4ALLFAMILY Review (Full Brand Overview: Nomad VS Voyager) 2024 UPDATE

In today’s fast-paced world, traveling while managing medication that needs to stay cool—like insulin—can be a bit of a headache. Thankfully, we live in a world full of solutions, and one of these comes from 4AllFamily! 

I know it can often feel overwhelming when there are a lot of different products on the market, but 4AllFamily does offer something unique that works! 

They have an entire line of cooling cases and portable medical fridges designed to keep your meds at the perfect temperature no matter where life takes you. Let's dive into what 4AllFamily offers, with a special focus on their two star products, The Nomad and The Voyager.

The 4AllFamily Lineup

4AllFamily has a range of products designed for people with specific cooling needs, primarily medications such as insulin, but other medications such as growth hormones, and other temperature-sensitive items. Their products offer secure, portable solutions that make it easier to travel or manage daily life without worrying about temperature control for essential meds.

All their products are made with *you* in mind who lead an active lifestyle, love to travel, or have work situations that don’t always include a reliable fridge. They have a range of different models:

The Explorer

The 4AllFamily Explorer offers a 3-1 solution when it comes to your cooling needs.

1. Ice Pack Cooling: Ideal for short trips or daily outings, this option keeps the medication cool using included ice packs, which are effective for around 12-24 hours depending on the external temperature.
2. Battery-Powered Cooling: For moderate trips or instances where more extended cooling is required, the cooler can operate on a rechargeable battery, offering up to 72 hours of stable cooling. This makes it suitable for weekends away or periods without consistent access to refrigeration.
3. USB-Powered Cooling: For longer travel or continuous cooling, the 3-in-1 can connect to a USB power source (such as a power bank, car charger, or wall outlet). This mode ensures the cooler can run indefinitely when plugged in, keeping medications between 36°F and 46°F for the long haul.

The cooler's dual-chamber structure allows for the separation of multiple medications or insulin vials and pens, all while keeping them at a safe, regulated temperature. It can hold up to 7 insulin pens, 28 Humulin vials, or 8 Novolog vials, making it ideal for travelers who need to carry substantial amounts of refrigerated insulin and medications. 

This would be a great option if you’re traveling on a backpack adventure, and would suit me on an insulin pump as I’d be able to have more than a 4 month supply of insulin with me.

The Rambler

This is your dedicated Insulin Pen Travel Case Cooler and it’s a super compact, travel-ready case designed to keep insulin pens and other temperature-sensitive medications cool and safe on the go. This sleek case uses built-in ice packs to maintain a steady temperature between 36°F and 46°F for up to 30 hours—perfect for day trips, commutes, and short outings.

Since it’s so compact it’s perfect for fitting effortlessly into a backpack, purse, or carry-on, making it a hassle-free solution for carrying up to two insulin pens or similar small-sized medications.

 The Nomad and The Voyager are the final two products, and they are the two I have tested, so let’s delve into them in a bit more detail! 

The Nomad

The Nomad is a compact, easy-to-use, insulated cooler designed specifically for carrying temperature-sensitive medications. It’s a travel-friendly container that keeps your meds cool and safe without requiring a full fridge setup. The cooler is powered by ice packs, so there’s no need for a power source, making it ideal for short trips, daily commutes, or even beach outings.

What Does The Nomad Do?

The Nomad is designed to hold medications at a stable, safe temperature for up to 30 hours. It’s designed so that it is structured with insulation layers to keep the interior cool, and when you add ice packs, you can ensure your meds stay between the optimal ranges (typically between 36°F and 46°F, depending on how you use it). 

The Nomad comes in 3 different sizes, and in my picture you can see the medium version, I could fit 4 insulin vials in with the ice pack inside.

Medium: 3 insulin pens or vials 

Large: The Big Nomad can hold 7 insulin pens, 6 Saxenda pens, 5 Ozempic or Wegovy pens, 3 Zepbound or Mounjaro pens.

How to use the Nomad?

