Best Cooler Reviews 2018

A cooler is an indispensable outdoor accessory, particularly for those who like to travel a lot. It will keep your drinks and food fresh and tasty for days, and the market offers a wide variety of coolers to choose from. We took the liberty of examining some coolers, and picked five good ones that come from the best cooler brands out there. Our contenders come at a mixture of price points, so go ahead and see which one suits your needs and preferences the best! Of course, your tastes might be cooler than ours; that’s why our brands are among the best you’ll find for miles, feel free to pick something else from their selection.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Type

Size/Weight

Capacity

Colors

Insulation

Our Top Choice

Coleman Large Capacity Steel-Belted Cooler

Coleman is a prestigious manufacturer of outdoor products. The 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler is a spacious and durable outdoor accessory that comes at an affordable price.

Excellent build quality. Available in numerous colors. Spacious. Easy to carry. Latch for securing contents. Rubber grip.

Isolated complaints that the latch didn’t work properly. Make sure that you read the instructions manual carefully.

Steel-belted cooler

17 x 15 x 28 inches/ 19 lbs

54 quarts

7 colors available

Low CO2 insulation

Best Value

Igloo Ice Cube Roller Portable Cooler

Igloo has 60 years experience in the coolers industry. The Ice Cube Roller Cooler is practical, durable and spacious enough to accommodate multiple cans and bottles.

Comes with handles and wheels. 4 top-mounted spaces for bottle storage. Durable. Keeps drinks cold for a long time.

Comes only in ocean blue color.

Roller cooler

18.5 x 20.3 x 20.5 inches/ 13 lbs

60 quarts

Ocean blue

Ultratherm insulated body

Yeti Tundra Cooler with Permafrost Insulation

Yeti specializes in making high-quality coolers that can last for a lifetime. The Tundra Cooler is extremely durable and can accommodate a lot of beverages and drinks.

Available in 3 colors. Spacious. Resistant to wear and tear. Strong latches. Outstanding insulation materials. Eye-catching design.

Pricey, but it comes with tons of features.

One-piece, roto-molded cooler

Different for each model

Multiple capacities available

3 colors available

PermaFrost Insulation

Pelican Elite Cooler for Fishing, Camping, Boating and Hunting

Pelican has years of experience when it comes to cases and coolers manufacturing. The ProGear Elite Cooler is spacious and designed to last a lifetime.

Practical design. Excellent choice of materials. Multiple handles for easy handling. Lifetime warranty. Holds ice for 10 days.

Some say that it doesn’t keep ice for more than 3 days.

Marine cooler

19.75 x 20 x 37.16 inches/ 48 lbs

65 quarts

4 colors available

2" polyurethane insulation

Engel USA Rod Holder Cooler/Dry Box

Engel manufactures top-quality coolers of different sizes. The 19 Quart cooler is compact, lightweight, secure and it even comes with a shoulder strap.

Good value for your money. Strong latches. Superior insulating system. 100% air and water tight. No leakage.

Some say that it leaks water. This won't happen if used properly. Read the instructions manual carefully.

Cooler/Dry Box

13.5 x 8 x 10 inches/ 14 lbs

19 quarts

2 colors available

High-grade polystyrene insulation

(Updated December 13, 2017)

Skip ahead and go directly to the reviews.

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How Do I Choose the Best Cooler?

There are so many ways to unwind and relax, whether it’s camping, reading or enjoying a cold glass of wine. When you work hard, however you choose to kick back is totally welcome and well deserved. And one way to totally enjoy your trip is to pack your vehicle full of your favorite people and, of course, your favorite food and drinks.

But then, to enjoy your food and drinks, it’s compulsory that they are kept in the best conditions to ensure their preservation. If your food isn’t properly preserved, your entire trip could go awry in a snap. Yep, food is powerful like that. A good solution might be to pack up your fridge, but even you are laughing at that cos it’s really silly and impractical.

But thanks to technology, we can always have our food and drinks served cold. And the one thing we have to thank for all this is the cooler. And there are so many different types, from the backpack types, to the wine cooler, to the regular coolers which we are zeroing in on today.

But you see, it’s not just about going to the beach or going on a road trip; for those who are crazy about fishing, you already know the importance of a cooler to the expedition. In short, you can’t possibly leave home without it, else all your fish are bye bye.

So, considering the grave importance of coolers, how do you decide on the absolute best one that gives value for money? Well, there are actually quite a few things to look out for. This guide explores all those features one by one, and by reading it through, you should have an idea of what cooler works best for you. Now, if you’re ready, let’s get digging.

Price

Coolers come in a wide range of prices, so much so that it’s always best to have a set price in mind before heading out to purchase. You can find good coolers from $20 to $400 plus. And things like insulation power and storage capacity add up to determine how much you’ll be spending on a cooler.

