What would a sunset at the lake or campsite be without a chilled soda or a cold beer? That's precisely why a Cooler box as basic equipment For everyone who travels by camper or van. But How do you power the box if there's no power outlet nearby?
We'll show you, which power station is compatible with your cooler and what you should pay attention to when making your selection.
Which cooler box is compatible with power stations?
Power stations are primarily compatible with energy-saving cool boxes using compressor technology – because only they can be operated efficiently and reliably with a mobile power source.
1. Compressor cool boxes
These cool boxes work like a refrigerator – with a small compressor that only starts when needed.
Advantages:
- Low energy consumption (usually 30–60 W)
- Works reliably even at ambient temperatures above 30 °C
- 12V, 24V and 230V connections
- Energy-efficient continuous operation possible – ideal for camping & travel
Examples:
- Dometic CFX series
- EcoFlow GLACIER
- EcoFlow GLACIER Classic Series
- Alpicool, Engel, Mobicool and many more
Which cooler boxes are not compatible with a power station?
2. Thermoelectric cool boxes
They function through a constant flow of electricity, but consume significantly more energy – and run continuously.
Disadvantages:
- High continuous power consumption (40–60 W permanent)
- No temperature control – often only 15–20 °C below ambient temperature
- Not efficient for extended stand-alone operation
3. Absorption cooler boxes
These devices use gas or heating elements – electricity consumption is very high, therefore they are unsuitable for mobile energy systems.
| Cooler box type | Compatible with power stations? | Recommendation |
| Compressor cool box | Yes | Top recommendation |
| Thermoelectric box | Restricted | For a limited time only |
| Absorption cooler | No | Not suitable |
A compressor cool box is ideal for mobile use. It's economical, efficient, and designed to operate on 12V, 24V, or 230V. Important: Make sure your cool box has a cigarette lighter socket (DC) or an AC plug.
While driving, the box can be powered by the starter battery – however, when stationary, it should be powered by a power station to conserve the vehicle battery. This way, you remain independent of shore power and can travel self-sufficiently.
Our recommendations for compressor cool boxes
Among current compressor cool boxes, these six are our favorites in terms of energy efficiency, capacity, and ease of use. The EcoFlow GLACIER Classic series is among the most innovative cool boxes currently on the market and is available in our shop.
| Model | capacity | Temperature range | Performance | power supply | Special features |
| EcoFlow GLACIER Classic 35 L | 35 L | +20 °C to -20 °C | 55 W | Battery / 12/24 V / 230 V | Switchable single zone, app control, with optional plug-in battery up to 43 hours of cooling |
| EcoFlow GLACIER Classic 45 L | 45 L | +20 °C to -20 °C | 55 W | Battery / 12/24 V / 230 V |
Dual-zone system, app control, with optional plug-in battery for up to 39 hours of cooling |
| EcoFlow GLACIER Classic 55 L | 55 L | +20 °C to -20 °C | 55 W | Battery / 12/24 V / 230 V |
Dual-zone system, app control, with optional plug-in battery for up to 39 hours of cooling |
| EcoFlow GLACIER | 38 L | +10 °C to -25 °C | 50 W | Integrated battery, 12/24 V DC, 230 V AC, XT60 | Battery, ice cube function, 2 cooling zones, app control |
| Dometic CFX3 35 | 36 L | +20 °C to -22 °C | 45 W | 12/24 V DC, 230 V AC | Very robust, vibration-resistant, app control, USB charging port |
| Alpicool T50 | 50 L | +20 °C to -20 °C | 40 W | 12/24 V DC, 230 V AC | Affordable, Eco mode, compact design, digital display |
Calculate the energy consumption of your compressor cool box
If we look at the performance of the three cool boxes, we can also determine the average daily consumption in watt-hours (Wh).
2. Formula for calculation:
Power consumption (watts) × operating time (hours/day) = daily consumption in watt-hours (Wh)
Example: Glacier with 50 W:
50 W × 8 h = 350 Wh per day
Actual consumption varies depending on:
- Ambient temperature
- loading
- Preset temperature
- Opening frequency of the box
If your cooler consumes around 300 to 400 Wh daily, you should choose a power station whose usable capacity at least covers this demand – ideally, it should be slightly higher to have reserves for higher temperatures or other devices. Power station with approximately 500–1000 Wh capacity In this case, it offers you a good balance of runtime, weight and flexibility.
Things you should keep in mind:
Pay attention to the power requirements of your cooler: For models with a high starting current (e.g., large refrigerators), a model with high output power (e.g., DELTA 2) recommended.
- Use the 12V DC output if possible – this is more efficient than using the 230V AC output via the inverter.
- For long-term operation: Combine with a portable solar panel (e.g. SOLA Ease 140 Wp ) for a true self-sufficiency setup.
Our power station recommendations for energy-efficient cool boxes
| Power station | Capacity (Wh) | Recommended for | Special features |
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max | 512 Wh | Alpicool T50 (1 day of operation) | Lightweight, very compact, fast charging |
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro | 768 Wh | Alpicool T50, Dometic CFX3 (1–1.5 days of operation) | More capacity for longer tours |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 | 1024 Wh | Dometic CFX3, EcoFlow GLACIER Classic (2-3 days of operation) | Expandable, very fast charging, app control |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max | 2048 Wh | EcoFlow GLACIER Classic, large cool boxes (4+ days with extension) | Large reserves, ideal for self-sufficient camping |
The right combination of power station and cooler
Compressor cool boxes like the EcoFlow GLACIER Classic, Dometic CFX3 , or Alpicool T-Series offer reliable cooling with low energy consumption – ideal for off-grid travel. Their daily power consumption is around 300–400 Wh , making them perfect for use with portable power stations .
The combination of a compact cooler and a smart power station not only ensures cool drinks and fresh food – it makes you more independent from the power grid, more flexible in your travel planning and more comfortable on the go.
Your to-do: Choose a compressor cool box, calculate your energy requirements and select your power station accordingly – for maximum freedom with minimal effort.
Please note: The actual operating time of your cooler or freezer depends on several factors. The ambient temperature affects how often the appliance needs to recool. The load also plays a role – a well-filled cooler retains the cold better and thus extends the operating time. The preset temperature and how often you open the cooler also directly affect the operating time.
If you pre-cool your box, load it efficiently, and only open it when needed, you'll get the maximum operating time.
