The Craving: A cool soda can.

Why is it that there is never cold soda when you want one? Always with the adding of the ice, or the quick freezer job. Man, I’ve done that freezer job so many times, I forget. And I mean I forget, as in, I forget the soda is like, still in there. Then, six hours later, when I go to crack it open, it’s all crystallized and foams like when you stick a mentos in it.

Well, I work hard for my money, and I want something can cool my soda and attaches to my computer via USB. Fortunately, the gadget world knows my needs, and has given me plenty of options.

The Challengers: The Mighty Three Coolers of USB

Here are the competitors, from left to right:

The USB Mini-Fridge, by Brando. Well, you have to give this one points for style. This is a tiny refrigerator that is built for holding exactly one can of soda. The design is kind of an old school fridge, and has Coca-cola colors.

The USB Can Cooler and Warmer, also by Brando. This one came in a Styrofoam packed box, and it probably needs it for transport. It certainly takes up a lot of space. You may notice another advantage: it can keep things warm and cool. Kind of reminds me of the McDonald’s McDLT sandwich, but this is more than just a fancy box.

CoolIT. I have written about the CoolIT before, and I admire this pad that goes to 45 degrees in just seconds. Of these three, it is certain the most portable as it takes up less space. It is about the size of a stick of DVDs, or one Lord of the Rings Special Edition.

The Challenge: Three cans, three coolers, three hours.

Using a USB Multi-port provided by Brando, I was able to test out these three products on three different cold cans of soda. This is one thing that I want to emphasize about all three of these products: they cannot take a warm can of soda and turn it cold. They can take a cool can and keep it cool, the issue is who can keep it cool for the longest. Therefore, all three cans were taken out of my refrigerator quite chilled.

The Conqueror: The USB Can Cooler and Warmer

The USB Can Cooler and Warmer had a wrap-around effect that really kept the can cool, like it was in its own personal refrigerator. The USB Mini Fridge and the CoolIT focused all their cooling efforts on the base of the can, which wasn’t smart. After all, sodas have a hollow base, true cola coolness can only be obtained by contact with the cooled metal and the can itself. This is why the USB Can Cooler and Warmer won, while the others only made the soda drinkable.