GoSun Chillest vs. EcoFlow Glacier: Which Is the Better Electric Cooler? – CNET

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Where there was as soon as a talent to completely packing a cooler with ice so meals and drinks did not freeze or get too heat, electrical coolers search to remove that artform altogether. Instead of coping with melting ice, an electrical cooler might be set to a selected temperature and maintain it.

If it helps, you may consider electrical coolers as moveable fridges and freezers. They might be powered by a battery or electrical outlet, and a few may even be linked to a photo voltaic panel in sure situations. The level of those merchandise is to have a extra constant chilling expertise to your celebration, picnic, or journey, all without having to do an ice run to the nearest minimart.

CNET is keeping track of this powered a part of the cooler class, however for now, we’re evaluating the GoSun Chillest and the EcoFlow Glacier to supply a direct comparability between two viable electrical choices. Both present loads of methods to be powered, however every takes a novel strategy to design and performance.

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Rather than rethink what it means to be a cooler with electrical energy, the GoSun Chillest sports activities a standard cooler design with added electrical elements. It additionally doubles down on utility. We assume that is a legitimate strategy, and it permits for helpful analog options like trash bag hooks and a common-goal pole clamp.

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The Chillest has two utterly divided inside sections that may be set to 2 totally different temperatures — or each set to the identical temperature. Because the cooler can attain freezing temps as little as -4 levels Fahrenheit, water in an ice dice tray may also make ice for drinks if you wish to try that.

This product may not be conventional in its use of digital elements, however the Chillest very a lot intends to be a cooler that is used for tailgates, backyards and out on the pier as a typical cooler is likely to be. Plus, in the event you do must pack it with ice, it might nonetheless do this, too. It has a constructed-in telescoping deal with and two semirugged wheels to assist transfer it round. Those wheels aren’t only for present both. With an empty weight of fifty kilos, most individuals will want the help of wheels to maneuver it.

The GoSun Chillest is not the prettiest cooler ever designed, however we are able to acknowledge its utility. We would not have thought so as to add a pole clamp to carry a fishing pole or solar umbrella, but it surely’s a sensible addition that does not get in the approach of being an efficient cooler.

Capacity: 45L – twin-zone
Weight: 50.6 kilos
Temperature vary: -4°F to 68°F
Battery dimension: 87Wh (Included)
Included gadgets: AC Adapter, battery, and 12 Volt Power Cord
Retail value: $899

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The EcoFlow Glacier is an electrical cooler at its coronary heart, however since it might attain temps as little as -13 levels F, it might carry out simply in addition to a freezer too. Mentioning freezing, the most notable characteristic of the EcoFlow Glacier is likely to be its devoted ice maker that EcoFlow claims can pump out 18 strong ice cubes in 12 minutes or 90 cubes in an hour. There’s no want to attend for an ice tray to freeze right here.

While a devoted ice machine on board is sweet, that functionality does take away area from inside storage. The Glacier cooler has much less capability than the Chillest, so you may must resolve how necessary making ice frequently is to your actions.

The EcoFlow Glacier has a sexy look, thanks partly to its modular design. The wheels and pull deal with are optionally available and do not include it by default. That’s a disgrace too, as a result of the cooler weighs a beefy 50 kilos when empty. Even holding the snap-on modular design, the wheels and pull deal with ought to have been included. The cooler forgoes some utility options in the identify of revenue margin and aesthetics. 

Capacity: Single zone: 38L; Dual zone: 36L
Weight: 50.7 kilos
AC Input: 100-240V, 50/60Hz, 180W
Temperature vary: –13°F to 50°F
Battery dimension: 298Wh (Not included)
Included gadgets: AC energy adapter, automotive charger, ice shovel
Retail value: $999

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Electric cooler design

At first look, the EcoFlow Glacier has a sleeker, extra trendy design than the GoSun Chillest. The Glacier’s greater show for seeing temperatures and controls is nicer trying, too. It’s probably not a contest by way of look. Both coolers are designed for performance, however EcoFlow’s cooler is solely higher at disguising its utility.

