BEST 12V COOLER FOR THE CAR
The Wagan EL6214 is a compact personal cooler that is perfect for road trips, camping and use in RVs and boats.
You can also use it at home to keep medicine, breast milk or cosmetics cool.
It is a thermoelectric cooler so don’t expect it to be as good as a mini fridge. It works best when you use it to keep cold/frozen items cold.
The compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around. It includes a carrying strap and two cupholders integrated into the lid.
Overall, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a compact thermoelectric cooler with a decent amount of space to carry food and drinks.
Pros
- Small enough to fit in most cars
- Cools and warms
- Includes strap for easier portability
- Built-in cup holders
- DC and AC power options (though the AC adapter is sold separately)
- The fan is very quiet
- Raised lid design allows you to fit tall items like 2l water bottles and wine bottles
Cons
- Cannot cool or freeze hot items
- Reduced performance in very high temperatures. Do not leave it in the sun or in a parked car for long periods.
Product Specifications
Specs
Cooling technology: Thermoelectric
Warming function: Yes
Dimensions: 19”L x 10.25”W x 12”H
Weight: 13lbs
Capacity: 14 liters
Power: Plugs into your car’s charger or any 12V outlet. AC adapter available separately.
Key Features
1. Thermoelectric Cooling and Warming
The Wagan EL6214 cooler uses thermoelectric technology to cool and warm the inside.
It’s not as efficient as compressor technology used in mini fridges but it’s cheaper, uses way less energy and requires zero maintenance.
While it will not freeze your drinks, it maintains them at a cool temperature.
It can also warm your food or keep your takeout warm. Just flip a switch at the back, and the system switches to warming mode (max 140 degrees).
Two indicator lights show which mode is currently active.
2. 36-degree Cooling Capacity
As I mentioned, this cooler will not freeze your food or drinks. It also takes forever to cool down anything you put in.
Like an ice chest, it performs best at maintaining cold or frozen stuff. If you put in some frozen food, it will keep it that way for days. Any cold drinks inside the cooler stay cold even in hot weather.
To get the most out of the cooler, pre-chill or pre-freeze food and drinks before you put them inside.
It will maintain them at a constant temperature of 36 degrees below ambient temperature.
3. Compact and Lightweight
The Wagan EL6214 doesn’t provide a lot of space. You can fit a couple of 2l water bottles, some soda cans and a few fruits. It’s ideal for at most 2-3 people.
The upside is that it’s smaller than most portable coolers. Even if you have a small car, it can fit on the floor between the seats. You can also place it on one of the seats or in the trunk.
A nylon carrying strap makes it easy to carry the cooler to and from the car.
4. Extra-long DC Power Cord
Like most portable electric coolers, the Wagan 6214 plugs into your car’s 12V socket.
The 9ft power cord is conveniently long, letting you place the cooler wherever you want without worrying whether you can reach the socket.
A built-in side compartment keeps the cord out of the way when it’s not plugged in.
5. Cup Holders
Two cup holders integrated into the lid come in handy when you are camping or out on a picnic.
They are a bit small, so not all bottles can fit in them.
This cooler is perfect for you if…
Avoid buying this one if…
