It’s been a long and wonderful day. You and your group found your campsite and mastered that exhausting work of setting up camp. Then, you excitedly explored the nearby wilderness, gathering wood for the fire. You nursed the sparks into flames and let the fire build until the charcoal turns that familiar shade of white, indicating that it’s ready to grill. You gather everyone up for cool drinks and open the cooler to find that all your ice is melted, your meat is beginning to spoil, and drinks won’t stay cool for long. If you had invested in the best camping cooler to begin with, you could have avoided this whole mess.
Comparison Table
[amazon box=”B003V53GFM,B00MEWFI5E,B016VXVLFC,B075QLGLPJ,B004U6NH6Y,B01B4PAX9M,B07DRMJ99Z,B007ZYH4BM,B0009PURKO,B0052EBRC4″ template=”table”]
PRODUCT FAQ
image source: Unsplash
1. WHAT IS A CAMPING COOLER?
We’re all familiar with the type of coolers you fill to have a day at the beach or lakefront, or to go on a small picnic, or to grill at the park. The average cooler is perfect for this type of trip. It keeps your food and drinks cold and your ice is frozen for the day trip. But, when it comes to camping, you need a cooler that is substantially stronger. You need a cooler that has the durability and insulation to keep your food cold and your ice frozen for the duration of your trip.
2. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO INVEST IN THE BEST CAMPING COOLER?
It’s not just important, it’s vital. When you camp, you often times experience dangers that we don’t come into contact with living in buildings. It’s essential that you properly prepare yourself for exposure to the elements. Having adequate water and food supply is central to safely camping. You need the best camping cooler that will keep you and your loved ones safe and with plenty of food and drinks.
HOW WE REVIEWED
When it comes to finding the best camping cooler, there are many viable options on the market that could be the best one for you. What makes a particular camping cooler the best camping cooler for you will be one that fits your budget, has the capabilities you are looking for, and of course, there is no accounting for personal taste. To help you find the best camping cooler for you, we’ve gathered some of the highest rated options available and compared them based on key characteristics.
OVERALL PRICE RANGE
Depending on the amenities you are looking for, as well as the brand name, you can expect to spend anywhere from around $200 to around $500 for the best camping cooler to take on your next trip.
WHAT WE REVIEWED
- YETI Tundra 65 Cooler
- Pelican Products Progear Elite Cooler
- Coolest Cooler Premium ice Chest
- RTIC 65
- Engel High Performance ENG65 Cooler
- Igloo Max Cold Quantum
- RovR Wheeled Camping Rolling Cooler
- Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler
- Coleman Steel-Belted Portable Cooler
- Rubbermaid DuraChill Wheeled 5-Day Cooler
YETI TUNDRA 65 COOLER
[amazon box=”B003V53GFM”]
FEATURES
This Yeti camping cooler is a phenomenal choice because it’s just as adept at keeping your catches cold in the field as it is storing drinks and food for a camping trip. This cooler has 3 inches of PermaFrost insulation to keep your ice frozen. Plus, it has an extra thick FatWall design that is certified Bear-Resistant. The Rotomolded Construction keeps this best camping cooler armored to the core and virtually indestructible. So, no matter how hardcore your adventures get, this cooler can keep up. The T-Rex Lid Latches are constructed of heavy-duty rubber, so you won’t have to worry about busted latches.
PROS
- Versatile
- 3 inches of PermaFrost insulation
- Thick FatWall design that is bear-resistant
- Rotomolded Construction makes the cooler indestructible
- T-Rex Lid Latches won’t bust
CONS
- Some customers have said it is too heavy to be easily portable
- Some individuals have been disappointed with the insulation
WARRANTY
The manufacturer offers a limited one-year warranty.