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Part of the approach the EcoFlow Glacier maintains a greater look is by eliminating items that cling off of it like a telescoping deal with. Unfortunately, every of those modular items is an add-on price to think about. The battery, the wheels and the deal with are all additional equipment that are not a part of the core product. The profit, nevertheless, is that in the event you do not want these gadgets, you do not have to purchase them or have them in the approach.

Alternatively, a telescoping deal with and rugged wheels are constructed into the GoSun Chillest. Those items add bulk to the cooler, however having the ability to transfer a heavy cooler can be essential to just about all individuals’s experiences so we predict it is vital to have these elements included and all the time out there — with out an extra price.

The GoSun Chillest has exterior dimensions of 30 by 20 by 22 inches, whereas the EcoFlow Glacier measures 30.6 by 15.2 by 17.5 inches. The inside capability of the Chillest is 45 liters in complete, whereas the Glacier is listed at 38 liters. The Chillest has two everlasting inside temperature zones, whereas the Glacier could be a single cavity or divided into two cooling zones with an included divider accent.

Design is about greater than visible aesthetics — it’s a must to take into account usability, too. The Glacier cooler is actually sleeker and extra engaging, but it surely presents much less usable storage. And, given that every of those electrical coolers weighs greater than 50 lbs. earlier than you even begin loading them up with drinks, we will go for the one which comes with wheels included.

Winner: GoSun Chillest

Features and equipment

The EcoFlow Glacier and GoSun Chillest electrical coolers can each be powered by way of 12-volt or 24V DC, AC, photo voltaic, or battery. Solar is an add-on accent for each merchandise, and the battery is an add-on for the Glacier. Be warned that whereas utilizing a photo voltaic panel to energy an electrical cooler looks as if an important thought, the panel can add numerous bulk to your load whereas normally not offering as a lot energy as you might have considered trying. (It may also add numerous price for not numerous worth.)

The 87-Wh battery constructed into the Chillest did not present a really lengthy runtime in our checks. It actually solely lasted about 6 hours earlier than giving up the ghost. Still, it is good to have as a backup for short-term energy in a pinch.

EcoFlow’s design features a devoted ice maker. It’s a pleasant flex for an electrical cooler like this one, however understand that it additionally means that you will have about 15% much less room for drinks in the cooler itself. The Glacier additionally contains Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, which helps you to management the cooler by way of a cellular app. It might appear to be a luxurious when you may regulate temperatures or examine the cooler by tapping on its constructed-in show, however having the ability to regulate settings and different controls remotely may be very useful.

We’ve tried different good, electrical coolers like the Dometic CFX3 35 and located utilizing an app to be a lot better than navigating the show’s minimal controls. Often, apps like these may also present you the cooler’s temperature historical past. While an electrical cooler may not want distant connectivity to be helpful, getting a notification when one thing modifications on the cooler is useful. It’s additionally useful for adjusting settings.

Winner: EcoFlow Glacier

General cooling efficiency

In our testing outcomes, you may see each GoSun Cooler and GoSun Freezer, in addition to the EcoFlow Glacier. This is as a result of the GoSun Chillest has two devoted areas completely separated, so we examined every zone individually. Each space might be set to the identical temperature or set individually. The EcoFlow Glacier’s inside might be break up with an included divider accent, full with separate temperature settings for every part, however for this take a look at, we left the divider out to get a way of how nicely the cooler’s partitions retain the chilly. We examined each areas of the Chillest, however we targeted on the outcomes of the bigger “cooler” part.

First, we began each coolers off with an ambient air temperature of 76 levels and, on AC energy, measured how lengthy it took each to achieve a goal temperature of fifty levels. The EcoFlow took nearly precisely one hour whereas the GoSun took twice as lengthy, at about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Drinks and different gadgets will nonetheless be chilling in each coolers once they’re plugged in, however the EcoFlow Glacier was extra environment friendly at reaching its goal temperature.

Second, we wished to check every of those coolers’ insulation to see how they carried out as conventional coolers. How nicely do these coolers work if the energy goes out or there aren’t any shops out there? To do that, we crammed every part) with 10% ice and positioned a probe in the middle to measure the inside temperature on a per-minute foundation.

