Anker EverFrost Powered Cooler Review: Game Changer or Overpriced Gimmick?
We've all been there – you set off for a fun weekend getaway, cooler fully loaded, only to arrive at your destination, pop the lid, and find soggy sandwiches and warm beers floating in swamp water. It’s an annoying letdown that we’ve all experienced too many times.
If you’re like us, you just got into the habit of using some cheap $10 Wal-Mart cooler that you mysteriously own but can’t recall purchasing. You know full well that it’s barely going to keep your stuff cold for 4 hours, but you just keep doing it. Well, we had enough and decided it was time for an upgrade.
Enter the world of 12V powered coolers. These electric coolers and portable fridges have been around for a while, but, until now, we thought they were underpowered and overly bulky. Luckily, we might have found a solution: the Anker EverFrost Powered Cooler. We’re going to take an in-depth look at this recent offering from Anker to decide if it’s actually the ultimate day trip companion, or if it’s just an overpriced gimmick with a snazzy handle.
As always, this is an unbiased review that wasn’t paid for by Anker or any of their competitors, so you can rest-assured that we’re going to give you our honest opinions. If you’re ready to check this thing out, let’s dive right in!
Spec Overview and Our First Impressions
Like Yeti and other premium cooler brands, Anker released their EverFrost series in a few different capacities – 30L, 40L, and the big boy we’re reviewing today, the 53L model. But before we get into whether or not this cooler is worth your hard-earned cash, let’s review the basic specs.
First off, the EverFrost features a cooling range from 68°F down to an ice-cold -4°F. So, whether you’re storing drinks or frozen meat, it’s got you covered. Despite its size, it actually only weighs in at 60 lbs. Plus, it has built-in wheels and a suitcase-style handle. This combination makes lugging it around surprisingly manageable, even across fairly rough terrain.
It also features a 299Wh removable battery, which allows you to use the EverFrost like a portable power station. You get USB-A and USB-C ports that are outfitted with Anker’s IQ3 Technology, so you can fast-charge your devices. Plus, the cooler features a solar input port, so you can keep things running when you’re completely off-grid.
More importantly, this battery comes standard on all three versions of the EverFrost, allowing the 50L to run for 27 hours, the 40L for 36 hours, and the little 30L for two whole days! It would have been nice if the bigger units had a more robust battery, but even 27 hours when it’s not plugged in kicks the crap out of those old-school, plastic Coleman coolers.
For those moments when the lid is left open (because, of course, some drunk dude always forgets to close it), there’s a handy alarm to remind you to close your cooler.
Overall, the specs look great and we were pretty impressed with it right out of the box, but, as you know, we’re never satisfied taking specs at face value, so we put the EverFrost to the test.
Our Tests: Cooling Power and Overall Performance
In our cooling tests, we found it could drop the internal temperature from 77°F down to freezing in just 30 minutes. This means that even if you’re in a rush, this cooler can keep up and do its job. It also has a really useful dual-zone feature, which allows you to chill two sections of the cooler at different temperatures. This means you can keep frozen food on one side and chilled drinks on the other. The dual-zone feature worked as advertised in our tests and is just another really handy feature that would be great for weekends away.
During testing, we were also impressed with how well it was able to maintain temperatures. Not only did it drop the internal temperature fast, it was able to hold it stable. It even passed our ice test: after 24 hours, a bag of ice was still fully intact – a far cry from the pool of warm water I found when we ran a similar test on my trusty old Coleman cooler. If you’re looking for a cooler that can actually keep things cold for a full day, the EverFrost definitely delivers.
Other Interesting Features
We have come to realize that Anker almost never skimps on details, and the EverFrost is no exception. With their power stations, we find that it’s these little details that set them apart.
We already mentioned the extendable suitcase handle, but as it turns out, it’s not just for lugging the cooler around, it also doubles as a prep tray or, if you’re feeling fancy, a cutting board. If you watched our video review, the prep tray might have seemed a bit flimsy on camera, but we actually found that it was really sturdy. Whether cutting limes for Coronas or actually doing some real food prep, it’s a thoughtful and practical feature that we will probably get a decent amount of use out of.
