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Are you a diabetic who loves to travel? Then you need to know about 4AllFamily’s new RXCoolers insulin travel fridges for your next trip!
I’ve been using 4AllFamily’s insulin coolers on my travels for over a year now and as a digital nomad who also lives with type 1 diabetes, I can safely say they’ve changed the game.
Having the peace of mind knowing my insulin is stored safely at fridge temperature (2-8°C / 36-46°F) whether I’m flying, catching the train, or taking a bus between accommodations (and fridges) has been liberating!
Therefore, when I found out that 4AllFamily were releasing a new line of medical travel coolers, I was excited to give them a try!
With two models (the Mini and the Max), I’ve put both to the test to see how they hold up with a travel lifestyle like mine.
So, here’s my full review of the RXCoolers Mini and Max which includes their key features, benefits, and limitations to help you decide which one is best for you!
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Who Are RXCoolers?
A new sub-brand of 4AllFamily, RXCoolers is at the forefront of the medical cooler game – striving to push technology and make carrying all refrigerated medications as easy, stressless, and safe as possible.
Their mission is to make it easier for diabetics like us to keep our insulin cool no matter where we’re going, and as a diabetic backpacker, I can really get behind this!
Being under the umbrella of 4AllFamily, a company that specialises in producing innovative medical travel coolers and has sold over 200,000 of them, you can trust that you’re getting a quality cooler.
They also offer worldwide shipping so you can get your hands on one wherever you are!
What RXCoolers Models Are There And How Are They Different?
The RXCoolers come in two different versions: the Mini and the Max.
While both are similar products with the same purpose of keeping your insulin at fridge temperature, the main difference is the size of the coolers.
As the name suggests, the RXCoolers Mini is just a smaller version of the Max but there are also some other key differences which I’ll outline below:
- The storage capacity of the Max is larger but the Mini is smaller and lighter and can cool to fridge temperature quicker.
- The Max has a warming function, which means it can keep insulin safe even when it’s below freezing outside.
- The style of the USB lids are different. The Max’s includes a carry handle, has the temperature display in the middle, and plugs in horizontally, whereas the Mini’s temperature display is on the edge of the lid and is plugged in vertically upwards.
- The products’ colour choices are also slightly different, with the Max available in blue or red and the Mini in blue or green.
- The Max model also comes with a small storage box for non-refrigerated equipment and medicine.
The RXCoolers Dual Cooling Technology – How They Keep Insulin Cold
A signature of the RXCoolers is the dual cooling technology. This means that they have two cooling methods to keep your insulin at fridge temperature.
The first is USB power, which turns the cooler into a fully functioning mini fridge for medicine and when combined with a power bank, makes an incredible portable insulin cooler!
Alternatively, you can use the BioGel Ice Pack which, once frozen, doesn’t require any access to electrical power.
Each cooling method has its own thermos lid; the BioGel Ice Pack uses a simple stainless steel lid, whereas the USB lid has a bit more to it with a USB socket, temperature gauge, and an aluminium tube which is where the medicine is stored.
Personally, I love the USB power mode as it shows the temperature and can store more insulin, but the choice is up to you depending on which suits you better.
I’ll go through how to use each cooling method below which is identical for both RXCoolers models.
How To Use The USB Power
Both RXCoolers come with a USB power plug and a USB-C to USB-A cable, which is compatible with power banks, car chargers, portable solar panels and USB wall adapters.
As I mostly travel by public transport, I rely on using a 20,000mAh battery pack to keep my cooler running and have been using 4AllFamily’s Pathfinder Power Bank. This keeps the Max running for around 10 hours and my Mini for 15 hours.
If your cooler is plugged into the wall (let’s say in a hotel room), it will keep your insulin at fridge temperature indefinitely.
Even though the electric power is a more advanced cooling method, the USB lid is actually really easy to use by following this simple three-step process:
Step 1: Pre-cool your RXCooler (without the lid) in the fridge for 15 minutes to speed up the next step.
Step 2: Plug the USB lid into your power source and wait for it to reach 8°C (46°F)
Step 3: Place your insulin inside the aluminium tube, screw the lid back on, and plug back into your power source.
And that’s it, you’re ready to pop it in your bag and hit the road!
A few notes from the manufacturer when using the USB power:
– Don’t turn the USB lid upside down when it’s in operation.
– The USB lid works with a 5v voltage and 1.2-4A current and while it’s recommended to use the original plug, you can use any with the same parameters. If the cooler doesn’t work, it’s because it’s protecting against damage from a high voltage.
– To keep optimal performance and extend the product’s life expectancy, it’s recommended to unplug the USB lid for 15-20 minutes after four days of continuous use.
