Best Cooler For Ice Retention Of December: Best Picks Of 2024

Hailey Abbott By, Hailey Abbott
Updated
Best cooler for ice retention
Best cooler for ice retention

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Arctic Zone Deep Freeze Cooler

Are you tired of constantly refilling your cooler with ice and dealing with the hassle of a zipper? Look no further than the Arctic Zone Deep Freeze Cooler. This innovative cooler has various convenient features to make your next outdoor adventure a breeze. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Igloo Heavy-Duty 25 Qt Cooler

The Igloo Heavy-Duty 25 Qt Cooler is perfect for your next outdoor adventure. This durable cooler is built to last and features sturdy latches and an ergonomic handle to keep your items cold and secure. Read Review

3. Best Versatile: Coleman Xtreme Wheeled Cooler

The Coleman Xtreme Wheeled Cooler is perfect for camping trips, picnics, or tailgating parties. With a 50-quart capacity and heavy-duty wheels, it can hold up to 84 cans and easily transport your drinks and food across almost any terrain. Read Review

4. Best Performance: Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler

The Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler can withstand the toughest outdoor conditions. With its heavy-duty construction, advanced cooling performance, and impressive ice retention, this cooler is perfect for camping trips and other outdoor adventures. Read Review

5. Best Durable: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler

The YETI Roadie is the perfect cooler for any outdoor activity. It's made of a durable and wind-resistant ripstop nylon fabric with a zippered, leakproof drain grommet and a fully insulated body to keep drinks cold for up to 30 hours. Read Review

You need the best cooler for ice retention to keep your food and drinks cold while out on a camping trip or even just a day at the beach. With so many coolers on the market today, knowing which will keep your goods the coldest and freshest can be challenging. But not to worry, we've researched for you!

In this article, we will discuss the different types of coolers, the best materials for ice retention, and what to look for when choosing a cooler for your needs. We'll also review some of the best ice-retention coolers so you can decide what will work best for you. So, we've got you covered whether you're planning a camping trip or want to keep your drinks cold while you're out and about!

After extensive study and analysis over a considerable time, We think the best cooler for ice retention is Arctic Zone Deep Freeze Cooler. This cooler has an adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap with an anti-slip shoulder pad for comfortable carrying. Other options presented here are certainly worthy of your attention, and to assist you in making an informed choice, we have compiled the following helpful buying guide.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Arctic Zone Deep Freeze Cooler
Our Score:
9.9
Arctic Zone

The Arctic Zone Deep Freeze Cooler is a game changer for keeping your food and drinks cold on the go. The zipperless lid makes accessing your items a breeze. Moreover, the Deep Freeze Performance Insulation with an integrated radiant heat barrier keeps ice for up to two days, even in hot temperatures. The removable HardBody liner with SmartShelf is a great feature that separates hard and soft items so your sandwiches are not crushed.

This cooler also has an adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap with an anti-slip shoulder pad for comfortable carrying. The rugged exterior material is water- and stain-repellent and easy to clean. Speaking of cleaning, this cooler is easy to wipe clean with mild soapy water and a damp cloth. However, it is essential to note that the water may slash out quickly if the cooler is not drained often.

TOP Choice #2 Igloo Heavy-Duty 25 Qt Cooler
Our Score:
9.7
Igloo

The Igloo Heavy-Duty 25 Qt Cooler is a fantastic cooler perfect for any outdoor enthusiast. This cooler is constructed with heavy-duty materials and is designed to be durable and lightweight. The unique t-grip latch system with rubberized latches secures the lid to lock in the cold, ensuring your food and drinks stay fresh for longer.

This product can keep ice frozen for an extended period, even in hot temperatures. It is externally measured to be 19.59" L x 13.25" W x 15.70" H, weighing about 11.29 lbs. This means it is not too heavy, making it perfect for all outdoor activities. The Igloo Heavy-Duty 25 Qt Cooler is an excellent gift for anyone who loves outdoor activities. The cooler is ideal for camping, fishing, tailgating, beach trips, and other outdoor activities. Nevertheless, it may have a strange smell the first time, but it will disappear after some use, so you don't have to worry about that much.

TOP Choice #3 Coleman Xtreme Wheeled Cooler
Our Score:
9.6
Coleman

The Coleman Xtreme Wheeled Cooler is a game-changer for keeping your food and drinks cool on the go. Its 50-quart capacity can hold up to 84 cans, making it perfect for a weekend camping trip with friends. The telescoping handle and heavy-duty wheels make it easy to transport across almost any terrain, from rocky paths to sandy beaches.

Moreover, the low CO2 insulation reduces carbon emissions from foam manufacturing and provides up to 5 days of ice retention at temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. That means you can keep your drinks and food cold for the entire weekend without worrying about constantly refilling the ice.

