The 10 Best Camping Coolers of 2024

Whether you’re embarking on a weekend camping trip or planning an extended adventure, having a reliable cooler is essential for keeping your food and beverages fresh and cold. Let’s be honest, when it comes to buying a camping cooler, knowing where to start can be tricky.

We have taken on the challenge of gathering all the necessary information for you in this comprehensive article. Whether you’re planning a day trip or an extended stay, this list of the top 10 best camping coolers of 2024 will guide you in making the right choice.

We have tested over 20 best camping coolers from different brands that have a sufficient capacity for 4 or even 6 people. During our selection process, we considered the quality of the insulation, capacity, ease of transport, and robustness of the body. And that we’ll discuss after the review section.

Best Camping Coolers Reviews for 2024

With a sleek design, the Camco Currituck cooler is perfect for campers or families looking for a cooler with a modern look. This high-end device is one of the most robust on the market and offers a useful volume of 50 quarts for a weight of only 32 pounds. You can use this cooler box as a seat without any problem.

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1. Camco Currituck Large Camping Cooler – Best Overall

Specs:

• Weight: ‎25.5 pounds
• Capacity (liters): 28.4 L
• Materials: Rotomolded polyethylene
• Dimensions: ‎18.5 x 27.5 x 16.5 inches

Camco Currituck Premium camping cooler is designed for family camping. However, you can also use it for fishing, hunting, sporting events and tailgating. It is made in the USA and looks bigger than you think. It is constructed with a consistent wall thickness and a freezer-grade seal that makes it more functional.

This cooler has two carry options on each end: a full grip handle and a rope handle with an ergonomic grip. Six tie-down points will allow you to open and close while still strapped down on boats or vehicles. It comes with all useful features to make your next adventure more enjoyable.

Camco Currituck camping cooler includes a stainless-steel bottle opener and a hose-ready drain fitting that is compatible with all standard garden hoses. On the bottom of the device, there are four reversible feet to keep it from sliding. The Ice Chest measures 30. 5″ long, 17″ wide, and 18. 75″ tall.

It has 50 Quarts capacity, which allows you to carry up to 48 Cans and 30 lbs of Ice. The large capacity further allows you to store your lunch boxes, snacks, drinks, and food. This premium camping cooler box comes with numerous accessories: a dry basket, a cutting board, cooler dividers, rod holders, and cup holders. There is also a top section inside that scoots along a track where you can store some essential items.

2. Snowball Rotomolded Family Camping Cooler

Specs:

• Weight: ‎20.9 pounds
• Capacity (liters): 35 L
• Materials: Rotomolded polyethylene
• Dimensions: ‎23.5 x 16.5 x 16 inches

Many campers are interested in picking this model because of its sleek design and excellent robustness. With this Rotomolded camping cooler, you can adjust the volume of ice cubes and food to control the time. This model has a silicone seal ring that encloses the entire space and avoids heat convection. The refrigeration can reach up to 28 ° C below ambient temperature.

The inner capacity is 2.5 cubic feet and the recommended ice to drink is 2:1. This cooler covers 2-inch PU Foam greatly reduces heat conduction. The plug is solid and fairly deep, so it will insulate well. Snowball camping cooler is UV resistant and not easy to fade. It is suitable for fruits, vegetables, seafood, lunch, drinking, etc.

It comes with all the details such as an aluminum plate logo, an insulated bottle holder, and Heavy-duty rubber T-Latches with a Can Opener. To ensure quality, performance and durability, Snowball offers a 2 years free warranty service for any quality or manufacturing issues.

This sturdy cooler box allows you to sit on it for fishing, or any other outdoor activities. It is built with LLDPE food-grade material, which ensures your safety. With non-skip pig nose feet and hand-rest Curve handle, it has soft ropes that allow you to drag at any angle easily. It is also very practical and embellished with exterior pockets.

3. Sportneer Y21-81100-02 – Built with Thermometer

Specs:

• Weight: ‎22.5 pounds
• Capacity (liters): 23.66 L
• Materials: Polyethylene
• Dimensions: 20.3 x 13 x 14.5 inches

Sportneer camping cooler built-in Thermometer so that users can monitor the internal temperature quickly and accurately. It is break-proof, scratch-proof, crack-resistant, and bear-resistant. This model comes with roto-molded polyethylene frame which ensures long-lasting service life.

