6 Best Coolers for Camping

Having a cooler is one of the best ways to spice up your camping experience if you are planning a trip. It gives you the flexibility of carrying your favorite drinks, and you can be sure that they will stay cold for a long time. You can also sit on the cooler while engaging in different activities. 

With so many coolers on the market, it may be confusing which one to go with. We’re here to help you find the best cooler for camping. 

The Best Cooler for Camping

In this buying guide, we’ve compared the six best coolers that you can take for your camping trip. They have the best features and functionality, and they will keep your ice cold for a long time and give you value for the money. 

In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks…

Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme 5-Day Heavy-Duty Cooler

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This Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme 5-Day cooler can keep ice for up to 5 days with temperatures of up to 90°F. An insulated lid characterizes it with walls that have extra insulation.

It can hold up to 100 cans, and the lid has molded cup holders that can hold drinks to prevent spilling. The cup holders are 2-inch deep to ensure that there is no spilling.

It is leak-resistant, which is made possible by the leak-resistant channel drain that can remove excess water without needing you to tilt the cooler.

The cooler can also act as a seat as it can support weights of up to 250 pounds.

It is easy to carry as it has comfortable grip handles that give you pinch-free carrying.

It is easy to clean as it has a smooth surface that can just be wiped clean.

It has been made with a low co2 insulation to reduce carbon emissions. 

Product Specifications

  • Product dimensions: 29 x 15.8 x 18.2 inches
  • Shipping weight: 13.2 pounds

Pros

  • It can keep ice up to five days with temperatures of up to 90°F
  • It is well insulated with insulated walls and lid
  • It can hold up to 100 cans
  • It has a 2-inch deep cup holder to prevent drinks from spilling
  • It is leak-resistant
  • It has a comfortable grip handle
  • It can also act as a seat
  • It has been made to reduce carbon emissions

Cons

  • Some users complained that ice melted sooner than expected
  • Some users complained of the hinges being poorly designed

Igloo BMX 52 Cooler

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This cooler is characterized by a blow-molded construction that is heavy-duty, with a base reinforced to give it more strength and protection.

It is lightweight but also durable. It can keep ice for up to 4-5 days at temperatures of 90°F.

It features a UV inhibitor to help protect the cooler from sun damage. That helps it to have a long life.

It can hold 83 cans of 12 ounces each, or 49 liters of volume in general. It has hinges that are made of stainless steel that makes it rust-resistant.

The lid is kept secure in place with the rubberized T-grip that can latch. It has a drain plug that is compatible with a hose pipe.

The cooler consists of a 20% thicker foam with a lid that is insulated. The base has been made with cool riser technology to keep it from any hot surface that may interfere with the cooling process.

It has a comfortable grip for easy carrying. It also has tie-down loops that are built-in to secure the cooler in a good position while transporting. The cooler comes with a 3-year warranty.

Product Specifications

  • Product dimensions: 26.6 x 16.9 x 16.9 inches
  • Product weight: 16.33 pounds

Pros

  • It is lightweight and durable
  • It has a 4-5-day ice retention capacity
  • It has a reinforced base to make it sturdy
  • It has a UV inhibitor to protect the cooler from sun damage
  • It has a capacity of 83 cans
  • It has a rustproof stainless-steel hinge
  • The base has a cool riser to keep the cooler from a hot surface
  • It has a comfortable grip
  • It comes with a 3-year warranty

Cons

  • Some users complained of a faulty drain plug
  • Some users complained that it does not retain ice for a long time

Coleman 100-Quart Xtreme 5-Day Heavy-Duty Cooler with Wheels

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This Coleman cooler has the ability to keep ice for up to 5 days at 90°F temperature. It features double insulated walls and a lid.

It is easy to transport, as it features heavy-duty wheels. It has a large tow handle that helps you to pull the cooler conveniently. In addition to that, there are two-way side handles so that it is easy to lift.

It can hold up to 160 cans, and the lid has molded cup holders to help hold the drinks with convenience with no risk of spilling. The lid can also provide you a place to sit, as it supports weight of up to 250 pounds.

This 100-quart cooler has a leak-resistant channel to help you drain off excess water without leaking. You also don’t have to tilt the cooler to drain off excess water.

The cooler has low CO2 insulation to reduce carbon emission when manufacturing foam.

Product Specifications

  • Product dimensions: 36.5 x 16.8 x 17.2 inches
  • Product weight: 18 pounds

Pros

  • There are built-in cup holders to hold your drink and prevent spilling 
  • It has wheels and a large tow handle for easy carrying and transporting
  • It features heavy-duty wheels that can be used in any terrain
  • It can keep ice for up to 5 days at 90°F
  • It has the capacity for up to 160 cans
  • It has a leak-resistant channel for draining off excess water 
  • It has a have-a-seat lid

Cons

  • Some users complained that the hinges did not last them long
  • Some users complained that it was badly designed, with wheels and handles breaking off after a short time
  • Some users complained of leaks

Igloo BMX 72 Quart Cooler

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The Igloo BMX 72 Quart cooler has been made with extra-thick foam walls and an insulated lid to give it premium cooling performance.

