Let’s be honest – traditional coolboxes are great… until they’re not. Most of us have rocked up to a campsite with a stack of frozen blocks and blind optimism, only to find our cheese swimming by day two and the milk doing suspicious things by breakfast. I’ve watched perfectly good food turn to mush on more than one trip, and there’s nothing quite like fishing out a soggy tomato from a pool of melted ice to ruin your mood.
That’s why more and more campers are ditching the guesswork and going electric. Today’s electric coolboxes and portable fridges are built for real-world camping. They don’t care if it’s scorching outside, if the kids forgot to shut the lid (again), or if you’re off-grid for the weekend. These units actually stay cold – properly cold – and they make all the difference between a fridge feast and another trip to the camp shop for overpriced snacks.
So if you’re ready to keep your food fresh, your drinks crisp, and your camp kitchen stress-free, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into the best electric coolboxes and camping fridges that actually earn their spot in the boot.
Why Campers Choose Electric Coolboxes and Camping Fridges?
Here’s the simple truth: Wet bacon is rubbish, and ice melts fast, especially during those rare sunny weekends or when you’re camped on a blustery Pembrokeshire cliff. Nobody rates carting bags of ice halfway round the country.
The big draw of electric coolboxes is you plug them in, close the lid, and trust your grub will still be edible after a hot drive or a rain-drenched night.
Even on off-grid escapes, there’s an option. Car sockets, power packs, or solar – in 2025, you can keep things cool miles from a plug. Trust me, after waking up to breakfast milk that’s colder than the dew outside, you’ll never look back.
Electric Coolboxes & Camping Fridges – A Quick Overview
Outwell ECOCool 35L
Type: Thermoelectric
Capacity: 35L
Cooling Range: Up to 25°C below ambient / heats to 60°C
Power: 12V & 240V
Subcold Ultra 15 Mini Fridge
Type: Mini fridge (TEC)
Capacity: 15L
Cooling Range: 3°C to 65°C
Power: 12V & 240V
Outdoor Revolution Eco Deep 45L
Type: Compressor fridge
Capacity: 45L (30L fridge + 15L freezer)
Cooling Range: Freezes to 0°C and below
Power: 12V & 240V
Hi-Gear 20L Cooler
Type: Thermoelectric
Capacity: 20L
Cooling Range: Approx. 10°C below ambient
Power: 12V only
Best Electric Coolboxes and Camping Fridges
Outwell ECOCool 35L Cool Box – Built to Last, All-Year-Round Performer
If you're fed up with cheap coolboxes that promise the world and deliver lukewarm juice, the Outwell ECOCool 35L is where things start getting serious. Outwell’s got a solid reputation in the camping world, and this coolbox shows exactly why. It’s sturdy, thoughtfully designed, and actually does what it says on the lid.
The cooling performance is impressive. On the MAX mode, it can drop temps up to 25°C below ambient, so even if the sun’s blazing, your drinks stay chilled and your cheese survives. You’ve also got an Eco mode for when you want to be kinder to your power supply, especially useful when running off a leisure battery.
Size-wise, it holds 35 litres, which we found to be a sweet spot for a small family or a couple on a weekend trip. And that clever divider? You can pre-freeze it and use it to kickstart the chill as you travel. Very handy.
One surprise bonus is the heating function — yes, it can keep things warm too, up to 60°C above ambient. Perfect if you want to come back from a late-night walk to something warm, or just keep the kids’ sausage rolls toasty.
Build quality is excellent. It feels solid, not like a plastic box that’ll crack after two trips. There’s a strong swing handle, and the box feels stable even when fully loaded. At around 8kg, it’s not feather-light, but it’s manageable.
Also worth noting is the antimicrobial coating inside, which adds peace of mind when storing food on a hot day – no one wants a box full of bacteria by breakfast.
Subcold Ultra 15 Mini Fridge – Slick, Silent, and Surprisingly Versatile
For campers who like things compact and quiet, the Subcold Ultra 15 is a little gem. It’s technically more of a mini fridge than a coolbox, but for a couple or solo camper, it might just be the perfect sidekick.