It is built with premium high-density PU foam and extra-thick walls that maximize insulation to keep up to 20 lbs ice-cold for more than five days. Whether you’re camping or lounging on the beach, the Sportneer camping cooler will keep the cold in perfectly. However, this model is expensive compared to its size and capacity.

The package comes with a bonus scale plate that provides a convenient way to measure your catch of the day. It is 100% leak-free, and specially designed rubber gaskets wrap around the cooler for a tight and anti-sweat seal.

Need to empty some melted ice? Just take off the drain plug.

The maximum capacity is 25 quarts. The external dimensions are 20.3″ x 13″ x 14.5″ and the internal dimensions are 15.8″ x 9.2″ x 10.5″. It will keep your cans cool for longer. Overall, it is the perfect companion to serve healthy meals for all of your outdoor adventures.

4. TOURIT TR0260014A008-FUS – Designed for Backpacking

Specs:

• Weight: ‎4.6 pounds
• Capacity (liters): 21 L
• Materials: High-density insulation
• Dimensions: ‎13 x 10 x 17 inches

I purchased this specifically to keep 2 days camping. I enjoy this backpack; it keeps ice for 2-3 days, making it perfect for camping, floating on rivers, keeping groceries cool, and other uses. TOURIT TR0260014A008-FUS backpacking cooler is designed with leak-resistant and durable fabric. It is one of the best ultra-portable coolers for picnics, road/ beach trips, hiking, camping and cycling.

It is made from superior quality and BPA-free material, making it the perfect companion gear for lunches or backyard use. The lightweight design makes it perfect for carrying both men and women.

This soft cooler backpack features an airtight zipper and high-density insulation material to keep food hot/ cold for 3 days. The dimensions are 17.7″ x 13.8″ x 10.0″, and the total weight is 4.6 pounds. It is very easy to handle. It can hold more than 36 cans of 21L ice, which is enough for all days of drinks and food for family camping.

This model has multiple pockets, 1 main roomy storage compartment, and 2 upright side pockets to keep dry items. TOURIT backpacking cooler also has pouches on each side. The zipper is heavy-duty and the pockets are 100% waterproof. Don’t worry about durability, TOURIT offers 3 years warranty against any product defects.

5. Kalamera KRC-S25W Portable Camping Cooler

Specs:

• Weight: ‎37.7 pounds
• Capacity (liters): 49.2.4 L
• Materials: Polyethylene
• Dimensions: ‎27.8 x 14.4 x 19.7 inches

Kalmera KRC-S25W small fridge will easily fit your camping trunk and you can easily put it behind the car seat. With this model, you can carry up to 25 quarts of beer or soda cans. It is a space-saving camp cooler with an overall dimension of L22.4″ x W12.6″ x H13.8″

This model was designed with an advanced mechanism for tilting within 45° and it doesn’t make any noise. You can set the Temperature Range from -8℉~50℉. Under normal circumstances, it can be insulated for 6~8 hours after the power is off. It is built with a battery protection system that keeps the battery charged for longer.

This eco-friendly 12 Volt camping cooler features a digital thermostat so that users can easily control the temperature. With an aluminum alloy chamber, it needs just 15 minutes to drop the temperature from 77℉ to 32℉. This unit comes with one year limited warranty.

Kalmera KRC-S25W camping cooler is able to keep all types of food such as cheese, snacks, meat, and vegetables. This model memorizes the last temperature setting if you are turned off. Don’t need to reset the temperature when you want to pre-cool. It has a Recessed safety handle for easy moving or transporting. And comes with an AC adapter and Cigarette Lighter Connector.

6. TOURIT Soft Leak-Proof Insulated Cooler Bag

Specs:

• Weight: ‎3.64 pounds
• Capacity (liters): 20 Can (7 L)
• Materials: High quality insulation
• Dimensions: ‎22 x 16.5 x 10 inches

This is a soft camping cooler that is made of high-quality insulation material to keep your food and drinks cool for more than 3 days. The outer layer of the device has a soft-touch water-proof surface that is sweat-proof and the interior is fully lined with leak-proof material.

