Amazon Basics 24L Cool Box car fridge review

Overview

The Amazon Basics 24L Cool Box is a budget electric cooler for car journeys, camping and occasional extra storage at home. It runs from a 12V car socket or 230V mains supply, and adds a warming function for keeping food warm. Our score is 7.4/10, and it ranks #10 in our list of the top 10 best-selling car fridges and electric cool boxes on Amazon UK. It earns our Best budget electric cool box award for its straightforward dual-power setup and extra warming mode.

It is a different sort of product from the compressor fridges higher in our list. The Alpicool 9L Car Fridge at #8 and EUHOMY 10L Portable Fridge at #2 are alternatives to consider if you want a car fridge rather than a basic cooling-and-warming box. The Amazon Basics model is aimed at simpler trips, not freezing food or maintaining a precise temperature. Its appeal is flexibility and accessible features, rather than freezer-like performance.

Features and specification

The box has 24L total capacity and 22L net capacity, with external dimensions of 30 × 39.8 × 43.5cm. The listing claims it can cool to about 6°C when the surrounding temperature is 24°C, and warm food to around 50°C. These are stated operating claims, not a guarantee that contents will stay at a particular temperature in every condition. For temperature-sensitive food, pre-chilling items and checking them with a thermometer is sensible.

There are Max and ECO modes. ECO uses 8W but is available on mains power only; it is not the low-power choice for running from a 12V vehicle socket. Owners describe starting on Max to cool items, then switching to ECO, though some say the quieter mode did not keep everything cold enough. Max can be noticeably louder. The handle is designed to secure the lid when shut and support it when open, and the box includes a divider plus UK and EU mains leads and a DC cable. Some buyers still find the lid heavy or awkward to keep open.

What owners say

Positive feedback often focuses on useful capacity for a compact box, simple operation and the convenience of using it in a car or on mains power. Several owners report that it cools drinks and food effectively, particularly when they begin on the stronger setting. The warming function is another useful option for buyers who want more than a passive cool box, even if many reviewers mainly use cooling.

There are caveats. Some owners report that ECO mode is not cold enough for their needs, while Max is louder. Others mention a top-heavy feel, flimsy hinges or a lid that can be cumbersome during loading. Experiences with cooling vary, so it is best treated as a portable cooler rather than relied on for tightly controlled food storage.

Who should buy it

Consider the Amazon Basics 24L Cool Box if you want an affordable, uncomplicated box for occasional road trips, picnics, camping or temporary extra storage, and value both car and mains connections. Its warming mode and included cables add practical flexibility, while the 22L net capacity is useful for drinks and snacks.

Skip it if you need reliable freezer performance, exact temperature control, or quiet operation on the strongest setting. It is also a poor fit if you need ECO mode while driving, since that mode requires mains power. For those needs, compare compressor car fridges in our list; for casual cooling and warming, this is a feature-rich budget option with some operating compromises.