrigerator allows you to enjoy cold drinks in stable and quiet during the trip
  • 👍2 YEARS WARRANTY&24 HOURS SUPPORT: With 2-Years warranty.We have a professional technical support team responsible for the portable car freezer.If you have any problems,please feel free to contact us via Amazon.We will response you in 24 hours and let you have an wonderful experience.BODEGA car fridge 12v is equipped with 120/240V AC and 12/24V DC adapters, which can be used at home or in the car.The RV freezer line length is about 2.6m, it is enough for all kinds of outdoor entertainment.
  • DUAL STORAGE AREA&POWERFUL CAPACITY - Euhomy car refrigerator is equipped with two zone. Dual storage areas can reduce odor. Portable refrigerator freezer allows you to store a variety of foods while keeping fresh. This powerful rv fridge can hold 58can cola, or 36 bottles water or 18 bottles red wine, which fully meets RV1 / truck drivers,boat owners and campers to store seafood, snacks,meat, and beverages, travel, boating, and camping needs.
  • DAMPING & HANDLE DESIGN - The damping design of the portable fridge is very friendly! Because of its overall external smooth lines and equipped with a multi-functional non-slip base, the lateral displacement is greatly reduced. When your car is climbing at an inclination angle of 30 degrees, the 12 volt refrigerator can still run stably. The humanized handle design is convenient for you to move the camping refrigerators while reducing the degree of body tilt and protecting your lumbar spine.
  • 🏆【High Efficiency Consumption】The high efficiency car fridge has exceptionally low energy consumption with an energy saving design. It can keep your food chilled or frozen easily with an excellent cooling performance without consuming too much energy. It's a good choice to save your cost.
  • 🏆 【Compact Capacity】 This portable car refrigerator has a capacity of 1.7 cu ft and can hold up to 60 bottles of beverage or 18 bottles of red wine. Great for carrying it when you travelling and camping. The handles on both sides allow you to move it to any desired location.
  • 【APP CONTROL & BULIT-IN LED LIGHT】BODEGA 12 Volt refrigerator support App or manual control.(For android & ios). You can check or set the temperature, voltage or cooling mode by app. And equipped with LCD panel allows you to directly see the operation of the 12v fridge for car and adjust the temperature range at any time. This portable fridge freezer has 2 capacities and 3 colors for options. Built-in Led light design can make you use it more convenient at night.
  • 【FAST COOLING TO 32℉】Adopt strong DC Compressor refrigeration technology, with high quality, long working life and fast cooling performance. BODEGA 12v car refrigerator can achieve fast cooling from 77℉ to 32℉ within 15 min and from 77℉ to -4℉ within 90 min. Adjust the temperature of the car refrigerator from -4℉-68℉ (-20℃-20℃) as your need. This portable refrigerator is a good choice for outdoor activity such as camping, picnic, road trips and so on.
  • 👍VALUE PACK AND FRIENDLY DESIGN:You will get a portable car fridge,1 cigarette lighter connector,1 wall plug,1 wall plug adapter,1 user manual,2 baskets.The built-in LED light design let you easily to get things at night.The bottom drain hole is convenient for cleaning the 12 volt refrigerators.Our cooler for cars also includes USB charging port,our RV refrigerator 12v has portable stretchable handles and off-road wheels which increase its portability.It's perfect for outdoor activities
  • 👍DUAL ZONE AND APP CONTROL CAR FRIDGE:BODEGA 12Volt refrigerator is equipped with two zone,the two zones can be independently controlled for temperature.Both zone with 18L(19 Quart)=36L(38 Quart).If you want only one zone,you can take off the middle plate.This powerful rv fridge can hold 41cans cola,or 21 bottles water or 13 bottles red wine.It's up to you to decide which side to use as the freezer or fridge zone.Our car portable refrigerator support App or manual control.(For android and ios)

What to Look Through Prior to Buying the best rv cooler?

Visitors may be aware that purchasing something is not actually an easy action. Your everyday life will be affected if you choose the most fantastic product. What variables, though, will make this acquisition successful? Whether you're seeking for best rv cooler to meet your needs, you'll be wasting your own time.

Nevertheless, it would be preferable if you weren't so worried. We've enlisted the help of a team of professionals to investigate best rv cooler, and we've provided accurate data.

As mentioned above, our article's description is accurate, and perhaps the most crucial reason for that is the conduction by highly qualified specialists with many years of market expertise. Furthermore, designers use AI and Big Data to ensure that the information you discover here is accurate and reliable.

There seem to be several important considerations to make. But only a few of them are really concentrated. Here are some crucial reviews while purchasing best rv 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

The figures we've presented here aren't all of them. Alternatively, we continuously update it as new information becomes available. It's advisable to keep in mind the points we discussed related to buying guide.

We always appreciate your feedback and handle it with the utmost importance. As a result, the most up-to-date data will come to your mind as soon as possible. You are supposed to contact us and give us your reviews as well as problems so that we will try to support you. Hope you have a pleasant shopping experience!


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About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

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