Best 12V Coolers

• Cost: $1,050
• Amazon review score: 4.5 out of 5.0 based on over 110 reviews
• Container size: 26.5 to 105.0 quarts
• Wattage: 50.0 watts

The Dometic CFX3 performed best in our in-person testing. This high-quality 12V refrigerator freezer is packed with features, including separately controlled temperature zones and even the ability to make ice. This cooler has Bluetooth® connectivity and can be linked to a smartphone for app control. Featuring heavy-duty but lightweight construction, this cooler also offers the flexibility of several power options, including AC power, DC power, and DC solar power.

What makes the Dometic difficult to recommend is the price. This option sells for around $1,000. For many, a cheaper 12V cooler may be a better option. However, if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line 12-volt car refrigerator that you can use for years to come, you will not find anything better than the CFX3.

Here’s how the Dometic CFX3 performed in each category:

The best-seller Dometic has three separate compartments for internal storage and two different temperature zones. It cools rapidly and is relatively quiet. Being so large, the Dometic is heavy, but the handles are sturdy and easy to use.

Our only complaint about the Dometic is that the power cord is too short. Depending on the length of your vehicle, it may not reach from the trunk to the front A/C outlet.

Reviewers are impressed with the design of the Dometic CFX3 and its cooling abilities, particularly the energy-efficient solar power option. Because of this cooler’s advanced functions and large size, many reviews come from truckers who use this cooler instead of a mini-fridge.

Most are impressed by the cooling power and comment that the fan is relatively noiseless. This portable freezer and car fridge may not stand up well to direct sunlight, however. At least one reviewer claimed to use the Dometic on a boat for 30 days and the plastic began to warp, damaging the lid.

• Cost: $270
• Amazon review score: 4.4 out of 5.0 based on over 1,400 reviews
• Container size: 37.0 to 58.0 qt.
• Wattage: 45.0 W

The Aplicool CF45 is an excellent choice for those interested in trying a 12V cooler. We recommend it because it offers excellent value for the cost. The CF45 is mid-priced and includes features like custom temperature control, separate storage areas for cooler organization, and a range of capacity options.

This portable refrigerator can be set to temperatures as low as -4℉ (-20℃). It also includes a battery protection feature that prevents the device from draining your vehicle’s battery while in use. Based on our testing and customer reviews, this unit cools quickly and reliably.

Here’s how the Alpicool CF45 performed in each category:

The Alpicool is one of the fastest-cooling 12-volt coolers that we tested. Despite being so powerful, the compressor fan is relatively silent. All of the 12V electric coolers that we tested made some noise, and the Aplicool wasn’t any louder than other coolers, despite cooling so quickly.

Carrying handles make the Alpicool easy to move, but also add some bulk. The handles make it less compact than other coolers, so the Alpicool may not be the best option if you need to maximize space economy. This fridge has a few useful organization features such as two internal compartments and cupholders on the lid.

Amazon reviewers consistently praise the Aplicool for its utility and price. Many people use this for road trips and camping, powering it in their vehicle or with a portable battery. Users report that it chills quickly and provides a major upgrade over an ice chest.

A few people have complained about the cooler latch breaking. This appears to be a failure point for some units.

• Cost: $125
• Amazon review score: 4.1 out of 5.0 based on over 6,500 reviews
• Container size: 42.0 qt.
• Wattage: 60.0 W

The Coleman Powerchill is a high-capacity 12V cooler that won’t break the bank. If you need something to hold a family picnic and function as a portable fridge, the Powerchill is a good pick. At around $100, it’s also less expensive than a lot of other portable car fridges.

The Powerchill isn’t packed with features like smartphone integration, but it is a reliable and cost-efficient cooler. At the lower end of the cost range, the build quality is a bit lower than high-end models, meaning the Powerchill may not have the longevity of other models. That said, Coleman customer service is reported to be responsive and ready to replace any broken units within the one-year warranty period.

Here’s how the Coleman Powerchill Cooler performed in each category:

What stood out most during our test was the Powerchill’s 42.0-qt. capacity. Some portable electric coolers have thick walls, so they take up a lot of space without offering a lot of storage room. The Powerchill can fit 42.0 qt. and has a removable internal divider.

The small carrying handles are integrated into the lid and do not stick out. On the one hand, this makes the Powerchill more compact and space-efficient. The downside is that it is a little harder to carry, as it’s more difficult to get a grip on the small handles.

Using the Powerchill is simple: just attach the power plug. The fan is quiet while operating. Our main complaint about the Powerchill is the power cord: there is no convenient way to tuck it away during storage.

Most buyers think that this plug-in cooler works great. Reviewers like the large chest size and the Coleman’s powerful cooling abilities. Reports on longevity are mixed. In one extreme case, a reviewer reported 25 years of effective use. That said, there are also a number of reviews from those claiming that their unit stopped working after about a year.

After time, the Coleman’s fan can become caked with ice. If this occurs, the unit will need to be defrosted. In some cases, the unit failure may be a result of improper maintenance. The Powerchill is covered by a warranty, and according to reviews, Coleman customer service is excellent, with several reviewers getting replacements for broken coolers.

• Cost: $110
• Amazon review score: 3.7 out of 5.0 based on over 1,000 reviews
• Container size: 26.7 qt.
• Wattage: 60.0 W

The Koolatron D25 is a lightweight cooler bag that folds down to a small size when not in use. It lacks the cooling power of large, more expensive models, but is the perfect choice for a portable 12V cooler.

If you’re in need of something that’s easy to store and transport, consider this 12V cooler.  If you want a large car cooler or small RV fridge capable of keeping an entire picnic chilled throughout the day during you outdoor adventures, you might want to look into a larger, hard plastic 12V cooler like the Coleman Powerchill.

Here’s how the Koolatron D25 performed in each category:

The Koolatron D25 differs from the other coolers that we tested because it is made with a flexible nylon material, rather than injection-molded plastic. This makes for a compact, 26.0-qt. portable cooler that’s lightweight.

We appreciate the addition of front storage pouches, which can hold the power cord when not in use. The biggest downside of the Koolatron is that it isn’t as powerful as the other coolers we tested.

Many buyers feel that the Koolatron is a useful cooler because it is easy to store away and effectively keeps food chilled. That said, the Koolatron is not especially powerful and a number of reviewers expressed disappointment at the cooling power. This is not a good option for keeping ice frozen.

The Koolatron seems to be especially inefficient on very warm days, with one reviewer stating that it is able to cool food to about 40.0 degrees below the ambient temperature.

• Cost: $750
• RealTruck review score: N/A
• Container size: 14.0 qt.
• Wattage: 33.6 W

Rounding out our list is the Engel 14-quart fridge/freezer. It is among the most powerful 12-volt coolers that we tested, rivaled only by the Dometic. However, the smaller size of this fridge freezer makes it a little less versatile than some other options on this list.

The Engel is powered by 12V DC and is compatible with solar generators. What is unique about the Engel is that it can be directly integrated into your vehicle’s electrical system. This feature, along with its compact size, makes it a good option if you want to install a permanent car freezer fridge into your vehicle.

Here’s how the Engel 12V Freezer performed in each category:

The Engel features a simple-to-use design and impressive cooling power. We found it among the most powerful of the portable coolers we tested. Like the Dometic, this 12-volt cooler is capable of producing freezing temperatures.

Despite its small size, the Engel can fit quite a few items. However, there is no internal organization, just a single compartment. The tall shape makes it necessary to stack items on top of one another in layers, which can make it difficult to retrieve specific items later.