The Best Electric Coolers of 2026

The CFX3 long held the top spot in this guide, and now the improved Dometic CFX5 55 ($1,200) carries on the tradition with some substantial improvements. We loved the CFX3 for its superior efficiency, which made it great for overlanding and van camping, where refrigeration is one of the biggest draws on a limited power supply, and the CFX5 is even more efficient.

The biggest upgrade comes from the new vacuum-insulated panels (VIP). In a vacuum, there are no gas molecules to aid in convective heat loss, so the CFX5 can get away with thinner and lighter foam insulation while maintaining a high degree of efficiency. 

The compressor also received an upgrade and is now more powerful with variable speed operation that adjusts the compressor speeds to maintain temperature. As external temperatures drop, the compressor will automatically do less work and draw less power from your system. 

Dometic has crammed a whole lot of tech into the CFX5, with Bluetooth and app support, so you can monitor temperature and energy efficiency. Like the previous model, it has a battery power monitoring system and will automatically shut off if the power supply gets too low. This is especially useful if you’re using less expensive deep-cycle batteries (as opposed to lithium-ion) that can become permanently damaged if they are totally drained.

The 55L version can hold 84 cans — plenty for a party — but also plenty of space to keep your family’s meat and veggies fresh for a long weekend or a road trip. Dometic also has 25L, 35L, 45L, and 75L versions in its lineup, so you’ve got some options in terms of space and capacity, and the smaller coolers are a little less expensive.

Price is the only real downside here, but considering the versatility, efficiency, and battery protection feature, we still feel it’s a worthwhile investment if you really want to upgrade from your $300 YETI cooler. Dometic has designed the CFX5 to be truly plug-and-play. If you’re fully geeked out with your DIY solar setup and battery bank, it’s ready to run off your 12/124V DC system.

If you’re looking to keep your food fresh on a road trip without frying your car battery, the CFX5 is the safest option you can hook up to your starter battery. It can also run on AC power, so you can have a high-tech satellite beer fridge in your backyard.

The 50L National Luna Legacy Dual Control can get colder, and the Worx 20V Electric & Battery Powered Cooler will cover day trips for half the price, but for most folks, the CFX5 is the sweet spot of price and performance. “Cooler” almost seems like a misnomer here since the CFX5 can also make ice and is essentially a top-of-the-line portable fridge.

The Worx 20V Electric & Battery Powered Cooler ($499) is an intriguing option for van lifers, car campers, or anyone just spending the day at the beach. This portable electric refrigerator/freezer uses the same 20V batteries as Worx power tools. In a nutshell, having a universal power source that is also swappable across a wide range of power tools and garden equipment brings familiarity and convenience to consumers.

Unlike some portable refrigerators on this list, the Worx-powered cooler only has a single compartment. That 24-quart space will fit about 32 12-ounce canned beverages. Having dual temperature zones would make it easier to carry chilled and frozen food simultaneously, but that would reduce the carrying capacity even more.

According to Worx, two fully charged batteries will power the cooler for about 10 hours on average. The actual runtime depends on the unit’s temperature settings, ranging from -4 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Naturally, the ambient air temperature outside and the temperature of food and drinks inside also affect how long the batteries will last.

This cooler has a few unique features, including a built-in bottle opener and an interior light that makes beverage selection much easier in the dark.

The cooler has two 20V battery packs, fully compatible with Worx’s power tools and lawn care equipment. A separate battery charger is included, although the power cells will charge in the cooler when plugged into a 120V wall outlet or a 12V port in your vehicle.

Additionally, the unit has a bright, easy-to-read LCD screen that displays the current temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius. It also shows whether it is in “eco” or “max” cooling mode and the current charge levels for the battery packs.

For about half the price of our top pick, you get about half the capacity and an overall less efficient cooling system. But if you’re on the move, balancing the power supply duties between the alternator in your vehicle and the included batteries, you’ll definitely be upping your road-tripping game without spending an arm and a leg.

