I purchased a myCOOLMAN portable fridge expecting reliable performance for camping and outdoor use. It worked well initially, but after developing a coolant (refrigerant) leak, the unit completely stopped cooling and became unusable.
The core problem is that these fridges appear designed in a way that makes refrigerant leaks extremely difficult — if not impossible — to repair economically or practically. The sealed system and components mean that locating, accessing, and fixing a leak (which often requires specialized equipment, brazing, and recharging) isn't feasible for most users or even standard repair services. Once the refrigerant escapes, the fridge is effectively a throw-away item, contributing to unnecessary waste in what should be a durable, long-lasting product category.
This is disappointing for a brand positioned as adventure-ready — portable fridges should hold up better to real-world use without becoming disposable after a single failure mode like this. Potential buyers should be aware that a coolant leak could render the unit beyond economical repair.
I've seen similar issues reported in portable fridge discussions (e.g., refrigerant loss leading to total failure), so it feels like a known vulnerability in this price range.
Would love to hear if myCOOLMAN has addressed this in newer models with improved sealing or serviceable designs
