“We wanted a coolbox for an 8 day boating trip on a small boat with only basic 12v electrics and very limited space.
I measured up the proposed area very carefully and double-checked the specs on-line but was disappointed that the cooler came out slightly bigger than I expected. In order to use it I had to remove a shelf resulting in loss of valuable storage space. We still couldn't open the hinged lid without dragging the - by now heavy, fully loaded box - out of the space and onto the floor, removing or replacing the butter, bottle of milk or whatever, and heaving the box back into the space.
The lid is not removable (minus 5 points for design) and opens only to dead vertical (-5) so therefore can swing shut without warning at the slightest movement (-10) so beware of getting trapped fingers.
The space available for large/tall bottles is limited to the area not encroached from above by the fan housing so only 2 bottles at most. (-2) Solution is to lay big stuff flat which means you cannot use the provided water container as a space divider. The intention is to pre-freeze the container and slot it into the space provided (-2)
As you can't use the provided ice pack, you must buy a bag of ice cubes from a supermarket every other day, place them in the cooler and pack your stuff around them. After a couple of days the cooler will have chilled water sloshing about which has to be emptied which isn't easy as the lid doesn't fold completely back and can swing back over your fingers. (-5)
There are 2 chilling modes but only one of them works on 12V DC. Others comment that it is reasonably quiet when in use but as we had to turn it off overnight to conserve the boat battery, this wasn't an issue. It is louder when on mains power at home so I guess in a caravan with mains power hook-up you will hear it at night if in a confined space.
The main reason for buying these devices is to keep food cool in hot weather. This it will do very well (+10) provided you have ice packs on board so that the fan circulates the chilled air. No ice? Then it will be far less effective and probably a waste of time and battery.
Looking forward to buying fish and chips and seeing if it will keep them warm on the journey home.
Because it shows signs of use after the trip I cannot in all conscience return it but I don't think I will use it again on the boat as the annoying design failings make it too problematic in our situation. In a large caravan with mains power, why not try it but surely you would have a proper fridge in such a situation? To keep stuff cool on a road trip - yes it will do the job very well but take up a whole seat. For a picnic, yes provided you start off with ice on board it will do the job for the day.”
“Took our new purchase with us camping, absolutely the best coolbox I've ever owed. Easily kept the milk in good condition for the three days we were away. The coolbox is whisper quiet on Eco mode, couldn't hear it in the tent-and I'm a light sleeper. Brilliant piece of equipment.”
