Shopping for an Electric Cooler Near the Entry Price Point
The Explorer Bear EX50B is a 52.8 qt (50L) portable electric fridge/freezer built for travel and outdoor use, available in two compressor trims across a defined price range. The EX50B's own two variants sit at opposite ends of that range: the Regular trim at the lower end, and the Powered by LG trim at the higher end.
What Stays the Same Across Both Trims
Before comparing the two compressor options, it's worth noting how much of the EX50B is identical whichever trim you pick. Both trims share:
- Total capacity: 50 L (52.8 qt), holding up to 75 cans (12 fl oz each) or up to 42 bottles (16 fl oz each)
- Power options: AC 110–240V and DC 12V/24V, so the unit runs at home, in a vehicle, or on a boat
- Minimum temperature of 0°F and up to 4 days of precise cooling
- A stainless steel body and stainless steel handle design with a weatherproof polymer coating
- An LCD user interface with digital temperature control via on-unit controls
With construction, capacity, power flexibility, and cooling range held constant, the compressor option is the real decision point.
Regular vs. Powered by LG: A Side-by-Side Look
| Attribute | Regular (SKU: EX50B) | Powered by LG (SKU: EX50B-LG) |
|---|---|---|
| Price position | Lower end of the range | Higher end of the range |
| Compressor | Standard compressor | LG compressor |
| Stated compressor benefit | Not specified beyond standard operation | Greater performance, longevity, and less noise |
| Body & coating | Stainless steel body and handles, weatherproof polymer coating | Same stainless steel body and handles, weatherproof polymer coating |
| Capacity & cooling range | 50L / 75 cans / 0°F / up to 4 days | Same: 50L / 75 cans / 0°F / up to 4 days |
| Power input | AC 110–240V, DC 12V/24V | Same: AC 110–240V, DC 12V/24V |
The Trade-Off, Stated Plainly
Choosing the Regular trim keeps the purchase at the lower end of the price range and gives you the full build: stainless steel construction, weatherproof polymer coating, 50L capacity, 0°F minimum temperature, and up to 4 days of cooling on either AC or DC power. Choosing the Powered by LG trim moves to the higher end of that same range in exchange for a compressor the product listing describes as delivering greater performance, longevity, and less noise. Neither trim is a strictly better buy: the Regular trim is the one that holds the line at the lower end of the range, and the Powered by LG trim is the one that spends more for the stated compressor upgrade.
Running Cost Considerations
Independent of which trim is chosen, owner feedback on the EX50B describes fast temperature pull-down and steady holding: one owner reported roughly 20 minutes to the mid-30s °F, and another ran the unit at −4°F in a truck bed while keeping contents fully frozen. That lines up with the unit's single-zone 50L spec reaching 0°F and its stated multi-day cooling. Power efficiency is a recurring theme in that feedback too: owners describe minimal power usage off-grid, including running the EX50B for days from portable power stations and solar setups, such as Bluetti units, with capacity to spare. On review volume, the EX50B is rated 5/5 on every visible post on the Explorer Bear Loox store page, within a storewide total of 109 brand reviews; a precise EX50B-only average isn't available since Loox doesn't display a per-model average there, and listings on other retail channels show little to no review history yet.
Which Trim Fits Your Trip
If keeping the purchase price as low as this product goes is the priority, the Regular trim at the lower end of the range carries the same capacity, construction, power flexibility, and cooling range as its pricier sibling. If a quieter, longer-lasting compressor matters more than the lower price, the Powered by LG trim sits at the higher end of that range for that specific upgrade. Full specs and current pricing for both trims are listed on the Explorer Bear EX50B product page.
