Anyone who spends significant time on the road, whether for long commutes, weekend trips, or even just running errands, knows the hassle of keeping drinks and snacks at the right temperature. I used to rely on standard coolers with ice, which inevitably led to soggy sandwiches and lukewarm beverages after a few hours. It was a persistent problem that made any extended car journey less enjoyable. Not having a reliable way to keep things cool or warm meant constantly stopping, dealing with melted ice, or simply going without, which wasn’t ideal for health or convenience. Finding a solution to this was crucial for making my time in the vehicle more comfortable and practical. A portable electric cooler warmer seemed like the obvious next step.
- COMPACT CAPACITY: 6 quart compact size of this cooler allows storage for your road trip necessities while only taking up a small footprint in your vehicle.
- DUAL FUNCTION: Cooling/ Warming functions. Max cooling to ≈ 36°F below ambient temperature. Max warming to≈140 °F. Pre chill/heat your items to assist the unit to reach the lowest/highest...
- MOVING CONVENIENCE: With a built in carry strap, you to carry the 6 Quart personal fridge/warmer to and from your destination without being awkward.
What to Look for in a Portable Cooler/Warmer
Before diving into purchasing a small fridge for car, it’s important to consider your needs and what problems this product category is designed to solve. These units are fantastic for keeping food and drinks cool on a road trip, maintaining the temperature of takeout on the way home, or even transporting temperature-sensitive items like medications. The ideal customer for a personal thermoelectric cooler like this is someone who frequently drives and wants the convenience of having chilled drinks or warm food accessible without needing ice or stopping at convenience stores. This includes commuters, road trip enthusiasts, truck drivers, campers, and even parents needing to transport baby food or milk.
However, this type of cooler might not be suitable for everyone. If you need something to get items ice cold quickly or keep things frozen, a thermoelectric unit is generally not the right choice; you would need a compressor-based portable refrigerator/freezer for that level of performance. Thermoelectric coolers cool to a certain degree *below* the ambient temperature, so their effectiveness is limited in very hot environments. If you need to store large quantities of items or frequently transport bulky containers, a small 6-quart capacity might be too limiting.
When considering a purchase, think about:
– Capacity: How much do you actually need to store? 6 quarts is small, suitable for a few drinks and snacks, but not a family picnic.
– Power Source: Most are 12V DC for car use, but some offer AC adapters for home or office use. Do you need this versatility?
– Cooling/Warming Capability: How much below ambient can it cool? How hot can it warm?
– Portability: Does it have a carrying strap or handle? How heavy is it?
– Size and Shape: Will it fit conveniently in your vehicle where you can access it?
– Noise Level: Thermoelectric units have fans; some are louder than others.
– Durability: How well are the connections and controls built to handle vibration and constant use?
- What You Get: The CR22 12V refrigerator comes with a 2-year Tech Support. If you have any questions about the product, please REACH OUT TO BougeRV, as we provide friendly Tech Support. Package...
- Package Inclusions & 2 Year Tech Support; EUHOMY electric cooler is equipped with 110/240V AC and 12/24V DC adapters and can be used at home or in the car for a variety of use scenarios. The portable...
- Package Inclusions & 2 Year Tech Support; EUHOMY electric cooler is equipped with 100/240V AC and 12/24V DC adapters and can be used at home or in the car for a variety of use scenarios. The car...
Introducing the Wagan EL6206
The Wagan EL6206 12V 6 Quart Personal Thermoelectric Cooler Warmer is designed as a compact, portable solution for keeping items cool or warm in your vehicle. Its primary promise is convenience on the go – a personal cooler that doesn’t require ice and plugs right into your car’s 12V outlet. When you purchase it, you typically get the unit itself, an instruction manual, and the necessary DC power cord.
This specific 6 liter capacity cooler is squarely aimed at the individual driver or couple on a short trip, or perhaps someone needing a small, dedicated space for a few essential items. It’s not for large families or those needing to keep a week’s worth of groceries cold. Compared to larger, more traditional coolers, its main advantage is its small footprint and electric operation. Compared to advanced compressor-based portable fridges, it’s much simpler, lighter, and significantly less expensive, though also less powerful in its cooling ability. It represents a step up from passive coolers but is more basic than high-end portable refrigeration.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
* Compact and lightweight, easy to carry.