Cheap coolers, on the other hand, are a lot less attractive, hardly insulate beyond 24 hours, and last for a way shorter time than quality ones. If you settle for a cheap cooler, you will regret your decision sooner or later… actually sooner. And finally, you don’t want to head out with your friends looking like the only cheapie one. No, you don’t.

Features

Here are some basic features you should look out for in a cooler:

Insulation
Durability
Capacity
Portability
Ease of Opening
Draining Convenience

Let’s get into the details already!

Construction and Design

One of the first things you must look for in a cooler is its storage capacity, and this capacity is measured in quarts. The most popular sizes you’ll find are 58 to 75 quarts.

If you’ll be traveling alone for a couple of nights, or going out for the weekend with your significant other, then you probably won’t need a 58-quart cooler; a 40 might do. For a family weekend though, or a longer trip, a 70 might be best.

For portability, obviously, the smaller the sweeter. But then, there are times you’ll need a larger cooler, say a 70-quart for instance. For such coolers, you’ll need handles to carry them around. You can’t possibly carry the cooler around in your arms, you know.

But then, you deserve to know that size impacts performance when it comes to coolers; a larger one will always outperform a smaller one, even when packed the same way, so bear that in mind.

When picking a cooler, also bear in mind that it will have to undergo a lot of abuse, so it must be built of rugged materials. Think UV plastic with large handles, and super-rigid walls.

Performance and Ease of Use

The primary reason you’re getting a cooler is to keep your food and drinks cold, so insulation power is definitely one feature you must check before deciding on any cooler. Most coolers that insulate for close to a week are usually a bit high-end, as compared to conventional coolers, which barely insulate for two to three days.

If you’re used to coolers, you should be familiar with the aggravation of upending the cooler to get the water out. To solve this problem, here’s what to do: You know that coolers come with a drain hole and channels that lead to that hole, right? If you want to drain your cooler in comfort, ensure that the hole is positioned low and the channels are recessed; this way, you won’t have to put in so much effort to get the water out.

Finally, check the access to the cooler – that is, how easily it opens. The ease of opening any cooler is mostly determined by the type of latch system found in the cooler. If it’s an internal latch, it presents a little problem in opening, since there won’t be any weight to pull against while opening. For this reason, most usually just go for an external latch design, which is much more convenient.

What is the Best Cooler?

With all the tips given in our guide, we’re sure you now know what type of cooler is best for you. You shouldn’t have a hard time selecting one from our reviews now. So let’s get down to them!

Our Top Choice

The Coleman 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler can hold up to 85 cans at a time and it is available in many color options. This cooler is ideal for long business trips or vacations. Looking for a smaller cooler for carrying your beverages? Check out Coleman’s 16-Can Soft Cooler With Hard Liner.

Coleman 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler – Rust and Leak Proof, Rubber Grips, Available in 8 Colors

Coleman Cooler 6154B703 – Red/Black

Features

Coleman is a company founded more than 100 years ago and today it specializes in outdoor products and accessories. This brand makes excellent outdoor grills, propane burners and of course, coolers. For our review, we picked the 54-quart steel-belted cooler because it offers excellent value for money.

Here are the highlights of this spacious cooler.

It is available in 7 different colors.
The cooler comes with a solid-steel latch that protects your drinks and beverages.
This outdoor equipment is easy to clean and hygienic.
The handle is made from stainless steel and features a rubber hand grip.
The channel drain is rustproof and resistant to leaks.

We would like to let you know that Coleman also makes wheeled coolers as well as camping equipment such as tents and butane stoves. These products are made from durable materials and they will make your outdoor activities more fun and exciting!

Best Value

The Igloo Ice Cube Roller Cooler comes with wheels for easy transport and a telescopic handle. It can keep your drinks cold for a long period of time! For another great value product, we recommend checking out Igloo’s Camping Combo which comes with a rolling cooler, a small hand held cooler and a drink cooler/thermos.

Igloo 60 Quart Ice Cube Roller Cooler – Available in Different Colors and Designs Including Sports Teams and Duck Dynasty Themes

Igloo Cooler 45097 - Ocean Blue

Features

Igloo is a company founded back in 1947 and it is among the top brands in the cooling industry. Igloo is currently the most popular cooler brand in the United States as research suggests that 3 out of every 4 US households own an Igloo product.

For our review, we picked the Ice Cube Roller Cooler from this manufacturer. Let's discover its features.

It is made from polyethylene, which can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
The telescopic handle and wheels make it easy to move around.
It has a capacity of 60 quarts which is usually sufficient for most people.
The cooler is insulated using Ultratherm technology.
It comes with side handles for easy loading and unloading.

