The first thing you want to think about when preparing to purchase a cooler is what you plan to use it for. Do you want to keep your lunch cool each day as you head to work? Are you looking for something that you can bring to the beach or lake for yourself and a few friends? Are you leading a crew that needs to keep several lunches and drinks cool during the day? The way you answer these questions will dictate what size cooler you look for, but also the type and style of cooler you buy. If you’re purchasing for individual use, you probably don’t want a large-bodied cooler that takes two people to carry. If you’re planning to load the cooler down with heavy drinks, you might prefer a cooler that sits on wheels and can be picked up with one handle and rolled by one person.
Another question to think about is how long you need to keep items cool. While all coolers will boast about how long they can keep ice, it’s no secret that some coolers are more effective than others. There are several coolers on this list that say they can keep ice cool for between 16-24 hours. At the same time, there are other coolers that claim they can keep ice for up to 4-5 days at a time. Of course, you’ll pay more for these coolers because of the increased production, but depending on how long you need to keep items cool, this may be worth it to you.
Lastly, what extra storage space do you need? When you purchase a soft-bodied cooler, there may be less space inside the main storage cavity, but these coolers often boast side pockets or additional storage space that can be helpful for storing various supplies and items separately. This may be preferable to some, rather than putting everything together in the same large space in a hard-bodied cooler with just one space for storage.
This zipperless, hard-body, deep freeze cooler keeps ice for up to three days thanks to the radiant heat barrier and triple-layer base.
This cooler is made with an ultra-safe, leakproof, easy-clean interior lining. It also includes an insulated front pocket.
This backpack is great for everyone, whether you’re going camping, taking a road trip, or simply bringing it along with you to work.
The insulation material and leak-proof liner work together to keep the backpack from leaking, and to keep contents hot or cold for up to 16 hours.
This cooler is made with 2 inches of closed-cell foam and puncture and tear-resistant liner, to keep the surface dry and the items inside cold.
The heavy-duty nylon shell and attached handle and shoulder strap make this cooler a great and durable choice anytime you need to hit the road.
The attached rubberized t-grip latches help keep the lid secure, while the body with 20% thicker foam and insulated lid provides advanced cooling performance.
No need to worry about how heavy your cooler is with the added back wheels and easy-to-pull handle.
This is the largest cooler on the list, so if space is a concern of yours, this cooler will offer you the most space to hold all of your food and drinks.
If quality and performance regardless of price is what you’re looking for, look no further than this 3-inch thick, excellently-designed cooler
This cooler is made of heavy duty materials so you can be sure it will do its job no matter where your adventure takes you.
A: Coolers are made from soft materials, like vinyl or cotton, or from harder materials like plastic or metal. Some coolers might use styrofoam for insulation, while more expensive coolers use polyurethane foam, which is denser than styrofoam and contains more air bubbles. This material can be injected into the sides of the cooler to provide up to two inches of insulation. This can also make coolers stronger and more difficult to break.
A: It depends on the individual cooler you buy. Some coolers are made for personal use, or for use by just two or three individuals. These are likely soft-sided coolers that can be carried as a backpack or with an over-the-shoulder carrying strap. Larger coolers can hold as much as 62 quarts (close to 100 cans), and typically are hard-bodied coolers that are carried with plastic handles. Some large coolers might even have wheels to help make carrying even easier.