Thermoelectric Coolboxes

A thermoelectric coolbox is a simple, practical option for travelling, day trips, and overnight stays. It is ideal for keeping drinks, sandwiches, and pre-chilled food cool while you are on the move, especially when you have access to a reliable power source.

Most thermoelectric coolboxes run from 12v in the vehicle and 230v mains at home or on campsite hookup. They work by passing air over a cooling plate inside the unit and circulating that cooled air around the box. There is no compressor, no refrigerant, and very little noise.

The main thing to understand is that the cooling is relative to the temperature around the unit. Most models cool to around 20 to 25 degrees below ambient, which means performance in hot weather is limited. If it is 30 degrees outside, the best you can realistically expect inside is around 5 to 10 degrees. The hotter the conditions, the harder the unit has to work, and that relationship is fairly direct.

To get the best from one:

• Pre-chill food and drinks before loading
• Keep the unit shaded and well ventilated
• Allow space inside the box for air to circulate
• Keep the lid closed as much as possible

Unlike a compressor fridge, a thermoelectric coolbox has no thermostat. It runs continuously while connected rather than cycling on and off to maintain a set temperature. That is fine on 230v hookup or while driving from a 12v socket, but it will drain a leisure battery if left running off-grid for long periods.

A thermoelectric coolbox is a great choice for travel, picnics, weekends, and overnight stops where you want a simple powered option for keeping already-cold items cool. For longer trips, hot summer conditions, camping, campervan or motorhome use off-grid, a compressor coolbox or fridge is the more reliable choice.