---
product_id: 1770069
title: "Electric Portable Cooler Plug in 12V Car Cooler/Warmer, 18 qt (17 L), No Ice Thermo Electric Portable Fridge for Camping, Travel Road Trips Trucking with 12 Volt DC Power Cord, Gray/White."
brand: "koolatron"
price: "VT98988"
currency: VUV
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Koolatron"
url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/1770069-electric-portable-cooler-plug-in-12v-car-cooler-warmer-18
store_origin: VU
region: Vanuatu
---

# Warms up to 57°C 12V car plug-in power Cools 22°C below ambient Electric Portable Cooler Plug in 12V Car Cooler/Warmer, 18 qt (17 L), No Ice Thermo Electric Portable Fridge for Camping, Travel Road Trips Trucking with 12 Volt DC Power Cord, Gray/White.

**Brand:** koolatron
**Price:** VT98988
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> ❄️🔥 Stay Cool or Toasty, Wherever Life Takes You!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Electric Portable Cooler Plug in 12V Car Cooler/Warmer, 18 qt (17 L), No Ice Thermo Electric Portable Fridge for Camping, Travel Road Trips Trucking with 12 Volt DC Power Cord, Gray/White. by koolatron
- **How much does it cost?** VT98988 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/1770069-electric-portable-cooler-plug-in-12v-car-cooler-warmer-18)

## Best For

- koolatron enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted koolatron brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Built to Endure:** Durable, stain-resistant exterior crafted in North America for over 30 years of trusted performance.
- • **Dual-Mode Powerhouse:** Seamlessly switch between cooling and warming with advanced thermoelectric tech—no ice needed, no fuss.
- • **Plug & Play Anywhere:** 12V DC car adapter included; AC adapter optional for indoor use—stay fresh on road trips or at home.
- • **One-Handed Convenience:** Latch-free flip-up lid and fold-away handle make grab-and-go effortless, even while driving.
- • **Slim Fit, Maximum Chill:** 17L capacity fits snugly between front seats—perfect for tight spaces and easy reach on the go.

## Overview

The Koolatron Electric Portable Cooler/Warmer is a compact 17-liter thermoelectric fridge designed for road warriors and weekend adventurers. It plugs into any 12V car outlet to cool up to 40°F (22°C) below ambient or warm up to 135°F (57°C), all without ice. Its slim profile fits perfectly between vehicle seats, while a latch-free lid and fold-away handle ensure effortless access and portability. Built tough in North America with over 30 years of expertise, this cooler keeps your essentials fresh or warm on long trips, camping, or daily errands—making it the ultimate travel companion for the modern professional on the move.

## Description

desertcart.com Coolers are usually large and unwieldy, which is why Koolatron developed the Compact Kooler, specially designed to fit in the snug spaces behind the seats of many cars, trucks, and vans. Like many of Koolatron's coolers, this unit features a 12-volt cooling system that plugs into a car's cigarette lighter. The cooler's motor blows cold air over your food and beverages, keeping them 40 degrees F cooler than the outside temperature. The cooler also doubles as a warmer, if you'd rather keep the contents toasty. Outside of the car or truck, the cooler is still versatile, with a swinging, foldaway handle for easy portage and a latchless lid that opens with one hand. Other handy features include a convenient cord wrap and a unique storage spot for the unplugged cigarette lighter. Despite the unit's compact size and weight (only 9 pounds), it can still hold up to 23 12-ounce soft drinks. --Rivers Janssen Product Description Efficient thermoelectric technology and a unique slim shape especially designed for tight spaces make this the ideal cooler for days out with the family. This space-saving cooler features a 17L capacity with a narrow footprint designed to fit between the front seats of most minivans and a flip-up lid for one-handed grab-and-go convenience. Plug it into your vehicle's 12V outlet to keep items cool to 40°F (22°C) below room temperature or warm to 135°F (57°C), using less power than your vehicle's tail light. Proudly made in North America, the durable hard plastic injection molded exterior protects contents and ensures peak performance. Advanced thermoelectric technology offers cooling or warmer functions in one unit and will not be affected by the movement of your vehicle, making this cooler the perfect choice for day trips.

