Campart Helsinki CB-8690
The Campart Helsinki CB-8690: a 42-litre hybrid cooler combining a genuine 230V compressor with a 12V thermoelectric module, for both home and the road.
Key features
- Capacity: 42 litres
- Type: Hybrid: 230V compressor, 12V thermoelectric
- Power supply: 230V AC (compressor) and 12V DC (thermoelectric)
- Genuine 230V compressor down to -15°C, usable as a mini-freezer
In detail: Campart Travel CB-8690, 42-litre hybrid cooler
The Campart Helsinki CB-8690 is a 42-litre hybrid cooler made by Dutch brand Campart Travel, standing out for its two separate cooling systems depending on the power source used. Plugged into 230V mains, it uses a genuine compressor able to drop as low as -15°C regardless of ambient temperature, letting it double as a backup mini-freezer. Plugged into a vehicle's 12V cigarette lighter socket, it switches to a thermoelectric module, cooling down to 20°C below ambient temperature for lighter nomadic use.
Its stainless steel front and sturdy built-in handles give it a refined look, a step up from the plasticky feel of many standard electric coolers. The control panel, covered and designed with cable storage in mind, rounds off this quality-focused approach. With an A+ energy class and dimensions of 48 x 52 x 47 cm, it remains transportable while offering genuine 42-litre capacity.
This dual power supply makes it a versatile unit: usable at home, in a garage or utility room as a backup freezer on mains power, then taken along in a car for a trip, relying on the less powerful but adequate thermoelectric module to maintain the cold already achieved.
For anyone after genuine versatility between occasional domestic freezing and nomadic use in a vehicle, the Campart Helsinki CB-8690 remains an interesting option, at a price that reflects this dual functionality.
Technical data
Detailed characteristics
Performance
| Type?General technical category the unit belongs to (passive, thermoelectric, compressor...). | Hybrid, two separate cooling systems depending on the power source chosen |
|---|---|
| Temperature on 230V?Temperature range the unit can be set to. | Adjustable from +10°C to -15°C via the compressor, regardless of ambient temperature |
| Temperature on 12V?Temperature range the unit can be set to. | Cools down to 20°C below ambient temperature via the thermoelectric module |
| Energy class?European energy efficiency class, from A+++ (most efficient) to G. | A+ |
Dimensions and power supply
| Capacity?Usable storage volume of the cooler, in litres. | 42 litres |
|---|---|
| Power supply?How the unit is powered (12V, 230V, or none for a passive cooler). | 230V AC (mains cable) and 12V DC (cigarette lighter cable) |
| Outer dimensions?Width, depth and height of the unit (W x D x H), inside and/or outside depending on the line. | 48 x 52 x 47 cm (width x height x depth) |
| Material?Main material used to make the casing. | Stainless steel front, sturdy built-in handles |
Additional information
| Control panel | Covered, with cable storage |
|---|---|
| Box contents | Helsinki cooler, 230V mains cable, 12V DC car cable, instruction manual |
| EAN | 8713016043528 |
Comparison
In the hybrid compressor-plus-thermoelectric cooler segment around 40 litres, the Campart Helsinki CB-8690 is naturally compared with the EZA BLIZZ-E F40, a pure compressor cooler of similar size, in searches such as "hybrid cooler vs compressor cooler". Here's how the two compare, based on both manufacturers' public specifications.
| Criterion | Campart Helsinki CB-8690 | EZA BLIZZ-E F40 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 42 L | 40 L (31.2 L + 4.2 L) |
| Technology | Hybrid (230V compressor + 12V thermoelectric) | Pure compressor (12V/24V) |
| Minimum temperature | -15°C (230V only) | -20°C (always, 12V or 24V) |
| Car use | Thermoelectric, less powerful | Compressor, full power |
| Price observed | ≈€299 | ≈€369 |
In short, the Campart Helsinki excels at home on mains power thanks to its genuine compressor, but falls back on a less capable thermoelectric module once unplugged from 230V, while the EZA BLIZZ-E F40 keeps its compressor's full power regardless of the supply used (12V or 24V). The choice therefore depends on the intended main use: domestic for the Campart, in-vehicle for the EZA.
Our tester's verdict: Gilles Caron
I tested it at home, plugged into mains for several weeks, before taking it along for a long weekend by car. On 230V mains, the genuine compressor more than delivers: dropping down to -15°C means real freezing, something a simple thermoelectric cooler can't do, handy as a backup freezer in a garage or utility room. Once unplugged from the mains and switched to the cigarette lighter during the drive, the thermoelectric module takes over with a much more modest temperature drop, enough to maintain the cold already built up rather than to cool down from ambient. The stainless steel front and sturdy handles genuinely feel like quality, far from the plasticky look of many electric coolers. My only gripe: switching between 230V and 12V mode isn't automatic, you need to plan the changeover depending on the trip. For mixed home and travel use, with a genuine need for occasional freezing, it remains convincing.
Frequently asked questions: Campart Travel CB-8690, 42-litre hybrid cooler
No, on 230V a genuine compressor can drop as low as -15°C regardless of ambient temperature, while on 12V a less powerful thermoelectric module only cools down to 20°C below ambient, a much more modest drop.
Yes, but only plugged into 230V mains: it's the compressor that allows negative temperatures down to -15°C, the 12V thermoelectric function doesn't drop as low.
No, you need to plug in the cable matching the desired power mode (mains or cigarette lighter): the cooling system used (compressor or thermoelectric) directly depends on the source connected.
Standard care with a soft sponge and non-abrasive product is enough, as with any stainless steel surface, avoiding harsh products that could scratch or dull the finish.
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Page published on 3 August 2026