Engel Platinum MT35 Review
Cons: Unimpressive minimum temperature, heavy for its size, relatively loud
Manufacturer: Engel Coolers
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Engel Platinum MT35 | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $1,000 List | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $470.75 at Amazon | $349.99 at Amazon | $188.14 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Energy efficient, good features, super durable, long DC cord | Excellent temperature control, energy efficient, large capacity, extremely sturdy, full of useful features | Excellent low energy mode, long cord, good temperature range and control, useful baskets, less expensive | Very energy efficient, relatively inexpensive, impressive minimum temperature, surprisingly lightweight, long cord | Largest temperature range, good insulation, lightweight, few moving parts, can be used as a chest or standing up |
| Cons | Unimpressive minimum temperature, heavy for its size, relatively loud | Expensive, relatively short cords, no energy-saving mode | Heavy, small capacity, control panel on back | Not durable, takes a long time to cool, insulation not great, fairly loud | No AC cord included, not the most durable, energy hog |
| Bottom Line | Energy efficient and tank-like, though not the coldest or the quietest | Control, efficiency, and ruggedness built with long term use in mind | Performance where it matters for a lower cost | If you're on a tighter budget but still want mid-level performance, we recommend this model | Impressive temperature range in a lightweight, no-frills thermoelectric cooler |
| Rating Categories | Engel Platinum MT35 | Dometic CFX 50W | Whynter FM-45G | Costway 54 | Koolatron Portable 45 |
| Temperature Control (25%) | |||||
| Insulation (25%) | |||||
| Energy Consumption (20%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (15%) | |||||
| Portability (10%) | |||||
| Features (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Engel Platinum MT35 | Dometic CFX 50W | Whynter FM-45G | Costway 54 | Koolatron Portable 45 |
| Minimum Temperature Achieved (F) | 5.5ºF | -8.9ºF | -5.8ºF | -8.9ºF | 52.7ºF with contents 26.8ºF empty |
| Temperature Increase in 36 Hours Unplugged (F) | 18.9ºF | 20.7ºF | 21.6ºF | 27.9ºF | 9.9ºF |
| Power Draw in Watts (cooling) | 31.7 W | 51.8 W | 65.5 W 35.5 (low) |
50.0 W 38.9 W (eco) |
62.3 W |
| Power Draw in Watts (steady) | 1.1 W | 0.8 W | 0.8 W | 1.0 W | N/A |
| Power Draw in Watts (heating) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 48.1 W |
| Voltage Use (cooling) | 13.85 V | 13.26 V | 13.39 V | 13.47 V | 13.29 V |
| Amperage Use (cooling) | 2.30 A | 3.89 A | 4.91 A | 3.72 A | 4.69 A |
| Minutes to Cool (according to display) | 52 min | 16 min | 145 min | 80 min | N/A |
| Hours to Cool (measured) | 16 hrs | 5.5 hrs | 8 hrs | 9.5 hrs | >12 hrs |
| Maximum Temperature Achieved (F) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 130.8ºF |
| Temperature Accuracy (diff btwn display and actual) | +/- 2.5ºF | +/- 3.0ºF | +/- 1.6ºF | +/- 3.8ºF | N/A |
| Weight | 47.8 lb | 46.4 lb | 54.6 lb | 34 lb | 14.2 lb |
| Claimed Capacity (volume) | 32 L 34 quarts |
46 L 48.6 quarts |
42.5 L 45 quarts |
51.1 L 54 quarts |
43 L 45 quarts |
| Measured Capacity (volume) | 27.5 L 29 quarts |
54.2 L 51.3 quarts |
42.4 L 40.1 quarts |
49.1 L 51.8 quarts |
45.1 L 47.7 quarts |
| Capacity (cans) | 38 cans | 86 cans | 58 cans | 72 cans | 63 cans |
| Method of Cooling | 12V compressor | 12V compressor | 12V compressor | 12V compressor | Thermoelectric |
| Advertised Achievable Temperature Range (F) | 0ºF to 50ºF | -8ºF to 50ºF | -8ºF to 50ºF | -4ºF to 50ºF | 40ºF below ambient and up to 135ºF |