Review: fantastic performer - We bought this unit primarily for a 3,000 mile, nine-day road trip to Mexico. My daughter’s medication needed to be kept cool on the trip, and we figured this was the most convenient way to do it. Filling coolers with ice gets old very quickly, and not all hotel rooms on our budget have fridges. Selected this model due to (1) price, (2) size: fits perfectly between front seats in our Chevy Venture minivan, and (3) good reviews. We also bought the additional Koolatron 110v AC adapter (model: AC-16). Before the road trip I took it on a 5 day field-test to Moab, UT. Plugged it in the night before we left, put cold perishables (milk, eggs, butter, yoghurt) in it the morning and drove off, with no ice. Everything stayed nice and cold. My overlander has a HD battery, so I even left it plugged in at night without draining the battery. Before we left for Mexico, we did a test-run on the minivan battery: after 8 hrs it drained the 75A battery low enough that it couldn’t start the engine. This was important to know. Therefore, on the road trip we had it plugged in all day long, both while we were driving (6-7 hours per day), and during stops along the way. The longest stop was about 4 hours. Performance was not diminished, even though during the day we would access it frequently for snacks and beverages. At night we took it into the hotel room and plugged it into 110V AC. Therefore, it ran CONTINUOUSLY for 9 days and nights without losing it’s cool! Now, in Mexico, we use it when we go shopping. It is 90+ F here, and we have a 20 min drive from home to the grocery store. Ice cream will even stay firm for several hours in this awesome little unit in a hot car!!! We will continue to use it for shopping, the roadtrip home and then for overlanding trips. UPDATE March 2020: We still have this original Koolatron, and it still works perfectly. In the last 5 years it has been with us on many roadtrips and heaps of off-road adventures. This is one tough and dependable product!!!
Review: Yes! - Purchased one of these as an upgrade to the non-powered cooler we usually take in the SUV on long trips, and so far, it's been terrific. Construction quality I'd rate as average. It's all plastic, and to be honest, the top cover popped off a few times when opening it - nothing that couldn't be fixed in a few seconds, but really, the quality isn't that much different than a cheap conventional cooler. Still, for the price, it's definitely more than adequate to give years of service if you take care of it. Other positives are a long 12V power cord that will reach just about anywhere in your car, and fairly quiet operation that's barely noticeable unless your car is dead quiet and you're sitting right next to the cooler. I like the overall size and shape - it fits well on the floor behind the front seats where it's easy to reach, even while driving (of course, that depends on your car). Compared to a similar sized non-powered cooler, you get a lot more usable space in this guy because you're not wasting half the capacity on ice or freezer packs...virtually the entire interior can be packed to the brim and it all stays cold. This also makes for a lighter and easier to carry unit. 12-oz cans fit best in this unit. Larger bottles work too, but you'll only get a small number in the Koolatron. If you tend to like bigger items, you might want to look at one of the larger coolers. The good news is that I find that the unit itself is fairly well insulated, so even when you shut the power, it will keep your stuff cold for at least several hours, depending on how hot it gets inside your car. It can also be used to keep food items warm - have to admit I didn't try this mode. The cool vs. heat mode is selected by the way you attach the plug - this is an area that could use a little improvement as it's hard to see in the dark. I could see someone inadvertently getting this backwards After an 1800 mile trip over the past week, I have to say that the Koolatron definitely made a difference, and for the price, it's worthwhile. Absolutely recommended.

## Features

- 17 L (18 qt) Portable Cooler: With a 17 liter (18 quart) capacity and unique slim design, this cooler/warmer can hold 23 standard soft drink cans and fits between the front seats of most minivans.Cooling method:Thermoelectric
- Plugs Into Any 12V Outlet: Thermoelectric cooler/warmer comes with a 12V DC adapter for use in your car, truck, or boat; also compatible with AC power (110V adapter sold separately) for indoors
- Warming and Cooling Functions: Dual-function thermoelectric technology efficiently cools to 40°F (22°C) below the surrounding temperature or warms to 135°F (57°C)
- Practical and Durable Design: Features a latch-free lid that can be opened with one hand for grab and go convenience, fold-away handle, cord storage, protective exterior, and stain-resistant lining
- Made in North America: Proudly Canadian, Koolatron has been manufacturing industry-leading 12V coolers in North America for over 30 years

