Best Hard Shell Coolers Of 2024: Great Picks & Buying Guide
By, Sara RyanUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Of The Best: Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology
The Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology is a strong and durable cooler that offers excellent ice retention for up to four to five days. The heavy duty blow-molded construction with reinforced base offers increased strength and protection, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. Extremely durable yet lightweight, this cooler is perfect for anyone looking to stay cool while on the go! Read Review
2. Best Bang For The Buck: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler, Navy
The YETI Roadie 24 Cooler is the perfect cooler for on-the-go lifestyles. ROTOMOLDED CONSTRUCTION provides an all-new and lighter design with a thin but durable body, while still remaining incredibly tough. QUICKLATCH makes it easy to open and close this cooler without fumbling at the lid, so you can keep your hands free and enjoy the ride. Read Review
3. Best Economical: Coleman Ice Chest | Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Hard Coolers
It's the cooler that'll keep your drinks ice cold and your food safe from pests. Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Hard Coolers are sturdier than ever with a new exterior design and stain-resistant liner. The recessed lip makes it easy to access items inside, and the exterior is made of a tough polypropylene that won't absorb water or stains. Read Review
4. Best Comfortable: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler, White
The YETI Roadie Cooler from Yeti is the perfect solution for outdoor enthusiasts who want to keep their food and beverages nice and cold. The cooler features a Rotomolded construction that's thinner and lighter-weight for easy transport. It also has an improved leak-proof gasket. The YETI Roadie Cooler is the perfect size to fit and stay hidden in your vehicle, or anywhere you need a place to store some drinks, food, and ice! Read Review
Whether you’re heading to the lake, the mountains, or just hosting a backyard barbecue, having cold drinks available is a must. Luckily, there are several great hard shell coolers on the market that will keep your refreshments ice-cold for hours at a time. These days, most hard shell coolers are made from high-quality materials with sturdy latches and closures.
They also tend to be more spacious than ever before making them perfect for keeping sodas and other drinks chilled while you’re hanging out in the yard or at the beach. If you’re looking for an awesome hard shell cooler to bring along on your next picnic, camping trip, hike, or road trip, check out these top picks.
We think the product that comes highly recommended for best hard shell coolers is Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology. In case you need more alternatives and more in-depth guidance, you may explore the following.
Our Top Picks
- MaxCold body with 20% thicker foam and insulated lid provide advanced cooling performance and up to 4-day ice retention.
- UV inhibitors protect the cooler against sun damage for extended life.
- Rubberized T-grip latches keep lid secure.
- QUICKLATCH - Flexible, simple, and built for quick, one-handed cooler access
- It's got a taller build than its predecessor, so it now accommodates a standard bottle of wine (or 2 liter bottle) upright, and is a better fit behind the driver's or passenger's seat of a car
- EASY TO OPEN: Recessed lip for easier access to contents
- FOR THE LONG HAUL: Heavy-duty 6-inch wheels and durable tow & swing-up handles designed for easy transport
- LARGE CAPACITY: Holds up to 101 cans
- The Roadie 24 holds 18 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-can ratio or 24 lbs of just ice. It measures 16 1/2” L × 14 1/2”W × 17 1/2” H
- The Roadie 24 is 10% lighter in weight and holds 20% more than a Roadie 20, it even performs 30% better thermally
- It's got a taller build than its predecessor, so it now accommodates a standard bottle of wine (or 2 liter bottle) upright, and is a better fit behind the driver's or passenger's seat of a car
- Grizzly certified to be bear resistant when used with the appropriate locks. Locks not included
- Virtually Indestructible rotomolded premium cooler with secure locking system, textured lid and two molded-in cup holders
- Enhanced wall thickness with freezer grade gasket for superior ice retention and dry ice compatible
- MADE TO LAST: 3 year warranty
- INCLUDES: Inner try for non-perishables to stay cool and dry, and a snap-in, flexible lid organizer
- DRY BOX: Built in dry storage compartment features a push button latch and tablet/phone easel slot
- Accommodates most tall bottles and includes removable divider/cutting board and ideal for most wine bottles
- Folding aluminum comfort grip handle with stainless steel hardware and non-marring feet
- 30% LIGHTER THAN ROTOMOLDED – The RTIC Ultra-Light Hard Cooler 52 qt is designed to be more than 30% lighter than rotomolded coolers of the same capacity. Perfect for anywhere adventure takes you.