And what’s a cooler without a bottle opener? Anker built one right into the front of the thing, because why not? They clearly know their target audience – beach-goers, tailgaters, and backyard BBQ warriors.
We were also really impressed with the smart app integration. Sure, at the end of the day, it’s just a cooler, but having the option to adjust temperatures on your phone while kicking back with a drink? That’s some futuristic convenience right there.
More important than cutting boards and bottle openers is the build quality. At first glance, the EverFrost looks like it has that cheap textured exterior you see on the low-end, plastic coolers. However, this thing is actually really solid. It seems like Anker wanted to make sure that their powered coolers could withstand the bumps and scrapes that come with real-world use and outdoor adventures.
Testing the Battery Life
Now, back to the performance of that 299Wh battery – it’s a mixed bag. While it’s great that you can charge your phone or laptop straight from your cooler, the battery’s size leaves a lot to be desired.
As advertised, we found that the battery powered the 53L model for about 27 hours, so it’s safe to assume the 40L can run for the advertised 36 hours, and the 30L for a couple of days. But, as we mentioned earlier, it’s just a bit annoying that the larger coolers don’t come with bigger batteries. Unfortunately, all three sizes use the same battery, meaning less runtime as you go up in size. Given that the larger models are more expensive, it’s just a weird decision from Anker not to increase the battery capacity.
With that said, the solar charging option is a useful feature that would allow you to keep topping up the battery, even if you’re completely off-grid. When combined with Anker’s patented IQ Ports, which guarantee efficient output power, the relatively small battery actually becomes a bit more reasonable.
How Does it Compare to a Similar Powered Cooler?
At $949, the 53L version of the EverFrost isn’t cheap, but it’s priced competitively when you compare it to other high-end coolers. For example, the ICECO VL45 – a popular 45L single-zone portable fridge – retails for around $700. ICECO’s dual-zone models are priced fairly similar to the EverFrost, but with their rugged build, metal exteriors, and slide mounts for vehicles, they cater more to overlanders, RV enthusiasts, and van-lifers. Since these fridges are designed to be bolted down and stay put, they aren’t really a fair like-for-like comparison with Anker’s portable coolers.
EverFrost clearly designed their line of EverFrost powered coolers for a more casual audience. With the wheels, handle, and lighter build, this cooler is perfect for beach trips, picnics, and short camping getaways. If you’re an occasional camper or a day-tripper, the EverFrost could be exactly what you need.
You also have to keep in mind that the smaller EverFrost coolers, especially the 30L, are more budget-friendly. At $799, the 30L actually offers decent bang for your buck. Sure, there are cheap plug-in coolers out there, but they’re not going to be much use unless you have access to AC power, which kind of defeats the entire purpose of this type of product.
What are the Downsides?
No product is perfect, and the EverFrost has a few issues of its own. As mentioned, the size of the battery definitely feels underwhelming for the larger models. You’d expect more juice for a $1,000 powered cooler, especially when the battery isn’t growing with the size of the unit.
On top of that, the wheels and handle make it fairly easy to move around, but the cooler’s plastic components may not hold up as well as some of its more rugged competitors if you’re using the cooler in harsh environments. If you’re planning on using this thing for some really remote adventures where it’s going to be sliding around in the back of a truck, it might start to show some signs of wear and tear.
The Final Verdict: Is it a Gimmick or a Game Changer?
So, is the Anker EverFrost Powered Cooler a legit game changer or just a $1,000 gimmick?
Honestly, it’s a bit of both. If you’re someone who values convenience, portability, and extra features, like solar charging and the ability to power your devices, something from the EverFrost lineup could be a solid investment. It’s a huge step up from traditional coolers and much better than the low-end plug-in coolers out there. It really is perfect for day trips, basic multi-night camping, tailgating, and road trips.
On the other hand, if you’re an avid overlander or long-term backcountry camper looking for something more durable and efficient, you might be better off with a more rugged 12V portable fridge, like some of the options on offer from brands like ICECO.
For the average person? This cooler is definitely really… cool. It performs as advertised, has some really solid extra features, and best of all, you can say goodbye to soggy sandwiches and warm beers.
🛒 Shop the Anker EverFrost:
Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/anker-ever...
Use Code: THESOLARLAB50
Anker: http://shrsl.com/4g6vz