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B00009PGNS |
| Additional Features | Portable |
| Best Sellers Rank | #168,606 in Sports & Outdoors ( See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors ) #614 in Camping Coolers #9,831 in Kitchen Small Appliances |
| Brand | Koolatron |
| Brand Name | Koolatron |
| Capacity | 17 Liters |
| Chamber Depth | 17.25 Inches |
| Chamber Height | 42.55 Centimeters |
| Color | Gray |
| Container Type | Cans |
| Customer Reviews | 4.0 out of 5 stars 1,510 Reviews |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00059586500206 |
| Included Components | 12V DC Power Plug |
| Insulation Material Type | Polyurethane Foam |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 17.75"D x 9.25"W x 16.75"H |
| Item Type Name | 12-Volt Compact Electric Cooler and Warmer - 18 Quart |
| Item Weight | 5 Pounds |
| Manufacturer | Koolatron |
| Manufacturer Part Number | P-20WH |
| Material | Plastic |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Model Name | P20 |
| Model Number | P20 |
| Package Information | Cans |
| Pattern | Solid |
| Product Dimensions | 17.75"D x 9.25"W x 16.75"H |
| Size | 18 Quart |
| Team Name | Koolatron |
| UPC | 059586500206 772418181809 798527585987 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Warranty Description | 1 Year Limited |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Koolatron
- **Capacity:** 17 Liters
- **Color:** Gray
- **Included Components:** 12V DC Power Plug
- **Item Weight:** 5 Pounds
- **Material:** Plastic
- **Model Name:** P20
- **Package Information:** Cans
- **Product Dimensions:** 17.75"D x 9.25"W x 16.75"H
- **Special Feature:** Portable

## Images

![Electric Portable Cooler Plug in 12V Car Cooler/Warmer, 18 qt (17 L), No Ice Thermo Electric Portable Fridge for Camping, Travel Road Trips Trucking with 12 Volt DC Power Cord, Gray/White. - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61RG19qPaGL.jpg)
![Electric Portable Cooler Plug in 12V Car Cooler/Warmer, 18 qt (17 L), No Ice Thermo Electric Portable Fridge for Camping, Travel Road Trips Trucking with 12 Volt DC Power Cord, Gray/White. - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81iP1JT2mFL.jpg)
![Electric Portable Cooler Plug in 12V Car Cooler/Warmer, 18 qt (17 L), No Ice Thermo Electric Portable Fridge for Camping, Travel Road Trips Trucking with 12 Volt DC Power Cord, Gray/White. - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71kowJV6KxL.jpg)
![Electric Portable Cooler Plug in 12V Car Cooler/Warmer, 18 qt (17 L), No Ice Thermo Electric Portable Fridge for Camping, Travel Road Trips Trucking with 12 Volt DC Power Cord, Gray/White. - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71I5Qs4-cpL.jpg)
![Electric Portable Cooler Plug in 12V Car Cooler/Warmer, 18 qt (17 L), No Ice Thermo Electric Portable Fridge for Camping, Travel Road Trips Trucking with 12 Volt DC Power Cord, Gray/White. - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81fyHs04xrL.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: What size solar panel does it take to power this, or if anyone has tried it?**
A: This thing uses a surprising amount of electricity. And it's VERY poorly insulated, so as soon as it stops running it heats up quickly.

In full sun, a 100w solar panel will work, but no matter where you are (assuming the US) you'll only get 4-5 hours of full, direct sun per day. The other problem is that this cooler is very poorly insulated. The top isn't even airtight. 

So that means it will start to warm up about half an hour after the sun is no longer directly overhead. To get around this you'll need several (3-4) 100w panels and at least 100-150 mah of battery storage if you want to keep something cold for one day.

**Q: Is this cooler reasonable to use on very long trips during which it will only be on while we are driving? No way to run it overnight as we're camping**
A: Depends on how long the trip is. I use mine on a regular basis every month on a 250 mile trip. Works great, just wish I'd bought the square one instead of the rectangle one. It's great for sodas and such but the square one will accommodate larger items. Hope this helps. You should buy the adapter, as I did. You can get it pre-cooled or heated before your trip, and plug it in to 110v when available.

**Q: What are the interior dimensions of this cooler?**
A: Not sure what the exact dimensions are but I can stand up 6 20 oz bottles of soda and have room to put things on top of the bottles and alongside the bottles, I am an over the road truck driver and I LOVE IT!!

