Best Travel Coolers Of November: Best Picks Of 2024

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler

This 30 can cooler is perfect for your next camping trip, fishing trip, or just an all-day outing with the family. The patented "flip open" Zipperless lid allows for quick access to food and drinks without having to unzip the top of the cooler. And with our Patented adjustable back-saver shoulder strap that distributes weight evenly, Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler - 11.29 Pounds

The Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler is designed with a tough, rubberized t-grip latch to keep lid securely closed. For any outdoor adventure, this cooler will last you as long as you need it to. Its durable and lightweight construction provide proven 4-5 day ice retention. Read Review

3. Best Easy To Clean: CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag - Grey/Black

If you're tired of carrying a bulky cooler and lugging a heavy duffel bag on your beach day, then check out the new snapBasket Tahoe Coolers from CleverMade. These large capacity coolers can hold up to 50 cans of your favorite drinks plus ice, so you'll be ready for the fun no matter where you are. Plus, their comfortable handles and duffel bag handles make hauling them back to your car or kitchen easy. Read Review

4. Best Leak Proof: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler

Keep drinks and food cold for hours with the YETI Roadie 24 Cooler. No matter how long you are on the go, your ice stays cool and your drinks stay cold. Made of a rotomolded construction that is light-weight and tough enough to survive the harshest outdoor adventures, it will keep your ice frozen and your drink icy as you explore new sights. Read Review

Travelling with your favorite foods or beverages can be a major hassle if you don’t have the right tools to store them. Luckily, you don’t need to pack everything in plastic bags or boxes. Here are some of the best travel coolers that will keep your food and drinks at the right temperature for hours.

The cooler season is here, which means it’s time to stock up on ice, sodas, and whatever other perishables you need to keep cool while you travel. If you’re looking for the best travel coolers that will help you bring your dishes with you without worrying about them spoiling, look no further.

We think Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler is the best of the best among the top models. If you were dissatisfied with the preceding item, you have the option of selecting Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler - 11.29 Pounds as an alternative. You may relax knowing that its quality is also good per what we researched.

Our Top Picks

  • Features FDA compliant HardBody liner with removable SmartShelf and insulated front pocket
  • Patented, "flip open" Zipperless lid allows for quick access to food and drinks
  • Deep Freeze high performance insulation with radiant heat barrier reflects heat rather than absorbing it
TOP Choice #2 Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler - 11.29 Pounds
Our Score:
9.6
Igloo
  • Extremely durable yet lightweight with proven 4-5 day ice retention
  • MaxCold body with 20% thicker foam and insulated lid provide advanced cooling performance and up to 4-day ice retention.
  • Cool Riser Technology molded base elevates the cooler away from hot surfaces and improves cooling performance.
TOP Choice #3 CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag - Grey/Black
Our Score:
9.5
CleverMade
  • Large capacity SnapBasket Tahoe Coolers can hold up to 50 cans of your favorite drinks plus ice; perfect for use at the beach, while camping or to load up full of snacks for youth sports games outdoors
  • Patented SnapHinges on both sides of the cooler bag offer structured support when the tote is open; to close the cooler, simply push the side hinges in, folding the compact bag down flat
  • Versatile totes can be packed up for a daytime picnic and are small enough to place in the trunk of your SUV as an ice chest on road trips; collapesed down, the cooler can fit in your suitcase for vacation. Recommended to use with Clever Ice
4 YETI Roadie 24 Cooler
Our Score:
9.3
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
  • 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
  • When closed, the leak proof beverage cooler has dims of 15.25"L x 10"W x 2.75"H and when open its dimensions are 15.25"H x 10"W x 12"H with a total weight capacity of 35 lbs.
  • Leak-proof insulation liner and strong polyester outer material make this small folding cooler ideal for keeping wine, beer, Food and groceries cool for hours; When not in use, fold down and stow away
  • Portable small pop up cooler folds down to under 3 inches when collapsed making it great for travel, picnics, sports events, concerts, camping, hiking, beach parties and other events outdoors
  • MADE IN NORTH AMERICA Proudly Canadian, Koolatron has been making industry-leading 12V coolers in North America for over 30 years
  • ICELESS THERMOELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CFC-free thermoelectric technology and brushless fan motor efficiently cools to 40°F (22°C) below surrounding temperature or warms to 140°F (60°C), using less power than your vehicle’s tail light
  • 27.5 L / 29 QUART TRAVEL COOLER Large capacity 12 V DC powered cooler with a compact footprint holds up to 48 standard 12 oz/355 mL cans
  • COLLAPSABLE HANDLE FOR COOL PORTABILITY | Bring the Refrigerator & Oven with You! | While an Integrated Handle Easily Extends & Folds Away for Stress-Free Transfer & Tidy Storage | Airtight & Watertight Lid Cover Also Includes Ergonomic Grips for Quick Open/Close Access
  • KEEP FOOD & DRINK FRESH ON THE GO | Powerful Thermoelectric Technology Provides Dependable Cooling & Warming for All Your Potables & Perishables | Maintains Drinks Icy Cold at 40°F & Maintains Hot Food at 130F. enjoy while While Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Catering, Dining Outdoors, Picnicking, Barbecuing, Road Tripping & So Much More
  • POWER ADAPTERS FOR HOME & VEHICLE | Complete Travel Cooler System Has You Ready to Transport Food & Drink Supplies Anywhere with a Hideaway AC Power Cord for Standard Wall Outlet & DC Adapter for Plugging into Car/Truck Cigarette Lighter | Be the Life of the Party Whether You’re Indoors, Outside, or On the Move!
8 RTIC Hard Cooler 20 qt, White
Our Score:
8.7
RTIC
  • Temperature Retentive: The 3-inch foam insulated walls plus the cool-lift design feature will make worrying about your ice melting a thing of the past.
  • Mobile And Multifaceted: Use the heavy-duty rope handles to take the 20 anywhere and when you need an extra hand—this cooler doubles as a step stool, tabletop, or cutting board.
  • A Sidekick For Every Adventure: Rotomolded construction makes this cooler tough enough to handle every excursion—from off-roading in Moab to the peak of any mountain.
  • INCLUDES: 1x FlexiFreeze Cooling Vest, 2x Full Panel Set, 1x FlexiFreeze Ice Sheet, 1x Insulated Carry Bag
  • VERSATILITY AND SAFETY A great solution for people living with heat sensitive medical conditions, people working in heat stress related occupations or anyone looking to stay cool during outdoor activities like mowing the lawn or gardening.
  • BEAT THE HEAT ANYWHERE Utilize the cooling power of pure water ice cubes to effectively bring down core temperature.
  • Lightweight Yet Durable: The Soft Pack is prepared to take on every adventure with a heavy-duty nylon shell.
  • 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.
  • 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.

How Can You Choose The best travel coolers Among Numerous Products From Different Brands?

It can take you much time to research the outcome of best travel coolers. It doesn't mean you can’t get the best one for yourself. We are the experts specializing in studying market and products. We will help you with your best travel coolers issues, no matter what time it is!

Please have a closer look at the things below to evaluate and then choose the right best travel coolers for your need:

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We suppose that these descriptions above are accurate and objective since experts give them. The best travel coolers information, in other words, is continuously updated. Thus, don’t worry about the out-of-date data. Rest assured!

If you have any questions, let inform us. We will make all our effort to solve your problems, and please feel free to do that. Thank you!


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio