For most of us, some of the most enjoyable moments on any camping trip come when, at the end of the day, we can kick back in our camping chair, take in the scenery, and enjoy a cup or can of something cool and refreshing. To enjoy that luxury, however, we need to have a camping cooler that’s as serious about our creature comforts as we are. To help you find just such a cooler, in this article we will introduce you to the 25 top-performing models out there in 2020.
We reviewed dozens of coolers to identify the best of the best. We examined a range of factors, including material, size, durability, intended use, cost, portability, cooling capacity, and average customer reviews.
Having considered a large number of coolers, we chose the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler as our top pick. This cooler offers great all-round performance for all types of camper, whether you’re car-camping or heading deep into the backcountry. With a 48-can capacity, robust construction, and 3-day cooling capacity, this cooler ticks all the boxes that need ticking and is sure to become your go-to cooler for countless future camping trips.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Coolers
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Arctic Zone Titan Cooler | 4.4 |
| Best Electric Cooler | Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler | 4.1 |
| Best Budget Cooler | Coleman 16-Quart Portable Cooler | 4.6 |
| Best Cooler With Wheels | YETI Tundra Wheeled Cooler | 4.6 |
| Best Backpack Cooler | TOURIT Cooler Backpack | 4.6 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change.
Best Cooler Overall: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler
After careful consideration, our favorite cooler currently on the market is the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler. This cooler wins our vote on account of a number of outstanding design characteristics and features. The most notable of these include its 48-can capacity, easily portable weight, high-performance insulation, leak-proof lining, durable construction, and 3-day chill time.
What we like most about this cooler, however, is that it combines the best of both soft and hard-case coolers, using a Rhino-Tech water-, stain-, and puncture-resistant, wipe-clean fabric exterior together with an FDA-compliant HardBody liner with a removable SmartShelf to simplify storage and help keep things organized.
Other endearing touches include a duo of zippered pockets on the front of the cooler, mesh side pockets, and an adjustable “backsaver” shoulder strap that makes the Titan far more portable than most other hard-case coolers.
Sound good? Well, we haven’t even gotten to the best bit yet: despite offering all of the above and receiving excellent user reviews, the Titan is so reasonably priced that, in most cases, it will cost less than you’re likely to spend on whatever you choose to put inside it!
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler Key Features:
- 48-can capacity
- 3-day chill time
- Patented flip-open, zipperless lid allows quick access to food and drinks
- Plenty of storage pockets
- Comfortable carry strap
Best Electric Cooler: Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler
The Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler is a great choice of cooler for car campers who want to avoid the hassle and mess of melting ice whilst ensuring that their food and drinks stay suitably chilled for the duration of their trip.
This cute, compact little chiller can be plugged into any 12V DC receptacle and also comes with an eight-foot power cord that lets you store the cooler anywhere in or around your vehicle.
In terms of performance, this cooler is mightily impressive, too, continuing to chill goods to 36 degrees Fahrenheit below ambient temperatures for as long as it remains connected to a power source. It also uses a pleasingly quiet brushless motor, convection cooling, and a fan that circulates cold air to ensure all items in the cooler remain cool, not only those nearest the motor.
Also, because this cooler doesn’t require the use of ice to chill its contents, there’s more room for your food and drinks.
The only downside to this cooler is the lack of portability that results from its corded design. This, however, is only an issue for those venturing into the backcountry without their vehicle.
Igloo Iceless Thermoelectric Cooler Key Features:
- No ice required
- 32-can capacity
- Plugs into 12V DC receptacle in your vehicle
- Chills to 36F below air temperature
Best Budget Cooler: Coleman 16-Quart Portable Cooler
The Coleman 16-Quart Portable Cooler is the ideal choice of cooler for those looking to maximize the amount of bang they get for their buck. This might not be the biggest cooler out there, but in terms of price-to-performance ratio, you’ll be hard pressed to find another model that comes even close to matching it.
