Top 10 Best Coolers

Have you ever gone camping and ran out of ice in your cooler or ice chest way sooner than you thought you would? Those cheap coolers just don’t work too well and this happens far too often. Sure for just a few hours almost any cooler will work, but wouldn’t it be nice if you had one that could keep ice from melting, and thus your drinks nice and cold, for multiple days? That is why we sought out to review the best coolers and ice chests.

Buyers should be aware that many models of ice chests come in different sizes, so if you like one particular style or brand then they probably have a size close to what you need. You should also be aware that some of the top versions are heavy due to the thick insulation.

To maximize the ice retention of your cooler you should pre-cool your cooler with ice 24 hours prior or at least store it in a cool spot – not in a 90 degree garage. You should also put cans of pop or beer in the fridge and only put them in the cooler once cooled. If you are bringing water, we recommend freezing some in a reusable bottle which you can then drink as it melts.

We took a look at many models and varieties to come up with our list of the best. We also tried to choose models in all price ranges, because we know spending $300 on a cooler just isn’t feasible for everyone. Below you will find the top 10 best coolers plus two extra picks. At the bottom of these cooler reviews you can find a comparison chart as well.


9.4
#1)

Orca 40 Quart Cooler

Our pick for the best cooler goes to the $227 Orca 40 Quart cooler. The Orca is perfect for a camping, hunting or fishing trip – it can even withstand a bear mauling – and comes with a lifetime warranty. Orca models are American-made and sourced with all American materials.

The 40-quart roto-molded version weighs 24 pounds and has a lid gasket to keep an air tight seal. You can expect the ice to last up to as many as 10 days under favorable conditions.

The Orca 40 is not for everybody due to the price, but for those of you who take extended camping or hunting trips then you will think it is worth every penny. It is also the cheapest of the thickly insulated roto-molded coolers that have long lasting ice retention.


9.3
#2)

Otterbox Venture 65

Otterbox is more well known for their phone cases, but they are branching out to other products and do so here with the Otterbox Venture 65 cooler that sells for $350. They put a lot of thought into the design and include several handy features you don’t find anywhere else like the included bottle opener and dry storage tray, slanted interior bottom for easier draining, nesting grooves for a cutting board and dry storage tray, and three slots for custom compartments (separator is sold separately).

The Venture 65 is made in the USA and has ice retention that is as good or better than any other ice chest you can buy. The thick insulation means it can hold ice for 16 days under ideal conditions as Otterbox claims.

That thick insulation, however, causes this cooler to be heavy and somewhat difficult to move around since it weighs 33 pounds and has exterior dimensions of 40″ x 18.76″ x 18.83″ which is larger than some brands 75 quart models.

You should consider buying the Otterbox Venture 65 if cooling capability is your primary concern regardless of price.


9.3
#3)

Yeti Tundra 75 Cooler

If you are looking for the perfect cooler to take on your next fishing trip then we recommend the Yeti Tundra 75 Cooler which costs about $450. We like it for boats and fishing trips since it has enough space for drinks and the fish you catch, it has non-slip feet for on deck, and can handle two people sitting on it.

The Tundra has excellent insulation thanks to its roto-molded construction and several layers of pressure-injected insulation which can hold ice for many days even in extreme heat. There are also many other sizes of Yeti models available if want a smaller or larger version.

Buyers should be aware that once fully loaded with food, beverages, and ice this thing could weigh close to 80 pounds. The Yeti Tundra 75 is also the most expensive cooler on our list, so look at other options if price is a big concern.


9.2
#4)

Grizzly Coolers 40 Quart

The Grizzly Coolers 40 Quart cooler gives you close to the same ice retention capabilities as the Orca 40, but it does cost a bit more with a price of $270. This 40 quart capacity cooler has roto-molded construction, molded in heavy duty handles, and weighs 24 pounds empty.

This Grizzly cooler is also bear resistant, made in the USA, and is backed by a lifetime warranty. Full length drain channels and a 2-inch drain plug make for quick, complete draining. Some other features include a rope handle with rubber handle, 2-inch tiedown slots, and dry goods tray.

Overall the Grizzly Coolers 40 Quart ice chest is a really solid buy with a decent price for what you get.


9
#5)

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Portable Cooler

We selected the $250 YETI Hopper Flip 12 Portable Cooler as the best soft cooler. It weighs just over 3 pounds, has a 12.8 quart capacity (or 13 cans), and ice can last up to 3 days thanks to its extreme insulation.

The YETI Hopper Flip 12 has a wide-mouth opening for easy loading and access. It is leakproof and the compact, soft shell makes it very portable. There are also smaller and larger version available.

The biggest negative is the price. It is by far the most expensive soft cooler to make our list, and also very costly for the amount it holds. That means it is not for everybody, but if you want a soft cooler with the longest ice retention possible then this is the model for you.


8.8
#6)

Coleman Steel Belted Coolers 54 Quart

We chose the Coleman Steel Belted 54 Quart Cooler as the best cooler under $100 with a pricetag of $95. You can’t really compare any ice chest that cost under $100 to the top-tier models that cost a whole lot more, but this Coleman model will retain ice for a max of 4 days.

It comes in multiple colors and is capable of holding up to 85 cans. This Coleman model is a good choice for anyone who needs a large cooler for short trips or a weekend get-together. For extended trips more than 4 days then you might want to consider a more expensive unit or just plan on adding more ice occasionally.


8.8
#7)

Igloo Max Cold Quantum 52 Quart Roller Cooler

Perhaps the best value when it comes to coolers is the Igloo Max Cold Quantum 52 Quart Roller Cooler which sells for about $55. The insulation in the body and lid means it can retain ice for up to 5 days. A locking, telescoping handle and wheels make it easy to transport and can either be pushed or pulled.

