This is our review of the Bodega 37 Quart Dual Zone Portable Freezer and Refrigerator.
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!
Table of Contents
ToggleBodega TWW35 Dual-Zone 37-Quart Electric Cooler: Key Features
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 5 Years Warranty on the compressor and 1 Year warranty on all other parts.
Pros, Cons, & Best Uses
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
- 5-year compressor warranty with a 1-year warranty on parts
Cons:
- Slow customer service
Best Uses:
- Camping
- Weekend Trips
- Picnics
- RVing
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: How To Keep Food Cold While Camping (Cooler Tips + Safety Advice)
The Bodega electric cooler is too expensive, do you recommend any other coolers?
In my opinion, the Bodega is priced very competitively.
The BougeRV 37 Quart Dual-Zone Portable Fridge (which is possibly made by the exact same manufacturer) is nearly $100 more (at the time of publishing).
Our best guess is that Bodega is trying to get its brand name out to consumers and therefore taking a loss on this product.
Of course, this is merely a guess, because BougeRV also warranties their product for 2 years, so that could be reflected in the price as well.
If price is an issue, but you like what you see out of Bodega products, then we’d recommend you look at their 27 Quart Non-Wheeled Portable Fridge.
It doesn’t have nearly as many features but will provide 1-zone cooling down to -4 degrees and with the same warranty.
You can also check out our full review of the best electric coolers here and our recommendation of the best cooler brands.
Bodega Electric Cooler Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Bodega coolers made?
Bodega coolers are made in China.
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 EcoFlow Delta 2 Power Station. It’ll get you through a 2-3 day camping trip when you add in solar you can possibly stretch to a 4th day.
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 and portable fridges we’ve tested 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: How to Clean a Camping Cooler
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!
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