The first thing you’ll notice is the design. It’s got a modern matte finish, and the glass door closes with a satisfying snap. It just looks and feels better than you'd expect at this price point.
Despite its size, this fridge punches above its weight. It can cool down to 3°C and warm up to 65°C, so whether you’re chilling drinks or keeping snacks warm, it handles both effortlessly. It runs on 240V and 12V, so it’s easy to plug into your car or a campsite power hookup.
Inside, you’ve got two removable shelves that let you configure the space however you like. We packed in a couple of drinks, fruit, snacks, and still had room to spare. For a weekend trip, it’s spot on.
What truly impressed us though? It’s almost completely silent. No buzzing, humming, or rattling – just peace and quiet. Ideal for use in a tent or small camper, especially if you’re a light sleeper.
Sure, the 15L capacity won’t cut it for big families or week-long trips. But for a short getaway or day adventures, it’s more than enough.
Outdoor Revolution Eco Deep Extreme 45L – Freezes Fast, Runs Forever
If you're done with soggy lettuce and warm yoghurts, and you're ready to level up your campsite cooling game, the Outdoor Revolution Eco Deep Extreme might just be the one. This is a true compressor fridge – not a pretend cooler with a fan and hope. It chills fast, freezes solid, and holds temps for hours even after you unplug it.
This 45L model gives you proper space for food and drink, split neatly between a 30L fridge section and a 15L freezer. Want to bring ice cream to a tent pitch in mid-July? You can. It’ll stay frozen. We tested it in warm spring weather, and it hit 0°C from 25°C in under 20 minutes. That's kitchen-fridge speed. But unlike your kitchen fridge, this one comes with wheels and a chunky carry handle, so you can drag it across grass, gravel, or the back of your car like it’s luggage at an airport.
Yes, it’s not feather-light – around 17kg – but that’s what happens when you combine proper insulation, strong casing, and a real compressor. It runs on both 240V mains and 12V, with low current draw (only 5A), so it’s perfect for battery power setups. And thanks to the three-stage battery protection, it won’t drain your vehicle or leisure battery into the abyss – very handy when wild camping.
What else do we love? The digital display is clear and simple. The interior basket makes organisation easy. The LED light inside? Brilliant for night raids when the kids want a drink (or you want another beer). It’s also super quiet once running.
Sure, the price might give you pause – it’s well over £300, but if you want freezing performance without worrying about melting milk or questionable chicken, this is your investment piece. It’s a legit fridge, and once you’ve used it, going back to ice packs feels like the dark ages.
Hi-Gear 20L Cooler 12V – Budget-Friendly and Surprisingly Smart
If you’re not ready to splurge but still want something that’ll keep your bits cool for a short trip, the Hi-Gear 20L Cooler is a fantastic little pick. It’s not trying to be a high-end fridge – it’s a no-frills 12V thermoelectric box, but it pulls off its job with more style and quality than you’d expect at this price.
At 20 litres, it’s compact but useful. Think cans, milk, sausages, and enough food for a night or two. It’s made from thick plastic that feels far sturdier than most cheap coolboxes, and the carry handle doubles as a handy lid support when open. Clever touch.
You won’t get sub-zero temps here, but it does bring contents down to around 10°C below ambient, which is decent for short breaks, festivals, or day trips. It plugs into your car’s 12V socket and hums away quietly while you drive.
One feature we really liked? The lid has a recess for 2L bottles, so you can stand one upright without the lid pressing it down or leaking condensation everywhere. That kind of detail is rare even on more expensive boxes.
Sure, it’s not going to chill your food like a fridge, and there’s no mains adaptor included – this one is purely for the car unless you’ve got an inverter. But if you want something light, well-designed, and dirt cheap that still does the job, this is it.
Compressor vs Thermoelectric: Why It Actually Makes a Difference
Most newcomers don’t give a toss about what’s inside the box. They just want cold ciders and cheese that won’t go green. Here’s why you should care.
