Bodega 35L Electric Cooler Review: ‘Phenomenal’

Credit: https://wildernesstimes.com/ by Mike Miller

After years of camping and having to worry about either replenishing ice or removing water from our coolers, we’ve had enough.

Last year we started testing and reviewing electric coolers and we’ll never look back!

We’ve found that whether you’re camping, boating, or traveling on a road trip, electric coolers can’t be beaten when it comes to keeping your food and beverages fresh and chilled.

For this article, we’ve tested and reviewed the Bodega 37 Quart Dual Zone Portable Freezer and Refrigerator.

After testing this product and comparing it to all the others on the market, we are convinced that it is the #1 electric cooler on the market today.

It’s priced competitively with standard coolers, but has nearly EVERY feature that you’d be looking for in a portable refrigerator.

In one word, this cooler is “Phenomenal.” But if you’re still not convinced, read on to see how we break down our full review!

Bodega TWW35 Dual-Zone 37-Quart Electric Cooler: Key Features

bodega electric cooler 35L

Cooler Type: Electric | Zones: Dual | Weight: 39.2 lbs | Capacity (L): 35 | Wheeled: Yes | Power: AC, DC, Solar

The Bodega Dual Zone Electric Cooler is powered by both AC and DC power sources giving you the flexibility to use it in your vehicle, RV, at a hotel, or at home.

Size

With its 37-quart capacity and dual-zone design, this portable electric cooler offers both freezer and refrigerator compartments, allowing you to store a variety of items at their ideal temperatures.

The larger zone (left zone) holds 26.59 quarts, and the smaller zone (right zone) holds 10.63 quarts.

35L portable refrigerator inside

The larger zone (left zone) holds 26.59 quarts, and the smaller zone (right zone) holds 10.63 quarts.

We found this to be more than enough to store our food for a 3-day camping trip for a family of four.

Quality & Durability

Right off the bat, you can see that this is a well-made product.

Its durable construction and reinforced corners make it suitable for rugged outdoor use.

The rubberized wheels and adjustable handle make it easy to roll around to get it from your kitchen to the car and eventually to the campsite.

Bodega Cooler Retractable Handle

Bodega Cooler Retractable Handle

Performance

The energy-efficient compressor provides reliable cooling performance while minimizing power consumption and noise.

We measured an average of 47 decibels when operating, which is surprisingly much quieter than any other electric cooler that we’ve tested.

Bodega Decibel Testing – It came it at less than 47 decibels.

Bodega Decibel Testing – It came it at less than 47 decibels.

To put this to the test, we lowered the left zone to 38 degrees, and the right zone to 0 degrees (similar to our fridge at home).

Even in eco-mode, it took only 25 minutes for the left zone to get down to temperature, and the right zone took another 35 minutes to get down to 0

Ease of Use: 

The control panel is super easy to use, and make adjustments, while the mobile app (QZSmart) was straightforward.

Once you get it synched with the cooler, you can easily adjust the temperature settings for each zone to suit your specific needs down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit.

But I’m not going to pretend that the app was amazing. It is pretty bare-bones, but it gets the job done.

Bodega QZsmart Mobile App

Bodega QZsmart Mobile App

Frankly, you don’t really need the app to get the most out of this cooler. Once you set the temps, you are good to go.

Features: Included with the unit are its reversible 2-way door system, retractable handle and wheels, a cutting board (very handy), a removable battery compartment, and built-in LED lights to help you see day and night.

All of these are really handy to have, but I found the 2-way door system and the LED lighting to come in clutch.

Inside LED light

The Bodega cooler interior lighting makes it easy to see your food and drinks in the dark
 removable door

The Bodega cooler removable door allows you to switch the orientation of the door without having to move the cooler.

Instead of needing to spin around the cooler and move the power station, I was able to flip the door – easy peasy.

Portability: This cooler IS heavy. It weighs 39.2 lbs in total!

And this is why the wheels and adjustable handles make this THE best electric cooler on the market.

The last thing I want to worry about when I go camping is throwing out my back.

