Need a good cool box. Advice please.

I use an IGLOO cool box for keeping fish fresh and the insulation is excellent. I bought the roller version but the metal telescopic handle didn't stand up to seawater though. I have replaced the handle and it's still a good cool box.
 
I have a Supermarket no brand Insulated box that is strong enough to not only carry a load of stuff - but also to sit on ... I'm 105kgs.

Its really well insulated but like all of them - open the lid and you start to lose it.

My large 12v Cool / Heat box is just amp crazy for marginal results ... yes it cools - but its those amps !! Decided enough was enough and started looking .....

For similar money to those Yeti linked to by OP ... I paid only a touch more for a Vevor proper Fridge / Freezer box ... WOW - I was knocked sideways by the efficiency. Once it had reached temp - the amp draw was miniscule ... I mean very very low. I should have got one long before ...

40L Vevor - top opening cabinet style. I don't have wheels and its a single compartment - you choose whether to use as fridge or freezer by temp selection ... which really does go down to -20C if selected !! But well worth it.
 
The only ones that are power efficient are compressor types.

The Dometic and Waeco use the mineture Danfoss compressor, the chinese copies are exactly that, copies. The Danfoss Patent is long expired, so the technology is out in the open for all to use.

We have a Dometic 40 litre which is over 5 years old. Very pleased with it, especially the smart switch function which defaults to 12v once shore power is disconnected.
 
I am more than happy with my offering from halfords which had a Which magazine best buy some time ago. I run it on 12 & 240V using a transformer. I have 8 tupperware boxes that fit neatly inside so I can have different food products stored. There is a VSR on my domestic batteries to prevent excessive draw down.
 
second for dometic. it has a 240 and 12 v feed. £50. fits under the bunk as well as they have many sizes and i am not paying £500 for a new fridge unit......
 
Here in Oz as you can imagine keeping food cool in boat or picnics is important. yes most people just rley on ice from home or supplyer for any day or few day adventure. Here are some https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?q=cool+box&sort=BoostOrder&page=1
Often can be bought cheaply at super market who can also supply an insulated carry bag for like a quid. if you put ice in the insulated bag inside the cool box yopu can get long life out of ice at less cooling power.
So size is first consideration. Something to fit what you need in it while able to fit in to boat and be light enough to carry. We will always fill the box at home and use it to carry contents to boat or car. You can get them with wheels which can be useful. Don't under estimate the weight of a decent sized full box. My favorite is a plastic box about 900 mm long 40mm deep 35mm wide. Holds lots. Nice to have 2 people to manage it. Igloo 45L Chest Cooler. Lots more on this site not that you would buy from Oz but to give you an idea. However you can spend a lot of money on a "good" box where cost would go a long way towards small fridge. I seem to have a collection of very cheap plastic one I imagine about 5 to 10 squid. ol'will
 
OK ... I guessed it was a 'passive box' but thought mention of my Vevor was suitable.

I have accumulated over the years :

3 different sized insulated soft bags - excellent for temp use / transfer from fridge .... smallest holds 4x pint cans !!

Then I have a moderate sized insulated passive box - bought in Tesco many years ago and still good as first day.

Next up is the 40L Peltier box - amp hungry for only moderate effect - best is to use ice packs in it !

But top of the shop ... my 40L Vevor .... magic.
 
Is not a key consideration the space available - we have a cheap box type bought in carrefour a few years ago which haven’t replaced as it fits in the gap between the chart table and chair and close to 12v plug socket but do you mean a 12v box type as “passive” seems to indicate a non powered insulated bag ?
 
I just find it amazing that people will pay hundreds of pounds for an insulated box with no powered cooling of any descrption.

Sorry if that offends anyone ... just my opinion. I only use such for carrying cold stuff from one place to another ....
 
ashtead said:
Indeed I would like a more efficient small powered box to replace the carrefour type but yet to see a comparable size -most seem to be size of luggage trunks .
Click to expand...

What size do you want >> I see sizes from just holding a couple of beer cans up to large over 100L size ...

I would assume that the physical limitations of having proper fridge unit to small box is the factor they need overcome. And like boats - the smaller boats are much higher cost per unit to manufacture than the larger.
 
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