Planning to go camping? If you always like to have the comforts of a backpacking tent, backpacking stoves, or other must have camping accessories, then you might as well add to your list some of the best coolers for camping. And then you can be assured of a relaxing time with friends and family having fresh food and drinks on the go.
There are many varieties available in the market, but you need to pick the right one that addresses your specific needs. For example, you need to ask yourself if it’s meant to sustain a small or a big group? Will it keep ice cold for long? Know the answer to all these questions with the given compiled list of some of the best coolers for camping.
How To Choose The Best Coolers For Camping
There are many things to consider when buying the best coolers for camping. For example, some coolers may be ideal for a short or overnight camping trip while others may be more appropriate for long trips. Take a look at some of these factors to decide the one that best fits your requirement.
Storage Capacity And Sealing
It is good to check the storage capacity based on the length of your trip or group size. Go for the big-sized ones if you need to stack in a good volume of food and beverages for a long trip. No one likes to run out of stock in the wilderness!
Along with storage, it is equally important to check if the cooler has air-tight closure ensured by a sturdy locking system or rubber sealing gaskets. A good cooler should seal perfectly to prevent cool air from escaping. Also, if air enters from outside, it will ruin the insulation power of the cooler.
Insulation
Insulation is an important factor to consider for camping trips if you wish to keep your food and beverage sparkling fresh and cold when camping out for many days. Most coolers use foam insulation. However, note that coolers with a thick polyurethane coating have the best insulation and can keep food fresh for extended days.
Drainage Feature
Most coolers tend to accumulate liquid and gets wet inside. So, it is important to drain the liquid properly. Most coolers have drain plugs that let out the liquid. It is good to check the durability and ensure the plug is not protruding outside to avoid it from getting broken or damaged.
Carrying Convenience
It is good to have coolers that are lightweight and have wheels or robust side handles for convenient carrying during camping. Portability is a good thing to consider when choosing heavy-duty coolers.
Rubbermaid DuraChill Wheeled 5-Day Cooler (CU)
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You are bound to fall in love with this cool, compact, rolling cooler, especially when the brand Rubbermaid has been known to deliver innovative and best camping coolers of the market. The Rubbermaid DuraChill Wheeled 5-Day Cooler is a chic and high-quality product. This large-capacity cooler can store a large number of cans and ice for up to five days. In fact, the thick insulation coating keeps the ice for that long period of time. Furthermore, the air-tight enclosure prevents the cool air from escaping and keeping the inside items fresh and chilled for prolonged days.
It is portable too and can be easily maneuvered on rugged surfaces or any kind of surface during camping. Just the kind you need to take for your camping trip. What’s more, the side swing handles make it easier to drag or carry. Other convenient features include a durable metal and plastic extended tow handle and drain plugs. Even better it will get when you see the in-built cup holders that can fit both cans and bottles of large size. So, who needs a table when you have such a super-cool cooler with an expansive lid surface to have your midnight feast when camping out?
What We Love
- Ideal cooler for storing food and drinks during long trips
Pros
- Thick insulation coating that keeps chilled drinks and ice intact for many days
- Large storage capacity
- Can be moved easily with all-terrain rugged wheels
- Comfort-grip side handles for easy towing
- Molded-in cup holders
Cons
- The drain plug is above the wheel axle, so you need to position it at a steep angle for draining the liquid out
Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler
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You will want to own this iceless cooler definitely as you can easily figure out its convenience from the name itself. The Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler is worth the buy for it offers the best solution for keeping food fresh and cool for a long time. All you need to do is power it up by attaching the 8-feet long power cord into any 12V DC receptacle. The receptacle can be your car’s cigarette lighter, so no worries about charging the cooler.
Plus, being made of plastic, it is lightweight and portable. Add to that, the ergonomic design features a curved inward exterior that allows it to fit snugly on your back while carrying. There are also molded-in side handles for easy carrying. Anyone would like to go for this cooler as it is non-messy and cools without needing to be packed with ice. That means, there is more room for storing food and drinks. And, definitely, a mood-lifter if you are planning a long trip.
