When I first started seeing eCoolers popping out at the Outdoor Retailer trade show, I considered them a luxury for the modified Mercedes Sprinter Van types. YETI and others had solved some of the “old school” problems with longer-lasting ice and extreme durability, so I stuck to the traditional modern cooler.
As my camping trips grew in length and the number of food nerds in attendance increased, the traditional ice chest was starting to fall short, especially with the amount of beer being consumed. Ice was taking up too much space, so I had to pack multiple coolers to keep the precious cargo, such as fish, meat, and other perishable items, cold enough. Perhaps it’s time to adjust our approach for these longer trips. It may be time to be an eCooler guy.
Then the Rigel from Travoca appeared in my inbox, a new state-of-the-art eCooler that was about to hit the market. So here we are, Rigel in hand(s), ready to take the test. After a quick look at the specs, the Travoca’s Rigel Dual Zone eCooler solves for just about everything, with no ice needed, dual temperature zones, and the ability to act as both a fridge and a freezer.
There is only one slight hitch: you need a good power source if you want to move it out of your vehicle, something like the Ecoflow Delta 2 Max, which is what I use to power up my trips, especially when taking the music studio out into the wilderness.
Some camping purists might argue that there is too much technology here, and that it’s too glampy. Well, enjoy your soggy food and short window of cooling time; I’m going with the tech. Here’s a closer look at all the aspects of this new eCooler, and hopefully it will help you decide if this technology is right for your needs.
Travoca Rigel‘s Build Quality: Cold-Rolled Steel Meets Warm Bamboo
The first thing you notice about the Travoca Rigel is that it doesn’t look like your average cooler — it resembles something that underwent several rounds of design ideation. Aesthetically, it’s a stunner, and will look amazing in the new Toyota Land Cruiser that I don’t have. The cold-rolled steel body screams durability, while the bamboo front panel adds a dash of Scandinavian class. It’s rugged but elegant — the kind of gear that looks just as good in your Land Cruiser (that I don’t have) as it does parked next to your backyard grill when family visits.
And this thing is built tough. With an IPX5 water-resistance rating, you can survive rain, dust, and whatever your dog kicks up during overland season. It’s hefty at 51.6 pounds, but that weight hides premium insulation and a serious compressor setup. Ultimately, this is not going to withstand the abuse that something like a YETI can, but for something with an onboard compressor and electronics, it’s tough enough for most trips and environments.
Design & Features: Ice, Redefined
Forget ice runs. Forget soggy bags of food. Forget rearranging your fridge every hour to find the good IPA that you hid from your moochy friends. The Travoca Rigel 35L Dual Zone eCooler gives you two independently controlled zones — fridge, freezer, or both. I found that using the smaller compartment for frozen meats worked extremely well, as you can pull them out to thaw them the day you plan to eat them, and keep the larger chamber for vegetables, drinks, etc.
The user interface is straightforward to figure out, and I primarily used the onboard controls, not the app. The Travoca mobile app is nice, but I just don’t see a world where I would ever use it. The app simply allows you to remotely adjust temperatures via Bluetooth, so it’s there if you are that lazy and can’t walk over to your cooler.
The Vacuum-Insulated Panels (VIPs) use traditional technology to help keep the cold in when the heat rises. So the Rigel delivers better overall performance and less power consumption than the typical 12V cooler. Powered by a Toshiba compressor, it hums along at a quiet 48 dB, keeping things chill (literally and acoustically).
Travoca Rigel Specs (Rigel 35L Dual Zone eCooler)
- Capacity: 35L (37 quarts)
- Dimensions: 25.8″ x 16.9″ x 17.7″ (656mm x 430mm x 449mm)
- Weight: 51.6 lb (23.4 kg)
- Temperature Range: -20°C (-4°F) minimum
- Cooling Time: 26°C → 0°C in 20 minutes
- Zones: 2 (independently controlled)
- Noise Level: 48 dB
- IP Rating: IPX5
- Runtime (1500Wh Power Station): 18 hours
Use Cases: From Overlanding to Overflow
The Trevoca Rigel isn’t just for adventurers in rooftop-tented Land Cruisers (That I don’t have). It’s also perfect for:
- Weekend camping trips — No ice bags. No mess. Just cold drinks and fresh food.
- Road trips — Keep one side for snacks, the other for frozen treats.
- Holiday hosting — Need more fridge space for Aunt Carol’s potato salad? Done.
- Tailgates & beach days — No slushy coolers to drain and no melted ice water mixing with your six-pack.
- Emergency backup — Keeps essentials cold during power outages or grid hiccups.
This 35L size hits the sweet spot for me, but it comes in four sizes to suit different needs. The 35L has enough room for multi-day adventures if you pack it thoughtfully. I found using frozen meat creates more space, and then just adding beverages to cool as you need them, except beers, always keep those cold so they don’t skunk.
How The Travoca Rigel Stands Out
Where most 12V coolers chase affordability, Travoca’s chasing performance and design, so you might get sticker shock. This is a big purchase for most people, and it’s not designed for everybody; it’s a best-in-class solution. The dual-zone control, VIP insulation, and upgraded compressor make it far more efficient than typical eCoolers. And that bamboo faceplate? It’s pure confidence — a statement that rugged gear can still have style. The Travoca Rigel is best in class, so you are paying for that.
Travoca Rigel – Pros & Cons of eCoolers
Pros:
- No ice, no mess — ever.
- Precise dual-zone temperature control.
- Runs efficiently and quietly.
- Longer cooling retention thanks to Vacuum-Insulated Panels.
- Works on both 12V DC and 110V AC — van to home, no problem.
Cons:
- Heavier than traditional coolers.
- Requires power — not ideal if you’re totally off-grid without a power station.
- Pricey compared to traditional coolers, but leagues ahead in performance.
Who It’s For
Travoca’s Rigel is for the modern explorer — the camper who values design as much as function, those doing longer trips regularly and are sick of ice bags, or the suburban host who suddenly needs an extra fridge. It’s built for people who want reliability and flexibility — a cooler that works everywhere from Death Valley to your driveway.
Travoca Rigel 35L Verdict: YES for some, but not for all.
The Travoca Rigel 35L Dual Zone eCooler is what happens when outdoor gear catches up to the rest of your smart life. It’s efficient, beautifully designed, and extremely effective at its one job — keeping things perfectly cold. So if you are someone who is constantly headed for the hills, the beach, or the dunes, this eCooler will be worth the investment. For casual campers and weekend warriors, I would probably stick with the YETI or equivalent.
More Info / Buy HERE Model Shown 35L $699
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