The Coleman’s 16-quart capacity equates to roughly 22 cans when packed with ice, making this big enough for couples and small groups to stow all they might need for a picnic or overnight trip in the tent. It’s also capable of keeping food and drinks cool all day long in up to 90-degree temps thanks to its insulated walls and lid, uses a robust, large-grip bail handle that makes it easy to carry the cooler with one hand, and has an EZ-Clean top that lets you wipe up spills with the minimum of fuss.
This simple, practical little cooler does pretty much everything you could ask a cooler to do and, most impressively, does it all at a fraction of the price of some of its closest competitors performance-wise. It might lack the beefy insulation and nigh-on indestructible components of the YETIs and KYSEKs of this world, but if you aren’t heading into the backcountry for days on end and don’t need a cooler that’s capable of surviving high speed collisions with rocks on rafting trips and such like, it’s a winner!
Coleman 16-Quart Portable Cooler Key Features:
- Excellent value for money
- 22-can capacity
- EZ-Clean top
- Large-grip bail handle
Best Cooler with Wheels: YETI Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler
The YETI Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler is one for those who take their food and refreshments seriously. It might cost a pretty penny, but in return for that outlay you’ll be getting a cooler that truly cuts no corners.
This cooler packs a whopping three inches of PermaFrost insulation that helps to keep its contents cool for up to three days, which alone very nearly justifies its lofty price tag. It’s also made with an incredibly durable, rotomolded materials, pressure-injected, commercial-grade polyurethane walls, and robust hatches and hinges, all of which make it possibly the most hardy and rugged cooler on the market.
Many more cheaply made coolers are likely to let you down after a few hours of exposure to the sun or following a few bumps and bangs around camp, or will simply lose a little of insulating power with time and use. The YETI Tundra Haul, however, is built to be with you for the long run, no matter how much rough and tumble you put it through on your backcountry adventures. Unlike other coolers in the YETI catalog, the Tundra Haul also boasts a duo of impact- and puncture-resistant wheels that make shifting your eats and brews from car to campsite an absolute cinch.
YETI Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler Key Features:
- 45-can capacity (using 2:1 ice-to-can ratio)
- 3 inches of PermaFrost™ Insulation and rotomolded construction
- Heavy duty lid latches and hinges
- Impact- and puncture-resistant wheels
Best Backpack Cooler: TOURIT Cooler Backpack
For backcountry adventurers who like to carry a few edible and drinkable creature comforts along with them, there aren’t many better ways to do so than with the TOURIT Cooler Backpack.
The TOURIT is, first and foremost, a very well-made and practical backpack, using tough, 600D Oxford fabric, a padded back panel and shoulder straps, and boasting plenty of storage pockets to accommodate all your accessories.
While all of this is lovable enough, it’s in the TOURIT’s central well that the most impressive feature on this backpack is located. Here we find a 30-can-capacity compartment surrounded by high-density insulating material and a leak-proof liner that can keep your edibles and drinkables cold for up to 16 hours.
Given the above, you’d maybe expect this backpack to be a touch on the cumbersome side. Thankfully, this is not the case. Weighing in at just 1.1 lbs, the TOURIT is also one of the lightest backpack coolers on the market, saving you a few precious ounces that might just make it feasible to squeeze in another beer or two for the trip!
TOURIT Cooler Backpack Key Features:
- 30-can capacity
- 600D Oxford fabric exterior
- Padded back and shoulder straps
- Multiple storage pockets
- Leak-proof central compartment
Who Should Buy a Cooler
Owning a cooler has many other benefits besides merely keeping your food and drinks cold at the campsite. If camping at a campsite with limited facilities and no convenience store, having a cooler with solid insulation and multiple-day ice retention could save you making daily trips to town to stock up on supplies. And if you happen to be heading into the backcountry on an overnight or even multi-day hike or excursion, then having a cooler along for the ride is pretty much the only way you’ll be able to keep most foods fresh and edible beyond day one.