What We Love
- On-the go ice-less cooler powered by thermoelectric technology
Pros
- Easy to use
- More space for food and drinks
- Ergonomic design favors easy carrying
- Portable and lightweight
- Comfortable-grip side handles for easy transportation
Cons
- You have to push in the lid to close it properly
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RTIC 20, White Cooler
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The heavy-duty RTIC 20, White Cooler means business and can be used for any kind of outdoor activity. Known to keep food and drinks cool for a long duration, it can easily hold as many as 24 cans along with ice chunks. Now, that’s what you need to drench your parched throat when camping or hiking or fishing for long hours.
The cooler is perfect for any kind of trip and also has an upright steel handle to lift and carry it easily in one hand. Also, there are molded side handles for better portability. The other useful features include insulated walls for prolonged cooling, air-tight locking system, and a rapid V-shaped drain system for easy draining of liquid.
What We Love
- Great personal cooler for everyday use or outdoor activity
Pros
- Superior cooling feature that can keep ice cool for 2 to 3 days
- Good storage capacity
- Affordable
- Sturdy with an upright handle for easy carrying
- Air-tight sealing
Cons
- The cooler is heavy even when empty
- The lid may get stuck sometimes
- The thick walls eat up the extra space
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Pelican Elite Cooler
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Manufactured in the U.S., the Pelican Elite Cooler is famous for its extreme ice retention feature. Compared to other coolers for camping, this elite cooler is definitely the most sought after for this all-important desirable feature. This is only possible due to two inches of polyurethane insulation with a 360-degree freezer-grade gasket. Now, that’s impressive, isn’t it?
And it’s not the only feature that makes it worth buying. There are other utilities too. There are sturdy molded carry handles along with a drain plug to let out the liquid. To add further to the convenience, there are in-built bottle openers and cup holders. What’s more, the lockable press and pull latches make it easy to use this versatile cooler. So, this cooler should definitely be one of the top picks as it is so useful for any kind of trip, be it camping, fishing, hiking, or for a simple barbeque in your backyard.
What We Love
- A high-end versatile cooler that has extreme ice-retention features
Pros
- Easy to open with a lockable push and pull latch
- Stores ice for three days
- Waterproof and leakproof
- Built-in can openers
- Sturdy handles for carrying
- Non-skid rubber feet
Cons
- The rubber latches can get a bit stiff when cold
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Arctic Zone Titan Cooler
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The Arctic Zone Titan Cooler is bound to impress you with its cool exterior cased in water and stain-resistant Rhyno-silver lining. Add to that, it is very easy to clean the exterior. The zippered and insulated front pockets and mesh side pockets are a great addition as well. There is also an adjustable well-cushioned shoulder strap for easy carrying.
This cooler has 16-can capacity and can keep drinks cool for long and retain ice for up to 3 days. In fact, the superior cooling is due to the combination of deep freeze high-performance insulation with a radiant heat barrier and a triple-layered cold-block base. Also, it is very easy to access food and drinks with its patented ‘flip-open’ zipperless top lid. Another advantage of using this cooler is that the interior has a durable HardBody liner with a removable SmartShelf. This means you can keep your food items separate from the drinks.
What We Love
- Great cooler for cans with a study exterior
Pros
- Easy to access food and drinks with zipperless top lid
- Keeps ice for at least three days
- Additional pockets for storing small items
- Convenient to store food and drinks separately
- Comfortable shoulder strap for carrying
Cons
- There is no single hand carry option
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Coleman 54-Quart Cooler
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The Coleman 54-Quart Cooler will charm you immediately with its sleek and glossy design. Not only the design is fancy, but the storage capacity is also impressive. This 54-quart capacity cooler can hold as many as 85 cans and perfect for long camping trips with family or friends. Even better, the top surface of the lid can easily serve as a seat, supporting up to 250 pounds.
With a four-day ice retention ability, this rust-resistant stainless steel cooler is built to last long. There are comfortable steel handles on the side for easy lifting and carrying. What’s more, this Coleman product is manufactured in the U.S. and comes with a limited 6-year warranty.
