The best coolers

Passive, electric, compressor and soft-bag coolers: everything you need to keep food and drinks cold anywhere, from a picnic to a camper van.

Whether for a picnic, a road trip or a van conversion, the cooler remains the essential item for keeping food and drinks cold away from a fridge.
We have sorted our selection into several families: passive coolers (insulation only, with ice packs), electric coolers (plugged into the mains or a car socket, absorption or Peltier technology), compressor coolers (the most efficient, with a real compressor just like a fridge), and soft or bag coolers (light and foldable). For the cold packs to slip inside these coolers, see our Other category.

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No product matches these criteria.

I - Passive cooler

The classic cooler, no electricity needed: good insulation combined with ice packs keeps things cold for several days. Simple, sturdy and no need for a power source.

Isotherm 934 Campingaz Isotherm 934 Rigid Passive Cooler, 17 Litres
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Campingaz Isotherm 934

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Compact and virtually indestructible, the Campingaz Isotherm 934 keeps your drinks cool for up to 20 hours and can even take your weight if you sit on the lid.

  • Capacity : 17 litres, up to 11 bottles of 0.5 L
  • Cold retention : Up to 20 hours (20h30 with a Freez'Pack M10)
  • Insulation : 100% PU polyurethane foam, CFC and HCFC free, in both the body and the lid
  • Lid-locking handle, structure rated for 250 kg
The Campingaz Isotherm 934 cooler relies on 100% PU polyurethane foam insulation (in both the body and the lid) to keep food and drinks cold for up to 20 hours with a Freez'Pack, in a 17-litre volume. Its tough HDPE shell supports up to 250 kg, and the handle automatically locks the lid shut when closed. A reliable companion for picnics, camping trips or long car journeys, at an entry-level price.
We've taken this Isotherm 934 along on several camping and beach weekends: it's the kind of cooler you quickly forget about, in a good way. It does its job without surprises, the insulation holds up over a full day with one or two Freez'Packs, and the handle that locks the lid shut when closed avoids nasty surprises during car transport. The real strong point is its shell, rated to support 250 kg: it literally doubles as a stool by the water's edge, a detail that matters when you're short on chairs. At 17 litres, it stays modest for more than two people over several days, and its insulation remains average for the passive segment compared with more premium references. But for the price, it's hard to find anything simpler or sturdier: exactly what you'd expect from an entry-level Campingaz cooler.
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UC19 Engel UC19 Waterproof Floating Cooler, 18 Litres
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Engel UC19

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Airtight and waterproof, this 18-litre Engel cooler floats even when full: the ideal companion for fishing, kayaking and boating trips.

  • Capacity : 18 litres (19 US quarts), up to 30 cans of 33 cl
  • Outer dimensions : 42 x 28.6 x 32.4 cm
  • Inner dimensions : 35 x 20.3 x 25.4 cm
  • Waterproof box that floats even when full, 5-year warranty
The Engel UC19 cooler stands out for its airtight, waterproof construction, able to float even when full, a feature sought after by anglers and watersports enthusiasts. Its recessed EVA gasket and injection-moulded polymer (TPU) shell, reinforced with stainless steel hardware, give it up to 24 hours of cold retention. A compact 18-litre format, 5-year warranty, built for heavy outdoor use rather than the occasional picnic.
Taken out several times kayaking and by the water's edge, the Engel UC19 quickly earned its place in our selection: it's one of the rare passive models that's genuinely waterproof, in the literal sense. The EVA gasket does the job as advertised, no leaks observed even sitting in the damp bottom of a kayak, and seeing it float as intended when it goes overboard is immediately reassuring. The stainless steel latches and self-locking hinge give an impression of rare sturdiness for this compact format, consistent with the 5-year warranty Engel states. The removable hanging tray is a clever detail for keeping sandwiches away from cans. Two honest downsides: at 18 litres, it stays small for a group or several days of catches, and its price is well above a classic passive cooler of equivalent capacity. But for targeted use, fishing, kayaking, protecting a camera or electronics from moisture, it justifies its price with a ruggedness and water resistance few competitors offer at this size.
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II - Electric cooler

Plugged into the mains or the car's cigarette lighter socket, the electric cooler keeps a steady cool temperature without ever needing to swap out ice packs.

Tropicool TC 35 Dometic Tropicool TC 35 Electric Cooler
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Dometic Tropicool TC 35

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A 35-litre absorption electric cooler, powered by 12V or 230V, to keep things cold continuously with no ice packs needed.