Using the Biogel to keep your insulin cool:

• Place the Biogel in the freezer for at least 6 hours to reach the desired cooling level.
• Before you start your journey, remove the Biogel from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for around 10 minutes to avoid overcooling.
• During this time, place the cooling cup in the fridge to chill it. This will maximize the cooling effect when you’re ready to insert your insulin.
• After 10 minutes, put the Biogel inside the cooling cup, place your insulin alongside it, and secure the lid.

Pros of The Nomad

1. Portable and Lightweight: Its small and compact design means it’s easy to carry anywhere without fuss. You can toss it in a purse or a backpack, making it ideal for day-to-day use.
2. Subtle: It truly just looks like an insulated coffee cup! So it doesn't “look” like something medical, which is important for some people. I personally don’t draw attention to my diabetes, so this suits me well. If only it did hold coffee as well ;) 
3. No Electricity Required: Since it’s powered by ice packs, The Nomad doesn’t need to be plugged in, giving you more freedom. This for me, would be perfect for overnight hikes, or spending the night in unique accommodation options that don’t have access to a fridge. 
4. Good price point: I think the price of this product is great for what you get. It does exactly what it says on the tin & should last you a very long time. Oh and I love the colour options, which are currently blue, gold/orange and red! 
5. TSA approved: You can bring it through airport security fuss-free, but you should have your medication with you, that you plan on using it for, and you should make sure that the biogel is frozen.

Cons of The Nomad

1. Limited Cooling Time: While it’s great for short trips, it only keeps meds cool for about 30 hours, so it’s not suitable for longer journeys unless you have access to fresh ice packs. 
2. Temperature Maintenance Dependent on Ice Packs: You’ll need to remember to refreeze your ice packs regularly, which can be a bit of a hassle on trips.
3. Not Ideal for Extreme Temperatures: In very hot climates, The Nomad may struggle to maintain the necessary coolness without frequent ice pack swaps.

Who is it best suited for?

I’d say this product is ideal for anyone looking for a reliable, short-term cooling solution. It’s perfect for daily commuters, people running errands, day hikes, overnight hikes, short and long haul flights, or weekend travelers who need to keep their meds cool but aren’t away from a freezer or fridge for extended periods. 

Get the nomad here!

The Voyager

The Voyager is a more advanced, portable medical fridge designed to keep medications cool for extended periods. Unlike The Nomad, The Voyager is a powered cooler that uses USB technology to maintain an ideal temperature, even without a fridge nearby. With its mini-fridge vibes, it’s essentially a tiny powerhouse that guarantees cooling support for your medications while you’re out and about. It’s a pretty unique product, and I’ve used it in the past, and it does work. 

What Does The Voyager Do?

This mini-medical fridge is ideal for keeping medications at a stable temperature for a much longer period compared to The Nomad.

With its USB compatibility, The Voyager can be plugged into a variety of power sources, like a power bank, car charger, or wall outlet, making it super versatile for extended travel. It offers precise temperature control, often keeping your meds safely between 36°F and 46°F.

Additionally, The Voyager boasts an impressive battery backup, which ensures that your meds remain protected even during transit or power fluctuations.

In terms of capacity, the Voyager can hold a lot, I actually didn't even have enough insulin vials with me to be able to fit them all in, but I did count I could fit around 8, when using the USB fridge setting, and I could also put in a spare insulin pen as a backup which makes it's a perfect long-term solution for travelling! 

With the Biogel: This insulin cooler advertises it can hold up to 7 pens with the biogel bottle and up to 8 vials.

I managed to put 7 pens in and 8 Humalog vials (not together!) and this would be enough to last me at least 2-3 months which is perfect!

How to use The Voyager

You've got 3 ways in which you can use this device: 

1. Using Biogel Alone

Place the Biogel in the freezer for at least 6 hours before use.

When you’re ready to use it, remove it from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes so it reaches an effective temperature.

During this time, put the cooling cup in the fridge for 10 minutes to ensure it stays chilled for optimal performance.