How To Use The BioGel Ice Pack
If using the BioGel Ice Pack, you’ll be able to keep your insulin at fridge temperature for 28-32 hours (depending on the outside temperature) by following this easy four-step process:
Step 1: Shake the ice pack and place in the freezer for at least 6 hours.
Step 2: Soak in lukewarm water for 2-3 minutes and dry it off.
Step 3: Place the ice pack in the anti-freeze protection bag before sliding it into your cooler.
Step 4: Insert your insulin into the cooler and screw on the stainless steel lid.
As simple as that.
Note: To pass TSA Security, the BioGel Ice Pack must be frozen. If it’s liquid, it must be packed in checked luggage.
Other Key Features Of The RXCoolers Travel Fridges
Along with the dual cooling technology, there are a number of other features of the RXCoolers which make them ideal travel companions for diabetics.
Temperature Gauge (With The USB Lid)
A brilliant feature of the USB lid is the temperature gauge, which shows you the real-time temperature of the inner aluminium tube where the insulin is stored.
The peace of mind that this provides is incredible as no matter where you are, you can see exactly how cold your insulin is.
No more guessing and hoping that the temperature is right, now you always have an exact number!
Automatic Shut-off System (With The USB Lid)
The USB lid also has an automatic shut-off function which protects the stored insulin from freezing.
The smart anti-freezing technology automatically lowers the power when the temperature reaches 2°C (36°F) and starts again when it reaches 8°C (46°F).
This ensures that your insulin stays cold without the risk of being damaged by freezing inside the cooler.
Empty Emergency Bottle
Another new feature that comes with the RXCoolers is the empty emergency bottle.
This won’t keep your insulin at fridge temperature, but instead is a temporary measure to keep your insulin safe at room temperature for several hours in situations where you can’t access power or a freezer.
If you need to use this, simply fill the bottle with ice or cold water and place it inside the cooler with your insulin.
Hopefully you won’t need this, but it’s always good to prepare for all scenarios!
Warming Function – Ability To Adapt To Cold Temperatures (RXCoolers Max Only)
You might be slightly confused by the idea of a warming function when storing insulin, as we are normally concerned with keeping it safe in the heat.
However, this is actually an exciting feature of the RXCoolers Max as it means it can keep insulin stored in the safe range 2-8°C even when outside temperatures are below freezing. It does this by activating its heating capability when the external temperature drops below 2°C (36°F).
This means that even if you’re travelling in the winter months, or to very cold destinations, you can be sure that your insulin won’t freeze!
Note: The warming function will work to a lowest temperature of -30°C (-22°F)
Extra Storage Case (RXCoolers Max Only)
The Max model also comes with a small storage case for other medicine or equipment that clips onto the side of the cooler.
This is for things that don’t need to be refrigerated, such as needles and lancets.
RXCoolers Max Review
Price: $239.99
Where To Buy: 4allfamily.com
So, now you have an overview of the RXCoolers portable insulin fridges, I’ll now give an individual review of each model including the technical specifications, their benefits and drawbacks, and the type of travellers I think they’re suited to.
I’ll start with the RXCoolers Max, which is the larger of the two models and is designed for maximum storage capacity.
This makes it the perfect companion for people travelling long-term with diabetes, who need to carry as much insulin as possible for a period of a few months or more.
Technical Specifications And Features
- Height: 32cm / 12.6” (USB lid) or 22.5cm / 8.9” (BioGel Ice Pack lid)
- Outer Diameter: 8.5cm / 3.4”
- Empty Weight: 770g (USB lid) or 625g (BioGel Ice Pack lid)
- Insulin Storage Capacity: 28 cartridges / 11 pens (USB lid) or 24 cartridges / 8 pens (BioGel Ice Pack)
- Warranty: 1 year (registration required)
- TSA Approved: Yes
What’s In The Box
- Stainless steel thermos
- Stainless steel lid
- USB lid
- USB power plug
- USB-C to USB-A cable
- BioGel Ice Pack
- Antifreeze protection bag
- Room temperature storage box
- Refillable emergency bottle
- Carry case
- Instruction manual
Things I Love About The RXCoolers Max
As well as keeping my insulin safe, here are some specific advantages that the RXCoolers Max brings to the table.
Big Storage Capacity
Being able to store up to 28 insulin cartridges in the USB lid is a game-changer for longer trips. For me, this is a supply that will last nearly four months!
This is even more than the 18 cartridges I could fit in my previous 4AllFamily Voyager cooler!
It also makes heading off for a few months on a backpacking adventure or to a new digital nomad base a bit less stressful as a diabetic.