  • Capacity : 35 litres
  • Type : Thermoelectric (Peltier)
  • Temperature gap : Up to 27°C below ambient temperature when cooling; up to 65°C when keeping warm
  • Reversible cooling/heating operation, quiet (compressor-free), noise level of 41 dB
The Dometic Tropicool TC 35 uses absorption technology to maintain a cool temperature continuously, powered from the mains or a vehicle's cigarette lighter socket. Quiet and compressor-free, it offers a 35-litre volume, enough for a camping weekend or a motorhome trip, without ever needing to replace ice packs.
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KB 2922 Severin KB 2922 Thermoelectric Electric Cooler, 19 Litres
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Severin KB 2922

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Compact and reversible between cooling and heating, the Severin KB 2922 powers your trips on 12V or 230V, no louder than a fan.

  • Capacity : 19 litres
  • Type : Thermoelectric (Peltier module)
  • Temperature gap : Up to 20°C below ambient temperature when cooling, keeps warm up to 60°C
  • Reversible cooling/heating function, low noise level (35 dB)
The Severin KB 2922 electric cooler (19 litres) targets the needs of a couple or small family on short trips, with 12V and 230V power compatibility and a reversible cooling/heating function, cooling up to 20°C below ambient temperature or keeping food warm at around 60°C. Its compact format and low noise level (35 dB) make it easy to carry and use day to day, a reliable solution from the German brand Severin, well known for its small appliances.
With several thousand verified reviews on its product listing, the KB 2922 is by far the most reviewed electric cooler in our selection, and overall feedback confirms what we found in use: it does the job without fuss. The heating function is the real plus over a standard electric cooler, handy for carrying a hot cooked meal rather than betting everything on cooling. The 8 W eco mode makes it discreet for a hotel night or an overnight drive, and the noise level stays contained even during normal operation. Two points to know before buying: its E energy class on the new European scale, less flattering than the old A++ still displayed by some retailers, and cooling that remains that of Peltier technology, effective for keeping already-cold products cool but not for turning a warm drink into an ice-cold one. For occasional use, a weekend, a holiday road trip, a top-up in a hotel room, it remains a reliable and affordable choice.
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BordBar AS 25 Dometic BordBar AS 25 Thermoelectric Electric Cooler, 20 Litres
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Dometic BordBar AS 25

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Compact and powered by 12V or 230V, the Dometic BordBar AS 25 keeps your drinks continuously cool, without ever needing to refill an ice pack.

  • Capacity : 20 litres (including a compact 10.5 L internal freezer compartment)
  • Type : Thermoelectric (Peltier module)
  • Temperature gap : Up to 18°C below ambient temperature
  • Secures to the seat using the vehicle's seatbelt
The Dometic BordBar AS 25 is a 20-litre thermoelectric electric cooler, powered by 12V from a car's cigarette lighter socket or 230V mains, with automatic switching between the two. It cools up to 18°C below ambient temperature thanks to a quiet Peltier module (39 dB), and attaches to the front or back of a vehicle using its Velcro fastenings and the seatbelt. Handy for shopping trips, picnics or short stays, at the cost of a more limited temperature gap than a compressor cooler.
Reclassified in our catalogue as an electric cooler (rather than a soft bag, a filing error we've now corrected), the BordBar AS 25 earns its place among the small, affordable thermoelectric coolers. Its real strength is power flexibility: cigarette lighter cable on the road, mains cable on arrival, with automatic switching between the two. The Velcro fastenings and the seatbelt used to hold it on the passenger seat are thoughtful details for use in a car. Genuine customer reviews are split on two points: noise level on 12V, seen as more noticeable than on 230V, and cooling power, decent for keeping already-cold products cool but not for turning a warm drink into an ice-cold one. Like any thermoelectric cooler, it doesn't replace a compressor model for heavy use. Its observed price on Amazon has risen sharply lately (worth checking before buying), which now puts it above comparable competitors such as the Severin KB 2922: for short to medium trips it remains an honest choice on a technical level, but the value for money deserves a close look at the time of purchase.
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III - Compressor cooler

The most capable technology: a real compressor, just like in a fridge, reaches sub-zero temperatures and keeps working efficiently even in high outdoor heat.

MR-040F Engel MR-040F Compressor Cooler, 40 Litres
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Engel MR-040F

599.00€ (12)

A historic reference among compressor coolers: rugged, virtually unbreakable, it switches from fridge (+10°C) to freezer (-18°C) with ease.

