If portability is a priority, we recommend looking at options with wheels, such as RovR’s RollR 45 or Igloo’s Trailmate Journey. We tend to steer clear of most bargain-basement coolers—they may work well for a day or two but often lack the impressive ice retention of premium models and won’t stand up as well to regular outdoor use. Igloo’s ECOCOOL 52 isn’t totally exempt from these drawbacks, but it’s more well rounded and functional than much of the budget competition. For just $60, the Igloo boasts a generous 52-quart capacity, and the proprietary foam insulation does a good job keeping food and drinks chilled for up to three days (in the right conditions, of course). The feature set is also pretty well sorted for the price, including four self-draining cup holders and functional lifts at the bottom that slightly elevate the cooler off the ground or truck bed. Igloo also added holes in the swing-up handles, allowing you to string a bungee between them to make carrying heavier loads easier.
If we have enough space, our preferred method is to use both block and crushed ice together, and YETI has more great tips here. Many of the top hard-sided coolers are listed as bear-resistant, which is a worthwhile consideration should you be camping in bear country. However, not all coolers listed as bear-resistant carry this certification—you can see a full list of certified coolers here. If you frequent the backcountry or will be traveling where bear-proof gear is required, make sure your cooler is on the list.
If you are looking for maximum cooling power, premium rotomolded coolers from brands like YETI, RTIC, and ORCA are the clear leaders in keeping ice cold for long stretches. If you need ice for extended periods (we’re thinking of you, rafters and multi-day campers), the cost is worth it. But for those on day trips or shorter overnight outings with access to new ice, an inexpensive lgloo Cooler cooler like the Coleman Xtreme or Igloo ECOCOOL is a fine option. For $65, the 50-quart Coleman Xtreme is another standout in the value category, and this time with wheels. In the same family as our top budget pick, this basic cooler certainly is a far cry from the RovR RollR, Igloo Trailmate, and Pelican 80QT Elite above, but the functionality is decent for the price.
One great way to use these coolers that people don’t think of often is these coolers are also great for keeping things hot. If you need to transport some meat you smoked in your smoker but don’t want it to be cold all you need to do is put hot water into the igloo electric cooler cooler to warm it up. The cooler has extendable handles making it easy to roll it. This is perfect for attaching camping chairs, bags, hammocks with a stand, or even a small camping grill. The Igloo trailmate really is a premium Igloo cooler with wheels.
For more background information, see our cooler comparison table and buying advice below the picks. In our testing, the Coleman Xtreme kept ice frozen for a full week (170 hours), 30 hours longer igloo cooler with wheels than the Igloo MaxCold (140 hours). It measures 28.4 by 15.8 by 17.5 inches, its design incorporates bevels and angles all over the place, and it has a ruler and cup holders molded into its lid.
The size is at a happy medium that allows for adequate storage space while still being very mobile and easy to store. Our only issues are that it is a little too thin and we wish that they would update the carrying method. The Playmate is one of the best-selling Igloo coolers and this is thanks to its simple design, easy mobility, and great asking price. But it does suffer from short ice life and has very few features that other modern coolers are bringing to the table. One common trend that we have seen with Igloo products across the board is the consistent tendency to be one of the most affordable for that category.