Once ready, place the Biogel in the cup with your insulin, and you’re all set!

2. Using the Cooling Cup Only

This option allows you to use the USB-powered cooling feature, turning your insulin cooler into a mini fridge.

When you have access to power and the outside temperature is below 90°F (32°C), this is an excellent option.

Simply place your insulin in the cup, cover it with the black cooling cap, and connect the device via USB.

For best results, let the device cool for 30 minutes via USB before placing your insulin inside.

3. Combining the Cooling Cup and Biogel

For extended travel, you can use both the Cooling Cup and Biogel together, providing enhanced cooling for longer durations.

This product is TSA-approved, so you can carry it with you through airport security, making it convenient for traveling with diabetes.

(Just remember that the biogel needs to be frozen in order to make it through TSA fuss free)

Pros of The Voyager

1. Extended Cooling Duration: With the option to plug it into power sources, The Voyager offers more extended cooling for up to a week or more, making it suitable for longer travel or situations where reliable refrigeration isn’t available.
2. USB-Compatible: The USB-powered setup means you can charge it nearly anywhere, whether from a laptop, power bank, or even your car. This makes it ideal for long flights, road trips, and remote locations.
3. Precise Temperature Control: Unlike ice pack-based coolers, The Voyager maintains a stable temperature throughout, providing peace of mind that your meds will stay within the safe range without fluctuations.
4. Comes with a 1 year warranty: If you’re nervous about purchasing and the product failing after a while, then don’t! It comes with a 1 year warranty so you can feel confident in the product. 
5. TSA Approved: You can bring it on the plane for easy access to your insulin and medications. For a smooth security check, make sure the Biogel is frozen and that your cooler contains medication to show its medical purpose.

Cons of The Voyager

1. Heavier than The Nomad: Since The Voyager is essentially a mini-fridge, it’s slightly bulkier and heavier, which may not be ideal for everyday, casual use.
2. Requires a Power Source for Long-Term Cooling: While it offers extended cooling, this product relies on USB charging, so a power source is needed, which might not be available in more remote areas.
3. Higher Price Point: With added features comes a higher price tag. The Voyager is a bit of an investment compared to The Nomad, so it might not be ideal for those seeking a simple, budget-friendly solution.

Who is the Voyager Best Suited For?

The Voyager is perfect for those embarking on longer trips, especially when international or multi-day travel is involved. I think it’s a great option for long haul flights, such as from London to South East Asia, or further! 

It’s also great for people with more stringent temperature needs who want extra control and reassurance, especially if they’ll be in settings without easy access to refrigeration.

If I’m thinking back to a time when this product would have been PERFECT for me (but before it existed), was when I did a amazon boat cruise from Belem to Manaus. 

It sounds a lot fancier than it was. It was a local boat, and I had no access to air con, never mind a regulated fridge. It was a 5 day journey and this would have been perfect as I could have charged it via main, or via my power bank! 

I’m thinking this would also work perfectly in the future when I want to do Everest Base Camp! Or any sort of multi-day trek that requires you camping each night, rather than having access to a hotel fridge. 

It’s also a good little backup in van life. If for some reason your fridge broke, or you don’t use a fridge, then this is a great way to keep your insulin cool on road trips!

Get The Voyager here!

Final Thoughts

4AllFamily pretty much have a solution for all your medical cooling needs, whether it’s just for pens, pens and vials, short or long trips, you’ll find a product on their website to suit your needs! 

I think the products are great. I personally would use the Voyager in more unique travel situations, and opt for the Nomad for shorter flights/city breaks, that sort of thing! 

For people living with conditions that demand strict temperature maintenance of meds, these products aren’t just about convenience; they’re about enabling a fuller, worry-free life. By choosing the right cooler from 4AllFamily, you can look forward to new adventures, knowing your essentials are safely chilled and ready to go wherever you are.

Whether it’s a day trip or a week-long adventure, 4AllFamily has something cool (literally!) to offer you.