PELICAN PRODUCTS PROGEAR ELITE COOLER
[amazon box=”B00MEWFI5E”]
FEATURES
This Pelican Progear is a great option because it has an integrated fish scale on the lid, making it easier for you to log all of your catches. This cooler has such great insulation that it offers up to 10 days of ice retention. It has a freezer grade gasket and 2-inch polyurethane insulation. For portability with ease, it comes with a dual handle system giving you the option of molded-in and hinged handles.
PROS
- Integrated fish scale on the lid
- 2 inches of polyurethane insulation for up to 10 days of ice retention
- Freezer grade gasket
- Molded-in and hinged handles
CONS
- Customers have reported drain leakage
- Some individuals have said the cooler shape warped with use.
WARRANTY
This manufacturer offers a limited one-year warranty.
COOLEST COOLER PREMIUM ICE CHEST
[amazon box=”B016VXVLFC”]
FEATURES
This giant, 60-quart ice chest is the best camping cooler because it is a party in a box. It features a Bluetooth speaker built in, so you can take your tunes along with you. This innovative cooler gives you exclusive features that you’ve never dreamed of. This chest is splash-proof and shockproof, so you can trust that this cooler will make it through any camping adventure you might face. And, it’ll get you there fast with the extra wide rubberized wheels that easily roll off the trail. Another amazing feature of this cooler is the blender that comes with. Like the Bluetooth speaker, it runs off of a rechargeable battery stored inside the cooler and can be used to get you your daily smoothie, even out in the wilderness.
PROS
- 60-quart ice chest
- Bluetooth built-in speaker
- Splash-proof and shockproof
- Extra wide rubberized wheels
- Attachable blender
- Rechargeable battery
CONS
- Some customers feel that the materials are not as high quality as they could be
- Issues with the controlling board
WARRANTY
This best camping cooler comes with a two-year limited warranty.
RTIC 65
[amazon box=”B075QLGLPJ”]
FEATURES
This is one of the best camping coolers because it uses roto-molded construction, making it an extremely durable option. It uses heavy duty T-latches and a freezer grade gasket, as well as molded tie-down slots. The walls have up to 3 inches of insulation, so your ice will stay solid for as long as you need. It also has non-slip feet, an integrated locking system, and is bear resistant. This RTIC model also includes a rapid V-Drain system, no fail hinges, a no sweat exterior, and a cool lift design as well as molded side handles.
PROS
- Roto-molded construction
- Heavy-duty T-latches
- Freezer grade gasket
- Molded tie-down slots
- 3 inches of insulation
- Non-slip feet
- Integrated locking system
- Bear resistant
- V-Drain system
- No fail hinges
- No sweat exterior
- Molded side handles
CONS
- Several customers have complained about the insulation being subpar
WARRANTY
The manufacturer of this best camping cooler offers a limited two-year warranty.
ENGEL HIGH PERFORMANCE ENG65 COOLER
[amazon box=”B004U6NH6Y”]
FEATURES
This is one of the best camping cooler options because it can hold ice for up to ten days without it melting. This cooler is the best in class ice retention and overall performance because it has 2 inches of polyurethane insulation covering the entire cooler. The IGBC certified bear-resistant container will keep any animals out of your food. The durable, seamless, rotationally molded construction keeps it safe and leak-proof. It has silicone, airtight gaskets, and marine grade compression latches and has UV-Resistant Construction.
PROS
- UV-Resistant construction
- Durable seamless rotationally molded
- Can hold ice for up to ten days
- 2 inches of polyurethane insulation covering the whole cooler
- IBGC certified bear-resistant container
CONS
- Customers have complained about the cooler warping
- ​People have been disappointed by the cooler’s ability to keep ice cold
WARRANTY
This manufacturer offers a limited one-year warranty.
IGLOO MAX COLD QUANTUM
[amazon box=”B01B4PAX9M”]
FEATURES
This is one of the best camping cooler options because it is extremely portable, with wheels and a handle! This cooler gives you maximum cold retention with an utratherm insulated lid and body. The handle is locking and telescoping, and it is equipped with gear hangers to hold bags. The wheels lend themselves to extreme versatility in use. It has molded-in side handles that aid in lifting the cooler as well as an internal self-ledge that gives you even more usable space.