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Both of the coolers with ice inside dropped to between 48 and 50 levels in round 3 hours. Both of the coolers have been then capable of maintain that temperature regular for about 18 hours. The first one to deviate with an increase in temperature was GoSun’s smaller “freezer” part (the blue line in that graph above) — however the EcoFlow Glacier (inexperienced) was proper behind it, and it was truly the first cooler to return to 70 levels internally.

Ultimately, our take a look at confirmed that with a proportional quantity of ice inside and no electrical elements working, it took the EcoFlow Glacier round 28 hours and 38 minutes to achieve 70 levels, and it took the small part of the GoSun Chillest round 30 hours and 40 minutes. Meanwhile, the Chillest’s bigger part (the yellow line) did the finest at retaining the chilly. At 28 hours, when the different two sections have been approaching 70 levels F, it was nonetheless beneath 55. In complete, it was capable of go about 44 hours earlier than rising to 70 levels.

These coolers can nonetheless perform as conventional coolers in the event you do need to use ice or there is no energy out there, with the edge in our ice retention checks going to GoSun. Just bear in mind that each these fashions haven’t got as a lot area and are heavier than normal, non-electrical, coolers.

Winner: GoSun Chillest

Electric cooler battery take a look at

To get a way of how every of those coolers would possibly maintain up whenever you’re counting on battery energy, we charged them to full capability, set the temperature to 40 levels F (FDA really useful for meals storage), and allow them to run till the energy was exhausted.

The default battery dimension for every of those coolers is totally different so we weren’t making an attempt to see which one ran longer — we knew the EcoFlow, with its battery almost 3.5 occasions greater, would last more. Instead, we have been to see if these default battery sizes have been helpful to a conveyable expertise.

In our lab checks, it took the EcoFlow about 2 hours and 40 minutes to achieve its 40 levels goal temperature, and it was capable of keep it for about 21 hours and 50 minutes. GoSun’s cooler, on the different hand, by no means reached its last goal temperature. It took simply over 4 hours to achieve 42 levels, at which level the battery ran out. Even although the GoSun’s battery capability is 3.5 occasions smaller, the EcoFlow battery nonetheless outperformed the distinction in dimension, lasting round 5.5 occasions longer.

GoSun’s battery did not have the finest exhibiting, however we do assume it may nonetheless present a number of hours of delicate cooling for drinks whereas away from the home. We would not advocate relying on the battery for storing perishable meals, nevertheless.

The EcoFlow battery efficiency was spectacular, by comparability. Even past tailgating or a celebration, it would even be capable to present help throughout a blackout or different emergency. It’s only a disgrace that it does not come included with the cooler.

Winner: EcoFlow Glacier

Electric cooler worth

The GoSun Chillest cooler retails for $899 whereas the EcoFlow Glacier has a retail value of $1,099. As of June 6, the Chillest was right down to $599 and the Glacier was promoting for $999. That’s a big value distinction. It’s an excellent greater distinction when contemplating that GoSun’s choice comes with an 87-Wh lithium-ion battery and EcoFlow’s cooler does not embrace a battery in any respect.

Currently, including a battery to the EcoFlow Glacier prices an extra $200 if packaged in a bundle, which is what we would advocate, given how nicely that battery carried out in our checks. If purchased individually, the battery retails for $299.

Beyond the battery, the Glacier does not include wheels or a pull deal with, both. Those equipment price $99 every, including doable additional expense to the complete value.

Out the door, the GoSun Chillest is the higher worth when evaluating these two merchandise. The value distinction was a higher divide between these two than the general comparable efficiency. Unless you particularly need a cooler with out wheels or a battery, maybe to dwell inside an RV, the Chillest has all the items to make it versatile, together with a considerably decrease price.

Winner: GoSun Chillest

The verdict

Price does not all the time dictate a comparability winner, but it surely normally performs an necessary half. With limitless funds or very particular wants, the EcoFlow Glacier is a good electrical cooler. The downside is that its designed options make it dearer and fewer versatile than the GoSun Chillest.

With all the equipment, the EcoFlow Glacier is a power stuffed with chilly air. It’s outstanding what it might accomplish. We simply do not see the devoted ice machine, additional-low freezing temps, and lack of an included battery as helpful for most individuals on the lookout for a common-goal electrical cooler.

Winner: GoSun Chillest