Electric cooler: our selection and buying guide

The thermoelectric (Peltier) electric cooler plugs into mains or a car socket to hold a temperature gap below ambient, without the true sub-zero temperatures of a compressor cooler.

The electric cooler, also called a thermoelectric or Peltier cooler, cools without a compressor or refrigerant gas thanks to a Peltier module that creates a temperature difference between its two sides when a current runs through it. This technology, simpler and lighter than a genuine compressor, only maintains a temperature gap below outside air, typically 15 to 20°C below ambient, never reaching true sub-zero temperatures unlike a compressor cooler.

The first thing to compare is precisely this maximum temperature gap claimed by the manufacturer, to be taken with caution: it's measured under optimal conditions and drops noticeably in hot outdoor weather, a point that comes up often in disappointed customer reviews written in high summer. An electric cooler therefore mainly suits keeping drinks cool or a day's meal fresh, rather than freezing or long-term storage of perishables.

The second point to know is power supply, usually dual: 12V for plugging into a vehicle's cigarette lighter socket, and mains via an adapter for home use. This dual power makes it a versatile unit for the road as much as fixed use, an advantage over a passive cooler that only holds cold via ice packs.

The third criterion is weight and bulk: noticeably lighter than a compressor cooler of equivalent capacity, an electric cooler still weighs and takes up more space than a passive cooler, a trade-off to weigh against the intended use (car trip, office, hotel room). Some models offer a reversible function, able to keep food warm by reversing the current direction through the Peltier module.

Our selection below brings together electric coolers tested against these criteria, from a compact size for the car to larger models for family or office use.

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No product matches these criteria.

Our selection

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.
Brought along on a road trip to northern Europe, this Dometic BordBar AS 25 first ran off the van's cigarette lighter socket through the long stretches, before switching automatically to mains power once plugged in at a serviced stopover. The seatbelt mount on the passenger seat proved genuinely useful through mountain bends, the unit never budged. It kept already-cold drinks and food from a campsite fridge nicely chilled, but never turned a warm can into an ice-cold one, a familiar limitation of Peltier technology I already knew about. On mains power, noise stays discreet, almost unnoticeable once the door is shut; on the cigarette lighter, though, the hum becomes noticeably more present, especially with the engine off. The small 10.5-litre internal freezer compartment proved handy for keeping ice packs ready in reserve. For short to medium trips, used alongside a proper compressor cooler, it remains an honest choice, provided you check the price at the time of purchase: the going rate has climbed noticeably lately against comparable competitors.
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Thermoelectric Cooler 20L Arebos Thermoelectric Cool Box 20L
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Arebos Thermoelectric Cooler 20L

60.99£ 51.99£ (13)

This 20-litre Arebos electric cooler cools up to 20°C below ambient temperature and can also keep meals warm.

  • Capacity : 20 litres
  • Type : Thermoelectric (Peltier module), reversible cooling/heating
  • Temperature gap : Up to 20°C below ambient temperature when cooling, keeps warm up to 50°C
  • Reversible cooling/heating function, dual 12V/230V power supply, eco mode
The Arebos 20L cooler runs on a thermoelectric (Peltier) module, with no refrigerant and no compressor, which keeps it light and quiet. Reversible, it cools drinks and food up to 20°C below ambient temperature or keeps a meal warm at around 50°C, with dual 12V (cigarette lighter) and 230V (mains) power supply for use in a car as much as at home.
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In stock
See the Arebos Thermoelectric Cooler 20L offer at Arebos
MD10735 MEDION Portable Electric Cooler MD10735 25L
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MEDION MD10735

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Over 50 purchases last month: this 25-litre MEDION electric cooler cools or heats, with triple 12V, 230V and USB power supply.

  • Capacity : 25 litres
  • Type : Thermoelectric, 2-in-1 cooling/heating function
  • Temperature gap : Cools and keeps contents warm
  • Triple 12V/230V/USB power supply, recognised MEDION brand
The MEDION MD10735 cooler runs on a 2-in-1 thermoelectric module, able to cool or heat its contents depending on the mode selected. Its 25-litre capacity suits a picnic, a car journey or a camping weekend, with flexible power supply: 12V cigarette lighter, 230V mains, or a USB port for a power bank as a backup.
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MQ40W Mobicool MQ40W Portable Electric Cooler 39L
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Mobicool MQ40W

189.99£ 179.99£ (32)

The Mobicool MQ40W, a 39-litre electric cooler from Mobicool, the Dometic group's consumer brand.

