Koolatron Portable 45 Review

The Koolatron is a thermoelectric model with an advertised capacity of 45 quarts and temperatures reaching 40ºF below ambient.

Temperature Control

Like all the thermoelectric coolers we tested, the Koolatron isn't meant to work as a fridge and cool your room temperature items. However, when we tested it to see how cold it can really get, this little guy was the only one to reach 40º F below ambient temperature (26.8º F in our test), as it claims. Most thermoelectric coolers, including this one, have warming functions, but the Koolatron achieves impressive higher temperatures of over 130º F!

That being said, the Koolatron won't regulate its internal temperature and is just ON all the time. This only becomes a problem in heating mode, as this unit can't be left with the heat on for longer than 45 minutes at a time, or else the interior lining may become damaged. This becomes a fairly annoying routine of unplugging and replugging the device back in to keep your food warm while keeping an eye on the clock. But if you want your thermoelectric cooler to deliver performance and keep things at your desired temperature, the Koolatron is your best bet.

Insulation

All thermoelectric models we tested performed similarly during our insulation testing, with the Koolatron being the best by a small margin. At first glance, it may appear that these coolers are better insulators than the compressor models, as they gained significantly less heat during the 36 hour period. However, this is due to the fact that the thermoelectric coolers weren't as cold to begin with, and so had less heat to gain before reaching close to room temperature.

The Koolatron doesn't spark the most confidence in its durability. The plug for the electric cord permanently dangles out from the righthand side, which is less than ideal. It also smelled pretty funky after our heat test. The hinges are thin plastic and feel flimsy and thin. When we scoured the internet, we also found longevity complaints from other users. That being said, the Koolatron is built with very few moving parts, which can help extend the overall lifetime of the unit, with fewer things rattling around to break.

Energy Consumption

We were quite surprised to learn how much energy this little thermoelectric cooler takes. In cooling mode, it draws more than several of the compressor coolers we tested — 62.3 Watts! The other thermoelectric models we tested draw significantly less energy, if that's a selling point for you.

Even running the heating mode is quite a power-hungry endeavor for this little icebox. The heat function still takes 48.1 Watts to function, which is still pretty high compared to the other thermoelectric models. Still though, for the amount of cooling and heating power it gives, it's obvious that the Koolatron is working hard.

Ease of Use

The Koolatron can be stood on its end and used either as a mini-fridge or laid flat like a small chest. The Koolatron has a single shelf that can be placed at a myriad of heights in the chest position, or across the top of the cooler when used as a chest. The whole thing closes with a fairly strong magnet, and the lid features a cut-out design, adding capacity to this small box.

While Koolatron claims this model can hold 72 cans, we maxed it out at 63 — which is still one of the largest thermoelectric models we tested. Additionally, the Koolatron is meant to be packed with ice just like a regular cooler, and the electric component will help to extend the life of that ice. It's not necessary to use it this way, though it certainly gives you more control over the temperature on a hot day.

Portability

The Koolatron is one of the lightest coolers of its size we tested, tipping the scales at just 14.2 lb. It has easy-to-use handle indents on the sides (again with the lack of moving parts) to aid in carrying. Even loaded with food, this cooler isn't awful to carry because of these comfortable handles and the rounded shape. Its DC cord is also an impressive 8' 10".

The only thing that could make the Koolatron easier to carry for a cooler its size is if it had wheels. Truly though, for a powered cooler, the Koolatron is quite portable.

Features

This little ice chest is a fairly no-frills appliance. It switches easily between heating and cooling by a simple reversal of the plug.

Our biggest complaint about the Koolatron, in terms of this metric, is that it's very noisy. It makes an impressively annoying, medium to high-pitched hum that we found exceedingly challenging to endure. If sleeping next to your thermoelectric cooler is on the docket, you might consider another model based on noise alone.

Value

For a pretty decent thermoelectric cooler, we think the Koolatron holds good value. It delivers the best temperature performance of any thermoelectric model we tested — and let's be honest, temperature control is why you're looking at a powered cooler in the first place.

Conclusion

The Koolatron delivers where it counts. It boasts one of the most impressive temperature ranges of any thermoelectric cooler we tested, making it our Top Pick for Cooling and Heating. It may not be the fanciest model out there or the most efficient energy user, but it delivers on insulation, weight, and overall utility. If you're on the hunt for a great-performing thermoelectric cooler, you'll enjoy what you get with the Koolatron.