Brand: Indel B

The Indel B TB18 is a portable 18-litre compressor cooler from Italian manufacturer Indel B, a historic name in mobile cooling with more than 50 years of experience. At only 8.6 kg empty, it stands out for its digital control panel and its SECOP BD1.4 Micro compressor, a recent upgrade of the model. Continuously adjustable from +10°C to -18°C, it runs on 12V or 24V DC for a direct connection to a vehicle's battery. Its A++ energy class and daily consumption of just 0.15 kWh make it an economical choice for running off an auxiliary battery or a solar panel.

I tested it over a three-day trip in a converted van, tucked flat behind the front seats thanks to its mere 8.6 kg and compact shape. The first thing that stood out was the digital control display on top, far more precise than a simple dial thermostat for dialling in an exact temperature, a real step up from older models of this size. The SECOP compressor gets on with the job without a hitch, with a genuinely fast temperature drop even on a warm afternoon. The 18 usable litres stay sized for one or two people over a short trip, not a group over a week, and the lack of a drawer or internal divider means you have to organise the storage yourself. The included strap makes it easy to carry over short distances, but the format is really built for use inside a vehicle rather than being lugged around on foot for long. For light, occasional solo or two-person use, backed by an Italian brand with decades of experience in mobile cooling, it more than holds up.

The Indel B TB41 is a portable 40-litre compressor cooler from Italian manufacturer Indel B, a reference in mobile cooling for more than 50 years. Fitted with the SECOP BD1.4F Micro FSD compressor, designed specifically for intensive automotive use, it offers two speeds (an economical ECO mode and a MAX mode for a fast temperature drop). Continuously adjustable from +12°C to -22°C, it runs on 12V or 24V DC, with a removable basket and divider to help organise storage. Three battery protection levels prevent the vehicle's battery from being fully drained.

I took it along for a week-long road trip for two in a converted van, wedged behind the front seats thanks to its handy side handles for carrying it between two people. With 40 usable litres and a metal basket with a removable divider, it lets you actually organise storage (drinks on one side, fresh produce on the other), unlike small top-opening models with no compartment at all. MAX mode brings the temperature down noticeably faster than ECO on first fill, a real advantage for quickly chilling groceries picked up warm in the middle of the day. Once the target temperature is reached, ECO mode holds a stable cold with very reasonable draw on the van's auxiliary battery. My only gripe: at 12.6 kg empty, it's still carryable but noticeably bulkier than the TB18, not really built to be carried on foot over any distance. For intensive use in a van or 4x4, backed by Indel B's well-known mechanical reliability, it more than delivers.