
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories Join for Free Log In

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Camping and Caravanning Equipment

The Equipment Forum is proudly sponsored by Wolfbox

Wolfbox specialise in premium mirror dash cams, portable jump starters, and vehicle safety accessories, and known for products like the Wolfbox G900 Pro with it's 12-inch touchscreen rear-view mirror dash cam. Wolfbox products are designed to enhance driving safety, with a focus on producing cutting-edge technology for modern drivers. Find out more here

Topic: cooler box advice

Post Reply

slingo

21/5/2017 at 10:20pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Sunncamp Evolution 600

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/6/2003

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 26

Site Reviews Total:	5

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	3
Site Nights 2020:	0

I know there's probably a topic somewhere for this but after a few years gap in our camping (while the kids went through their we don't want to go away with you anymore phase) my wife and I have returned to camping. We are considered a powered coolbox as too much hassle swapping ice packs out at sites, so question is are 12v coolboxes with a mains adapter quieter than mains coolboxes, or is there not much difference? Also can anyone recommend any that aren't silly prices?

Thanks

Francais

21/5/2017 at 10:33pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/6/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 12136
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	4

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

We use a Mobicool C40 which has been brilliant for our fortnight campings in the South of France.

The C40 works like a regular domestic fridge, being of the compressor type, it is not reliance on the ambient tempreture.

The C40 is of course mains only, if you require 12/24v as well as mains, then have a look at the Mobicool FR40 which is around half the price of the equivalent Waeco but will do the same job.

OldRex

22/5/2017 at 6:44pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Vango Tigris 800XL Vango Icarus 500

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 03/4/2012

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 215
Tent Reviews: 4

Site Reviews Total:	7

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

I know its very subjective but I find all the thermoelectric coolboxes too noisy - there is little difference where the transformer component is, all the noise comes from the fan.

The more expensive Dometic/Waeco type of portable fridges are quieter I believe, but I bought an enhanced passive coolbox (Coleman Extreme) to get around the noise vs. daily ice pack swap problem. I also put a couple of frozen cartons of milk in there before I set off, they are just about thawed after 2-3 days.

Ewen c

22/5/2017 at 7:46pm
Location: County Kildare Irel
Outfit: Tents

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/8/2013

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3076
Tent Reviews: 12

Site Reviews Total:	21

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	5
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	1
Site Nights 2022:	1
Site Nights 2021:	7
Site Nights 2020:	0

Table top fridge.

-------------
Durston Xmid-2 solid
Durston Xmid-1 solid
Hypercamp Alaska - Dutch Pyramid
Vango F10 Helium UL1
Coleman cobra 2
Eureka solitaire
Naturehike Star River 2

fleck2

22/5/2017 at 8:33pm
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: Elddis accordo Motor

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 27/4/2006

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1188

Site Reviews Total:	8

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

There's not much difference in noise level between compressor coolboxes (with condenser fan) and cheap peltier coolboxes as the fan makes all the noise (12v axial fan on both)
All compressor coolboxes will have a fan assisted condenser because of their compact size, but in my opinion the noise isn't too bad and you soon don't notice it. They are good for hot climates, run on 12v and expensive.
But If you want cheap and quiet though go for a table top fridge if you have hook up.

Forum Sponsor

Hairywol

23/5/2017 at 9:53am
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/6/2005

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1430
Tent Reviews: 6

Site Reviews Total:	29

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Not good news from me I'm afraid. First there's no difference between a mains and a 12v coolbox per se, and second, you get what you pay for.

The quietest cooler would be a 3-way fridge because coolbox noise is caused by a fan whirring 24/7. But there are expensive.

I have a Waeco 48L coolbox which is 12v but with both mains and 12v plugs. It cost £120 or so, so expensive for a coolbox but cheaper than a fridge, but it is very well made and has a control for the fan speed. This means that at night one can slow the fan down which almost eliminates noise.

It might be twice the price of an ALDI bargain, but how many do you buy over a camping lifetime?

-------------
Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

Upcoming Event

Motorhome and Campervan Show Exeter 20/11 to 22/11

A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets

6199 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Special Offers]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Tent Reviews]

[Contact Us]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026