Best Portable Coolers For Trips, Work & School [ Review & Guide ] In 2021
We compare the best portable coolers on the market in this piece, side by side. For starters, the ideal outdoor cooler should be handy, durable, easy to use, have adequate space and most importantly provide long term insulation to keep your drinks cold.
While there are many coolers in the market, the best refrigerator should keep your drinks cold for at least five days. In essence, it means that the unit must maintain your beverages cold long enough to last your entire fishing, hunting or camping trip. So, the insulation has to be adequate to meet your needs.
With that out of the way, here’s a rundown of the best rated portable coolers.
Table of Contents
Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Choose the Best Portable Coolers
1. Coleman 9-Can Soft Cooler
The Soft Cooler at a Glance
- Holds 10 cans
- Leak-resistant canvas material
- Easy-to-clean base, lid & liner
- Shoulder straps for easy carrying
- Solid steel latch securely seals contents for up to ten pounds of force
If you are on a budget and want an outdoor cooler that won’t disappoint you, the Soft Cooler is the m to go for. This baby has a large capacity to hold nine cans and an ergonomic design that makes it easy to carry around. It might catch your attention to know the Soft Cooler can withstand a considerable amount of force making a perfect choice for hunting, camping or fishing trips.
As the name suggests, the outer cover is made using soft canvas material which means that you don’t have to worry about rust. Cleaning the base is a breeze as well, and the rubber grip gives you ultimate control over the cooler when using it. In simple terms, the Soft Cooler offers quality and unmatched endurance compared to other coolers in its class.
2. Arctic Zone Titan
Arctic Zone Titan at a Glance
- Arctic Zone’s patented PermaFrost Insulation
- Integrated gasket to lessen unwanted air exchange
- NeverFail Hinge System that will not break
- LEFTnotrc construction that is exceptionally durable just like a whitewater kayaking
Hailed as one of the best coolers for camping, the Arctic Zone Titan boasts incredible durability and ability to keep your drinks cold for long. Made by a company known for its excellence, this cooler’s design offers the convenience to match any outdoor activity that may require cold drinks.
From the outside, the Arctic Zone Titan may look like just any other type of cooler but inside is a thick wall of insulation and an airtight locking system. The unit sports rugged design and is built to last. An Arctic Zone cooler can last for years without while still offering the same high quality of insulation. They have adequate space as well ranging for 10 to 15 quarts. While the price is reasonable, there is no match to the Arctic Zone Titan’s as far as heavy duty ice chests are concerned.
3. YETI Hopper
YETI Hopper at a Glance
- Press & Pull latches
- 2- Inch. Polyurethane insulation
- Sloped Drain & Tethered Threaded Plug (Garden Hose Attachable)
Boasting two inches of insulation and a lifetime guarantee as well as a freezer gasket, the YETI Hopper can retain ice for an incredible ten days.
Thanks to its polyurethane construction, this cooler is leak proof, watertight and lightweight. YETI Hopper has been certified to be bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.
Due to its remarkable performance, this unit is arguably one of the best portable coolers for a long road trip or hunting expedition.
Besides, the lifetime guarantee assures this cooler gives value for money hence and could as well be the best camping cooler.
How big is this thing you ask? Well, the YETI Hopper can carry up 12 can and have room for ice. It measures 12 5/8 in long x 10 in wide x 11 ½ in high with a total weight of 3.1 pounds. In essence, this implies that you shouldn’t have a point carrying it around.
4. Coleman FlipLid
Coleman FlipLid at a Glance
- Polyethylene design
- 5-quart cooler ideal for camping, tailgates, BBQs, and more
- Measures 10 x 8 x 7 inches (W x H x D); weighs 1.32 pounds
- Cool Riser Technology minimizes contact with the ground
- Foamed lid and extra insulation to keep contents extra cool
Designed to give you outstanding performance, the Coleman FlipLid comes with additional insulation to keep your drinks cold.
This cooler features heavy-duty Pebax hinges that last up to 8 times longer than the standard plastic hinges. The hybrid latches and the stainless steel lid straps make it easy to transport the Coleman FlipLid from one point to another.
More than that, this units features in our collection because of its convenient design and versatility. With unique technology and features, this cooler fits virtually any outdoor event be it a family gathering, hiking expedition, a day out with your friends at the beach or camping.
The Coleman FlipLid has our vote if you’re looking for the best portable cooler to handle the rigors of frequent use. It sports a hard-wearing body so you can place it on uneven terrains and rocks without worrying that it might break.
5. Coleman Steel-Belted
Coleman Steel-Belted at a Glance
- Flex grip handles for comfortable portage
- Maximum ice and cold retention
The Coleman Steel-Belted is the product founders of Outdoor Recreation Company of America. They wanted a cooler to carry on their hunting and fishing trips.
Made using 100% American materials, the Coleman Steel-Belted can withstand bear mauling thus one of the best coolers for camping
The ORCA has a lifetime warranty effectively making it one of the most durable outdoor coolers that you can spend your money on.
This cooler’s design is rugged, complete with robust latches are not to mention the enormous capacity for your drinks and food items. It is roto-molded and comes with a lid gasket to prevent ice from melting.
The Coleman Steel-Belted is a high capacity model and a good choice for a camping party of more than 0 people. More specifically, it has a capacity of 54-quart capacity and can carry up to 85 cans.