It’s also not too big, measuring ‎23.62 in long by 15.75 in deep by 17.32 in tall.

We were able to easily squeeze it into our mid-size SUV without any issues.

Warranty: It comes with a 2 Years Warranty on the compressor and other parts.

Pros:

  • Dual zones make it ideal for being able to store food for longer and at the correct temperature
  • Energy efficient – responds to various voltages and comes with low voltage protection
  • Low-noise levels (<47 dB) compared to other electric coolers
  • Adjustable handle and wheeled design make it easy to move around with ease
  • Priced competitively with non-electric coolers
  • LED lighting allows you to see cooler contents in the dark
  • Comes with a 5-year warranty on parts, and a 1-year on the compressor

Cons:

  • Slow customer service

Best Uses:

  • Camping
  • Weekend Trips
  • Picnics
  • RVing

Check price at Bodega

Is The Bodega Electric Cooler Worth It?

Overall, we believe the Bodega 37 Quart Electric Cooler is completely worth the money.

With its dual-zone technology, you get both a refrigerator and freezer in one cooler, but all for the same cost as a standard hard-sized cooler.

It uses an extremely low amount of energy, so between the car, portable battery, and solar options we’ve been able to keep our electric cooler powered on multi-day camping trips.

But I find the best thing about this particular cooler is the retractable handle and wheels.

Many of the other more expensive electric coolers on the market don’t have these two things and it’s extremely beneficial when the cooler is fully loaded.

Lastly, the additional features Bodega provides such as the cutting board, the adjustable door, the LED lighting, and the bottle opener are appreciated.

Also see: Bodega Cooler Mini 16 Quart Car Freezer/Fridge with Battery (P15) (16qt/15L/15 Liters)

Bodega Electric Cooler Frequently Asked Questions

Are 12V Bodega Coolers Worth It?

Absolutely! With all the abilities of a regular cooler, but no need for pesky ice, you can get more food and beverages into your actual cooler.

Plus, you don’t have to worry about inadvertently freezing your food, because you can control the temperature to your exact specifications.

We love our 12V Bodega cooler and highly recommend it.

Can I Bring My Bodega Electric Cooler Camping?

Yes, you can! All you’ll need is a consistent power source.

On the way to the campground, you’ll want to use your car’s DC power, and then switch to a combination of solar and portable battery for the duration of the stay.

We recommend the bodega detachable battery. It’ll be a perfect match, because it will insert into the cooler. And bodega power station, it will extend your trip for longer. 

Can I Use A Solar Panel With A Bodega Cooler?

Yes, you can, only a 2.1MM will work directly. Instead, you’ll want to use a solar panel to charge a portable battery station, and then plug the Bodega cooler into the power station.

Is The Bodega Cooler Energy Efficient?

The Bodega Electric cooler doesn’t have an energy star rating. However, we’ve found it to be plenty energy efficient in ECO mode lasting up to 2-3 days with our EcoFlow Delta 2 Power Station.

How Much Noise Does A Bodega Cooler Make?

Compared to other electric coolers, this Bodega cooler is the quietest. Coming in at <47 decibels it is about as quiet as you can get!

What Do I Do To Maintain My Bodega Electric Cooler?

To properly maintain your Bodega electric cooler, you’ll want to wipe it down with a wet cloth after each use. DO NOT HOSE IT DOWN, as you’ll risk electrocution or frying the electric components.

Unplug your fridge, remove the door and drain from the hole, and wipe with a wet cloth. Allow it to dry by leaving the door off for a day or so until fully dry.

Read: BODEGA Portable Refrigerator Cooler 80Qt Review

Our Verdict

What’s not to love here? The Bodega 37 Quart Electric Cooler does its job plus some!

It’s also priced extremely low, making it worth a look when purchasing ANY cooler for camping.

At 37 quarts it holds enough for a 2-3 day camping trip and with all the additional features from the wheels, retractable handle, and adjustable/removable doors you will love this cooler.

We highly recommend it!

Leave a comment