Important Features to Consider
A cooler should do several things well. Here’s what to consider when selecting a cooler for your adventures in the outdoors:
- Capacity. Camping coolers come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from low-capacity backpacks for solo campers and picnickers to virtually indestructible hard-case models that can store enough food and drink to keep a small army fed and hydrated for multi-day trips in the backcountry. The following estimates will give you an idea of how suitable different sizes of cooler are for different sizes of group and trip durations: 25 quarts and under – perfect for couples, day trips, picnics, and overnight trips; 30-50 quarts – enough storage for a three or four-night trip for solo campers, a weekend trip for couples, or a single overnight outing for larger groups; 50-75 quarts – ideal for multi-day outings with all the family and extended trips in smaller groups. Naturally, the above will depend on how big your appetites are and just how cool you need or want to keep the contents of your cooler. Most cooler manufacturers recommend using an ice-to-can ratio of 2:1. While this maximizes any cooler’s cooling capacity, it also limits the amount of food and drink you can store in the cooler. As such, a smaller cooler with thicker insulation that requires less ice might actually provide more storage capacity than one with larger dimensions but poorer insulation that requires you use more ice. It’s also worth bearing in mind that choosing a higher capacity cooler will also mean, in most cases, an increase in the weight you’ll have to carry when transporting your cooler. While it may be tempting to opt for a larger model to err on the safe side, don’t forget that shifting a larger cooler from your vehicle to your campsite may become a challenging-stroke-impossible task once you’ve filled the cooler with ice and goodies. If you don’t happen to have your own, personal Sherpa handy to do the carrying for you or have forearms like Popeye, therefore, we recommend giving some thought to the packed weight of your cooler before purchasing a model with a high storage capacity.
- Insulation. The amount of insulation used in your cooler translates directly into cooling capacity: the more insulation it has, the longer it will be able to keep its contents chilled or frozen. How much insulation you require will depend on how long you need to keep your goods chilled and, of course, just how cool you need to keep them. Most budget coolers are capable of keeping contents chilled for up to a day if using the 2:1 ice-to-can ratio mentioned above. Some high-end models, on the other hand, can keep your goods cool for up to ten days with careful packing and storage. As you might expect, there is almost always a trade-off between insulating capacity and price and weight, with budget coolers offering scant insulation but weighing very little and costing a fraction of what you might pay for top-end models. Heavily insulated models, on the other hand, might weigh upwards of 60 pounds when packed with ice and goods and cost a small-to-medium-sized fortune. One slight silver lining to the added expense of top-of-the-range models, however, is that their superior insulation could save you a lot of money on ice in the long run by reducing that frequency with which you have to replenish your reserves of ice in order to keep the cooler chilled.
- Portability. The main factors to take into consideration when gauging how portable a cooler will be are its capacity, external dimensions, weight, carry handles or straps, and the inclusion or absence of integrated wheels. The most portable coolers are usually the soft-case variety. These are typically made with lightweight materials and feature either a shoulder strap or take the form of a backpack, both of which make transporting your chilled goodies very easy. The only downside to soft-case coolers is that most models compromise on insulation in order to increase portability, thereby making them a poor choice for trips of longer duration. The least portable models of cooler are usually hard-case models, whose rotomolded construction and beefier insulation both add significantly to overall poundage. If opting for a hard-case cooler, we recommend looking for large, robust carry handles on both sides that will let two people share the weight burden when transporting the cooler between your vehicle and your campsite. Alternatively, plump for a model with wheels that will let you roll the cooler to your campsite on your lonesome even when packed with dozens of pounds of ice and goods.
- Durability. The toughest varieties of cooler out there are usually those that use rotomolded construction and a robust, plastic outer shell. That said, many soft-case models also score high on durability and ruggedness because the supple, nylon or polyester fabrics used in their outer walls are not as susceptible to dings or punctures as the rather fragile foam walls used in many budget models of cooler.