TOURIT easy carry cooler bag features an airtight zipper and the whole sealing process is designed securely and ensures leakproof. It is lightweight; only 3.64 lbs. The size is perfect (not too large or too small). It can hold up to 20 cans with ice, which is enough for a whole day’s drinks and food.

This insulated cooler is built with a 2-way carrying system with a detachable shoulder strap with a pad. You can carry this bag hands-free on the shoulder for light loads, or use the top handles for heavy carry. A portable bottle opener also attaches directly outside of the cooler.

TOURIT multifunctional camping component has 1 main roomy storage, 1 top zipper pocket, and 1 beer opener on the strap. It can also be a perfect choice for lunches, beach picnics, or backyard use.

7. KOUDERA KOU-001 Electric Camping Cooler

Specs:

• Weight: ‎9.46 pounds
• Capacity (liters): 28 L
• Materials: Polyethylene
• Dimensions: ‎16.77 x 12.24 x 16.97 inches

KOUDERA car cooler has both cooler and warmer functions. Whether you are traveling on the beach or camping in an RV, the KOUDERA KOU-001 is perfect to use, no matter in summer or winter. With a practical and robust design, it could be an excellent alternative for campers and adventurers.

This cooler box is designed with an energy-efficient system without the compressor to minimize the vibration effect and noise. The built-in locking handle keeps the lid tightly sealed and the compact design handle makes this model easy to carry for even one person alone.

However, the cooler range is 18℃ below ambient temperature in 30 minutes to cool your food and the warm range is 60℃. With this device, you can keep your food warm when you are traveling or camping.

It has a large capacity that can hold up to about 30 cans of beverage at once. This will allow you to store road trip necessities. The compact size also helps you to store it almost anywhere within your vehicle and tent. Keep in mind that it is not a powerful device, it is designed for a smaller area

8. Coleman 3000001836 Xtreme Heavy-duty Camping Cooler

Specs:

• Weight: ‎12.3 pounds
• Capacity (liters): 66.24 L
• Materials: Plastic
• Dimensions: ‎28.25 x 15.75 x 18.25 inches

The Coleman 3000001836 is a top-rated camping cooler at an affordable price. It is built in CR technology, which ensures high marks that extend the life of your ice. And with this portable cooler, you can keep ice for up to 5 days at temps up to 90°F, thanks to an insulated lid and extra insulation in bodies.

It can hold 100 cans and has molded cup holders on top of the lid to keep your drinks close and prevent them from spilling. Coleman camping cooler is leak-resistant; the drain lets you remove excess water without tilting the cooler. It is made in the USA with low CO2 insulation for reduced carbon emissions.

It is 12″ tall and 12″ wide and has plastic hinges. This camping cooler is also lightweight. However, there is no strap to prevent the lid from opening too far and cracking the hinges.

It has a durable lid that supports up to 250 pounds of weight, so you can sit and rest on the surface. The comfort-grip no-crush handles help you to easy and pinch-free carry. The top surface uses a smoother finish so that users can easily wipe it for cleaning.

9. Columbia PFG Skiff Guide Thermal Camp Cooler

Specs:

• Weight: ‎2.54 pounds
• Capacity (liters): 22 Can (7.5 L)
• Materials: Plastic
• Dimensions: ‎12.25 x 10 x 12.5 inches

Columbia PFG Skiff Guide cooler pack features zipperless lid designed for quick access to food and drinks. It can support up to 58 cans. This compact cooler pack comes with one zipper pocket in the front. And one to expand the front. It has two mesh pockets on the side, as well as two side handles.

The hard Body liner is FDA compliant with a removable Smart Shelf. The dimensions of the main compartment are 30.3cm (L) x 17.5cm (W) x 20.3cm (H). It is a velcro tab and has lots of room. But the lid fits very snugly, so it’s very adequate. There is also a plastic insert included in this unit.