| Acceptable Ambient Temperature Range (F) | Not specified | 61ºF to 109ºF (min temp cannot be reached is >90ºF) |
41ºF to 90ºF (max setting if >90ºF) |
50ºF to 109ºF | Not specified |
| Exterior Dimensions (D x W x H) | 14.25" x 28" x 15.7" | 17.9" x 28.5" x 18.5" | 17.25" x 25" x 20" | 21" x 27.5" x 14" | 16" x 21" x 17.25" |
| Interior Dimensions (D x W x H) | 15.25" x 10.75" x 10.25" | 13.2" x 13.5"/7.25" x 14.2"/6.25" | 11.25" x 11"/7.25" x 15"/7.25" | 10.4" x 12.75"/6.4" x 17.25"/10.6" | 12.25" x 15.5" x 14.5" |
| DC Cord Length (feet) | 9' 6.5" | 6' 3" | 9' 6" | 7' 9.75" | 8' 10" |
| AC Cord Length (feet) | 5' 8" | 6' 3" | 6' 2" | 6' 4.25" (AC adapter only) 14' 7" (DC and AC adapter) |
6' 11" (AC adapter only) 15' 11" (DC and AC adapter) |
| Comes With | AC cord, DC cord, extra fuse | AC cord, DC cord | AC cord, DC cord | DC cord, DC to AC adapter and cord | DC cord |
| Features | Removable lid, internal light, C/F display | WiFi app, internal light, C/F display, USB port, adjust display brightness, drain/plug, removable adapter collar on DC cord, emergency switch for control panel failure | Displays battery level, drain/plug | Eco power-saving function, internal light | Heating ability |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Platinum is a 12V compressor cooler that we tested in the 35L version (it's also available as 45L, 60L, and 80L). It's advertised to cool from 0ºF to 50ºF and comes with an AC cord, DC cord, extra DC fuse, extra foot piece, and an easy-to-remove lid hinge.
Performance Comparison
Temperature Control
As a 12V compressor cooler, the Engel Platinum has better temperature control than any thermoelectric cooler could ever hope to have. Engel advertises this model with a temperature range of 0ºF to 50ºF, though in our testing, it was only able to reach as low as 5.5ºF despite being completely empty. This is one of the least impressive minimum temperatures of any compressor cooler we tested, though still plenty cold enough to keep food frozen solid if you want to. The Engel also claims it has the ability to cool to 80º below ambient temperature, which is similar to other compressor coolers.
Starting from room temperature and filled with room temperature cans, the Platinum reached our desired temperature of 34ºF in 16 hours, which is one of the longest times to cool of any model we tested. The manual states to put in already chilled or frozen food, which would clearly help this thing reach a cool state faster. Once chilled, the display, on average, read 2.5ºF different from the actual temperature inside, which is pretty darn accurate, next to the competition. Though we're not impressed by the Engel's temperature prowess, it certainly does the job just fine if you treat it kindly. If you want a model you can really torture and still expect top performance, this probably isn't the one for you.
Insulation
Over the course of 36 hours, the Engel gained 18.9ºF. Considering it's a bit smaller than most the other compressor models we tested, this temperature gain is about on par with the others, which we think is pretty good. It's not likely to keep your raw meat from spoiling if you lose power in the desert during summer, but it's enough to keep your drinks cooled in an emergency.
Made of galvanized steel and running a CFC-free compressor with HFC134-A gas, the Platinum is a pretty durable unit. The handles must be attached when you get it, but are really solid if you do decide to use them. Both the AC and DC plugs come out at angles, helping the cords to stay protected during use. Rather than a chain or some such thing to stop the lid from flopping too far open, the Platinum actually rests against the back of the unit and literally can't be overextended. Pretty much everything about this unit shouts its durability.