And if you’re using insulin pens, which I sometimes have to swap out to when buying insulin abroad, you can still fit 10 in!
Sleek Design That Slips Into A Backpack
Having an advanced USB insulin cooler for your medicine is one thing, but the fact that its sleek, cylindrical design slides into the side of a backpack like a thermos is the cherry on top.
Not only does this make it very portable and easy to carry around, but it also doesn’t draw too much attention. It just looks like you have a thermos flask – I’ve actually had a couple of people ask me if it was a flask for iced coffee!
No Hotel Fridge Needed
One thing that’s always been an inconvenience as a diabetic traveller (on longer trips) is having to make sure that every single hotel room I stay in has access to a fridge. And on a couple of occasions, my insulin has almost ended up in a freezer due to the language barrier! We all know how much of a disaster that would have been!
However, with USB power, it no longer matters if there’s a fridge or not, as you can just plug the RXCoolers into a wall socket for continuous cooling!
Important: If your hotel room is powered by a keycard, make sure to:
– Leave your keycard in the power slot even when you’re out, as otherwise the room’s power will turn off.
– Advise reception staff of this so they can inform housekeeping to leave the keycard in the power slot.
Limitations
As this is an honest review of my experience with the products, I’ve highlighted a couple of drawbacks I found.
The Hefty Price Tag
Coming in at over $200 a piece, the RXCoolers Max is an expensive product. And when you add in all the other costs of a trip, it understandably could be out of budget.
However, when you consider the fact that it keeps life-saving medicine like insulin safe as well as the advanced features like USB power, a temperature gauge, and the automatic shut-off, I firmly believe the RXCoolers Max is an investment worth making!
Alternative budget-friendly options without the USB power:
– 4AllFamily Explorer Insulin Cooler
– 4AllFamily Nomad Insulin Cooler
The USB Lid Can’t Be Enclosed
If you are using USB power, then one drawback is that it can’t be in an enclosed space. Therefore, you need to ensure you have a backpack with an outer side pocket.
This isn’t a huge issue; it’s just something to be aware of and may affect how you pack your carry-on bag.
I like to store the cooler in my backpack’s side pocket and run the cable and power bank into one of the main compartments.
Battery Pack Power Isn’t Sufficient For Long Haul Travel Days
The main gripe I have isn’t so much to do with the cooler itself, but the cooling time of the powerbanks that power it. While it’s impressive that the 20,000mAh ones can power these coolers for 10+ hours, it means that they won’t fully cover the travel time of some long haul flights.
I know these travel days don’t happen too often, but it would have been perfect if the power banks could have matched the BioGel Ice Pack cooling time.
However, this is where the versatility of the cooler comes in, as you can use the BioGel Ice Pack to cover a long travel day if needed (for 28+ hours) and then swap out to the USB lid when you reach your accommodation.
The Bottom Line
If you want maximum storage for keeping your insulin cold while travelling, then I have to say that the RXCoolers Max is one of the best on the market!
I’ve loved the 4AllFamily Voyager that I used previously, but the extra storage capacity of this cooler edges it as my top choice for long-term travellers!
Therefore, the Max has now cemented its place on my diabetes travel packing list!
RXCoolers Mini Review
Price: $139.99
Where To Buy: 4allfamily.com
The RXCoolers Mini is an advanced cooler that bridges the gap between those who need an insulin cooling solution, but not the huge storage capacity or warming function that the Max offers.
Essentially, the RXCoolers Mini comes in as a similar product to 4AllFamily’s popular Nomad cooler but with the addition of the sought-after USB power capability.
It’s perfect for travellers who only need to store up to 16 insulin cartridges (or five pens) as not only is it smaller and lighter, but it’s also a fair bit cheaper too!
Technical Specifications
- Height: 27.4cm / 10.8” (USB lid) or 22.6cm / 8.9” (BioGel Ice Pack lid)
- Outer Diameter: 6.5cm / 2.6”
- Empty Weight: 470g (USB lid) or 415g (BioGel Ice Pack lid)
- Insulin Storage Capacity: 16 cartridges / 5 pens (USB lid) or 12 cartridges / 4 pens (BioGel Ice Pack)
- Warranty: 1 year (registration required)
- TSA Approved: Yes
What’s In The Box
- Stainless steel thermos
- Stainless steel lid
- USB lid
- USB power plug
- USB-C to USB-A cable
- BioGel Ice Pack
- Antifreeze protection bag
- Refillable Emergency Bottle
- Instruction manual
Things I Love About The Mini
Similar to the Max model, I also love the slick design of the Mini and the fact that you don’t need a hotel fridge anymore, but here are a few more benefits specific to this cooler.