Columbia camping cooler is super easy to remove and clean. It comes ultra-safe leakproof design with an easy-clean interior lining. I conducted a test by loading it with ice packs and drinks to assess its ability to keep my items cold. It performed well, maintaining the desired temperature for a good day and a half.

The exterior also includes an adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap with a shoulder pad, effectively centering the load weight for comfortable carrying. It holds up very well to make the cooler super functional for a beach trip. You will be undoubtedly impressed with its compression operation.

10. KONG Safe and No-Slip Retention Cooler – Editor’s Choice

Specs:

• Weight: ‎38 pounds
• Capacity (liters): 66.24 L
• Materials: Rotomolded plastic
• Dimensions: 34 x 18.4 x 17.9 inches

The final model in our selection of the best camping coolers for 2024 is the KONG Retention camping cooler. It stands out for its durability and non-slip features. With 70 quarts capacity, it can hold up to 45 12-oz cans along with 33 pounds of ice. With its large size and unique characteristics, this cooler can be used in a car or at home with optimum power in both cases.

KONG Retention cooler box has silicone rubber feet at the corners so that users simply won’t cut their bodies. The dividers double as a shelf, triple as a cutting board, and quadruple as a side table to keep food dry and drinks wet. You can also turn the divider and use it as a shelf to store dry goods.

The handles are really strong and solid. They have a rubberized grip so that you can carry and empty the cooler comfortably. You can open the cooler at 45-degree angle while backed up against a wall. And you will be able to get into it when you’ve packed your gear tight.

It is constructed from 3/16-inch-thick rigid nylon with stainless steel hardware. Overall, it would be the perfect choice when you need to feed the whole crew or head out into the backcountry for an extended getaway.

How to Choose the Best Camping Cooler

Weight, compactness, capacity, shelf life… Everything varies according to the models and brands. Each model has advantages and disadvantages; related to the price or the quality. To ensure long-lasting durability, make sure to consider the following features before buying the best camping coolers:

Design of the cooler

The capacity

Here, everyone has their own requirement. It is important to consider your family size and camping destination because an empty cooler loses performance quickly.

The capacity of the camping cooler can vary from 10 to 36 liters. In any case, we recommend you choose a model that best suits your needs. If you plan to have a picnic for two, you shouldn’t have the same needs as a large family or a group of friends. However, the mini cooler is perfect for an individual meal. Lunch boxes are also a great alternative for two or single-person camping days.

Conversation time

This is the most important part of the camping cooler. Here it all depends on the model. Indeed, the shelf life of food can go up to 14 hours without an ice pack. However, if you want to extend the cooling time, you can now bet on ice packs placed in your freezer.

Another alternative: put your cooler in the refrigerator before going on an excursion or a hike.

The compactness

To choose the best camping cooler for your needs, compactness is a criterion not to be neglected. It may happen that you don’t have enough room in your car when you go camping or you have little room at home. The flexible camping cooler will adapt perfectly to your needs in that case.

The compact and light cooler also offers the advantage of being able to fold on itself. Camping coolers with a self-inflating system ensure good efficiency. This system also reinforces their isothermal energy.

Despite their compactness, rigid coolers offer more resistance, robustness and efficiency. They are available in different capacities. They are also equipped with an electric cooling system.

Materials

Hard plastic coolers, such as polypropylene, are a must for camping. Also, they are more resistant to shock. As for the softer models, with a polyester coating, they are designed for picnic or camping.

Weight

The lightweight cooler is always recommended for camping, especially if you plan to move it regularly. For this type of use, choose a model that weighs less than 20 kg. However, camping coolers are usually equipped with straps, handles, or shackles that facilitate their transport.

Noise level

Most often portable refrigerators are used near where you sleep, such as when camping or in an RV. For this reason, they must emit low noise emissions, especially if children or infants are present. In this sense, the ones that guarantee emissions of about 40 dB are excellent.

Price to pay

Your budget is also an important factor in buying a camping cooler. Be aware that there is a world of difference between coolers that sell for $75, $350 … and over $1,000. For less than $300, you have to make some compromises on quality, durability and features. The ease of transport, strength, and thickness of the insulating walls often affect the final cost.

FAQs

Why cooler is essential for camping?