Energy Consumption
This is where the Engel truly shines, as it uses the least amount of energy during cooling of any model we tested - including the thermoelectric units. Not even running on a specific "Eco" mode (which it doesn't have because it doesn't need), the Platinum pulls just 31.7 watts of energy even on its coldest temperature. This is less than half of some of the other models' energy draw! These power savings along with a battery saver option will help ensure that your Engel never drains your battery below the point it can start your truck or van.
Of course, this energy savings is wonderful if that's what's most important for your van life or cross-country trucking. Yet it is probably also the reason that the Platinum is less impressive when it comes to metrics like its minimum achievable temperature and the amount of time it takes to cool down from room temperature. Though it claims to be a quiet model, compared to the others we tested, it's quite loud! If you're a light sleeper, this thing turning on and off through the night in your van could wake you up, though it's not nearly as loud as most of the thermoelectric units we tested.
Ease of Use
Advertised as a 35L, 34-quart model, with the interior liner and basket in place, we measured the Engel Platinum at just 27.5L, which is a pretty big discrepancy. It fits up to 38 standard 12 oz. cans if you pack nothing else inside. An interior light helps to find what you're looking for in this relatively narrow, deep cooler that lacks any shelving or top baskets to keep you organized. If you remove the basket, you'll get a little bit more space, but not a significant amount. A rubbery mat goes on the bottom of the unit, helping to stop your contents from sliding around as much and making spill clean-up easier.
The Platinum opens the long way, which is a bit of a bigger pain in a shorter vehicle, though is less obnoxious given its smaller capacity than some of the larger models. The metal latch is strong, easy to use, and secure, and a physical dial on the top adjusts the internal temperature. The unit comes with a special hinge that you can switch out for the lid to make it easily removable if you'd like. It also comes with both an AC and DC cord, as well as some extra pieces just in case, like a DC fuse and an extra foot piece. The Platinum can operate up to 30º off of level, though is not supposed to be around saltwater, so installing it on your ocean-going yacht is out of the question.
Portability
For a relatively small-capacity cooler, the Engel is surprisingly heavy! It weighs a whopping 47.8 lbs, which is significantly more than some of the units we tested that feature double the amount of storage space. However, a quality compressor just isn't that light, and powered coolers really aren't meant to be carried around for long distances. Once you get your unit in place, ideally you can just leave it there and forget how heavy it is.
Long, large, sturdy metal handles make it easier than others to move this unit around when you do need to. They're also removable, which may help save space wherever you store your cooler - just be sure to leave the appropriate-sized clearance around the compressor vents! The Engel's DC cord is an impressive 9.5 feet long, which makes it fairly likely you can stretch it through the length of your vehicle if you really need to.
Features
Though it doesn't appear at first to have a ton of features, the Platinum does have a few key features that are really nice. An optional removable hinge for the lid is a nice touch if you want to be able to easily remove it. The handles can be removed as well if you so desire. Though the internal basket is basic, it's nice to have the option to load it up in your house and carry it out to your car easily. The non-skid mat on the bottom is helpful to both to stop contents from sliding and make cleaning easier. And the top of the lid has a few indents that make it safer to set something up there without it flying around willy nilly.
Engel backs their product with a 3-year manufacturer's warranty, just in case you have an issue with it, which is pretty decent in the world of powered coolers. It will also automatically switch between AC and DC power to preserve your battery if you need. All in all, it's a pretty handy little cooler.
Value
The Engel is not a cheap cooler, and runs right up there with some of the other very expensive options we tested. But for the quality performance and stellar energy efficiency in a durable box that you get with the Platinum, we think it's money well-invested.
Conclusion
The Platinum is a high-quality powered cooler that offers impressively low energy usage in a durable package, making it our Top Pick for Energy Efficiency. Its combination of quality construction, thoughtful features, and excellent performance make it one of our favorite compressor coolers. As long as you're not planning to use it around saltwater, this beast is built to last.
— Maggie Brandenburg