This Awesome Outdoor Item From Costco Offers A Major Car Camping Upgrade

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Car camping can be a convenient way to get in tune with nature and unplug, literally, from the hustle of day to day life. But there's one plug-in tool that can easily improve your car camping experience without detracting from the peace and quiet. And yes, you can find it at Costco, a cult-favorite for useful outdoor portable upgrades for camping. Enter the Igloo 83-quart Dual Zone Active Cooler.

Now, this isn't your grandpa's red-and-white chilly box. Igloo's active cooler is an iceless compressor cooler that splits into two independently controlled zones, allowing you to chill your sodas, beer, and sandwiches on one side while freezing ice cream, popsicles, and everything else in a separate compartment — without needing one single bag of ice. The temperature range is from 0 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and an interior LED light makes it easy to see inside even at night.

The best part is the cooler plugs directly into your car's auxiliary power outlet with a 12/24 DC cable. You can also plug it into a standard electric outlet with an included 100-240 volt AC cable. The built-in battery protection system will automatically turn the cooler off if the voltage is running low, so you won't have to worry about draining your car battery. With essentially the same benefits of having a full-on RV fridge, this Igloo Dual Zone Active Cooler should easily make it onto your car camping checklist.

Whether it's a personal investment or a camping gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life, the Igloo Dual Zone Active Cooler from Costco is a smart buy for frequent car campers — although it's more expensive than your average cooler. Prices at Costco can vary by location, but many said they've found the cooler for about $800. With a 20-pound bag of ice costing upwards of $5, those savings should add up quickly for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. Plus, you can pack more in the cooler without leaving extra space for ice. "While it's expensive, the convenience is worth it," reviewer Blaze wrote on Costco's website.

One consistent suggestion reviewers bring up is to double check the seals, being gentle while handling them. Reviewer Blaze also noted this issue, adding, "Thanks to Costco's 90-day warranty, at least I feel secure with the purchase ... If you're on the fence, buy it. I think the ones that were built recently fixed that issue." Another reviewer said replacing the gasket was simple and took care of the problem.

You can make powering the cooler even more efficient by pairing it with a suitable portable power station. Something like the Jackery Explorer 1000 ($449) is beefy enough to power your Igloo Active Cooler plus other devices during your trip. Simply charge it at home before you head out, and it promises to power a mini fridge for up to 14 hours, taking some of the burden off of your car battery. Frequent campers could purchase the setup with two 200W solar panels on Amazon, making on-the-go-charging even more affordable and eco-friendly in the long run. Plus, it's convenient for home emergencies and power outages, too.