The Travoca Rigel 45 ($800) is a new entry in the powered cooler space, fresh off a successful Kickstarter. Available in four sizes (25, 35, 45, and 60L), every model in the Rigel lineup features a dual-zone design. This means you can run one side as a fridge and the other as a freezer (or pull the divider to create a single compartment).

Its standout upgrade: vacuum-insulated panels (VIPs) that drastically reduce heat loss, helping the cooler stay cold longer and use less power. In testing, GearJunkie contributor Heather Balogh Rochfort set the Rigel 45 against the similarly priced Dometic CFX2 45. Both were set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit with a popsicle inside. After two hours, the Dometic had climbed to 5 degrees Fahrenheit while using 10% of the battery power while the Travoca held one side at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, using just 4% of battery power. With the power shut off entirely for 90 minutes, the Dometic rose to 25 degrees Fahrenheit; the Travoca only hit 16 degrees Fahrenheit, again proving the VIPs significantly slow heat gain.

Day-to-day use is intuitive thanks to a clear, dual-zone control screen that adjusts each side down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. A smart dual-opening lid makes it easy to access from either direction, which is useful when you’re trying to ensure access from inside a car or letting your kid dig out some snacks from the backseat. (Ask us how we know…). The Rigel can run on AC or DC, and pairs seamlessly with the Travoca Vega 1500 Power Station and Travoca Vega Sol 200 Solar Panel for off-grid use. The bamboo side panels also add a nice design aesthetic, and Travoca claims customizable panels will be coming soon.

The tradeoff for all that insulation is weight. At 58 pounds, the Rigel is heavy. That’s 21 pounds more than the Dometic CFX2 45 and 10 pounds more than the larger CFX5 55IM. It’s also a bit wider, so overlanders with fridge slides should confirm fit. Still, for most users, the efficiency gains and unique features far outweigh those drawbacks.

It doesn’t make ice like the CFX5 55IM, but it’s also $400 cheaper. With excellent insulation, low power draw, dual-zone performance, and thoughtful design, the Travoca Rigel 45 provides excellent value, folks.

Overland and motoring editor Bryon Dorr has used a variety of 12V fridges in his overland travels. His current setup from National Luna is his best yet.

The 50L National Luna Legacy Dual Control ($1,295) offers great looks, compact size for its capacity, trusted durability (over 30 years in business), and impressive efficiency. Dorr’s favorite part of this fridge/freezer is the three included organizer baskets. They make finding that food at the bottom of the fridge super easy and loading the fridge before and after a trip a breeze.

The dimpled aluminum skin of the National Luna looks, feels, and is premium. The onboard proprietary compressor is not only super-efficient and quick to cool down the fridge/freezer but also comes with an 8-year warranty.

This dual-control cooler can also automatically switch between AC and DC power. That means it works just as well in your vehicle as it does plugged in on your patio for your next BBQ.

If you’re searching for an affordable dual-zone cooler with some convenient extra features, check out the BougeRV CRD45 Dual Zone ($500). This cooler has two completely separate compartments that can be independently set anywhere from -4 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, this means you can bring ice cream on your camping trip!

The CRD45 also cools down very quickly. During our testing, it cooled from an initial ambient temperature of 79 degrees to our set temperature of 36 degrees in under 30 minutes. From there, it retains its cold well as long as the lids are not left open.

The CRD series is available in three sizes: 35 L, 45 L, and 55 L. Each model comes with sturdy roller wheels, a padded and retractable carry handle, and removable doors that can be adjusted to open from either direction — a feature we loved when accessing the cooler in the back of our pickup truck. The CRD also includes some thoughtful extras like interior LED lights, an integrated bottle opener, and a stowable cutting board.

We tested this cooler with the optional 173Wh detachable battery ($200) that allows operation without an external power source. We recommend getting the cooler to its set temperature point before operating it with just the battery, as the cooler operates best, and the battery lasts longer in a lower power mode. We regularly got an “F1” voltage protection error code while using the battery if we were in the high power mode.