- Hard-case, Soft-case, or Electric? Deciding which of these three options will be best for your backcountry outings will depend on how and where you plan on doing your camping. If you plan on hiking deep into the backcountry before pitching your tent, then a soft-case cooler is likely to be the only viable option. These coolers are not only much lighter than hard-case coolers but also use backpack-style straps or shoulder straps that make carrying them far easier, particularly over longer distances. The main drawback to using soft-case coolers, however, is their lack of insulation, which means they won’t be able to keep your goods chilled for quite so long. If you anticipate doing most of your camping at established campsites where you won’t have to carry the cooler long distances, then hard-case or electric coolers are a better choice than soft-case varieties because of their superior cooling capacities. Choosing between the two will ultimately come down to just how cool you want or need to keep your food and drinks—and for how long. Many models of hard-case cooler can keep goods cool for up to a week if packed with enough ice, but usually take up far more space in your vehicle and require that you replenish your supply of ice regularly. Electric coolers, on the other hand, plug into the 12V DC outlet in your vehicle, require no ice, and can keep food and drinks chilled for as long as they remain plugged in. On the downside, electric coolers can only be moved as far as the length of their cable, meaning they’re not an ideal choice unless you’ll be pitching your tent next to where you park your vehicle.
TIP: One of the best ways to enjoy car camping is with a roof-top tent. To learn more about this incredibly fun style of camping, check out our guide to the best rooftop tents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pack a cooler for camping?
To get the most out of your cooler and keep your goods suitably chilled, you have to pack your cooler effectively. The almost universally agreed upon ideal ratio of ice-to-cans is 2:1. While you could feasibly get away with using less ice if carrying drinks and foods that won’t spoil, if carrying fish and meats or will be camping in temps over 80 degrees Fahrenheit, we’d recommend sticking to this ratio. Pack your cooler from the bottom up, covering the base of the cooler with a layer of ice and then adding the food items and/or drinks you anticipate using last while on your camping trip. After packing the goods you’ll be needing soonest up top, pack the spaces between your food and drinks with more ice and add a final layer of ice on top.
How do you keep a cooler cold the longest?
A few techniques and tricks can help you maximize the length of time your cooler is able to keep your goods cool for. The most important of these are keeping the cooler in a shaded spot, closing the lid after each use, using the 2:1 ice-to-can/food ratio mentioned above, and freezing or refrigerating your goods prior to packing them into the cooler. Another useful trick is to throw a reflective blanket over the cooler if unable to find a shaded spot to place it in around camp.
Should ice go on the top or the bottom of a cooler?
Ideally, both. Although the truism that cold sinks and heat rises applies to the thermodynamics of your cooler, too, by adding a layer of ice both above and below your goods you’ll be adding an extra layer of cooling insulation that will protect against both warm external air when you open the cooler and warm ground temperatures.
How long can a cooler keep food cold?
This depends entirely on the insulating capacity of the cooler in question and can vary greatly from one model to another. Many budget models will keep goods cold for up to three days if packed with plenty of ice and stored in a cool, shaded spot. Top-end hard-case models like the YETI and Pelican coolers feature in our review, on the other hand, use PermaFrost, commercial-grade insulation that’s capable of keeping goods cold for up to ten days with careful storage.
Other Coolers We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other coolers. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best coolers list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your outdoor adventures. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Budget Coolers
With a 122-can capacity and an Ultratherm insulated body and lid capable of keeping goods chilled for up to 5 days at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, this beast of a cooler is ideal for larger groups on extended camping trips.
Key Features:
- Huge 122-can capacity
- Ultratherm insulation
- Robust carry handles
- Drain plug simplifies post-trip drainage and cleaning
Cost: $60
Coleman 48-Quart Performance Cooler
A simple, frill-free cooler that comes in at a very endearing price point and packs a few features and attributes typically only found in far pricier models, namely a leak-proof drainage plug, robust 2-way handles, and 3-day ice retention.