- MULTIPLE USES – It’s the perfect ice cooler, drink cooler, travel cooler, beer cooler, can cooler, camping cooler, beach cooler, boat cooler, or barbecue cooler. It can be carried by one person.
- Constructed with a premium blend of high-performance insulation that maximizes ice retention; Great for camping and weekend adventures
- Features a dry goods basket, a freezer grade rubber gasket, and corrosion-resistant, and stainless-steel cam latches
- 【Excellent Ice Retention Performance】Thanks to the advanced sealing technology, this high-quality outside cooler can keep cold up to 3 days with recommended 1:1 ice-to-contents ratio. When filled with full ice, it will take 4-5 days to melt completely. Besides, this cooler is dual use, which can not only refrigerate but also keep warm.
- 【Compact & Portable Design】With the compact size of 18” x 13.5” x 13” (L x W x H), this ice chest is portable which allows you to take it everywhere and enjoy fresh food during your outside activities. Plus, the stainless steel rotating handle with soft pad ensures great sturdiness and comfort when you carry or lift the cooler.
- 【Thoughtful & Innovative Details】Securing latches, lock slot and seal gasket can prevent water leakage and heat transfer, while enhancing safety. 4 anti-slip foot pads can prevent sudden sliding in a moving truck. The drain plug helps to release water easily. And with 2 bottle holders, you will no longer worry about where to place your drinks.
What Factors Should You Consider While Choosing best hard shell coolers?
Getting to the best decision for a product purchase may take a bit of time. In a nutshell, we're available to serve you with your product problems at all hours of the day and night!
You can rest assured if you consider the following points before selecting best hard shell coolers:
Cooler Construction
Bear-Resistant Ratings
Ice Retention And Cooling Capabilities
Cooler Latch And Closure Systems
Cooler Drain Systems
Cooler Sizes (Capacities)
Wheeled (Rolling) Coolers
Weight And Portability
FAQs
How Do I Clean My Cooler?
Warm water and dish soap will generally clean your cooler. You can also use warm water and bleach to remove stubborn stains or odors.Does Food Stay Cool In A Portable Cooler Without Ice?
But it will take longer than if you put ice inside the cooler. Insulation in the cooler stops food from heating up faster than if left out. The temperature of the cooler and how chilled the food were at the beginning will determine the time it takes to cool down. Even frozen foods will heat up faster if they are kept cool in a trunk compartment of a vehicle.How Does A Portable Cooler Work?
Combining the insulation of the cooler with the ice you put inside, either ice cubes, ice packs, or foam, slows down warm air circulation and helps keep things cool.What Is The Best Hard Cooler?
There are many coolers. It really doesn't matter which cooler you choose. A cooler that is more resistant to damage will be the most suitable if you intend on using it every week.Can I Use Dry Ice In A Cooler?
Most times, the answer is yes. Some coolers can be damaged by dry ice, but the majority should work fine. However, you will need to cover dry ice with blankets or other insulators. A cooler designed for dry ice is best if you plan to use it every day. You won't have to do any special tasks because the cooler has compartments to store dry ice.Which Size Cooler Do I Need?
Although you might feel compelled to buy a large cooler, make sure it fits in the car. Smaller coolers can be lifted without the need for assistance. However, coolers with larger capacities can hold more ice and so tend to stay cool longer than smaller models.Higher coolers can store bottles more upright. Models with recessed lids are better for loading items higher, but they may become warmer.
How Long Does A Cooler Stay Cold?
It all depends on how efficient the cooler is at insulation. This includes the temperature outside, initial temperature of food and its stacking. Food can be kept cold for up to 4 days with ice (the best), in ideal conditions. A high-end cooler may even keep it chilled for as long as 10 days.How Much Do Coolers Cost?
Consider what your cooler will be used for. If you need it to store food or drinks for several days or at extreme temperatures then more money is an investment in food safety. A cooler that is cheap and cheerful may suffice if you just need to chill a handful of drinks for an afternoon barbecue.In general, product information and news are now available to users. In addition, as previously said, the Internet is constantly updated with new technology. Thus, customers will need to be informed so please subscribe to our newsletter or visit our website frequently to check the latest information.
Do you have any product-related questions or concerns you'd like to share? As a result of your efforts, we will attempt to ensure even greater standards of excellence!
About Sara Ryan
