The sky is blue, the birds are coming out of their nests, and you’re sitting right beside the Westside window and breathing in the pleasant smell of summer. Life can be so blissful sometimes, no?
If you want to take up your nature escapade to the next level, nothing can be as exciting as a camping trip among the woods, on the beach or on the mountains. Just pack your gears – tent, backpack, camping cooler, and you’re up for creating memories of a lifetime.
Since you have clicked this article, you’re probably already looking for a good-quality cooler for camping. This is mostly because coolers are extremely handy camping equipment when it comes to storing foods, drinks, and other small perishable items. Whether you want to sip on a cold beer after a long day of hiking or simply need to store sausage and ham, a cooler can save the day.
The reason you need to be careful while shopping for the best coolers for camping is that a mediocre quality product may not keep your food fresh and healthy during a long trek, let alone provide several years of service.
A good-quality cooler, on the other hand, can improve your travel experience with its practical features and allow you to be a free spirit to hike, camp, and wander anywhere with ease.
That said, purchasing one might be very confusing as there are numerous brands available in the market, with multiple models featured by the same manufacturers.
To help you find the right one for your upcoming summer camping trips over the years, we’ve performed the research for you and compiled a list of the top 10 best coolers for camping.
We can assure you that if you keep reading till the end, you can be knowledgeable enough not to fall in the trap of marketing strategies and be able to purchase one according to your requirements.
Overview: Best Coolers for Camping
Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price Range | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Coleman Cooler | Xtreme Cooler | Extra wall insulation No crush handles Built-in cup holders Portable and lightweight | $$ | |
 | Igloo Polar Cooler | Tie-down loop feature 188 can capacity Dual snap-fit latches | $$ | |
 | Coleman 48-Quart Performance Cooler | Hinged lids One-handed access Low CO2 Insulation | $ | |
 | Arctic Zone Cooler | Radiant heat barrier Easy cleaning surface Anti-slip shoulder pad | $$ | |
 | ALLCAMP Large Size Insulated Cooler | Easy cleaning surface Double panned handle Lightweight: 1.5lbs only | $ | |
 | Igloo Super Tough STX Cooler | 30-40% thick body Strong threaded drain plug with tether Ultratherm insulation | $$$ | |
 | Coleman Rolling Cooler | Extra wall insulation Keeps ice up to 5 days Drain spout centered between wheels | $$ | |
 | Columbia Zipperless Thermal Cooler Pack | Ultra-safe and leak proof 4 quarts and 12 cans 3 colors available | $$ | |
 | Coleman Cooler | Steel-Belted Cooler | Comfortable grip 54 - quart cooler Made in the USA | $$$ | |
 | Coleman Cooler | Portable Cooler | Thermoelectric cooler Door opening flexibility 40 - quart capacity | $$$ |
Top 10 Best Coolers for Camping (Reviewed)
Best Overall
1. Coleman Cooler | Xtreme Cooler
Coleman has produced this heavy-duty 70- quart cooler on budget. The cubes of ices in this cooler melt even slower than the Everest glaciers. In terms of comfort and ease, it’s a king! It has very comfortable handles.
It’s extremely easy to carry during a long haul. If you ever get tired while hiking or walking, you can even get a little rest sitting on it, as it can support up to 250lbs!
The ice chest has a smooth and smart surface, so cleaning will be a piece of cake. Inside the chest, you’ll get enough space for storing up to 100 cans! But don’t worry if you keep your favorite drinks in a loose jar.
It has cup holders molded into the lid so that there’s zero chance of spilling. The campaign cooler is also built precisely to keep your snacks and BBQ items safe and sound during a rough and bumpy journey.
Overall, it’s a great cooler chest that can keep your foods and beverage in control up to 5 sunny days.
Pros
Cons
Runner-Up
2. Igloo Polar Cooler
If you’re planning for a family event or big camping trip, then you may be satisfied using this cooler. It has enough room to hold all the cans and cubes safely and soundly. Even if you put the cooler in the back bonnet of the car, you won’t have to worry about spilling or leaking while driving on an uneven road.
In terms of comfort, it’s not left behind either. After using for a couple of days, you’ll understand that it’s easier to carry as it has swung-up handles, which makes it simpler to use in congested places like cars, RVs, minibuses.
As for quality, it comes with Ultratherm insulation body that keeps the items cold with ice cubes up to 5 days at 90 Fahrenheit! Yes, it has more astonishing features like this. You’ll figure it out all by yourself once you grab hold of it.
Pros
Cons
Budget Pick
3. Coleman 48-Quart Performance Cooler
This may be the cheapest camping cooler in the list, but you shouldn’t judge it by its price. It can keep drinks, cans, and foods cool even for 3 days at 90F temperature! Surprised, right? Not yet?