Other features of this Igloo model include drain plug, molded-in side handles for lifting, integrated tie-down loops allow you to attach extra gear to your cooler, and four self-draining cup holders built into the lid. It weighs 13 pounds when empty.

There is a lot to like about the Igloo Max Cold Quantum 52 Quart Roller Cooler which is why we would not hesitate to recommend it for almost all users. The only exception would be for long camping, fishing, or hunting trips where you need the longest lasting ice retention possible – in which case you should step up to a more expensive ice chest.


8.7
#8)

Coleman 62 Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler

Another model that is pretty comparable to the Igloo Max Cold Quantum is the $56 Coleman 62 Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler. It has a bit more capacity while also being able to hold ice for a max of 5 days, although we think the Igloo model is just a bit better at ice retention.

The Coleman 62 Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler is made in the USA and comes with a tow handle, wheels, and 2-way handles to make it very portable. You can sit on the lid which also has 4 cup holders built-in. It weighs 16.8 pounds empty.

Overall the Coleman 62 Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler makes a good choice for the family camping or road trip, or if you have a get-together with a lot of people.


8.4
#9)

AO Canvas Cooler - 24 can

The $63 AO Canvas 24 Can Cooler is our choice for the best value soft cooler. It is not quite as well made as the Yeti Hopper Flip, but it holds ice nearly as long for a much cheaper price.

This thing has twice the insulation of most soft coolers and can hold ice for about 2.5 days. It comes in a variety of sizes and colors as well.

The AO Canvas 24 Can Cooler is perfect for anyone who is looking for a cheap soft cooler that can still retain ice for multiple days.


8.3
#10)

Stanley Adventure Cooler

The $42 Stanley Adventure Cooler is a rugged, 16 quart model that can hold ice for up to 36 hours. Weighing 6.6 pounds it can hold 21 cans. It has a leak resistant gasket and an adjustable tie down on the lid which is perfect for a thermos.

The Stanley Adventure Cooler, which comes in 7 quart and 16 quart versions, is a good choice for a personal or family cooler for work or for short trips.


8.3
#11)

Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric 28-Quart Cooler

If you are looking for a thermoelectric or iceless cooler then you should consider the $114 Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric 28 Quart cooler. This thing works by cooling without ice with a brushless motor and convection cooling fan by plugging into any 12V DC receptacle (a cigarette lighter). Due to its size and lack of ice it is compact, lightweight, and portable. Overall it is great for an extending road-trip, but not good for a camping trip without access to an outlet.

The main downside for this Igloo model is that you need to keep it plugged in at all times for it to work effectively. One tip is that can help is that you can get an adapter to which allows you to plug-in to a normal outlet.


7.3
#12)

Coleman 28-Quart Cooler With Bail Handle

The best cheap cooler goes to the Coleman 28-Quart Cooler With Bail Handle which sells for under $18. No it won’t retain ice for a long time, instead only about 12-18 hours, but for a picnic, party, or just taking it to work it will work great.

This Coleman cooler can hold 36 cans and is tall enough to hold 2-liter bottles upright. It has a hinged lid and has a bail handle for easy carrying. It weight 5.3 pounds.

The Coleman 28-Quart Cooler is not for anyone who needs multi-day cooling unless you can replenish your ice. It is a budget ice chest for when you need ice retention for about half a day.


Best Cooler Comparison Chart

Cooler Rating Best Price Capacity
Quarts
12 oz Can
Capacity
Dry
Weight
Appx Ice Retention
w/ Ideal Conditions
Exterior Dimensions
( L” x W” x H” )
Sizes Available
Orca 40 Quart Cooler 9.4 $226.96 40 48 24 lbs 10 days 26.25″ x 18.125″ x 17.625″ 26Q, 40Q, 58Q, 75Q, 140Q
Otterbox Venture 65 9.3 $349.99 65 36 33 lbs 16 days 40″ x 18.76″ x 18.83″ 25Q, 45Q, 65Q
Yeti Tundra 75 Cooler 9.3 $449.99 75 57 34 lbs 10 days 33.5″ x 17.875″ x 17.5″ 45Q, 50Q, 65Q, 105Q, 110Q, 125Q, 250Q
Grizzly Coolers 40 Quart 9.2 $269.99 40 56 24 lbs 9 days 25.5″ x 16″ x 15.5″ 15Q, 20Q, 40Q, 60Q, 75Q, 100Q, 165Q, 400Q
Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Portable Cooler 9 $249.99 12.8 13 3.1 lbs 3 days 12.625″ x 10″ x 11.5″ 8, 12, 18
Coleman Steel Belted Coolers 54 Quart 8.8 $94.95 54 85 15.7 lbs 4 days 24″ x 16.5″ x 16″
Igloo Max Cold Quantum 52 Quart Roller Cooler 8.8 $55.50 52 85 13 lbs 5 days 20.39″ x 18.12″ x 19.06″
Coleman 62 Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler 8.7 $56.00 62 95 16.8 lbs 5 days 31.125″ x 15.875″ x 17″
AO Canvas Cooler – 24 can 8.4 $63.10 24 5 lbs 2.5 days 17″ x 10″ x 12″ 12 can, 24 can, 36 can, 48 can
Stanley Adventure Cooler 8.3 $41.93 16 21 6.6 lbs 1.5 days 16.73″ x 12.80″ x 11.22″ 7Q, 16Q
Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric 28-Quart Cooler 8.3 $113.99 28 40 10 lbs NA 18.25″ x 12.88″ x 16.63″
Coleman 28-Quart Cooler 7.3 $17.81 28 36 5.3 lbs .75 days 19.7″ x 12″ x 13.7″


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