You can count on this beast to keep your favorite beverage refrigerated four up to four days in temperatures as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. IceMule Pro
IceMule Pro at a Glance
- Pressure release valve integrated into the latch
- Built-in Fish Scale on Lid
- Non-Skid & Non-Marking Raised bottom
The IceMule Pro offers up to three-day ice retention, making it the ideal cooler to keep your food fresh and drinks cold during long road trips, camping and hiking expeditions. The long ice retention, in essence, reduces the need to carry water for ice refills.
You don’t have to worry about your food staying cooler for longer, thanks to the integrated freezer gasket grade that this cooler comes with. This unit also has a built-in fish scale that allows you to keep track of your catch before storing it on ice. The wide latches open effortlessly, even when you have your gloves on.
The IceMule Pro offers superior, 2-inch polyurethane insulation thereby ensuring that you don’t have to replace the ice even in hot weather conditions. It is the excellent insulation that ultimately gives this unit its long-lasting ice retention ability.
When on a fishing or hunting trip keeping the cooler into position can be a challenge. However, the IceMule Pro has mold-in tie downs as well as non-skid bottom to help you keep the cooler in place even on the slippery surface. Besides, the design lessens the likelihood of the cooler scratching the surface of your boat.
7. Polar Bear Coolers
Polar Bear Coolers at a Glance
- Freezer grade gasket
- Dual Handle System
- Retains ice for long compared to other coolers
- Press & Pull Latches
- Molded-In Tie Downs
The best portable cooler should have a corrosion resistance surface – and, though shouldn’t be a cause for concern with the Polar Bear. The outer material is resistant to rust and reinforced to make sure that you can use it in all weather conditions.
Also, the Polar Bear comes with a dual handle system with molded-in and hinged handles for comfortable and easy portability. What’s more?
The Polar Bear is one of the few coolers in the market that guarantee years of use and reliable performance. So good is this unit that it can rival the performance of other high-end coolers such as the YETI Hopper.
Did we mention that the Polar Bear cam keep drinks cold for more than 24 hours in blistering temperatures of over 100 degrees? Even more impressive, the interior liner uses FDA approved liner, so you don’t have to worry about your food item’s safety.
8. Igloo Ice Cube Roller
Igloo Ice Cube Roller at a Glance
- 8 feet long cord that allows you to power the cooler from a distance
- The motor is quiet, and you can use the cooler for long without disturbing those around you
- Long durability even when the unit stays plugged in 24/7
The Igloo Ice Cube Roller is a revolutionary product. Made by a company that sets the trend for making iceless coolers, this unit is portable and designed to be in line with your camping trips, road trips, hunting trip, and tailgate party needs.
Just like the name suggests, the Igloo Ice Cube Roller does not use ice. In essence, this means that you have a lot more space to stack more food items and drinks.
To make sure that the Igloo Ice Cube Roller is easy to transport, it has a long handle comfortably hugs on the side while carrying. It ensures that you move the unit for long without necessarily getting tired.
The hands have a molded design to carry it with either side and for ease of lifting. Also, this unit is small in size, allowing it to fit comfortably in your car, RV, big rig or SUV.
9. Stanley Adventure Cooler
Stanley Adventure at a Glance
- Cools below 36 degrees Fahrenheit, which is below the outdoor temperature
- The fact that you don’t have to use ice makes this cooler less messy
- Can keep your food frozen for up to three days
An industry first, the Stanley Adventure, has a large capacity and boasts a host of features and specifications that make it one of the most versatile coolers in the market.
The locking handles to the large wheels and a drain channel have everything you’d expect in a cooler worth your money.
The Stanley Adventure can keep your drinks and food is frozen for five days straight thanks to the ultratherm insulated body and lid that can maintain the internal temperature at 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
For starters, this implies that you can don’t have to worry about your perishables going bad or drinks not getting cold enough particularly when you are on an outdoor trip.
The Stanley Adventure mimics a dock cart with handles that pull out and side for ease of storage. The unique handle allows for easy pulling of the cooler while the large wheels ensure that you can drag the cooler on any terrain without getting tired. Of course, the handle also eases lifting of the unit.
10. Carhartt Deluxe
Carhartt Deluxe at a Glance
- Ability to keep ice for two days
- Metal hinges unlike most coolers
- Heavy-duty construction
- Tow handle construction
One of the biggest problems with most portable coolers is the seemingly weak hinges that break with a few uses. However, Carhartt Deluxe comes with practically indestructible zinc plated metal hinges even after years of use. Also, this cooler has a sleek design that is pleasing to the eye.
The Carhartt Deluxe has a unique technology that enhances its cooling performance by reducing surface contact. The Cool Riser Technology works by allowing air flow beneath the items inside the cooler thus helping them remain cold for long.
To ensure that your drinks or food items remain safely tucked inside the cooler, this unit has lid straps that lock the lid securely even when moving the cooler on bumpy terrain.
The straps, in essence, ensure that the contents are safe. The top also comes with an integrated fish keeper measuring tool.
While the Igloo Carhartt Deluxe is predominantly made using canvas materials, it is sealed with UV inhibitors and infrared technology to protect it against sun damage.
In Conclusion
There you have it – the best portable cooler reviews to make an informed buying decision. Be sure to let us know how the model you chose worked out for you and your needs.