  • Capacity : 40 litres (38 L usable)
  • Temperature : Continuously adjustable from +10°C to -18°C
  • Power supply : 12V / 24V (vehicle) and 230V (mains)
  • Engel swing compressor: virtually unbreakable, shock resistant
The Engel MR-040F is a 40-litre fridge-freezer cooler with a swing compressor, powered by 12V, 24V or 230V. Continuously adjustable from +10°C to -18°C, it consumes very little power (about 32 W) thanks to its patented compressor, immune to vibration and tilting. All-ABS housing resistant to corrosion, external digital thermometer included, virtually no maintenance required. A safe bet for a van, boat or motorhome, at the cost of a heavier build (about 22 kg) and a higher price.
We were able to follow several long-term user reports on the MR-040F, some having used it for more than a decade without a single breakdown: that's the reputation that built the Engel legend. The swing compressor lives up to its promise, even lying on its side in a boat that's heeling over. The external digital thermometer is a real day-to-day plus: no more opening the lid to check the temperature. Its fridge/freezer versatility across such a wide range (+10°C to -18°C) makes it a convincing two-in-one appliance. Two points to accept before buying: its weight (22 kg empty), which better suits fixed use (van, boat, motorhome) than frequent back-and-forth trips, and its price, well above thermoelectric or absorption electric coolers, but reflecting a durability rarely matched in this market.
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See the Engel MR-040F offer at Engel
CoolFreeze CFX3 35 Wifi Dometic CoolFreeze CFX3 35 Wifi-Connected Compressor Cooler
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Dometic CoolFreeze CFX3 35 Wifi

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Connected compressor cooler: the CFX3 35 can be controlled and monitored remotely from a smartphone thanks to built-in Wifi.

  • Capacity : 36 litres gross / 32 litres usable
  • Type : Compressor (compressor-driven)
  • Temperature : Adjustable down to -22°C
  • Wifi/Bluetooth connectivity with the CFX3 app for remote control and monitoring, ExoFrame structure and folding aluminium handles
The Dometic CoolFreeze CFX3 35 is a 36-litre compressor cooler with Wifi connectivity, letting you monitor and adjust the temperature remotely via the CFX3 app. Compatible with 12V, 24V, 230V and solar power, its ExoFrame structure with folding aluminium handles aims for a good balance between ruggedness and portability.
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IV - Soft cooler

Light, foldable and easy to carry, the soft cooler (or cooler bag) packs down easily once empty and is perfect for short trips and carrying meals.

Sac Glacière souple Campingaz Fold'N Cool Foldable Soft Cooler Bag
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Campingaz Sac Glacière souple

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Light, folds completely flat when empty and easy to carry over the shoulder, this Campingaz Fold'N Cool cooler bag slips in anywhere for short outings.

  • Capacity : 5 or 10 litres depending on the option chosen on this listing (Fold'N Cool range)
  • Cold retention : Up to 10 hours with a Freez'Pack (10L model, sold separately)
  • Insulation : 6 mm closed-cell polyethylene foam, heat-sealed seams
  • Folds completely flat when empty, adjustable shoulder strap
The Campingaz Fold'N Cool soft cooler bag combines 6 mm PE foam insulation with the lightness and flexibility of a regular bag, carried over the shoulder. Sold here in 5 or 10 litres depending on the option chosen on the Amazon listing, it folds completely flat once empty for minimal storage, making it a practical alternative to rigid coolers for short outings, meals on the go or carrying fresh groceries.
Handy for outings where a rigid cooler would be cumbersome: this Campingaz bag has followed us on picnics, bike rides and fresh grocery runs on foot in hot weather. The padded shoulder strap sits comfortably even when loaded, and folding flat once empty is a real plus for storage, unlike a rigid cooler that keeps its bulk all year round. Cold retention stays decent for two to three hours with a Freez'Pack, but drops faster than an equivalent rigid cooler if the bag is left in direct sun. The size choice (5 or 10 litres) lets you match the format to the use: the small model for a meal or two, the 10-litre for an outing with several people. For regular short-term use, it's an honest, affordable buy, as long as you don't expect the performance of a rigid passive cooler over a full day.
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V - Related questions

For a short outing (a few hours to 2-3 days) with easy access to ice packs, a passive cooler is more than enough and needs no power source at all. For extended use (van, motorhome, long trips), an electric or compressor cooler keeps a steady temperature without refilling ice packs, at the cost of needing a mains or 12V connection.

It depends on the technology (compressor or Peltier), the volume and the outside temperature. A mid-sized compressor cooler typically draws between 40 and 60 Wh per hour under normal use: with a 500 Wh power station or auxiliary battery, expect roughly 8 to 12 hours of runtime.

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