* Dual cooling and warming functions.
* Plugs directly into standard 12V car outlet.
* Environmentally friendly (no CFCs or refrigerants).
* Affordable price point.
* Includes a convenient carrying strap and external cupholders.
Cons:
* Limited cooling capacity (relative to ambient temperature).
* Small internal storage space.
* Some user reports of issues with power cord connectors and the function switch durability over time.
* Requires unplugging/turning off when starting/stopping the vehicle engine (as per instructions).
* Not designed for rapid cooling or freezing.
Diving Deeper: Performance and Practicality
After using the Wagan EL6206 for quite some time on numerous road trips and daily drives, I’ve gotten a real feel for how it performs in various situations.
Compact Design and Portability
One of the first things you notice about this unit is its size and weight. It’s incredibly light, weighing in at just 5.5 pounds empty, and its external dimensions (15″L x 11″W x 8.0″H) are quite manageable. The included adjustable nylon carrying strap is a simple but effective feature that makes transporting it from the house to the car, or car to a hotel room, much less awkward. Its slim profile means it can often fit into tight spaces in a vehicle, like on the floor behind a seat, in the trunk, or even on the passenger seat without being too obtrusive. This compact design is a major benefit if vehicle space is limited.
Dual Functionality: Cool and Warm
The headline feature is undoubtedly its ability to both cool and warm. A simple slide switch on the unit lets you select either mode or turn it off. In cooling mode, the promise is to cool items down to about 36°F (20°C) below the surrounding air temperature. In warming mode, it can heat up to around 140°F (60°C). This dual function adds a lot of versatility. I’ve used the cooling mode extensively for drinks, snacks, and even keeping medications cool while traveling. The warming mode is handy for keeping takeout food warm on the drive home or transporting a hot dish to a potluck. It’s important to note that for optimal performance, the manual recommends pre-chilling or pre-heating items before placing them inside, which helps the unit reach the desired temperature more efficiently. Don’t expect it to take room-temperature drinks and make them ice cold in minutes; it’s designed more for maintenance.
Thermoelectric Technology Explained
This thermoelectric cooler warmer uses a technology called the Peltier effect. Essentially, an electric current is passed through a junction of two different semiconductors. One side gets cold, and the other side gets hot. The unit uses a fan to dissipate the heat from the hot side while the cold side cools the interior. This technology is solid-state, meaning no moving parts (except the fan) and no refrigerants like CFCs, which is good for the environment. The downside of this technology is that its cooling performance is directly affected by the ambient temperature. If it’s 90°F outside, it might only cool down to around 54°F inside, which is cool, but perhaps not “ice cold” for some drinks. In a very hot enclosed vehicle (like over 100°F+), the cooling effect will be less pronounced. This is a significant limitation compared to compressor-based units which can maintain a consistent temperature regardless of the environment.
Capacity and What Fits Inside
The 6-quart (or 6-liter) capacity is quite small. Wagan states it can hold up to 9 standard 12oz soda cans. While this gives you an idea, it’s sometimes hard to visualize until you use it. The internal dimensions are roughly 8.1″ x 5.3″ x 8.1″. This means fitting irregularly shaped items or larger bottles can be tricky. While it might fit a large water bottle vertically, fitting multiple alongside anything else is challenging. If you load it with 9 cans, that’s pretty much it. If you want to carry sandwiches, fruit, and a couple of drinks, you’ll need to pack smart. Based on other users’ experiences, fitting regular-sized ice cream containers AND something else is often not possible. It’s definitely designed for personal use or a small selection of items for a couple, not for packing a full meal or drinks for a group.
Power and Connectivity
The Wagan EL6206 operates on 12V DC power, plugging into the cigarette lighter style outlet in your vehicle. The included cord is about 6 feet long, providing decent reach to place the unit in various spots in the car. However, this is where I, and other users, have encountered some issues. There are multiple reports of the power cord connectors, specifically the plug end that goes into the car outlet and the socket on the cooler itself, getting very hot and even showing signs of melting or corrosion over time, especially with continuous use over many hours. Some users have had cords fail completely and needed replacements. This suggests that the components might be minimally rated for the constant 5 Amp draw of the unit. While mine hasn’t melted extensively, I have noticed it gets warm, and I worry about its long-term durability, especially compared to older 12V accessories I’ve owned. Wagan also advises turning the unit off before starting or stopping the engine, presumably to protect against voltage spikes, which can be a minor inconvenience to remember constantly.