The only minor issues we experienced with the CRD45 on a 5-week summer road trip were the above-mentioned battery quirk and the power cord frequently coming loose from the in-line AC/DC adapter during transport. Both had easy fixes, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this cooler as a nice, affordable setup.

Read Review: Power Your Off-Road Picnics: ARB ZERO Fridge Freezer Power Pack Review

The ARB Zero Portable Fridge Freezer ($1,568) is a real beast of a cooler. It comes in around the same capacity, weight, and size as the Dometic but with a heftier price tag. For those who pack a variety of food, the extra versatility is worth the expense.

First, this cooler is over half a foot taller than the Dometic Dual Zone, which gives you deeper storage for things like tall wine bottles. Second, you get three baskets in the ARB as compared to two with the Dometic.

While you may worry about the single-lid design of the ARB, the freezer portion has its own lid inside to keep your food insulated when you open the fridge section.

Suppose you want to forgo the fridge/freezer combo and only use one temperature zone. In that case, the separate baskets and compartments can be removed to increase space, allowing for one larger space with a total capacity of 69 L.

This is still slightly smaller than Dometic’s storage abilities, but the versatility of the product may be an important consideration. If you need to store large products, such as your Thanksgiving turkey, this ARB Zero will be able to handle it.

We also love the unit’s integrated handles, touchscreen, embedded cup holders, and seriously sturdy frame. The steel casing has robust corner molding to keep the electric cooler and your treats inside from getting damaged on a bumpy ride. Finally, anti-condensation technology prevents food from getting wet in the portable fridge.

As an add-on accessory, the ARB Zero Freezer Fridge Power Pack is the perfect way to keep your cooler going when you do not have access to another source of power. The Power Pack connects to the electric cooler and integrates seamlessly. And it can extend your cooler’s run time by a lot.

If you’re looking to make an investment in a sturdy electric cooler that will survive many wild adventures, the ARB Zero Portable Fridge Freezer may be the one for you.

Read Review: The Anker Everfrost Powered Cooler 40

The Anker Everfrost Powered Cooler 40 ($849) stands out for its wide range of features that make it one of the most user-friendly designs that we tested. It has a removable basket to load, unload, and transfer food and drinks without having to haul the whole cooler around, a built-in camp table, roller wheels, and a bottle opener.

As you’d expect from an electronics brand like Anker, it also includes several impressive technical features like a removable battery that can power the cooler without being plugged on, a couple of charging ports for your electronic devices, and four different charging methods (wall charger, car charger, USB-C input, and an optional solar charger). The cooler can also be operated with a smartphone app.

Performance-wise, the Everfrost holds its own against other more expensive competitors. It has a temperature range of -4 to 68 degrees F, it can cool itself within 30 minutes, and it can provide cooling (at 39 degrees F) that lasts up to 36 hours on a single charge.

The Everfrost Powered Cooler comes in three sizes: 30L, 40L, and a 50L model that has dual zones that can be used as a separate fridge and freezer.

While the CFX2 45 ($880) is part of Dometic’s affordable line, we compared it to the CFX3 line and found that it has the performance and all the features most folks are looking for in an e-cooler. Weeks of testing in the hot Texas sun proved this cooler can keep up with its more expensive cousins, both in terms of cooling performance and power draw.

Starting from about 80 degrees, GearJunkie editor Seiji Ishii watched this cooler reach a respectable 39 degrees in about 20 minutes. While temperatures in his van climbed into the 100s during the day, the internal temperature of the CFX2 never waivered, meaning as long as you have adequate power, you won’t have to worry about meats or other perishables going bad.

Speaking of power, the CFX2 45 had no trouble staying cold while powered by the massive house batteries of Seiji’s camper van, but if you’re only hooking it up to your car’s battery, it has a three-stage battery protection system that will shut the cooler down before it drains your starter battery.