OK, the cooler has an awesome height that can perfectly make your 2-liter Coca-Cola bottle spill-proof. From outside, the cooler looks very simple and light, but inside, you can store more than 63 cans.
Besides that, you’ll get the ultimate comfort using it as it has an easy lift-up feature and convenient leaking system. Also, if you’re curious about a turkey BBQ party on a picnic, then don’t worry; it can comfortably hold a large turkey inside.
In short, it’s a great cooler which can save a few bucks from your pocket and provide a long life service, as it’s strongly made in the USA
Pros
Cons
High Performance
4. Arctic Zone Cooler
Are you a real camper? Then you shouldn’t miss out on this cooler! What makes it different than others is the cooler’s high-performance insulation; it doesn’t absorb the heat - instead, it resists it.
So, all of your drinks and foods stay cool and chilled even when the earth is on fire! For ease of use, it has a zipperless lid. As a result, you can take the drinks out within seconds.
It’s great for camping not only for its design but also because it has plenty of space in the pocket to keep your bottle opener and other small camping utensils. Carrying the cooler is much easier than others because it has an adjustable back saver shoulder strap with a pad and a perfectly balanced dimension.
The cooler is available in 4 sizes. If you want a small one for personal use, you can get the 16 can sized cooler, or you can choose the moss, blue or white-colored 48 can sized coolers, which are big enough even for a family event.
Pros
Cons
Large Size
5. ALLCAMP Large Size Insulated Cooler
If you want a good luggage for your upcoming adventure, then you should have a look at this 2-in-1 product. It’s not just an ordinary cooler bag; it could also be a picnic basket that can carry up to 65lbs foods and drinks while keeping them cool.
The cooler isn’t recommended if you’re a hardcore camper who goes camping for 3-4 days. However, if you go to a family picnic, maybe for a day or two, then this could be an awesome option. It has some awesome carrying perks! Firstly, it’s collapsible, light yet so sturdy. Secondly, it’s made with rugged polyester canvas. And lastly, it has sewn aluminum frame.
It’s also a perfect choice for love birds who wants to enjoy the whole trip without any complications of carrying food or heavy burdens.
Pros
Cons
Super Sturdy
6. Igloo Super Tough STX Cooler
Yes, it’s a simple cooler. Yet, it has found its place in the top 10 campaign cooler list because of its excellent sturdiness. Igloo STX cooler is a heavy-duty ice chest, which is preferable for a rough journey.
For fishing, camping, or even for little hikes, it could be a great choice. If you want to party with the crowd in the woods, then you’ll also find it extremely advantageous because of its large capacity.
It could be a good choice if you live in an Asian country where the sun throws all the heat at you. The cooler rinse technology of the product helps to keep all the beverages stay stone-cold for hours. The extra-ordinary dimension with stainless steel hinges and latches make it more secure and spill-proof.
Also, the handles are very grippy, which ensures zero percent chances of dropping on the floor even from the fragile hands.
So, if you want a sturdy cooler for hurtling or fishing campaign, then this should be in your choice list.
Pros
Cons
Best Cooler with Wheels
7. Coleman Rolling Cooler
This cooler for camping includes rollers, which aren’t surface-rolling-resistant like some portable luggage; they rather feature an effortless rolling experience.
With 84 cans capacity in the cooler, you can move around the camping terrace without any fear of leakage and spilling. Even when you’re tired, you can give yourself a rest by sitting on the lid while drinking your favorite beverage kept in the cupholder.
As it offers the rolling convenience, we didn’t find the on-body gripping feature very comfortable. Yet, few people have found it more secure and, sometimes, very comfortable. Besides, it has other useful features like EZ cleaning, telescoping handle, etc.
We’ve gone through the customer reviews of the product, and the product has been a game-changer for many. So, it’s a real value for money product that you may want to give a try!
Pros
Cons
Well Organized
8. Columbia Zipperless Thermal Cooler Pack
To be honest, nobody likes to see foods and drinks scattered all over in the camping cooler. So, here we have the solution!
This thermal cooler chest is like a small portable refrigerator, which has multiple compartments to keep your food and drinks well-organized. You can also place up some ice packs in each compartment to keep them even colder.
The best advantage of this cooler chest is that it features a flip-open system for quick access to your food. With this, you won’t have any issue of zippers jamming.
Besides, it looks really cool when you carry it like a bag with an adjustable shoulder strap. Also, it has enough room in the pockets to store your smartphones, charger, and more.
Pros
Cons
Heavy Duty Cooler
9. Coleman Cooler | Steel-Belted Cooler
If you want a camping cooler that will keep your drinks and foods fresh even after little to hard knocks, then this is the cooler for you. It’s a heavy-duty cooler with an eye-catchy retro design.
