Indel B TB18
The Italian Indel B TB18 compressor cooler: 18 litres for just 8.6 kg, with a digital control display and the latest-generation SECOP compressor.
Key features
- Capacity: 18 litres
- Type: Compressor (SECOP BD1.4 Micro compressor)
- Power supply: 12V / 24V DC
- Only 8.6 kg, digital control display, A++ energy class
In detail: Indel B TB18, 18-litre compressor cooler
The Indel B TB18 is a portable 18-litre compressor cooler made by Italian manufacturer Indel B, a brand with more than 50 years of experience in mobile cooling for motorhomes, 4x4s and boating. This model was recently updated with new colours, new materials and, above all, a digital control panel, replacing the dial thermostat of earlier generations for more precise temperature control.
At only 8.6 kg empty and with outer dimensions of 405 x 235 x 565 mm, it is built for light nomadic use, tucked into a vehicle's boot or wedged between two seats in a converted van. The new SECOP BD1.4 Micro compressor, of automotive-grade design, allows a continuous temperature range from +10°C to -18°C, with a claimed consumption of just 0.15 kWh per day (12.5 Ah at 12V, 6.2 Ah at 24V, at 5°C ambient), for an A++ energy class.
Power supply is exclusively 12V or 24V DC, for a direct connection to the vehicle's battery, with no 230V mains option unlike some other models in the range. An adjustable carrying strap is included as standard to make it easier to carry over short distances.
Its limits come down to its size: 18 litres suit a solo traveller or a couple over a short trip, with no compartment or internal divider to help organise storage. For anyone after a compact, economical compressor cooler with a digital control display and Indel B's well-known mechanical reliability, it remains a solid choice in this segment.
Technical data
Detailed characteristics
Performance
| Type?General technical category the unit belongs to (passive, thermoelectric, compressor...). | Compressor, SECOP BD1.4 Micro compressor (automotive-grade design) |
|---|---|
| Temperature?Temperature range the unit can be set to. | Continuously adjustable from +10°C to -18°C |
| Power consumption?Electrical power drawn by the unit while running, expressed in watts (W). | 0.15 kWh/day (12.5 Ah at 12V, 6.2 Ah at 24V, at 5°C ambient) |
| 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. | 18 litres |
|---|---|
| Power supply?How the unit is powered (12V, 230V, or none for a passive cooler). | 12V / 24V DC |
| Weight?The unit's empty weight. | 8.6 kg |
| Outer dimensions?Width, depth and height of the unit (W x D x H), inside and/or outside depending on the line. | 405 x 235 x 565 mm (height x width x depth) |
| Inner dimensions?Width, depth and height of the unit (W x D x H), inside and/or outside depending on the line. | 320 x 175 x 275 mm (height x width x depth) |
Additional information
| Refrigerant | R-134a |
|---|---|
| Climate class | SN-T |
| Certifications | CE, E-Mark, EMC |
| Included accessories | Adjustable carrying strap |
How much does this cool box really use?
Comparison
In the compact compressor cooler segment around 15 to 20 litres, the Indel B TB18 is naturally compared with the Engel MT17F, the Japanese reference in the same size class, in searches such as "Indel B vs Engel compact cooler". Here's how the two compare, based on both manufacturers' public specifications.
| Criterion | Indel B TB18 | Engel MT17F |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 18 L | 15 L |
| Weight | 8.6 kg | 16 kg |
| Display | Digital screen | Dial thermostat |
| Power supply | 12V / 24V DC | 12V / 24V DC and 230V AC |
| Price observed | ≈€465 | ≈€850 |
In short, the Indel B TB18 stands out for its record-low weight and a more precise digital display, at a more accessible price, while the Engel MT17F keeps the edge with 230V mains power and a long-standing reputation for mechanical ruggedness. Both remain sized for solo or two-person nomadic use.
Our tester's verdict: Gilles Caron
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.
Frequently asked questions: Indel B TB18, 18-litre compressor cooler
No, unlike some other models from the brand, the TB18 runs exclusively on 12V or 24V DC, for a direct connection to a vehicle's battery. It has no built-in mains power supply.
The TB18 (18 L, 8.6 kg) is built for light nomadic use for one or two people, while the TB41 offers more than double the capacity for extended use with more people, at the cost of extra weight and bulk.
Yes, the digital control panel displays and sets the temperature more clearly and precisely than a dial thermostat, a recent improvement over earlier generations of the TB range.
Its claimed consumption of 0.15 kWh per day (12.5 Ah at 12V at 5°C ambient) lets it run for several days on a mid-sized auxiliary battery, with the exact runtime depending on outside temperature and the chosen setting.
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Page published on 3 August 2026