PROS
- Wheels and handle make it extremely portable
- Utrathrm insulated lid and body
- Handle is locking and telescoping
- Molded in side handles
CONS
- Some customers have complained about the insulation
WARRANTY
The manufacturer offers a 1-year limited warranty.
ROVR WHEELED CAMPING ROLLING COOLER
[amazon box=”B07DRMJ99Z”]
FEATURES
This cooler is one of the best camping cooler options because it comes with giant rolling wheels and handles, making it extremely easy to transport. It offers a 7 to 10-day ice retention, a prepping board, and dual cup holder. It also has high-performance and puncture-resistant tires. It offers 60 quarts of storage and can even be towed on a bike for easy portability.
PROS
- Can attach to a bike
- Giant rolling wheels with high performance and puncture resistant tires
- 60 quarts of storage
- 7 to 10-day ice retention
- Dual cup holder
- Prepping board
CONS
- Some customers have complained about a short lifespan
WARRANTY
The manufacturer offers a two-year limited warranty on this cooler.
IGLOO ICELESS THERMOELECTRIC COOLER
[amazon box=”B007ZYH4BM”]
FEATURES
This is one of the best camping cooler options because it uses thermoelectric cooling, meaning that you can cool everything without the use of ice, leaving more room for food and drinks. It has an ergonomic design that features a curved back that comfortably hugs your side as you carry it. It uses a quiet brushless motor and convection cooling with a fan to circulate cold air. It has an 8-foot long power cord that plugs into any 12V DC receptacle, like the cigarette lighter in your car, so you can charge it and then take it on an adventure.
PROS
- Thermoelectric cooler
- Ergonomic design with curved back
- Quiet brushless motor and convection cooling with a fan
- 8-foot long power cord
CONS
- Some customers have complained about cooler failure
- Customers have experienced mechanical issues
WARRANTY
The manufacturer offers a one-year limited warranty.
COLEMAN STEEL-BELTED PORTABLE COOLER
[amazon box=”B0009PURKO”]
FEATURES
This high-capacity and heavy duty cooler is a great option because of it’s chic, retro design. It offers 54 quarts of storage space and can accommodate about 85 cans. It can keep your ice frozen for 4 days in temperatures as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This cooler is rugged and shock resistant and is built to deliver years of high-quality performance. It uses rust-resistant stainless steel hardware and has comfort grip steel handles for easy and controlled carrying and lifting.
PROS
- Retro design
- 54 Quarts of storage space
- Can keep ice frozen for up to 4 days
- Shock resistant and rugged
- Rust-resistant stainless steel hardware
- Comfort grip steel handles for easy lifting
CONS
- Customers have complained about ice retention
- The latches have caused problems
WARRANTY
The manufacturer offers a one-year limited warranty.
RUBBERMAID DURACHILL WHEELED 5-DAY COOLER
[amazon box=”B0052EBRC4″]
FEATURES
This rolling cooler is a great option because of the extra thick insulation that will keep your ice frozen for up to 5 days, even in temperatures in the 90-degree range. The large size offers 75 quarts of storage, and the rugged wheels make taking this cooler on short trips an easy option. It’s made with durable metal and plastic and has an extended tow handle for easy portability.
PROS
- Built-in drain
- 75 quarts of storage
- Can keep ice frozen for up to 5 days
- Easy to tow
CONS
- Some customers have been disappointed with the ice capacity promised
WARRANTY
The manufacturer offers a limited one-year warranty.
The Verdict
When it comes to finding the best camping cooler for your adventures, it’s vital that you invest in a high-quality option with plenty of storage and insulation. And of course, it’s important that the cooler fits your budget. Whichever camping cooler you decide is the best for you, it will also make your adventures all the more exciting.
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