Ease of Use
Operating the cooler/warmer is incredibly simple – just plug it in and slide the switch to “Cool,” “Off,” or “Warm.” The external cupholders are a nice little addition for convenience. However, the slide switch itself has proven to be a weak point for some users. I’ve experienced it becoming a bit flaky over time, sometimes losing contact, making it hard to find the ‘on’ position reliably. Other reviewers have had the switch fail entirely, requiring repair or bypassing. While the simple operation is a plus, the reliability of the switch is a definite drawback for long-term, hassle-free use.
Stability and Placement
The unit is designed with a relatively low and wide profile (external dimensions are 15″ x 11″ x 8.0″), which makes it quite stable when placed on a flat surface like a car seat or the floor. It’s less likely to tip over than some taller, narrower designs. This stability, combined with the compact size, allows for versatile placement within the vehicle, provided the power cord reaches.
Durability and Downsides
While the core thermoelectric cooling/warming function itself seems generally reliable, the recurring issues with the power connectors getting hot and potentially melting, and the slide switch failing, are significant concerns for long-term durability. These aren’t isolated incidents based on user feedback. For a product intended for frequent vehicle use, robust power connections and a reliable switch are crucial. The limited cooling performance in high ambient temperatures is also a limitation inherent to thermoelectric technology that buyers should be aware of. While it will keep pre-chilled items cool, it won’t perform like a refrigerated cooler in scorching heat.
Despite these drawbacks, for someone needing a basic, lightweight, dual-function cooler for short to medium trips or specific needs like keeping electronics cool in high heat (as one user successfully did in their RV), the Wagan EL6206 can be a useful tool, provided you are aware of its limitations and potential points of failure. Its small size means it uses relatively low power (around 3.5-5 Amps), which is manageable for a car battery over a driving period, though you definitely shouldn’t leave it plugged in with the engine off for extended periods unless you have a power source other than your car battery.
What Others Are Saying: Real Experiences
After relying on this portable electric cooler warmer myself, I looked online to see how other long-term users felt about it. It seems my experiences align with many others. A common sentiment is that it’s great for road trips, effectively keeping drinks and snacks nicely chilled, fitting a decent number of cans or small items. Many appreciate its quiet operation, which is easily masked by road noise. The compact size and the carry strap are frequently praised for making it convenient for travel.
However, the concerns about the durability of the power cord and switch are widely echoed. Several users reported the power plug getting excessively hot, melting slightly, or corroding, sometimes leading to cord failure. The slide switch is also a recurring issue, with some users experiencing it becoming unreliable or completely failing over time. While some users received units with minor cosmetic damage like cracks, most reported the unit still functioning as intended despite the flaw. The limited internal space compared to external dimensions was also a surprise for some. Despite these issues, many users, like myself, found the core cooling/warming function worked well for their needs, particularly for maintaining temperatures rather than rapid cooling. Some users even found creative uses, like keeping sensitive electronics cool in extreme temperatures.
My Final Thoughts and Recommendation
The struggle of keeping things cool or warm on the go is real, and left unaddressed, it leads to wasted food, discomfort, and unnecessary stops. The Wagan EL6206 12V 6 Quart Personal Thermoelectric Cooler Warmer is designed specifically to tackle this problem in a vehicle environment.
Despite some documented issues with the durability of the cord connectors and the function switch, the core cooling and warming functions work as advertised within the limitations of thermoelectric technology. Its compact size, light weight, and dual functionality make it a convenient companion for solo travelers or couples on road trips who need to keep a small stash of items at a desired temperature. While not as powerful as a compressor fridge or as large as a traditional cooler, it fills a specific niche effectively.
If you’re looking for a compact, affordable, and environmentally friendly way to keep a few drinks and snacks cool or warm during your daily commute or occasional road trip, and you understand the limitations of thermoelectric cooling in very hot conditions, this unit is a viable option. However, be mindful of the potential issues with the power connection and switch. To check out the product page for the Wagan EL6206 and see if it fits your needs, Click here.
Last update on 2025-09-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API