There is no better way to keep food and drinks cool or fresh at room temperature. And fresh food means good health. Camping coolers, sometimes called portable refrigerators, have this common thing with variable features. Compared to the refrigerator, it’s three times lighter (maybe more). Other than that, it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. You can easily place it in the car’s trunk, in a caravan, or even in the back seat. Camping cooler adapts perfectly to long distances.

You may know that people are not the only ones to use coolers. The camping cooler is also very useful in the professional field. For example, in the medical sector, it is used to transport drugs and organs.

Which size is good for a camping cooler?

The camping cooler is available in several sizes. The shelf life of food is 24 hours to 48 hours. However, camping coolers of less than 20 liters are the preferred partners for solo camping enthusiasts. Some models with 20 liters capacity can supply a maximum of 4 people. Coolers with a capacity between 20 and 40 liters meet the needs of couples perfectly. Over 40L models are ideal for large families, over 6 people.

What types of camping coolers are available on the market?

Like many types of camping equipment, coolers have not been spared by technological developments. For now, there are three main families of coolers:

• Electric cooler: it is the most popular model on the market. It stands out for its excellent autonomy and increased performance. You won’t need ice cubes or an ice pack. However, electric coolers vary from model to model, depending on the type of refrigeration.
• Flexible cooler: like a shoulder strap or a backpack, flexible camping cooler has the advantage because of its compactness and very handy design. Flexible cooler is collapsible. Its foam insulation gives it unrivaled thermal performance. The shelf life is the only downside. However, the flexible cooler adapts especially to brief uses.
• Rigid cooler: as the name suggests, the rigid cooler was designed to withstand impact. However, To get the best thermal performance, you will need to pay special attention to the insulation material.

Is an electric cooler useful when camping?

Most electric coolers plug into a 12-volt (V) outlet, such as the cigarette lighter in your automobile. Otherwise, you must provide an adapter, often sold separately, to make the cooler compatible with standard 120 V outlets. You can plug it into solar panels.

As we previously mentioned, electric coolers available on the market operate thermoelectrically: they lower their internal temperature by about 20 degrees Celsius compared to room temperature. If it’s really hot outside, your food won’t stay fresh for long. In addition, you cannot put ice in this type of container, because the water that it produces could damage the electrical components like a fan for example.

How much does a camping cooler cost?

Costs vary a lot depending on the size, type, and brand of the cooler. Of course, they must be justified by the quality and performance of the refrigerator, the ones you find recommended here all have excellent value for money. On average the price can be varied from 50 to 300 dollars.

How much does a camping cooler consume?

We are talking about electric camping refrigerators, we have suggested some very interesting ones that consume very little, classified in the energy category A ++. Obviously, the consumption changes from cooler to cooler, it depends on the size and power.

How long will ice last in a camping cooler?

The duration for which ice lasts in a camping cooler varies based on factors such as the type of cooler, the quantity of ice used, and the ambient temperature. In general, high-end hard-sided coolers have the capacity to keep ice frozen for up to a week or even longer, whereas soft-sided coolers may only maintain ice for a few days.

How do I properly pack a camping cooler?

To properly pack a camping cooler, start by pre-cooling it before adding any food or drinks. Place ice at the bottom of the cooler and layer food and drinks on top, with heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top. Pack the cooler tightly to prevent air gaps and use ice packs to help keep the contents cold.

How do I clean my camping cooler?

To clean a camping cooler, first remove any remaining food or drinks and dispose of any ice. Use a mild soap and warm water to clean the interior of the cooler, paying particular attention to any areas where food or drink may have spilled. Rinse the cooler thoroughly and allow it to air dry before storing it.

5 Tips to Maintain Your Camping Cooler

Conclusion

The best camping cooler becomes the main fridge to keep food in good condition while camping. Electric, rigid or flexible, with wheels or with compression… Finding a good cooler can sometimes be a real headache for any camper. Whether you’re heading for a picnic, camping, or a day at the beach, we hope this article helped you find the right camping cooler for your needs.

We wish you safe camping and enjoy your cold drink.

Our site also reviewed the best camping toaster ovens and best camping coffee mugs available on the market. Take a moment to look at them.