The Best 100 Qt Coolers For 2024

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Coleman 100 Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Coleman 100 Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler

With a long-lasting, 100 quart capacity, this Coleman Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler is the perfect solution for your outdoor excursions. The cooler has molded cup holders that keep drinks close and prevent spills. Its insulation keeps ice up to 5 days at temperatures up to 90°F. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Hard Coolers 100QT

Coleman Wheeled Coolers are designed for easy transport. They feature rugged construction, a telescoping handle and stabilizer bars, and a convenient LID with built-in carry handles. All Coleman Wheeled Coolers are made from durable 1680D Ballistic Nylon and have a spill-resistant liner that drains water easily. Read Review

3. Best Performance: Igloo Maxcold 40-100 Qt Commercially Insulated Coolers

The Igloo Maxcold 40-100 Quart Commercially Insulated Cooler is the top choice for outdoor events and days out on the water. This insulates up to 100 quarts of cold or hot drinks, groceries and more with room for ice. Reinforced swing-up handles feature a tie down loop for added convenience. The Threaded drain plug allows for hose hook up to keep your cooler looking its best! Read Review

4. Best Convenient: Igloo 110 Qt Glide Pro Portable Large Ice Chest Wheeled Cooler, White

Offering excellent value for money, the Igloo 110 Qt Glide Pro Portable Large Ice Chest Wheeled Cooler is a must-have item for any outdoor activity. The soft-ride wheels make transport easy and smooth, while the cushioned handle and rubberized bottom provide a comfortable grip. Read Review

Whether you are camping with the family and need to bring enough cold drinks, or if you are heading off on a hunting trip and need to pack in as much ice as possible for your beverages, then a cooler is going to be indispensable. After all, who wants to drink warm beer or soda from a plastic bottle? The best coolers can keep drinks cool for hours, last all day at the park, and fit in your car when you are ready to go home.

They can also be lightweight and compact, so they aren’t difficult to lug around from place to place. Luckily, there are so many options available today. Consumers have a wide spectrum of brands from which to choose based on numerous factors such as price range, warranty coverage, size, capacity, type of packaging materials used, and more. To make things easier for you we have narrowed down our top picks...

After a significant amount of time investigating and evaluating, our experts provided the models that may fulfill your specified wants, notably Coleman 100 Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler. But if you have a restricted budget and cannot purchase this model, you are required to check out another one, Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Hard Coolers 100QT.

Below is a comparison table between the top models of best 100 qt coolerss, covering crucial features and product details. Also, you will be able to obtain the most well-known businesses, particularly Coleman, Igloo, Grizzly, Porch shield, Driftsun, Trinity, Blue coolers. As a result, you may select one more quickly.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Coleman 100 Quart Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler
Our Score:
9.9
Coleman
  • Leak-resistant channel drain lets you remove excess water without tilting the cooler
  • Have-a-Seat Lid Supports Up to 250 Pounds so You Have a Place to Sit and Rest
TOP Choice #2 Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Hard Coolers 100QT
Our Score:
9.8
Coleman
  • LEAKPROOF: Channel drain plug
  • LARGE CAPACITY: Holds up to 160 cans
TOP Choice #3 Igloo Maxcold 40-100 Qt Commercially Insulated Coolers
Our Score:
9.6
Igloo
  • Holds ice up to 5 days at 90°F
  • Reinforced swing-up handles with tie-down loop feature
  • Another Igloo Industry First: Horizontal telescoping handle requires 50% less lifting effort.
  • Soft-ride wheels for easy transport & smooth ride.
5 Grizzly 100 Cooler, Tan, G100, 100 QT
Our Score:
9.3
Grizzly
  • Thermal Properties: All hard-sided coolers are pressure injected with up to two inches of Ecomate polyurethane foam for optimal cooling. This unique insulation has no global warming potential, no ozone depletion potential, and is made with no VOCs.
  • Rotomolded: Our coolers are made from rotationally-molded LLDPE plastic and are designed to achieve even wall thicknesses for optimal durability.
  • Cooler cart cover is made of 600D durable polyester fabric with an added water-resistant laminated under coating. Cover dimension: 43"L x 22"W x 32"H. 3 Year Warranty.
  • Water-resistant backing keeps your Ice Chest completely dry. And full cover with seam sealing tape make it 100% waterproof and dustproof for enhanced durability. ideal for outdoor use.
  • Easy to install
  • Single package includes: 1 pair of Swing-up handles and 8 screws
  • Snap-lock, child safety latch
  • Threaded drain plug for hose hook up
  • INSULATED COOLER: Driftsun Ice Chests hold ice for days on end with up to 3” inches of commercial grade insulation, freezer grade gasket, and ColdSeal Latches. Keep your beverages, meal, catch or ice packs cold for days.
  • SERIOUSLY TOUGH: All Driftsun Ice Chests are virtually Indestructible. These portable coolers are made with Rotomolded Thermoplastic Construction with Heavy Duty Rubber ColdSeal Latches and Exterior UV Protection. No matter where you travel or how you travel, the Driftsun Cooler will come back for more.
  • Detachable cooler tub for easy portability
  • 100 Quart/25 gallon/120 aluminum can capacity

Tips and strategies for selecting the best 100 qt coolers on the market

People are always attempting to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. Whether they're shopping for new shoes or a new automobile, knowing which best 100 qt coolers to buy on the market might be difficult. Fortunately, this article gives some amazing keyword selection tips and tactics, so you don't have to worry about making a bad option!

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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 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 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 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.

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 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.

Conclusion

Choosing the best 100 qt coolers for your purposes might be a difficult challenge. It is critical to remember what you want to achieve with the purchase as well as any factors that may influence your selection. 
Whether it's as basic as reading reviews before purchasing or inspecting images of best 100 qt coolers on the market from numerous perspectives. When you wish to locate another one, you may also look at the Coleman Coastal Xtreme Series Marine Portable Cooler, 100 Quart , White. Now, let’s pick one for 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