Travoca Rigel+ 60 eCooler Review: Outstanding in Every Way
An already-great product gets even better with a few thoughtful upgrades.
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
When we reviewed the Travoca Rigel 35 eCooler last fall, we lauded it for its fantastic design, outstanding durability, and excellent performance. Up until that point, we hadn’t seen a premium electric cooler that looked that good and delivered such an all-around impressive package. But fast forward a few months and we have a new model to test out in the form of the Travoca Rigel+ model, which takes everything we loved about the original and adds some very handy and thoughtful upgrades to the equation.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
The Same, Only Better
When it comes to keeping your drinks and fresh foods cold, the Rigel+ line of electric coolers offer similar performance compared to the original Rigel models. Both versions can cool their interior cargo holds from 79ºF to 32ºF in about 20 minutes, and both offer dual climate zones that can be set to independent temperatures. The onboard compressor for Travoca’s coolers can maintain a temperature as low as -4ºF and remain incredibly quiet while doing so. And both are efficient enough to run for hours at a time off a portable power station, allowing you to enjoy a refreshingly cold beverage just about anywhere you choose to set up camp.
Other notable features that we loved in the original Rigel have made their way over to the Rigel+, too. Those include a bright, easy-to-understand digital display that makes controlling and monitoring the internal temperature incredibly easy. Both coolers also come with a lid that opens from either side and a power port on both ends, both of which are convenient at the campsite, but are especially handy for camper van and overlanding vehicle builds. An internal LED light is also a nice touch, making it easy to survey the contents of the cooler, and find what you’re looking for, even in the dark.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Travoca’s trademark durability and design philosophy is also on display in the Rigel+, giving it a distinctive look that clearly shows its resemblance to its sibling. That includes the use of a rugged steel body with bamboo accent pieces and vacuum-insulated panels that help retain the internal temperature settings even without power. Oversized handles make it easy to carry the cooler around, and integrated Bluetooth technology even allows owners to control the settings directly from their smartphone.
In short, both the Rigel and Rigel+ are exceptional electric coolers that look great and perform even better, making them great for use at home, at the campsite, or on some far-flung adventure into the remote wilderness.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Putting the Plus in the Rigel+
We’ve obviously touched on everything the Rigel and Rigel+ coolers have in common, so by now you’re probably wondering how they differ. At first glance, it is hard to tell the difference, even when the two units are sitting alongside one another. But look a little closer, and you’ll see that Travoca has given the Rigel+ a couple of subtle updates that separate it from the original model and extend its functionality just a little bit further.
The first upgrade that you’re likely to notice is the addition of a Molle panel to the exterior of the Rigel+. This instantly makes it compatible with countless accessories and add-ons, allowing owners to store and organize a variety of tools, including bottle openers, grilling utensils, multitools, and more. As you would expect from Travoca, the Molle panel is made from very durable, corrosion-resistant metal, allowing it to survive the wear and tear that comes from exposure to the weather and use in the outdoors.
The second new feature is an integrated side shelf that serves as a prep space for mixing and holding drinks, preparing meals, or whatever else you find a use for. The shelf is attached to one side of the cooler and blends in neatly. In fact, unless you know to look for it, you may not even recognize that it is there. But when it is needed, it quickly and easily pops out and up, locking into place and instantly adding extra utility.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
You’ll need to pop the lid on the Rigel+ to find the final new addition to the portable fridge. There, you’ll see that it now comes with removable wire baskets, which not only aid in keeping the contents organized, but also make it easy to load and unload the cooler. And while it was fairly easy to add baskets to the original Rigel, these are specifically designed to ensure 360 degrees of airflow in both climate zones, maintaining efficiency and adding further utility.
These additions may seem somewhat trivial on the surface, but after using the Rigel+ over a couple of weeks, we found them to be surprisingly handy. The side shelf was especially useful, serving as a great place to set utensils and other tools, or just a safe place to put down your drink. The internal baskets were also nice for keeping things organized, but can easily be removed if you prefer a little more internal space. And considering these features add about $70 to the cost of the Rigel+ compared to the original Rigel of the same size, the increased utility seems worth the added expense.
Photo Credit: Travoca
An Even More Premium Electric Cooler
Our original Rigel test cooler was 35L in size, but it held plenty of canned beverages and packaged food, in part because ice isn’t required to keep everything cold and fresh. The same holds true for the new Rigel+, although this time we were able to test out the 60L model. That additional space allowed it to swallow up everything we put into the cooler, which is a major plus on longer outing. It also comes in handy if the portable fridge will be permanently installed in an RV or overlanding vehicle, where extra capacity is always a good thing.
Like its predecessor, the Rigel+ looks and feels incredible. The build quality is top-notch, and the design is impeccable, with plenty of small details that demonstrate just how much thought went into making this cooler. The new features further hammer home that point, adding additional utility while seamlessly integrating into the overall aesthetic. The Molle panel and foldout shelf feel both simple and essential at the same time, which is exactly what you want from a product like this one.
The Travoca Rigel+ is available in three sizes, with the 35L model priced at $829.99 and the 45L version selling for $100 more. Our 60L test unit jumps to $1,029.99, which is certainly a pricey investment. But compared to other electric coolers, these prices are actually quite competitive with one well-known brand offering similar sizes at much higher price points with build quality and performance that aren’t on the same level. That makes it once again very easy to recommend the Rigel and Rigel+ to anyone looking for a portable fridge for use in all of their adventures.
To learn more about the Travoca Rigel+, visit the company’s website.
Kraig Becker is a writer in the RV, outdoors, and adventure travel space. Over the course of his career he has contributed to such outlets as Popular Mechanics, Outside Online, Business Insider, TripSavvy, Digital Trends, GearJunkie, The Adventure Blog, and countless others. An avid runner and cyclist, he enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity. His travels have taken him to seven continents and on many amazing adventures.
