Cooler Boxes for Boats

Cool boxes: which types are there? 

Your compact life saver on board

The different types of cool box are as follows:

- Passive Cool Boxes

- Thermo-Electric Cool Boxes

- Compressor Cool Boxes

Do you want your cool box to run on electricity, gas or no electricity? Compressor cool boxes for boats are excellent for sailing and motor boats, but can also be used in other vehicles such as cars or motor homes and vans. Featuring fully insulated sides, food stays fresh for a long time, making compressor technology ideal for longer cruises.

Thermoelectric refrigerators are not only good for keeping food and drinks cold, but also for keeping food warm. They contain a Peltier element that produces both heat and cold. The temperature inside the box depends on the outside temperature, meaning that thermoelectric boxes are more suitable for regions with mild temperatures. Thermoelectric boxes are suitable for extended operation, e.g. in cars or as camping cool boxes in campervans.

Passive cool boxes for boats are suitable for short-term mobile use. They do not require electricity to use, they simply use frozen blocks or ice packs to keep the contents cold. They represent the cheapest option when it comes to keeping food and drink cool and are great for festivals and day trips or on the beach.

Which type of cool box for which use? 

Cooler box - camping, motorhome, car trip or boat trip

Ultimately, this depends on where you're going and for how long you want to use it. For longer boat trips to very warm areas, compressor coolers are perfect. Thermo-electric plug in cool boxes are also good for longer cruises, but not in hot places, as they cool to a specific temperature below the ambient temperature. The outside temperature for this technology should not exceed 30° Celsius, otherwise the optimum cooling performance cannot be achieved. Thermoelectric coolers should also be used if you want peace and quiet on board and a power connection is available. Passive boxes are only suitable for short trips and day trips, as they cannot cool food for a long time. 

SVB Tip: With the right crockery and tableware on board, food tastes the same on the move as it does at home.

What are the advantages of camping cool boxes?

Electric cooler boxes are perfect for longer periods in a motorhome or on board. A hybrid coolbox with compressor cooling can be connected to the mains supply in a motorhome, but also as a 12 V thermoelectric cool box in a car. For cruising, boating, camping and in trips off the beaten track, an absorption cooler is a good choice. Passive cool boxes, not to be confused with a cool bag, do not require electricity and, thanks to their light weight, are suitable for short day trips to the park, the beach or for festivals. You can easily transport a passive box in your car.

Are passive cool boxes the perfect solution?

Cruising, trips and festivals

Passive cool boxes are a simple and inexpensive way to keep food and drinks chilled on the move. DOMETIC's highly efficient and extremely lightweight models feature thick foam insulation and a labyrinth seal. Helped by the perfect mix of cooling elements, the contents of these boxes stays fresh for up to 22 hours. 

Low in weight (between 3 and 6 kg) and with a volume between 22 and 43 litres, there' s plenty of room for your provisions. These compact boxes are also easy to transport and fit inside almost every car boot, often even behind the back seat. A sturdy lid provides optimal cooling and a practical carrying handle makes transportion easy. These boat cooler boxes are also suitable for cruising, picnics and festivals and feature sturdy, fold-down handles.

Thanks to thick freezer compartment foam insulation, the passive versions keep ice cream frozen for several days even at very high outside temperatures. Featuring an excellent seal, high outdoor temperatures are no issue, as are uneven terrain, dust and mud. 

All models boast extremely effective insulation and can keep food, fish and much more fresh for several hours using cold packs or ice cubes. Our passive cooler boxes are the perfect solution for wherever you have to manage without a power source.

They should be stored in cooler areas and placed in the shade for several hours before use. It's recommended to chill food before placing in the box. Avoid opening them when unneccessary, as this can lead to a reduction in cooling capacity if hot air gets in. Try to fill with as much content as possible.

Which is the best cool box?

Not sure which model is right for you? Want a cooler that is suitable for motorhomes, powerful, easy to use, and quiet? Find out which model is best for you in our SVB Cool Box Price Comparison. We pick a number of cool boxes that are also perfect as cool boxes for car trips and camping. Popular products such as the MOBICOOL MCF-40, MCF32 cooler, DOMETIC CoolFreeze CFX-50 or the ENGEL compressor box MT45F-S are pitted against each other in our SVB cooler test 2022 - for boats, camping, car. You'll find the ideal model for your needs thanks to our in-depth comparison.