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quoteIf you haven’t already got a fridge, a coolbox makes a perfect addition to your leisure vehicle. But, even if you have… well, you might just find a separate coolbox – power-free or operating from 12V, 230V or gas, or even all three – can prove itself equally indispensable.
The easy chill
Not only can you get extra cooling space for your food and drinks, a portable coolbox is also perfect for transferring chilled items out of your fridge when it comes to days away from the ‘van, e.g. a trip to the beach, too! Or even keeping in your awning to avoid traipsing indoors to the fridge for a cold drink or snack.
You might also consider a coolbox if you regularly carry items that don’t fit in your caravan or motorhome fridge.
Here’s our round-up to coolboxes for caravanning, campervanning and motorhoming.
Top coolbox tips
- Capacity: Obvious, really, but do think about what exactly you want to keep in your coolbox? Drinks containers that are too large for your vehicle fridge? Food you’d rather keep separate? A full picnic to carry to the beach?
- Cooling performance: You’ll want to get the best cooling performance from your coolbox. Look for models with advanced compressor technology or high-quality insulation materials that can maintain the desired temperature for an extended period.
- Power Source: Check the power source. If you want to be that bit more environmentally friendly, you could go for a coolbox that doesn’t use any power directly. Some coolboxes have options for running on portable power sources like batteries or solar panels.
- Weight: Consider the weight of a coolbox. You don’t want anything too heavy especially if payload is at a premium.
- Durability: Look for a cool box that is built to withstand the demands of travel and outdoor adventures. Durable materials, sturdy construction, and features like reinforced corners and weather-resistant seals can help make sure your cool box stands up to the rigours of your touring adventures.
- Insulation quality is crucial for maintaining the internal temperature of your coolbox. Look for models with thick insulation and features like double walls to help prevent heat exchange and keep your contents colder for longer.
- Consider extra features like smart technology to monitor and control the temperature remotely. Or maybe compartments, dividers, or even integrated cup holders.
- Ideally, pre-cool any items you’re going to put in your coolbox.
- Only open your coolbox as necessary. Close its lid as soon as you can.
- As ever, make sure you have a suitable spot to put a coolbox in your leisure vehicle, especially for safe travel. Remember our tips for caravan loading or motorhome loading.
Star Player #1
Outwell EcoLux 35
Operating from 12V or 230V, you can use this coolbox for heating (up to 60degC) its contents as well as cooling them. Its size is enough to accommodate two-litre drinks bottles upright.
This is a new addition to the Outwell portfolio of coolboxes – some 20 models now, plus there’s a coolbag range – and it comes in Light Grey, featuring a steel and bamboo handle plus USB socket and LED light in its lid.
There’s also a smaller, 24-litre version.
Key features Cools 18-25degC below outside temperature, PU insulation, weight 8.3kg, dimensions 52cm x 32cm x 43cm high, internal ice pack divider, 2m 12V and 1.80m 230V cables included, two-year warranty
Expect to pay £192.99
Star Player #2
Dometic CFX3 45
A portable, 12v/230V compressor fridge that’s also offers freezer capabilities, going right down to -22degC. It also has a three-stage battery protection system so it won’t drain your leisure (or car) batteries.
The 45L is a mid-range, 46-litre model in a series that starts at 25 litres and goes up to 88 litres in capacities. It weighs 23.2kg before you load it. Dimensions are 69.4cm x 39.8cm and it’s some 47.6cm high.
Operate it using the touch control panel on top or you can control it remotely via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth thanks to a dedicated app – even warning you if the lid has been left open!
Key features Weatherproof display with touch controls plus USB output, Protective outer edges, spring-loaded alloy handles, interior light, wire basket, supplied with 12V and 230V cables
Expect to pay £789
Star Player #3
Yeti Roadie 48
A premium-priced wheeled coolbox with an extendible handle and a choice of six colour finishes – including the limited edition Rescue Red you can see here – from a company that’s specialised in coolboxes since its foundation in 2006. Yeti describe it as ‘virtually indestructible’.
Weight when empty is 11.6kg and overall dimensions are 50.5cm x 50.3cm x 52.1cm tall.
It comes with a dry basket. Optional extras include a divider, up to 1.8kg custom shaped ice packs, second dry basket and more. Other capacities are also available – 24 and 60 litres.
Key features Sturdy design including handles and wheels, dry ice compatibility, free shipping, five-year warranty
Expect to pay £450
Star Player #4
Stanley Adventure Cold For Days Outdoor Cooler
From the company that gave us the all-steel vacuum bottle (over 100 years ago). Top of the Adventure coolbox series, this comes in Stanley’s trademark Green (with Polar White also offered as an alternative), a sealed gasket helps make this coolbox completely leakproof, also contributing to the kind of performance that can see it keeping products cold for up to four days.