Key Features:
- 48-quart, 63-can capacity
- 3-day ice retention
- Leak-proof drainage plug
Cost: $20
Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme Heavy-Duty Cooler
A rugged, 100-can-capacity cooler that boasts outstanding cooling capacity and all the features needed for easy portation and maintenance.
Key Features:
- 70-quart, 100-can capacity
- 5-day ice retention
- Leak-resistant drain for easy cleaning and drainage
- Have-a-seat lid can support up to 250 lbs
Cost: $31.20
OlarHike 30 Liter Collapsible and Insulated Cooler
A wonderfully practical, impressively robust, and highly portable cooler that is ideal for solo campers or couples headed into the backcountry to do their camping.
Key Features:
- 30-liter, 40-can capacity
- Rugged, 600D Oxford fabric
- Padded carry handles and shoulder strap
Cost: $25
This stylish little cooler has a lot more going for it than looks alone, boasting almost peerlessly robust construction, 4-day ice retention, an ergonomic grab handle, and rubberized seals and latches that keep the lid securely shut. It’s not the lightest cooler out there, granted, but its rugged construction makes it ideal for those likely to be putting it through a little bit of rough and tumble at or on the way to the campsite.
Key Features:
- 25-quart, 37-can capacity
- Heavy-duty, robust construction
- 4-day ice retention
- Doubles up as a seat
Cost: $62
A fantastically lightweight and easily portable cooler that offers plenty of extra storage pockets for cutlery, plates, and other accessories. Ideal for the solo camper or couples.
Key Features:
- Collapsible design
- 23-liter, 32-can capacity
- Leak-proof liner
Cost: $29.99
As with all things Coleman, this tidy little 30-can, soft-case cooler scores high on quality and low on cost. With a padded shoulder strap, plenty of storage pockets, and a removable liner for easy, fuss-free cleaning, this cooler also ranks among the most practical models out there.
Key Features:
- 30-can capacity
- Removable hard plastic liner
- Adjustable, padded shoulder strap
- 5 storage pockets
Cost: $19.99
Coolers with Wheels
Coleman 100-Quart Xtreme Cooler with Wheels
This cooler not only boasts a huge story capacity, a robust haul handle, and burly, puncture-proof wheels, it’s also very reasonably priced and ideally suited to larger camping parties or those not endeared my lugging over 50 pounds of goodies to their campsite before enjoying them!
Key Features:
- 100-quart, 160-can capacity
- 5-day ice retention
- Leak-proof drain channel
- 4 cup holders in lid
Cost: $51.50
The incredibly well-built cooler is just about as robust as they come without breaking the $100 mark and also scores exceptionally high on convenience thanks to its heavy-duty wheels, collapsible haul handle, and have-a-seat lid that features four handy cup holders.
Key Features:
- 50-quart, 85-can capacity
- 5-day ice retention
- Telescoping haul handle
Cost: $33
This tidy little cooler’s heavy-duty wheels and telescoping tow handle make transporting your goods a piece of cake. It’s also pretty good at keeping those goods cool, too, thanks to thick Ultratherm insulation, tough polyethylene exterior, and self-sealing lid.
Key Features:
- 60-quart capacity
- 5-day ice retention
- Heavy-duty wheels
- Telescoping haul handle
- Molded side-scoop handles
Cost: $51.50
Coleman 42-Can Soft Cooler with Wheels
This lightweight cooler is about as practical as they come, boasting heavy-duty wheels, a telescoping haul handle, large storage pockets for accessories, leak-proof seams, and a removable liner for easy cleaning.
Key Features:
- 42-can capacity
- Leak-proof, removable liner
- Telescoping haul handle
- Additional storage offered by large zippered pocket on the front, two mesh pockets, a dry-storage pouch, and bungee straps on the lid
Cost: $40
Pelican Elite Cooler with Wheels
It may cost a small fortune, but this top-end cooler offers utterly peerless performance in return for your financial outlay. With ten-day ice retention, nigh-on bombproof construction, and a variety of user-friendly features, this cooler is about as convenient and practical as they come. Ideal for long-term campers and rafters.
