Brand: Woltu

The WOLTU KUE010gr is a 22-litre gross (19-litre net) thermoelectric electric cool box, made by German brand WOLTU. Running on both a vehicle's 12V cigarette lighter socket and a 230V mains socket at home, it can cool down to 18-22°C below ambient temperature or, conversely, keep food warm up to 65°C by reversing the direction of the Peltier module. An ECO mode reduces power draw once the set temperature is reached.

I tested it over a camping weekend, switching from mains power before departure to the cigarette lighter socket during the drive, without needing a second unit. The heating function turned out handy for keeping a cooked dish warm until mealtime, a use I hadn't anticipated at first. On the cooling side, the temperature drop stays much more modest than a compressor cooler: expect a cool feel rather than genuine mechanical cold, enough for drinks and already-chilled items, but not for long-term storage in hot weather. ECO mode lets it run all evening on a small power bank without draining it too much. At just 4.4 kg, it's easy to carry in one hand thanks to its handle, a real advantage over much heavier compressor coolers. For light, occasional use between home and car, it remains a sensible, affordable choice.

This WOLTU 30-litre compressor cooler stands out for its control via a dedicated app, letting you monitor temperature, operating mode and battery level remotely from a smartphone. Organised into two distinct zones separated by a removable partition, it lets you combine a very cold compartment for frozen goods with a milder compartment for drinks or fresh produce. Its all-terrain wheels and telescopic handle make it easier to move over rough ground, a real advantage for camping and outdoor activities.

I took it along for three days of wild camping in a 4x4, mainly wanting to test the dual-zone system and the app. The removable divider between the two compartments proved handy for keeping frozen goods well below 0°C on one side and just-chilled drinks on the other, without having to pick one setting over the other. The app works well over Bluetooth at close range, a genuine convenience for checking temperature and battery level without getting up from the hammock. The all-terrain wheels and telescopic handle made a real difference on a rocky track, where a standard cooler would have had to be carried by hand. At 19.2 kg empty, it stays heavy to carry without the wheels, worth planning for if the ground isn't suited to pulling it. MAX mode draws noticeably more than a standard ECO mode, worth watching on a small solar setup. For nomadic use with genuine remote-management comfort, it remains convincing.