If your vehicle is running, the cooler will have no trouble maintaining its internal temperature. However, we suggest having a small power station on hand to supplement your car battery if you need to keep food refrigerated for extended periods.

The CFX2 has a monitoring app that allows you to monitor internal temperature fluctuations via Bluetooth. A testament to efficiency, Seiji was surprised how often the compressor wasn’t running, meaning the cooler maintained its 39-degree internal temperature while drawing very little power. This indicates that this cooler is very well-sealed and insulated.

Dometic’s premium line has some advanced monitoring features like power draw and temperature history and is generally more powerful. Dometic also claims the CFX5 series is a little quieter, but when fully packed, we couldn’t tell much of a difference.

The BLUETTI Multicooler ($799, $1,799 with the AC180T Power Station) is a very efficient cooling machine with an icemaker. For quick weekend jaunts or as a mobile cocktail station, this e-cooler is up to the task. It easily kept our food fresh for a weekend in the back of a hot car, and with the charging station and a second battery, you can easily extend that to 6 days.

It’s also easy to charge directly from solar panels without an additional charge controller, or just plug it into an existing solar system, with or without an inverter. However, this cooler isn’t built like a tank. The plastic lid, battery compartment cover, and silicone drain plug all feel pretty delicate, plus we had some leakage issues.

Starting with the good, this cooler can reach safe refrigerated temperatures in about 15 minutes, as advertised. Once it’s reached refrigeration temps, it can make enough ice for at least two drinks in under 25 minutes.

While testing the cooler inside with ambient temperature around 70 degrees, we got 4 days of refrigeration from one battery. The battery powered the cooler for 3 days in the back of a hot Prius, where temperatures on the lid of the cooler measured up to 130 degrees during the day.

The cooler combined with the BLUETTI AC180T power station makes for a good portable off-the-grid power rig. All the attachments are included to plug the cooler and the power station directly into an array of solar panels or an existing DC system. The cooler can charge off any AC outlet or directly off your car battery, so there are plenty of options to keep it powered for the long haul. 

We have some concerns with the durability of this cooler’s components. The lid of the cooler and the hatch cover to the battery compartment feel like they could easily break off. The wheels are helpful (this thing is heavy), but they are small and made of hard plastic. They don’t roll very well over the gravely, uneven terrain you’d typically encounter on the way from your car to a walk-in campsite.

Finally, there’s the issue of the ice maker’s drain plug. It’s a silicone tab on the side of the cooler, near the bottom. It’s very easy for the plug to come loose, as there’s not a screw on cap. The first time our tester filled the ice maker with water, the plug had come loose, and the water drained all over the floor of his car. Duct tape proved a useful fix, but with an $800 cooler, duct tape shouldn’t be necessary.

For the off-the-grid curious, the BLUETTI Cooler and charging station are a quick and easy way to add power and some luxury to your camping experience, especially if you’re intimidated by charge controllers, battery banks, and calculating watt-hours. However, if all you need is a rugged, iceless cooler for long weekends, both of the coolers we’ve covered from Dometic are a better choice.

At its relatively affordable price point, the Whynter Portable Refrigerator ($500) is a high-performing cooler with a lot going for it. The temperature range of the unit is very impressive, tying with the much more expensive ARB Zero for the lowest minimum temperature on this list. Not only is it the lowest we have seen, but it’s also just about the lowest possible temperature for an electric cooler.

The single-zone Whynter electric cooler functions as a refrigerator or freezer. However, it has a secondary “Fast Freeze” mode that jacks up the power and lowers the temperature as fast as possible. With a temperature control deviation of only 1.6 degrees F, it has one of the best control ratings of all the coolers we reviewed.

Other great features include its durable construction, removable storage baskets, and convenient drain plug for easy cleaning. While the handles don’t look as comfortable as many other electric coolers, you could purchase the accessory Transit Bag, which offers better handles and pockets for additional storage. The portable refrigerator also comes in a camouflage design for hunters and others who spend time in the woods.