Portability
The key advantage of this cooler is its compact size and weight.
If you don’t need the larger storage capacity of the Max model, then this cooler is even easier to carry around. It slips into your backpack in the same way, but it’s not such a tight fit and doesn’t weigh it down as much!
Even with its compact size, the Mini can still store 16 insulin pen cartridges which I was impressed with!
Versatility
Because of its compact size, I like that the RXCoolers Mini can double up as a daily cooler for keeping your in-use insulin cool while out on day trips.
For these occasions, I like to use the BioGel Ice Pack as I find it more convenient. It fits easily into a day bag and means you don’t have to carry an extra cooler specifically for day trips.
Long Powerbank Cooling Time
Another advantage of the Mini model is that, due to its smaller size, the continuous cooling time by power bank is longer than the Max.
I recently put this to the test on a very long travel day from Egypt to Scotland (via Greece and England) and found that my 4AllFamily Pathfinder kept the cooler running for 15 hours!
This is 50% longer than the 10 hours I managed from the Max model.
Limitations
No Warming Function
The only downside to the RXCoolers Mini (if you don’t need the bigger storage space) is that it doesn’t have the warming capability.
However, this is only a concern if travelling to an extremely cold destination!
The Bottom Line
Overall, I found the RXCoolers Mini to be a very impressive insulin cooler for travel and it strikes a great balance between advanced cooling, storage capacity, and compactness.
It can store a decent amount of insulin considering it’s size and weight, making it a perfect choice (and a money-saver) for travellers who don’t require the big Max model.
RXCoolers FAQs
How Do I Know The USB lid Is Working Properly?
When plugged in and functioning correctly, you’ll hear a noise coming from the vents of the lid and the first digit of the temperature display will constantly blink until the inner temperature reaches 2°C (36°F).
Can The RXCoolers Freeze My Medications?
No, as long as you soak the BioGel Ice Pack for a few minutes before use and put it into the anti-freeze bag. The USB lid is equipped with an automatic shut-off function which ensures the cooler’s temperature doesn’t drop below 2°C (36°F).
Can I Use The RXCoolers To Prevent The Medication From Freezing During Winter?
The RXCoolers Max model will protect your insulin from freezing during winter as its warming function will start to operate when outside temperatures are below 2°C (36°F).
is There A Way To Change The Temperature Display From Celsius To Fahrenheit Or Vice-Versa?
No, unfortunately you cannot change the temperature display.
Can I Use Any USB Plug And Cable To Run This Cooler?
It’s advised to use the USB plug and cable provided, as most others will not work with RXCoolers.
To Finish
Overall, I’m pretty excited about these new RXCoolers insulin travel fridges that 4AllFamily has launched.
For me, the Max model will now be my go-to USB insulin travel cooler purely because of the increased storage capacity, as I’m normally on the road for several months at a time.
But the Mini is also a nifty little cooler that definitely has a place on the market!
I hope you found this full RXCoolers review helpful in your journey to find the perfect insulin travel cooler for your next trip!
Click here to browse the full 4AllFamily and RXCoolers range
More Travel and Diabetes Guides
Check out some of my other Travel and Diabetes blog posts which are full of helpful information and my personal experiences!
I’m just starting out on the journey of daily injections, not insulin but for osteoporosis. Unused pens have to be kept between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius
I’m interested in your practical advice on flying with, say the Rx mini. Do you expect to use the cooler pack leaving home with it frozen and hope that it is still frozen enough to go through the liquids scanner at security?
Or do you use the USB charger and the cooler lid, knowing that many airlines are now banning the use of power packs when in flight (news today 10 August 2025 that Emirates ban takes effect on 1 October). Do you take the chance on there being a working USB charging port at your seat?
Any other advice?
Hi Chris,
Currently I’m still using the USB charger and power pack for flights, but will be monitoring the situation. Hopefully USB charging ports will become more common on planes, like they have on buses and trains, but we’ll just have to hope for that. For the cooler packs, I’d be comfortable using them if I’m going to the airport straight from home/accommodation, but if more than that then I probably wouldn’t want to take the risk of it being a liquid by the time I get to security.
I don’t have much more advice I’m afraid as these are the only solutions I am currently aware of for guaranteeing storage at 2-8 degrees. However, I do carry large frio packs (similar to 4AllFamily’s Chiller cooler) as a back up option. These only guarantee room temperature but are better than nothing and I actually used them as my main coolers for about 5 years with no issues before I found out about 4AllFamily’s coolers.
Hope that helps!
Sam