The Best Personal Coolers To Buy You Should Know In 2024

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
Igloo 44558 Personal Cooler
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Igloo 44558 Personal Cooler

The Igloo 44558 Personal Cooler is a premium, high-performance cooler that can hold up to 28 quarts of ice. It has a retractable handle and a locking lid, making it easy to transport when you're on the go. The durable polyethylene construction will keep your ice cold for up to two days. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Pelican 14 Quart Personal Cooler

The Pelican 14 Quart Personal Cooler is the perfect all-around cooler that can do it all. In addition to its thermal insulation, the lid has a built in dry storage compartment, so you can keep your food and drinks cold for hours. The spacious 14 quart internal volume means you can keep everything from your soft drinks to lunch for your entire crew. This is the only cooler you'll ever need. Read Review

3. Best Versatile: Coho Cooler Bag | 24 Can Personal Cooler and Lunch Box

The Coho Cooler Bag is a 24-can cooler, lunch box, and a beach bag all in one. With its wide mouth flip lid, you can keep your food and drinks cold for hours on end, or put it in the freezer for an ice cold drink for your next outdoor adventure. Read Review

4. Best Performance: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 16 Can Zipperless Cooler

The Titan Deep Freeze 16 Can Zipperless Cooler from Arctic Zone is a large capacity, hard side cooler with a thermoelectric cooling unit to keep your drinks and food frosty. The Rhino-Tech water and stain resistant exterior helps protect the contents of your cooler from harmful elements, while the Deep Freeze high performance insulation with radiant heat barrier maintains the cold contents inside. Read Review

Whether it’s an afternoon at the pool or an afternoon at a picnic, having the right beverages and snacks is key. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of the best coolers out there today. From small pocket-sized coolers to large ice chests designed to keep your drinks chilled for hours on end, we cover all of your needs.

To help make things easier, we’ve also broken down each cooler in this list by function so that you can find the perfect one for your specific needs. Whether you need a mini cooler for picnics or something larger for tailgating or camping, these are the best personal coolers available today.

Getting the results you will read next is thanks to the hard work of our team during 19 hours of product research and analysis. As a direct consequence of this, we were able to identify Igloo 44558 Personal Cooler as the top model for this year. The performance of this product is of an excellent standard, and it offers a complete set of features that can satisfy your requirements.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Igloo 44558 Personal Cooler
Our Score:
9.7
Igloo
  • Plastic, Ice Retention Up to 2 days
  • Personal Cooler, Personal Cooler, With Wheels No, 28.0 qt., Exterior Length 18-1/5 In., Exterior Width 12-1/2 In., Exterior Height 15-3/10 In.
  • Body Color Blue, Lid Color White, Number of Cans 41
TOP Choice #2 Pelican 14 Quart Personal Cooler
Our Score:
9.5
Pelican
  • VOLUME: True 14 quart internal volume (holds 6 cans and 2 1lb Pelican Ice packs)
  • INCLUDES: Inner try for non-perishables to stay cool and dry, and a snap-in, flexible lid organizer
  • FEATURES: Carry handle, molded-in cup holders, press and pull latches, stainless steel bottle opener with cap-catching magnet, and molded-in tie-down slots
  • EXCELLENT TRI-LAYERS: The COHO Cooler Bag features of 3 premium layers for superior cold-holding: Outer waterproof 840D TPU fabric + Middle Closed-Cell PE foam + Internal 420D leakproof TPU with fully lined. Better than other thin cooler bag, our item is designed with 25mm thickness PE foam, greatly help your foods and drinks cold for longer time than regular coolers.
  • 100% LEAK PROOF & SAFE: 100% leak-proof zipper ensures your car always keep clean and dry. The cooler bag is made of food grade material, you are freely put in water or food directly to use a emergency storage compartment, suitable for different outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, boating, etc.
  • PREMIER QUALITY: We insists on using high quality and durable materials which will last years, and Coho offer a 3 year warranty on our 24-can cooler bag
  • Rhino-Tech water and stain resistant, wipe clean exterior is abrasion and puncture resistant and will not crack over time
  • Features an Ultra Safe leak proof, easy clean interior lining; Adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap with shoulder pad for convenience and usability
  • Exterior Dimensions: (L x W x H) 12.25" x 8" x 12.25"; Interior Dimensions: (L x W x H) 9.8" x 4.75" x 10.25"
  • The personal-sized Plano Frost 14-Quart Cooler allows for easy one-handed carry and keeps ice frozen for up to 5 days with 1" commercial grade insulation and a continuous airtight Dri-Loc seal
  • Shock and drop resistant for worry free transit : Heavy-duty ergonomic handle for easy and comfortable handle with integrated tie-down slots in handle : Exterior Dimensions: 19.0” x 11.5” x 13.0" Interior Dimensions: 12.9” x 6.91” x 9.8”
  • Because the little things matter – we even added a stainless-steel bottle opener in the lid : Perfect companion for everything from tailgates to camping : Includes: removable dry basket
6 YETI Roadie 24 Cooler
Our Score:
8.8
YETI
  • 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
  • QUICKLATCH - Flexible, simple, and built for quick, one-handed cooler access
  • ROTOMOLDED CONSTRUCTION - Evolved to be thinner and lighter-weight for easier transport, while still incredibly tough
  • Stylish, adjustable crossbody shoulder strap for easy, hands-free carrying
  • MaxCold insulation provides up to two days of ice retention
  • Hinge detent feature keeps the lid open until you shut it closed
  • Sweat-Free: Keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours while avoiding the mess thanks to 2 inches of closed-cell foam and puncture and tear-resistant liner.
  • Make Adventures Portable: This generous cooler will hold up to 30 cans of your favorite beverage plus ice — fitting for a road trip or a week out in the desert.
  • Handles Any Terrain: Every RTIC Soft Pack Cooler floats in water, so your drinks and snacks can go wherever you go, whether that’s swimming in Lake Tahoe or hiking in Glacier.
9 Arctic Zone Titan Guide Series 36 Can Cooler
Our Score:
8.2
Arctic Zone
  • Features TableTop lid with 4 drink holders, an easy access panel opening, and multiple exterior pockets
  • Leak proof lining with Microban protects against bacterial odors and stains and helps make this product easier to clean
  • Deep Freeze high performance insulation- multi-layer system that protects ice from the most intense heat
  • Built-in tie-down loops for securing cooler during transport.
  • MaxCold body with 20% thicker foam and insulated lid provide advanced cooling performance and up to 4-day ice retention.
  • Extremely durable yet lightweight with proven 4-5 day ice retention

A Simple Way To Choose The best personal coolers For You

Would you like to know how to select the best personal coolers to purchase in 2024? We have a straightforward solution for you. First, consider your own requirements. For instance, should you need something that could be used during workouts, look for products that are made of high-quality materials and are resistant to water.

Consider the price range next. Some people prefer low prices, while others prefer to invest additional money on better quality items, so weigh both choices once making a decision.

Eventually, reading reviews is a simple way to select the best personal coolers to buy. Please do your research before purchasing anything and follow what other clients have said about it.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Conclusion

We hope this blog has provided you with useful information about selecting the best personal coolers to buy. If you're still unsure, consider why you're purchasing a product in the first place.

Here you can select the COHO 20 Can Cooler Backpack| 20 Can Personal Cooler and Lunch Box if you are unable to select one of the available items above. Consider whether any of our suggestions aided you in deciding which products to purchase. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time!


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About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

Read Sara's full bio