Key Features:
- 45-quart capacity
- 10-day ice retention
- 2 inches of polyurethane insulation
- 360-degree freezer-grade gasket
- 3-inch locking latches
Cost: $377
Arctic Zone Titan Rolling Cooler
A wonderfully well-made cooler that scores high on durability, portability, convenience, and cooling capacity thanks to its robust, four-layer insulation, heavy-duty wheels, robust carry strap, cup holders, and plethora of zippered storage pockets.
Key Features:
- 60-can capacity
- 4 layers of insulation
- 100-pound max weight capacity
Cost: $70.99
Large enough to carry food and drink for a small army and boasting such impressive insulation that it can keep your goods cold for days on end, this cooler is ideal for family camping trips when daily runs to the store are either undesirable or out of the question. And the best bit? Thanks to its hard-wearing, oversized wheels and sturdy tow handle, you can fill it with as much ice, grub, and other goodies as you like without having to worry about the weight.
Key Features:
- 110-quart capacity
- Slide-and-Lock telescoping handle makes transporting goods easier than ever
- 5-day ice retention
Backpack coolers
Lifewit Double Decker Cooler Backpack
As the name suggests, this cooler boasts two storage compartments that let you keep different foodstuffs separate and optimize organization. It’s also very well-made and comfortable to wear even when fully loaded thanks to its foam-padded back panel and straps.
Key Features:
- 18-liter, 32-can capacity
- High-density, water-resistant, dirt-proof 1680D Oxford fabric
- Padded shoulder straps and back panel
Cost: $29.99
SEEHONOR Insulated Cooler Backpack
A superbly functional, lightweight backpack that’s fully waterproof, comfortable to wear, and blessed with plenty of accessory pockets in addition to a large, insulated central well with a lid-style opening that provides easy access to your chilled goodies.
Key Features:
- 30-liter, 30-can capacity
- Leak-proof PEVA liner on central compartment
- Padded shoulder straps and back panel
Cost: $36.99
TOURIT 25-Liter Insulated Cooler Backpack
While a little pricier than similarly sized backpack coolers in our review, this model offers an upgrade in terms of quality and user-friendly details, most notably in the form of a tip-back lid opening, burly zippers, and more hard-wearing exterior fabric.
Key Features:
- 25-liter, 28-can capacity
- Weighs 1.6 lbs
- High-density insulation
- Leak-proof liner
Cost: $51.99
At 1.9 pounds, this is one of the heavier backpack coolers in our review. However, that additional weight translates into far superior quality to that found in the vast majority of lighter models. The Igloo is also very comfortable to carry, has plenty of accessory pockets, and is made with rugged, durable polyester fabric.
Key Features:
- 28-liter, 32-can capacity
- 600-denier polyester fabric
- Highly effective MaxCold foam insulation
Cost: $39.99
Coleman C003 Soft Backpack Cooler
This simple little backpack looks and performs just like a standard hiking backpack but includes a spacious, insulated central compartment with a respectable 28-can capacity. In terms of value for money, they don’t get much better than this.
Key Features:
- 28-can capacity
- Heat-welded, leak-proof seams
- Padded shoulder straps and back panel
- Large front pocket and two mesh side pockets
Cost: $26
Igloo Outdoorsman Gizmo Backpack
This sleek, very well-made little pack isn’t just very stylish but also highly practical, boasting nicely padded shoulder straps, a padded back panel, plenty of storage pockets, and a flip-open lid for easy access.
Key Features:
- 32-can capacity
- Rugged poly-nylon fabric
- Padded shoulder straps and back panel
- Leak-resistant liner
- Padded back pocket
Cost: $48