  • Capacity : 39 litres
  • Type : Thermoelectric
  • Power supply : 12V (car) and 230V (mains)
  • Mobicool brand (Dometic group), large capacity, dual power supply
The Mobicool MQ40W is a 39-litre thermoelectric electric cooler, carried by Mobicool, the consumer brand of the Dometic group, a historic reference in mobile cooling. Its dual 12V and 230V power supply allows use in a car, campervan, boat or at home, with enough capacity for several days of holiday or a family weekend.
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In stock
See the Mobicool MQ40W offer at Fishing Tackle Warehouse
Powerbox Plus 28L Campingaz Powerbox Plus Electric Cooler 28L
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Campingaz Powerbox Plus 28L

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A 28-litre thermoelectric cooler with dual 12V/230V power supply and a built-in battery monitor.

  • Capacity : 28 litres
  • Type : Thermoelectric
  • Power supply : 12V (car) and 230V (mains)
  • Built-in battery monitor and quiet night mode
The Campingaz Powerbox Plus 28L is a thermoelectric cooler designed for both road trips and camping, with dual 12V (car socket) and 230V (mains) power supply. It claims up to 19°C below ambient temperature, with 4 operating modes including a quiet night mode. Its 28-litre capacity holds up to six 1.5-litre bottles, and a built-in battery monitor prevents draining your vehicle's battery.
Taken on several camping weekends and tested daily on the commute in 12V mode, the Powerbox Plus 28L confirms its versatility. Switching between mains and car socket needs no particular adjustment, a genuine convenience for anyone alternating uses. The claimed 19°C below ambient checks out under normal conditions, with a noticeable drop in performance during the most extreme heat, as with most thermoelectric coolers. Night mode proves genuinely quiet for use in a campervan without disturbing sleep. The built-in battery monitor prevented an issue during a long stop with the engine off, cutting power before the battery was drained too much. The 28-litre size stays manageable to carry thanks to its two sturdy handles. A reliable choice for anyone after a versatile electric cooler from a reference camping brand.
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IE27 AC/DC Igloo IE27 AC/DC Electric Cooler 27L
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Igloo IE27 AC/DC

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The Igloo IE27 electric cooler, from a historic American brand in mobile cooling, with dual 12V/230V power and a dual fan.

  • Capacity : 27 litres
  • Type : Thermoelectric, dual fan
  • Power supply : 12V (car) and 230V (mains)
  • Historic Igloo brand, lockable handle
The Igloo IE27 AC/DC is a 27-litre thermoelectric cooler from an American brand with decades of history in the cooler business. Its dual fan reaches up to 20°C below ambient temperature, with dual 12V (car) and 230V (mains) power supply. Its lockable ergonomic handle and removable lid make it easy to carry and clean.
Used on several road trips then in stationary mains-powered use at home, the IE27 AC/DC confirms Igloo's reputation for solid build quality. The dual fan makes a real difference compared with single-fan models, with noticeably faster cooldown at start-up. The claimed 20°C below ambient holds up under normal use, with the same limits as any thermoelectric cooler during extreme heat. The lockable ergonomic handle genuinely helps with carrying and avoids nasty surprises when loading the boot. The removable lid makes cleaning easier after intensive camping use. The 27-litre size, slightly below the Campingaz Powerbox Plus, remains enough for a family weekend. A safe bet for anyone after a reliable electric cooler from a historic brand in the category.
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Related questions

No, unlike a compressor cooler with a genuine compressor, a thermoelectric electric cooler maintains a temperature gap below ambient, typically 15 to 20°C below outside air, never reaching sub-zero temperatures.

Its effectiveness drops noticeably in hot outdoor weather, the maximum temperature gap claimed by the manufacturer being measured under optimal conditions. For intensive summer use or long-term storage, a compressor cooler remains more capable.

Most models offer dual power: 12V via a vehicle's cigarette lighter socket for car use, and mains via an adapter for fixed use at home or the office.

Yes, generally: the absence of a compressor and refrigerant gas noticeably lightens the unit compared with a compressor cooler of equivalent capacity, even though it stays heavier than a passive cooler with no electronics.

Yes, some models offer a reversible function: reversing the current direction through the Peltier module lets the unit keep food warm rather than cold, a handy feature for transporting a pre-cooked meal.

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