Key measurements are 54.2cm x 54.2cm x 47.1cm high and Stanley says it’s tall enough to take two-litre bottles or anything up to magnums of your favourite fizz!
It weighs just over 6kg.
Key features Sturdy enough for sitting on or for use as a tabletop, double-walled foam insulation, foam-insulated lid, fold-down handle, drain plug, lifetime warranty
Expect to pay £239.99
Star Player #5
Petromax kx75
The largest of three “ice-powered” coolboxes from German camping and bushcraft brand Petromax, designed to keep contents chilled for anything up to 12 days.
The rugged design incorporates plats for you to add a lock and there’s single-handed operation for the fasteners. The 75-litre capacity equates to 30 one-litre bottles or 105 x 330ml cans. Lashing points mean you can strap this coolbox in safely when you’re travelling. Optional extras include seat cushions, baskets and locking plates with integrated bottle openers.
Unladen weight is 19.6kg and dimensions are 90cm x 48.5cm x 50cm high.
Key features Polyethylene casing, 45mm polyurethane insulating layer, non-slip rubber fasteners, stackable design, non-slip rubber feet and locks, lashing points, drainage system, choice of three colours
Expect to pay £399.95
Star Player #6
Dometic Combicool ACX35 31L
Working from gas, 12V DC or 230V AC, this coolbox can provide cooling for up to 30degC below the ambient (i.e. room) temperature and can even make ice cubes – a handy feature if your motorhome or caravan has a fridge that lacks any freezer compartment.
It comes with more than a hint of retro styling, offering a capacity of 31 litres and will accommodate bottles up to two litres in size. It weighs 17.5kg.
This coolbox uses the same absorption process for cooling that you’ll find in typical Dometic fridges in caravans and motorhomes. In gas mode, it relies on standard cartridges and provides three stages of flame regulation.
Key features Aluminium casing, piezo ignition for gas operation, silent operation, ice cube tray
Expect to pay £265
Star Player #7
Icey-Tek 18 Litre Cube Cool Box
Perfect if space is limited, especially as this is still capable of accepting four bottles of wine (or 18 x 330ml cans).
Brand new for 2023, this is the latest addition to a comprehensive range based on the original Australian-designed “esky” ice boxes of the 1990s. Strong enough to sit on, overall dimensions are 38cm long x 35.3cm wide x 38.3cm high and it weighs 5.9kg.
With no power source, Icey-Tek coolboxes are so well insulated they reckon on keeping contents frozen for up to two days, and cold for up to 10 days.
The price below includes delivery and there’s a choice of nine solid colours, most of which will really liven up your caravan, campervan or motorhome – e.g. Sunshine Yellow, Candy Red, Ocean Blue and more. Options include gel packs, divider and a dry goods basket
Key features Cool styling, A-grade polyethylene outer, non-stain and non-odour absorbing food grade internal lining, foam-injected insulation, stainless steel handle with foam grip, rubber seal and latches, removable drain plug, lid includes four cup recesses, five-year warranty
Expect to pay £99
Star Player #8
Vango Pinnacle 57L-80HR
Vango says this will keep food and drink cool for up to 80 hours (over three days) and its 57-litre capacity means it can take up to 75 drinks cans.
It also has a two-door lid with a smaller opening that can be used when you don’t want to lose too much cold air. Recesses in both lid doors are designed to take up to six drinks.
For carrying, there are handles each end that drop down flat to the side recesses when not needed.
It’s unladen weight is 5.6kg and dimensions are 61.5cm x 39cm x 42cm high.
Key features High-density polyethylene shell, polyurethane foam insulation, twin carry handles, drinks holders in the lid.
Expect to pay £90
Star Player #9
Easy Camp Chilly 24L coolbox
A 24-litre capacity for this coolbox, which works from 12V or 230V (with separate leads supplied for each) and will keep its food and drink down to anything between 15degC and 18degC below the outside temperature. It can also be used to warm up to 50degC.
It’s compact – 40cm x 29cm x 43cm high – and weighs less than 4kg. A handy feature is the plastic removable divider, that has two possible slot locations. Another is the rigid plastic carrying handle, which also acts to keep the lid locked.
Key features Eco and Max modes for 230V operation, lift-off lid, internal divider, 2m 12Vcable, 1.8m 230V cable
Expect to pay £76.77
Over to you…
Got any advice on coolboxes for motorhoming, campervanning or caravanning that you’d like to pass on to fellow leisure vehicle owners? Do you regularly take a coolbox on your touring adventures? Please feel free to add a comment below.
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