What We Love
- Heavy-duty cooler with retro-look and modern technology
Pros
- Great storage capacity
- Keeps ice cool for more than 3 days
- Comfortable side handles for easy moving
- Includes 6-year warranty
Cons
- The rear lid hinges are the weakest part of the cooler and may give away under backward pressure on the lid
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Engel 65 High Performance Hard Cooler
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Among all the camping coolers, you would be proud to own this high-end Engel 65 High Performance Hard Cooler. If you like to go for frequent camping trips in a month and need a cooler that is durable and best in ice retention performance, then this is the one for you. Durability is a high-end feature of this cooler as it is certified bear-resistant and virtually indestructible.
The cooler has an amazing capacity of retaining cold and ice for up t0 10 days. Add to that, it has dry ice compatibility. This cooling efficiency is due to the interior being roto-molded and lined all around with two-inches of high-density closed-cell polyurethane insulation. The cooler also boasts of compression latches for an air-tight seal. Furthermore, the non-slip feet, the silicon gasket, the drain plug add to the versatility of this cooler. What’s more, the cooler has a 10-year warranty.
What We Love
- Well-made cooler that gives long-lasting performance
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Easy to carry or lift with little or no effort
- Great ice-retention capacity
- Affordable
- Provisioned with a good latching system
Cons
- The lid clamps are not that sturdy
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Coleman 70-Quart Cooler
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An excellent choice for long camping trips, the Coleman 70-Quart Cooler can retain ice for at least five days. Needless to say, this heavy-duty cooler can be the perfect companion for long outdoor activities. The ice-cooling retention efficiency is especially due to the insulation lid and extra think insulation coating on the inside. The top lid has built-in cup holders for keeping drinks nearby. It also offers a comfortable seat as long as you and your companion weigh less than 250 pounds.
The storage capacity is massive and can easily store close to 100 cans. Now, that is bound to make your camping trip a memorable one! Also, it helps to know that there is a leak-resistant channel drain to remove excess water without lifting the cooler at an angle. For carrying or moving it to the site of eating, there are comfort-grip no-crush side handles.
What We Love
- Top-rated reasonably priced cooler
Pros
- Great storage capacity for drinks and ice
- Keeps ice for up to 5 days at high temperatures
- No-pinch carrying side handles
- Have-a-seat lid surface
- Built-in cup holders
- Leak-resistant channel drain
Cons
- The hinges are poorly designed
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Dometic CFX 50W Electric Powered Portable Cooler (CU)
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Even though this camping cooler looks like a heavy-duty toolbox, it has many impressive features. To start with, the Dometic CFX 50W Electric Powered Portable Cooler is a ‘no-ice’ cooler. So, no more eating soggy sandwiches from melted ice. All you need to do is to plug it in for noiseless cooling. What’s more, the cooler has very low power consumption.
The Dometic cooler has a sturdy exterior along with a robust closing system. But despite the heavy look, it is quite lightweight and easy to carry. This cooler can serve both as a mini-fridge and a cooler with an interior LED light. You can even monitor the temperature through a Wifi app. There is a drain plug too for simple and easy cleaning. What makes it even more attractive that there is a USB port and most importantly, it comes with a two-year warranty.
What We Love
- Portable ice-less electrically-powered fridge-cum-cooler
Pros
- Excellent cooling performance
- Minimum power consumption
- Robust lid lining
- Durable and lightweight
- Ability to use multiple power sources
Cons
- Wifi app works mediocre
IceMule Classic Insulated Backpack Cooler Bag
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The IceMule Classic Insulated Backpack Cooler Bag is a class apart from other camping coolers in design. If you are tired of lugging a bulky wheeled ice box all the time, then go for this smaller and lighter collapsible cooler that can be just slung across the shoulder or carried like a backpack. That’s definitely a welcome change from the usual cooler designs. The cooler also has straps to be conveniently hooked or attached to a bike, boat, or any other mode of transport.
