For a more packable cooler, check out our comparison of the best soft coolers. We’ve also tested the top powered coolers for those who have access to a power source and prefer an iceless approach. Whether you’re planning on a relaxing beach day or a weekend camping trip at your favorite spot, we’ve done the hard work coleman screen tent to help you find the best camping gear. We’ve got your outdoor needs covered, from the top-ranked camping chairs and best flip flops for relaxing at camp and one of the best camping tents for when it’s time to hit the hay. For longer trips or events where more storage space is needed, look for Coleman Xtreme coolers.
The drain plug isn’t the only factor that makes emptying water easy or annoying. Most of the contenders we tested also have a sloping channel behind the drain to help gravity pull water out. Still, several have unfortunately paired this with a large lip or other obstruction that then stops your drainage progress before it’s 100% complete.
However, blocks are bulky and take up a lot of space in the cooler since they don’t conform around your food and cans. If we have enough space, our preferred method is to use both block and crushed ice together, and Yeti has more great tips here. On the topic of wheeled coolers, the Igloo Journey Trailmate 70qt All-Terrain cooler also came with a dizzying amount of extras and features. Overall, it wasn’t quite as durable as the Rovr, but I think they’re mostly designed for different purposes. If I’m trekking into the woods for a weekend with a couple of pals, I’m going to take the Rovr, no question. But if I’m headed to the beach with the family for a day, I’m probably going to opt for the Igloo.
In fact, at $220, it’s the cheapest rotomolded design on our list—even undercutting the diminutive Yeti Roadie 24 ($250). Yeti is one of the most recognized names in the game for a good reason. The Tundra 65 boasts one of the most impressive performances out of any cooler we tested. Through coleman instant tent numerous rounds of our intensive insulation testing, the Tundra 65 continued to outlast most others in keeping contents at safe temperatures for consumption. This is one of many chests we tested with a bear-resistance certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC).
Another benefit of high-end hard-sided units is durability—the difference in quality is immediately apparent and some of the best out there are truly meant to last a lifetime. All that said, if you just need a reliable cooler for days at the beach or packing a lunch on the road, it’s probably a good idea to save your cash. But if you consistently head outside for days at a time, the investment is well worth it.
When someone then tilts the cooler up, all that weight goes into the wheelbase or leans into the handle hinge. With 12 self-absorbent ice packs, the Scothen ice chest backpack keeps your beverages and food at the perfect temperature throughout the day. There’s a bottom compartment for cold, fresh contents and an upper compartment for warm, dry goods and lunch.
We wouldn’t call this cooler easy to carry for one person, especially given how heavy it was when loaded up, but it’s manageable. If you’re worried about re-stocking, ice packs are a viable alternative. Most major brands have their own designs that work well in their coolers, and the best part is that you can use them repeatedly without ever having to drain melted ice. That said, ice packs are fairly expensive (Yeti’s range from $15 to $30 depending on size) and require refreezing once they lose their coldness, which limits practicality for longer trips. The Rovr Rollr wheeled cooler fared much better, thanks to a rugged design that features heavy-duty wheels, a sturdy steel handlebar and an optional $50 accessory that lets you tow it behind your bike.
Magellan Outdoors has a double-latching, double-hinged removable lid and happens to have won our picks for best small and large cooler. The easy-to-use, double-latched design means you can open the cooler from either side and, if you’d prefer, you can disengage the latches on both sides to remove the lid altogether. The performance data on this little cooler is excellent, with the lowest temperature reached and the lowest average temperature of the bunch.
It’s also very expensive, but if you’re ready to take the plunge into the iceless world of powered coolers, the Dometic is consistently the best-performing model we’ve tested. This simple lunch-box-style cooler is insulated with thick closed-cell foam and made from a durable coated nylon. The RTIC 65 weighs 36.5 pounds and measures 32 by 17 by 18 inches on the outside. Unlike several other competitors, the RTIC 65 has two drainage ports for quick cleaning and draining. RTIC also sells a 45-quart version if you need something smaller.
Further, you get a handy basket for dry goods, secure closures, and multiple tie-down slots to easily secure it on a boat or truck bed. What’s more, the Tundra is certified as bear-resistant (locks are sold separately for $30), which coleman instant tent is great for those who plan to spend time in bear country. For those who don’t know, Pelican is an industry leader in tough, dependable cases for storing and protecting everything from camera equipment and laptops to guns and drones.