Outwell Eco Prime 24L 12v/230v Coolbox Grey

Product Information

We love the fact that it comes with an internal basket, a built-in LED light for viewing your grub at night, and an adjustable thermostatically-controlled temperature system. There is a digital display too which we found legible and easy to use. Cooling Ability

A 20 litre capacity is not going to set the world on fire if you’re planning a long trip, but it’s ample for a night or two away. Hi-Gear make cheap, dependable equipment and we were impressed with the quality of plastic used on this cooler. It looks more expensive than it is! Each box was run at maximum power for two hours. We logged temperatures at the start and finish, and compared both with the ambient level. We also rated practicality, ease of use, cooling control, plus wheels, cable storage, heat and mains options. Practicality was tested by loading them with a selection of picnic gear: sandwich boxes, 1.5-litre drinks bottles, 330ml cans and the like. We balanced all against the box capacity and online prices. Verdict The best cool box for camping will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Some factors to consider when choosing a cool box include:Compressor coolboxes– a plug in cool box that offers powerful freezing and refrigeration even in very hot weather Do you want an energy saving coolbox that uses less power to run? Different types of cool box explained Thermoelectric cool box – these are well insulated coolboxes which use a Peltier cooler (12V or 240V powered usually) and electric fan to drive heat out of the box and keep your food and drink chilled. The best thermoelectric coolboxes can lower the temperature by about 30°C below the ambient temperature which means they can be used all year round in the UK. Downsides are fan noise, but in a tent you’re unlikely to hear it. Capacity: how many people will you be catering for? The size of cool bags are often described in litres rather than people, but as a rule of thumb, 18 litres will carry between 25-28 cans, 30 litres will fit around 50, and anything above this will be large enough for a variety of food and drink vessels Capacity: If you’re only planning to use your cool box for fridge overflow in the kitchen, cellar or garden, you can afford to invest in a 50-litre-plus whopper. But bear in mind that cool boxes, like fridges, work best when they’re full. A 47-litre cool box is big enough for well over 80 regular cans of drink.

Outwell is a case in point. They make some of our favourite pieces of outdoor equipment and have a strong pedigree of providing reliable gear and great customer service. The Outwell ECOCool 35L Cool Box is a case in point for a thermoelectric cool box which can operate on both 240V hookup and 12V battery power and provide a substantial amount of cooling power. Although at Camping Secrets we always try to offer value-for-money recommendations on gear, the truth is that sometimes it’s worth buying from a reputable manufacturer – we’ve found that this is especially true for powered items. You may pay slightly more than the cheapest Chinese imports (which can often be built in the same factory!), but you get peace of mind that the company will stand behind their product. On its warming and cooling capabilities, the lowest the fridge can go is 3°C, while the highest is 65°C. It’s worth mentioning the noise the fridge makes too – it doesn’t! It is almost completely silent which can be a godsend when it’s running in your tent and you’re trying to sleep. Durability: Look for a cool box that is made of high-quality materials and is built to last. Look for features such as reinforced corners, sturdy hinges, and a robust lid seal.Mains-powered boxes are more powerful, but 12V in-car electric coolers are ideal for keeping in your motor for road trips and commutes. It also features two removable shelves inside so you have plenty of space for anything – from your favorite beer to a good old Cornish pasty! A box with a heating option is twice as useful since it can keep takeaways up to temperature. And a box that can run on mains power as well as 12V is even more versatile, especially because it can be pre-cooled before you hit the road. Compressor fridge – this is like your electric fridge at home which uses circulating refrigerant inside which expands to provide cooling. They are heavier than thermoelectric fridges and also more noisy because the compressor is a mechanical engine in effect. However, they produce exceptional chilling and can have the temperature adjusted accurately using a thermostat.