Ankers' new Solix EverFrost 2 electric cooler redefines "ice-cold beverages." It certainly sets new standards for portable coolers, 100% ditching ice for a portable battery-operated cooling system.

I tested the 42-quart single cooling compartment size ($699.99), measuring 26.3 by 15.75 by 15.16 inches and weighing 37 pounds empty. This is a pretty amazing device, considering its portability. I'd consider it a portable refrigerator-freezer with unique temperature control. Not only are chilled beverages readily available, but I can now have a bowl of ice cream on demand from anywhere I take the cooler.

On a camping trip, it can even make ice. According to Anker specs, it cools from 77 degrees to 32 degrees in just 15 minutes. My unofficial testing had the Solix EverFrost 2 electric cooler go from 64 degrees to 6 degrees in 36 minutes, with water turning to ice in trays just a short time later.

There is also a 58-liter ($899.99) dual cooling compartment cooler available, and a smaller 23-liter model is coming later this spring. All are IPX3 waterproof and built for outdoor conditions. They have two durable 6-inch wheels that roll very smoothly. Wheel holders are included to ensure the cooler doesn't roll away unexpectedly.

With a detachable and rechargeable 288-watt-hour Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, the rolling Solix EverFrost 2 electric cooler cools evenly from minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Anker, its proprietary FrostFlow Air-Cooled Refrigeration technology cools up to 30% faster than traditional coolers when fully loaded.

The battery is rated to last up to 52 hours. A second battery ($199.99) can be added to the bigger cooler model, giving you 4.3 days of cooling. In addition to operating the cooler, each battery has a power button, battery level indicator, one 12W USB-A, and a 60-watt USB-C charging port. The batteries will recharge in 3.6 hours via AC.

You can charge the battery with multiple options: the included AC adapter, a 12-volt car cigarette lighter adapter, and USB-C. Another option is portable Anker 100-watt solar panels, ideal for a camping trip. The batteries slide in and out of a compartment; if you don't use a second battery, the slot can be used for storage.

EverFrost uses an advanced system with fans that cool the cooler's inner walls and contents. When empty, it can go from 77 degrees to 32 degrees in just 15 minutes. A free Anker companion app (Android and iOS) shows the battery level, sets the cooler's temperature, and shows the cooling mode.

When I first read about the cooler, I wondered about the fans. Would they be loud, distracting and annoying? They aren't. You definitely hear them, but it's not something to be concerned about.

A control panel on top has a power button and an LED display to show the actual temperature. A bunch of settings include the choice of Fahrenheit or Celsius, screen brightness, and the chilling mode. On the top, there is a ruler—think measuring fish—and a bottle opener is built into the side.

The charging port has a rubber cover, which needs to be closed when not in use to ensure the waterproof rating. A fold-down tray is on the side, which doubles as a handle to roll it around.

Multiple accessories are available, including beech wheels ($99.99), the Roadtrip Kit ($59.99) and the Hooked-on Tray ($79.99). Anker SOLIX PS100 portable solar panels are $229.00.

https://www.ankersolix.com/products/everfrost-2-40l-electric-cooler

When it comes to my iPhone, I'm not a fan of accessories past the case. That is until I tested Ohsnap's Snap Grip Wallet.

The case is designed to work with any MagSafe-compatible smartphone and case, which made me leery of whether they will stay attached. After using it for some time, I can say my iPhone 15 and the snap grip wallet are attached magnetically for good, or at least until I separate them.

It's built with aluminum, has a slim profile, and is expandable to hold up to eight non-lettered cards or five lettered cards. It is RFID-blocking. The grip stays flush into the wallet and pops out easily to work as a 360-degree rotating grip or as a hands-free stand. The cards are secure; the only way to get them out is sliding them out the top.

The fewer cards you carry, the thinner the wallet is. Even in today's cashless world, you might want some cash, and I slid it between two credit cards. With the wallet attached to the smartphone, it attaches to any MagSafe accessory you might have at home, work or in a car.

When empty, the thickness is 0.3 inches; when full, it is 0.5 inches and measures 3.77-inches long, 2.51-inches wide. Ohsnap has tested it for over 950,000 cycles, and it has a grip pull force of 20 pounds.

https://ohsnap.com/products/snap-grip-wallet $79.99, available in color choices of Obsidian Black, Carbon Fiber, Cranberry Smash, Crocodile Green, and Crushed Orchid

©2025 Gregg Ellman. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.