The best part about this cooler is that it can even float on water and perfect for kayaking or watersport trips. True to its main use, this classic cooler has a great cooling capacity as it is fully insulated inside. Featuring a well-designed closure system, it ensures no leakage while offloading food and drinks. What’s more, it has enough storage with a minimum capacity of 10 liters. Available in various colors and sizes, you take your pick and catch envious glances from other campers.
What We Love
- On the go hands-free cooler for short trips
Pros
- Lightweight and waterproof
- Easy to carry as a backpack
- Good storage capacity
- Well-designed closure system to prevent leakage
- Keeps ice cool for at least 24 hours
Cons
- Bit pricey
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Yeti Tundra 65 Cooler
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Yeti is a legendary brand and known to manufacture excellent products with high efficiency and performance. Hence, it is not surprising that out of all the camping coolers, the Yeti Tundra 65 Cooler is the most expensive and desired camping cooler. This cooler is perfect for keeping beers and food super-chilled when camping outdoors. The long-lasting chilled effect can be attributed to the extra thick roto-molded walls and 3-inches of PermaFrost insulation.
Made to be bear-resistant, the rugged cooler is extremely durable and can withstand any kind of weather or rough conditions. Also, the patented keeper technology ensures a robust latch system that cannot be easily damaged. Most importantly, this ice-chest is so roomy that you can store as much as you want and enjoy your outdoor feast without a worry.
What We Love
- Well worth the money with excellent construct and thermal properties
Pros
- Extremely spacious
- Highly durable with bear-resistant construct and design
- Keeps ice cooler way longer than other coolers
Cons
- Highly priced
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Coleman Coastal Xtreme Series Marine Portable Cooler
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Going on a camping trip? Keep your snacks and beverage cold for up to 3 days with the Coleman Coastal Xtreme Series Marine Portable Cooler. The Xtreme 3 technology attributes to the main feature of extended ice retention. What’s more, the thermo-Ozone insulation contains no CFC or HFC responsible for ozone depletion.
The cooler is well-built and has a simple yet stylish look with side handles on either side. Sizewise, the cooler is big and can store up to 36 cans. The top lid sports two molded cup holders to keep the drinks. It can be used as a seat and can support up to 250 lbs. Add to that, the lid is very easy to clean and wash due to the lid texture. The cooler also boasts of UV protection implying that the outer casing is not prone to discoloration or weakening when used outdoors for long.
What We Love
- Great camping cooler that keeps food and drinks fresh for 3 days
Pros
- Good storage capacity
- Portable and compact
- Built-in cup holders
Cons
- It is not waterproof
- Lacks wheels
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Tourit Insulated Backpack Cooler
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Sometimes, you want a camping cooler that is not huge, but can be easily carried. The Tourit Insulated Backpack Cooler is the best camping cooler to own if you do not want the hassle of pulling heavy-duty coolers. It deceptively looks like a normal backpack, but has the features and functionalities of a cooler.
The backpack is a great size with storage capacity is about 25 liters. It is large enough to hold food, drinks, and can also hold as many as 28 cans. Furthermore, the backpack cooler is leakproof and well-insulated to retain coolness for hours. However, note that it is not advised to place the ice directly into the lunch cooler bag to avoid damaging the waterproof material inside the daypack. Keeping freeze packs would be a better idea.
It is easy to organize items in this backpack with multiple compartments and side pockets. It is lightweight and comfortable to carry too with well-padded shoulder straps. To sum up, the backpack cooler is durable, sturdy, and waterproof thereby being the perfect companion for any kind of long or short outdoor activity.
What We Love
- Ideal camping cooler for backpacking and hiking
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Sufficient storage capacity
- Leakproof insulation to retain coolness for hours
- Waterproof and durable
- Easy to organize items
Cons
- Slightly expensive
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand of camping coolers keeps ice the longest?
There are many brands of camping coolers known to retain ice for many days. However, the most popular brands that have the reputation of extended ice retention properties are mostly Pelican, Coleman, Yeti, and Engel.
Which camping coolers are worth buying despite the cost?
The Engel High-Performance coolers are worth the investment as they are known to give the best performance in terms of cooling efficiency. You can also go for Yeti coolers for their cooling performance.