Like design and quality, it’s not left behind in terms of storing capacity; it can store up to 85 cans. Also, it’ll keep the 85 cans cold for up to 4 days while the outside temperature is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
People are only going to spend a few more bucks for a bit longer service, right? Coleman also keeps that in mind. That is why the cooler is built very sturdily with rust-resistant hardware. Also, the grips are made very carefully to ensure easy lifting.
Overall, this is an awesome cooler for a small family gathering, picnic, camping, and BBQ party. You get to choose the cooler from 6 exotics colors too
Pros
Cons
With AC Technology
10. Coleman Cooler| Portable Cooler
Here is a very different cooler with AC technology! Yes, it can be charged in your car or other vehicles. You can keep it on the back seat and power it with an 8-foot power cord. Keeping in a camping tent or any other congested places wouldn’t be a problem because it features an awesome tall refrigerator-like design.
The cooler is far more powerful than the other coolers since it can keep the inside temperature 40 degrees cooler than the outside temperature.
If you consider using it, then you’ll be able to experience some great advantages like keeping tall drinking bottles and jars. Also, you can use it vertically. Other than that, it could be a useful companion for long rides.
Pros
Cons
Best Coolers for Camping: Buying Guide
After reading all the top 10 best coolers for camping, your head may be filled with questions. To help you clear your head from all the confusion, we’ve prepared this guiding section as we’ve promised at the beginning, ‘you’ll be knowledgeable enough to never fall for marketing strategy again after reading this article’.
So, continue reading the essential buying factors included below to gain that amazing skill!
Types & Design
1. Budget Coolers
Budget coolers basically look simple and light, but some of them are really effective at preserving the foods. Even though some companies claim that the cheap coolers may keep your foods and drinks cool even more than 5 days, in reality, the scenario is quite different.
So, we’ve added Coleman Cooler | Xtreme Cooler and Coleman 48-Quart Performance Cooler only, which are budget-friendly and work better than other cheap coolers.
2. Wheel Coolers
Wheel coolers are the best if you’re planning for a long camping trip in which you’ll have to move on foot. Basically, wheel coolers have much more room than normal ones and carry much heavier foods and drinks.
Wheel coolers like Coleman Rolling Cooler work great in this situation.
3. Zipperless Coolers
Coolers with zippers could be a real pain, but on the flip side, zipperless coolers could be a real painless choice.
Even though there are a lot of good zipper cooler available, zipperless would be more preferable if you love to avoid complexity and go on short camping trips every Sunday. We’ve already added one or two zipper coolers on the list for your convenience.
Materials and Quality
1. Stainless Steel/ Metal
Coolers made of stainless steel and metal are the high-standard type of coolers. Most of them are expensive and very effective in terms of attaining the temperature.
So, if you want to spend a few more bucks for superior quality, then you should go for the brands that make metal or stainless steel coolers for camping.
2. Plastic
It’s the most commonly and vastly used material for coolers. Plastics aren’t very good for absorbing heat or resisting. Yet, some plastic coolers are topping on the selling list.
So, if you want something light and cheap, then you can go for plastic camping cooler. But go through some user reviews before purchasing one.
3. Fabric
In today’s market, there are a lot of fabric coolers available. Companies just put and organize the essential parts and cover them with fabrics. Comparatively fabric coolers aren’t that bad; they could be a great heat resistant element with nylon intertwined and other materials.
They’re lightweight and simple too. But before buying one, you should check the details about other materials, parts, and components.
Insulation Capability
1. 12-24 Hours
This type of insulation systems has less strong insulation even though some brands promote them saying it’ll keep your drinks cold for 2-3days. In reality, they might last for a few hours.
They’re good for daily use, so if you need a cooler for weekly family or friend outing, then you may consider buying this type of cooler.
2. 1-3 Days
This is a bit stronger insulation system with multiple extra walls. The modernly powerful insulation system can be great for camping and hillside hangouts.
If you want fresh foods for picnics rather than cold drinks alone, then this insulation system can do the job pretty well.
3. 4-6 Days
Powerful and high-quality coolers have Ultratherm insulation, which is powerful enough to keep your snacks and beverages cold for a couple of days.
So, if you’re the kind of guy who is in love with long camping and hiking trips, then you should consider buying one of the coolers with Ultratherm insulation.
Final Verdict
Camping coolers are versatile gadgets designed to make your life easier. If you want to arrange any gathering or a party in your backyard, a cooler will come in handy. Most of the successful parties and great gatherings are unplanned.
You don’t know when you’re going to want to have a blast. So, there’s nothing much to lose in being prepared for anything by owning a cooler, right?
We hope that this article has helped you figure out how to choose the best coolers for camping according to your requirements. Now, it should seem pretty easy choosing the right cooler, huh?