It has been made with cool riser technology to lift it from the surface so that a hot surface does not interfere with the cooling process. It also features T-latches that are rubberized so that it can keep the lid secure to lock in the cold.

The cooler is very durable because of large oversized hinges and stainless-steel screws. There is a solid stainless-steel reinforcement with swing-up handles and rubber grips to make it easy to handle.

The cooler has skid pads with extra layers of protection at the corners. There is also a diamond plate insert to make it more rugged and durable.

The cooler has UV inhibitors to protect it from the UV rays from the sun.

It also features a fish ruler and tie-down points for more convenience.

Product Specifications

  • Product dimensions: 16.8 x 32.2 x 17.3 inches
  • Product weight: 18.7 pounds

Pros

  • It can keep ice 4 to 5 days depending on the external conditions
  • It has insulated walls and lid for great cooling performance
  • It features a cool riser technology
  • It is durable and rugged
  • It has swing-up handles and rubber grips for easy transportation

Cons

  • Some users complained that the inside has limited space

Snowball Coolers

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Snowball Cooler has been made with rotomolded insulation to help keep ice for up to 6 days. It can keep the ice cold if you follow the set recommendations of a 2:1 ratio of ice to contents.

The cooler features a silicone seal ring that helps to enclose the entire space properly, and that avoids any heat convection. There is also a 2-inch PU foam that helps to reduce heat conduction.

The cooler is sturdy and gives you the option of seating on it while you do your different outdoor activities. 

The ice chest has been made using LLDPE food-grade material that is safe as it is non-toxic, tasteless, fade-resistant, and UV resistant. It is thus safe to use for transporting any food material.

It has a drain plug to drain off any excess water. It has a hand-rest curved handle for easy carrying. It not only has a T-latches but also a bottle opener. It comes with soft ropes that make it possible to drag the cooler.

The product comes with a 2-year warranty.

Product Specifications

  • Package Dimensions: 22 x 16 x 15 inches
  • Product weight: 20 pounds

Pros

  • It can keep ice for up to 6 days
  • It has a silicone seal ring to prevent heat convention
  • It is sturdy and durable
  • It has been made with LLDPE food-grade material that is non-toxic
  • It has a drain plug to drain off excess water
  • It comes with a 2-year warranty

Cons

  • Users complained of a smaller interior
  • It is heavy

Coleman 54-Quart Cooler

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The Coleman 54-Quart cooler has the ability to keep ice for up to 4 days with temperatures of 90°F. It has a high capacity of 54 quarts that can keep up to 85 cans.

It is heavy-duty, with a retro design that makes it charming. It features rust-resistant stainless-steel hardware.

It has a comfortable grip handle for convenient handling of the cooler. It has a solid locking mechanism that will prevent heat convection. It is hard-lined with an O-ring seal to prevent heat from getting in.

The cooler comes with a 6-year limited warranty.

Product Specifications

  • Product dimensions: 25.1 x 17.5 x 17.2 inches
  • Product weight: 19 pounds

Pros

  • It has an ice retention capacity of 4 days
  • It has a high capacity of 54 quarts
  • It has a rust-resistant stainless-steel handle
  • It is hard-lined with an O-ring seal to prevent heat from getting in
  • It comes with a 6-year limited warranty

Cons

  • Some users complained of a cheap latch system
  • Some users complained of a weak seal system
  • Some users complained that ice did not last longer than 24 hours

Buyer’s Guide

All of these coolers are excellent picks if you are looking for the best cooler for camping. In this section, we aim to make your decision easier by focusing on some specifics. Here is a quick guide.

Cooler with longest ice duration: If you are looking for a cooler that can keep ice for longer, then we recommend the Snowball Cooler, as it can keep ice for up to six days.

Biggest capacity cooler: If you are camping as a large group or are generally looking for a cooler with the biggest capacity, then we recommend the Coleman 100-Quart cooler, as it has a high capacity hold up to 160 cans.

Most budget-friendly cooler: When we compare the prices, the cheapest is the Coleman 70-Quart Cooler, which retails at only $47.86.

Our overall recommendation: Our overall recommendation is the Coleman 70-Quart Cooler. It is inexpensive while offering great features that will help you get value for the money. 

If you are looking for a large capacity cooler, then we recommend the Coleman 100-Quart cooler. It has a high capacity and, at the same time, comes at a reasonable price of only $59.71. 

If you need a good cooler that can keep ice for longer, then we recommend the Snowball Cooler, as it can keep ice for up to 6 days. It all depends on what you need, so you need to define what you need before you buy.

Conclusion

It is vital to always keep in mind that even though you choose the best cooler, how long the cooler can keep the ice will depend on how you have filled up the cooler. It should not be too full or the ice will melt sooner than anticipated. If you can, maintain a 2:1 ice to content ratio. If you need to carry more cans, then go for the biggest coolers, as these make it easy for you to maintain that ratio.

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