Compressor fridges are like the fridge in your kitchen. They use refrigerant and a small pump (the compressor) to get seriously cold – often down to freezing. Brilliant on longer trips. Want to keep meat frozen on a five-day Dartmoor stint? You need a compressor fridge. They handle high temperatures without sweating it, and don’t drain as much battery as you’d think.
Thermoelectric coolboxes use electric plates to shift heat out the side (Peltier effect, if you’re curious). Lighter, quieter, and cheaper, but less punchy. They’ll drop the inside temp by about 20 degrees below whatever’s outside. Sometimes that’s enough in spring, but when the sun’s out or you’re stuck on a Cornish beach, your butter might still turn to soup.
For regular UK car campers, thermoelectric boxes cover most trips. For wild campers, festivals, or off-grid adventures—invest in a compressor. It pays for itself the first time your sausages survive a heatwave.
What to Look for When Picking a Camping Fridge
Let’s skip the sales pitch and focus on what you’ll actually care about when your boots are muddy and it’s bucketing down:
Capacity
Don’t go tiny if you have family. Even solo, you’ll want space for leftovers and unexpected extras. Fridges over 35L suit longer trips and groups. Smaller ones are great for the odd night away or solo overnighters near the lakes.
Power Options
Car socket? Mains hook-up? Battery packs? Solar? If you’re wild camping without electric, pick one that can sip power from several sources. It’s saved my bacon (literally) more than once.
Portability
Think weight. Wheels and a firm handle are a godsend if your pitch is up a winding hill. I once lugged a 20kg fridge across a soggy field – my back still complains every May.
Insulation & Energy Use
Better insulation means the box stays cold if the power cuts for a few hours. Plus, efficient fridges won’t kill your car battery by morning.
Extras
Internal lights, dividers, or a readout screen can make life easier in the dark or after a few pints. Don’t overpay for fancy features you’ll never use, but don’t skimp on things like low-voltage cut-off or app control if you love stats.
Quick Picks: Match the Right Fridge to Your Camping Style
Let’s face it – there’s no “one-size-fits-all” camping fridge. It’s all about how (and where) you camp. Whether you’re wild camping, weekending with the kids, or just want to keep your beers cool at the beach, here’s how to match your coolbox to your style:
- For big family holidays or longer stays:
Go with the Outdoor Revolution Eco Deep Extreme 45L. With real compressor power, freezing ability, and separate fridge/freezer space, it’s built for serious trips. It’s not the cheapest, but it’ll save your bacon—literally—on a week-long break.
- For short getaways, solo trips or tight budgets:
The Hi-Gear 20L Cooler is a great pick for day trips, festivals, or short weekends. It won’t keep things icy, but it’s light, compact, and handles the basics well, especially at the price.
- For car-based wild camping and off-grid stops:
The Outwell ECOCool 35L strikes a perfect balance. It runs on both 12V and mains, cools and heats, and includes solid insulation for extended unplugged use. Great for mixing wild pitches with the occasional power hook-up.
- For couples or small families on a mini-break:
Try the Subcold Ultra 15 Mini Fridge. It’s whisper-quiet, sleek, and great for snacks and drinks over a weekend. The heating function is a bonus for winter trips, too.
Parting Advice from the Campsite
Camping in Britain is all about planning for what the forecast refuses to tell you. Stick with electric coolboxes or a compressor fridge and you’ll stop worrying about wilted bacon or ruined yoghurts.
Don’t fall for the “bigger is better” myth. Instead, look for something that fits your kit and keeps running even if there’s a storm brewing. Personally, after lugging dead coolers across a sodden Dartmoor for 300 metres, I’ll never skimp on insulation or flexible power again.
Test your set-up before leaving home. That’s how I discovered my old 12V cable was held together with sheer hope. A quick pre-trip trial now saves you from that sad walk to the nearest village shop, where the only thing left on offer is tinned beans.
Got camping questions? Share them on the next muddy field. Trust us, you won’t regret upgrading your kit. And don’t forget the pegs…