Igloo also manufactures high-quality ice-makers as well as coolers of different sizes and shapes. Keep this brand in mind next time you are shopping for a durable, high-quality cooler.

Igloo has so many great affordable coolers that we had a hard time choosing. Take a look on Amazon if you want to see more.

The Yeti Tundra Cooler is highly sophisticated and built from durable materials. It comes with strong latches and an improved insulation system that will keep your drinks cool for days. Need a solidly constructed beverage cooler? Take a look at Yeti’s Roadie with ColdLock™ Gasket and No Sweat™ Design.

Yeti Tundra Cooler with T-Rex Lid Latches and Patent-Pending Technology – Available Multiple Sizes and 3 Colors

Yeti Cooler YT45T - Desert Tan, 45 Quart

Features

Yeti is a brand that specializes in outdoor products, particularly coolers. Actually, the Tundra cooler line is one of the most popular and appreciated worldwide. This company also manufactures high-quality stainless steel tumblers which are currently Amazon Best Sellers.

For now, let's take a look at the Yeti Tundra Cooler and find out the advantages it brings to the table.

This cooler is available in 3 different colors.
It features a one-piece construction that can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
The PermaFrost Insulation guarantees that your drinks will stay cool for days.
The ColdLock Gasket makes sure that warm air doesn’t enter the cooler.
Inside you can also find a small rack for dry goods.

We are happy to report that Yeti manufactures numerous other accessories such as bottle openers, pots, stainless steel cups and even adult hats. It is worth checking out the products of this brand, you will definitely find something interesting!

Built to withstand the toughest conditions, Yeti coolers are made to last. Explore the rest of the Tundra line up on Amazon.

The ProGear Elite Cooler from Pelican is a spacious cooler with a lifetime guarantee. It can accommodate many drinks and has a practical design. For those of you who are looking for a cooler that’s easy to transport, take a look at Pelican’s ProGear Elite Wheeled Cooler.

Pelican Products 65 Quart ProGear Elite Cooler – Integrated Fish Scale on Lid, Available in 4 Colors

Pelican Cooler 65QT - Orange

Features

The last product in our list comes from Pelican, a brand that makes high-quality protective cases and coolers. We have selected the ProGear Elite Cooler because it is one of the most spacious coolers out there and it is made from durable materials.

Here are the highlights of this cooler and why you should seriously consider buying it.

It can store ice up to 10 consecutive days.
It comes with a dual handle system for easy transport and loading.
This cooler comes with a lifetime guarantee which is reassuring.
It is made from tough, polyethylene plastic that can take a lot of wear and tear.
The latches are strong and can be used even if you wear gloves.

As this brand specializes in cases, keep the Pelican name in mind next time you are looking for a protective case for your camera, laptop or even your rifle!

Pelican makes coolers with wheels, side handles and full length handles if you want to see what else they have on Amazon.

The 19 quarts cooler from Engel features a superior insulation system and it comes with a hanging tray. It is ideal for outdoor adventures, trips and vacations. Looking for a smaller cooler? Check out Engel’s 13 Quart Cooler and Drybox and see if it’s the right fit for you.

Engel USA 19 Quart Cooler – Can Also Be Used as a Drybox, Available in 3 Colors, with or without Fishing Rod Holders

Engel Cooler UC19-RH – White w/ Rod Holders

Features

Engel has made coolers for more than 50 years now and this brand is the first one to come up with a Roto-Molded Cooler. It is one of the biggest names in the coolers industry and today it sells cooling devices in various sizes and shapes. We were impressed by the 19 Quart cooler/drybox and we think it is worth a place in our review.

Let's discover the features of this sophisticated cooler.

This cooling chest is insulated using a high-grade polystyrene core.
It comes with a shoulder strap and an ergonomic handle.
Its construction incorporates stainless steel screws for increased durability and safety.
The cooler is available in several styles and colors.
It features 2 strong latches which protect the contents of the cooler.

If you are interested in a backpack cooler bag or large roto-molded coolers that can accommodate a lot of goods, we invite you to take a closer look to Engel's product line. You will be impressed!

Engel Coolers come in a wide range of sizes, styles and colors so if you need something else, check out the rest on Amazon.

Get the Best Cooler of 2018!

You’ve found your favorite cooler, yea? Why not go ahead and order?

Our Top Choice

Coleman Large Capacity Steel-Belted Cooler

Best Value

Igloo Ice Cube Roller Portable Cooler

Yeti Tundra Cooler with Permafrost Insulation

Pelican Elite Cooler for Fishing, Camping, Boating and Hunting

Engel USA Rod Holder Cooler/Dry Box