**Q: How well does it cool when it's not powered up, in terms of hours in a 90 degree summer, how long can I expect to have cold drinks?**
A: Seriously doubt your drinks would be cold for very long in that situation.  First, this isn't a fridge but a cooler. Myself, have never had reason to use this without it being hooked up to electricity.  If you must unplug this while in use, suggest using some of the blue ice items to help keep your drinks cold.  That should give you an hour or more.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ fantastic performer
*by M***S on December 4, 2014*

We bought this unit primarily for a 3,000 mile, nine-day road trip to Mexico. My daughter’s medication needed to be kept cool on the trip, and we figured this was the most convenient way to do it. Filling coolers with ice gets old very quickly, and not all hotel rooms on our budget have fridges. Selected this model due to (1) price, (2) size: fits perfectly between front seats in our Chevy Venture minivan, and (3) good reviews. We also bought the additional Koolatron 110v AC adapter (model: AC-16). Before the road trip I took it on a 5 day field-test to Moab, UT. Plugged it in the night before we left, put cold perishables (milk, eggs, butter, yoghurt) in it the morning and drove off, with no ice. Everything stayed nice and cold. My overlander has a HD battery, so I even left it plugged in at night without draining the battery. Before we left for Mexico, we did a test-run on the minivan battery: after 8 hrs it drained the 75A battery low enough that it couldn’t start the engine. This was important to know. Therefore, on the road trip we had it plugged in all day long, both while we were driving (6-7 hours per day), and during stops along the way. The longest stop was about 4 hours. Performance was not diminished, even though during the day we would access it frequently for snacks and beverages. At night we took it into the hotel room and plugged it into 110V AC. Therefore, it ran CONTINUOUSLY for 9 days and nights without losing it’s cool! Now, in Mexico, we use it when we go shopping. It is 90+ F here, and we have a 20 min drive from home to the grocery store. Ice cream will even stay firm for several hours in this awesome little unit in a hot car!!! We will continue to use it for shopping, the roadtrip home and then for overlanding trips. UPDATE March 2020: We still have this original Koolatron, and it still works perfectly. In the last 5 years it has been with us on many roadtrips and heaps of off-road adventures. This is one tough and dependable product!!!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Yes!
*by B***E on September 25, 2014*

Purchased one of these as an upgrade to the non-powered cooler we usually take in the SUV on long trips, and so far, it's been terrific. Construction quality I'd rate as average. It's all plastic, and to be honest, the top cover popped off a few times when opening it - nothing that couldn't be fixed in a few seconds, but really, the quality isn't that much different than a cheap conventional cooler. Still, for the price, it's definitely more than adequate to give years of service if you take care of it. Other positives are a long 12V power cord that will reach just about anywhere in your car, and fairly quiet operation that's barely noticeable unless your car is dead quiet and you're sitting right next to the cooler. I like the overall size and shape - it fits well on the floor behind the front seats where it's easy to reach, even while driving (of course, that depends on your car). Compared to a similar sized non-powered cooler, you get a lot more usable space in this guy because you're not wasting half the capacity on ice or freezer packs...virtually the entire interior can be packed to the brim and it all stays cold. This also makes for a lighter and easier to carry unit. 12-oz cans fit best in this unit. Larger bottles work too, but you'll only get a small number in the Koolatron. If you tend to like bigger items, you might want to look at one of the larger coolers. The good news is that I find that the unit itself is fairly well insulated, so even when you shut the power, it will keep your stuff cold for at least several hours, depending on how hot it gets inside your car. It can also be used to keep food items warm - have to admit I didn't try this mode. The cool vs. heat mode is selected by the way you attach the plug - this is an area that could use a little improvement as it's hard to see in the dark. I could see someone inadvertently getting this backwards After an 1800 mile trip over the past week, I have to say that the Koolatron definitely made a difference, and for the price, it's worthwhile. Absolutely recommended.

### ⭐ Poor customer support
*by C***J on February 16, 2026*

I have an issue with the fan not turning. The inside cover rubs on the fan preventing it from turning. I can make it work so I know it will cool ok. I have called koolatron several times and sent email No calls back. Get disconnected. The one time I did get a person I was told 24 hrs to get a call back. Never happened. Ill probably keep it and try to figure something else. 3d print a new cover . If nothing else it makes a nice console for ford transit van. Can store things in it. Good thing I did not pay full price for it.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Koolatron Portable Cooler - Electric Lunch Cooler for Car, Camping, Travel, 12 V Insulated Hard Sided Refrigerator for Vehicle, Boat, Truck, Warming & Cooling, Cools Drinks,Food for Road Trip, 18 qt
- Koolatron 110V AC to 12V DC Power Adapter - 12V 5A Converter for Car Fridge, Portable Devices, Vehicle Supplies, Replacement Cable, Extender Charger, Wall Outlet, Transformer For Cooler
- Koolatron 12v Battery Saver - Automotive Bateria Isolator, Operate In Any Vehicle With 12 Volt Outlet, Plug Cooler, Refrigerator & Fans In The Car

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*Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu*
*Store origin: VU*
*Last updated: 2026-05-19*