The Have-a-Seat Lid is another excellent feature of this cooler. You can use it as a seat to rest or to set down your drinks while you chat with friends. The molded cup holders in the lid are also a convenient touch, allowing you to keep your drinks close at hand. Unfortunately, the telescoping handle may be a bit short for taller individuals, making it quite uncomfortable to pull for extended periods. Overall, the Coleman Xtreme Wheeled Cooler is a top-of-the-line option for anyone who loves spending time outdoors. 

4 Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler
Our Score:
9.4
Igloo

The Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler is a top-of-the-line cooler built to withstand even the harshest outdoor conditions. Its heavy-duty blow-molded construction and reinforced base increase strength and protection, making it perfect for camping trips, fishing expeditions, and other outdoor adventures. With proven 4-5 day ice retention at 90°F, you can keep your food and drinks cold for days, even in the hottest weather.

This product has a MaxCold body with 20% thicker foam and an insulated lid, which provides superior cooling performance and up to 5-day ice retention, ensuring that your food and drinks stay cold and fresh for longer. This cooler also features Cool Riser Technology molded base that elevates the cooler away from hot surfaces, improves cooling performance, and rubberized T-grip latches that keep the lid secure. The threaded drain plug is garden hose compatible and features a non-slip, easy-grip stainless steel tethered cap.

While the Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler has many great features, the only thing missing is a place for a padlock to make it bear-resistant. Nonetheless, this cooler is an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts who demand the best durability, performance, and convenience.

5 YETI Roadie 24 Cooler
Our Score:
9.2
YETI

The YETI Roadie 24 Cooler is a high-end cooler constructed to give an exceptionally durable performance. Its rotomolded structure renders it very resistant and long-lasting, while its quick-latch system makes gaining access to your food and beverages simple and possible with just one hand.

The enhanced thermal performance of the YETI Roadie 24 Cooler is one of the most notable aspects of this cooler. It has a thermal performance is thirty percent more effective and holds twenty percent more than a Roadie 20. Because of its increased height, it can now own a regular bottle of wine (or a bottle that holds 2 liters) upright. This allows it to fit more efficiently behind the seat of a car's driver or passenger. On the other hand, it is a bit expensive compared to other coolers on the market. However, this cooler is worth the investment if you demand the best quality, durability, and performance.

6 Maelstrom Cooler Backpack
Our Score:
9.0
Maelstrom

The Maelstrom Cooler Backpack is the perfect companion for any outdoor enthusiast. This backpack is designed with high-density insulation material and a leak-proof liner that works together to keep food and drinks cold or hot for up to 16 hours. The interior lining is made of high-quality material and easy to clean so that you can enjoy fresh snacks and cold drinks with your friends or family anytime. The only downside is that it can be a bit heavy when full, but not a big deal.

This backpack has a large capacity and multiple compartments, making it great for storing everything you need for your outdoor adventure. The main bag can hold up to 35 cans (32L), and there are several pockets for handy storage and convenient organization. It is designed with an ergonomic and comfortable design, making it easy to carry for long periods. The thicker padded back with an ergonomic breathable design and adjustable, breathable, and padded S shoulder straps help reduce fatigue during a long trip.

7 YETI Tundra 65 Cooler
Our Score:
8.8
YETI

If you're looking for a cooler that can withstand the toughest outdoor conditions while keeping your items fresh and chilled, then the YETI Tundra 65 Cooler is an excellent choice. With its large interior, you can store all your food and drinks for extended periods, making it perfect for camping, fishing, or tailgating.

Its PermaFrost Insulation can keep ice from melting for days. The insulation is three inches thick and is complemented by the FatWall design, which provides additional insulation and structural integrity. As a result, your items stay fresh and chilled even in the hottest outdoor conditions. Unfortunately, the top edge of the cooler can be scuffed up if not handled with care. While this may not be a significant drawback, it is something to remember carefully when using it to maintain its appearance for an extended period.

The T-Rex Lid Latches are also impressive, as they are made of heavy-duty rubber and patented keeper technology, ensuring that the lid stays securely closed. It also has Rotomolded Construction that makes the cooler virtually indestructible. This feature means you don't have to worry about your cooler getting damaged during transport or outdoor activities. Plus, it is certified Bear-Resistant, providing extra protection against wild animals.

More To Consider

8 AO Coolers Original Soft Cooler
Our Score:
8.7
AO Coolers
10 Goplus 16 Quart Cooler
Our Score:
8.3
Goplus

What to Look For in a best cooler for ice retention?

Looking for the best cooler for ice retention requires consideration of many criteria. Product learning varies in type, feature, and customer ranking. Overall, it comes with several difficulties in buying. So, we are available to support you occasionally.

It is beneficial for you to have a closer look at the things below to evaluate and then choose which one is suitable:

Cooler Construction

There are two main types of construction techniques used to make premium hard-sided coolers: injection molding and rotational molding. Yeti popularized rotomolding (even though they weren't technically the first company to do so) and is the dominant market at the top end. This type of cooler is made from a single, continuous piece of plastic which is then rotated to form the desired shape. These coolers have fewer stress points, so they are more likely to break under pressure. They also feature a thicker outer shell that ensures exceptional durability. Cost and weight are the main drawbacks.

Cooler Latch And Closure Systems

The cooler's closure or latch is a key feature of premium models and will play a major role in cooling performance. Two rubber T-handles are a common feature on high-end, hard-sided coolers. They keep the lid in place and prevent it from opening. They are extremely sturdy and user-friendly.

Ice Retention And Cooling Capabilities

Ice retention is one of the most difficult things to determine when researching coolers. This is largely due to external factors. The temperature of the air and direct sunlight have a significant impact. Ice quantity is also important. Most brands suggest a ratio of 2:1. You should also open the lid as often as possible to let warm and cold air into your cooler. Pre-chilling your cooler before loading it is a good idea to ensure maximum efficiency. To reduce the cooler's interior temperature, you should fill it with ice at least for a couple of hours. Once you are ready to go, add fresh ice in the right ratio. You can also expect your cooler to become pre-warmed if it is left out in the sunlight before you load it up.

Cooler Drain Systems

Many of our hard-sided coolers have drainage systems that allow you to drain the water out once the ice is melted. This is usually a pop-off or screw-on cap located at the bottom of cooler. Simply remove it and let the water flow out.

Weight And Portability

Weighing your cooler is an important factor for those who will be carrying it or moving it around regularly. For models with less capacity, they can weigh as little as 10-15 pounds and up to 50+ for those that have 75+ quarts storage. This number goes up dramatically when you load it down with food and drinks. Even though the handles are made of rope, some are plastic and others are nylon. They are too heavy to be carried for extended distances. We recommend wheels if portability is important. They are easier to carry for longer periods of time and more convenient for one person, so they're less burdensome.

Cooler Sizes (Capacities)

A few things to consider before we get started: Size. Importantly, coolers do not measure the interior capacity of all models. Some coolers use cans to measure interior capacity, others use liters or quarts. However, most manufacturers use quarts as a unit of measure. We've used that measurement in this article when it was possible. A final point: Don't let the product name fool you.

Bear-Resistant Ratings

Many top-rated hard-sided coolers can be listed as being bear-resistant. This is an important consideration if you are camping in bear territory. You should specifically look out for IGBC ratings. This indicates that a cooler has been tested and is in compliance with their regulations. You should ensure your cooler is included if you plan to travel in bear-proof gear or frequent backcountry areas.

Wheeled (Rolling) Coolers

We mentioned above that if you have cooler needs such as mobility and large capacity or maximum ice retention it is a good idea to look into a hard-sided rolling model. These wheeled monsters can still be difficult to maneuver on uneven terrain, and will need assistance if there is no clear path. A rolling cooler is a good choice for camping, tailgating or days at the beach.

FAQs

What is a cooler?

A cooler is an insulated container used to keep food and beverages cold for extended periods of time.

How do coolers work?

Coolers work by using a layer of insulation between the outside and the inside of the cooler to prevent heat transfer. This insulation can be made from a variety of materials, such as foam, rubber, or plastic. The insulation traps the cold air inside the cooler and prevents it from escaping.

How long will a cooler keep things cold?

The length of time a cooler can keep food and beverages cold depends on the type and quality of the cooler, as well as the type of food and beverage stored inside. Generally speaking, a good quality cooler can keep food and drinks cold for several days.

What is the best type of cooler to buy?

The best type of cooler to buy depends on what you plan to use it for. If you plan to use it for outdoor activities such as camping or fishing, a rotomolded cooler is typically the best choice as it provides superior insulation and durability. If you plan to use it for more occasional use such as a picnic or a day at the beach, a soft-sided cooler is usually a better choice.

How do I maximize ice retention in my cooler?

To maximize ice retention in your cooler, pre-chill the cooler by placing it in a cool area for several hours before filling it with ice and items. Additionally, you should use block or dry ice, as well as multiple layers of ice packs and other items to help insulate the ice. Make sure to keep the lid closed as much as possible to maintain the internal temperature and limit the amount of air exchange.

The list of best cooler for ice retention is updated frequently to approach the latest information. Please check our website to get any changes and additions usually.

Would you like to be given practical support about best cooler for ice retention of 2024? Our customer service department is always here to assist you. Please contact us as soon as possible whenever you need.


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About Hailey Abbott

Hailey Abbott
Hailey Abbott is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer for CampfireHQ. She has a passion for hunting and fishing, which she often enjoys with her family and friends. Hailey also enjoys staying active through sports such as golf, basketball, and softball. Hailey has worked as an editor for several years, providing content that is both accurate and engaging. She has also had the opportunity to interview numerous experts in various fields. This wealth of experience gives her a unique perspective when writing about the outdoors and other topics.

Read Hailey's full bio