Best Family Coolers: Buying Guide 2024

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
Igloo Polar 120 Qt. Cooler
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Igloo Polar 120 Qt. Cooler

The Igloo Polar Cooler is a durable and spacious storage unit of up to 188 cans. It comes with a tie-down loop that lets you secure your cooler to the roof of your car or truck. The top includes a convenient lid handle, while the bottom includes hooks that you can use to hang your cooler from the ceiling of your garage. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Coleman Cooler | Xtreme Cooler Keeps Ice Up to 5 Days

Coleman Cooler Xtreme Cooler is the perfect solution for tailgating, camping, or just need a temporary icebox at home. Featuring a high capacity of 100 cans and a leak-resistant channel drain, this cooler can hold ice up to 5 days. The exterior is smoother to make cleaning easier while protecting against leakage. Read Review

3. Best Choice: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler, Charcoal

The new YETI Roadie Cooler is the perfect size for you to take on your adventures, whether it's camping, biking or in the backcountry. The taller build fits standard wine bottles upright, and boasts QuickLatch for easy one-handed cooler access. Read Review

4. Best Economical: Columbia PFG Brewha 58 Can Family Size

Columbia PFG Brewha 58 Can Family Size is a hard-sided, FDA compliant, insulated cooler with the ThermaCool high performance insulation and removable SmartShelf. Featuring an Ultra Safe leak proof interior lining that is easy clean and its removable SmartShelf can be placed on either side of the container to save space. Read Review

A great cooler is not only functional but also looks great. There are many coolers on the market that have everything you need to keep your beverages at the right temperature for hours. The best way to find a perfect cooler is by knowing what type of activities you will be having with it and what specific types of beverages you will be storing.

Some coolers are more functional than others and some look better in your backyard than others. We’ve put together six of the best coolers for your next picnic or get-together.

After nearly 15 hours of research, we were able to come up with many top products from prominent brands like Igloo, Coleman, Yeti, Columbia, Gardrit, Maelstrom, Scout. Among them, Igloo Polar 120 Qt. Cooler seems to be the first product you can rely on. Alternatively, if you're simply looking for a good-looking option, you may go with Coleman Cooler | Xtreme Cooler Keeps Ice Up to 5 Days.

Our article today focuses mainly on giving you guidelines and tips to be able to buy the right product that best suits your needs. Explore with us right here.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Igloo Polar 120 Qt. Cooler
Our Score:
9.9
Igloo
  • 188-can capacity, Exterior Dimensions 38.31" L x 17.38" W x 17.75" D. Top - 34.69 x 14.88 x 13.25 inches. Bottom - 33 x 13.25 x 13.25 inches
  • Threaded drain plug for hose hook up and easy draining
  • Ultratherm insulated body and lid keep ice for 5 days at 90 degrees Fahrenheit
TOP Choice #2 Coleman Cooler | Xtreme Cooler Keeps Ice Up to 5 Days
Our Score:
9.7
Coleman
  • Xtreme Technology; Insulated lid and extra wall insulation keep ice up to 5 days in temperatures as high as 90°F
  • Cup Holders: Molded Into the Lid to Keep Drinks Close and Prevent Spilling
  • EASY TO CLEAN: Smoother surface wipes clean easily; leak-resistant channel drain for easy draining without tilting
TOP Choice #3 YETI Roadie 24 Cooler, Charcoal
Our Score:
9.5
YETI
  • The Roadie 24 is 10% lighter in weight and holds 20% more than a Roadie 20, it even performs 30% better thermally
  • ROTOMOLDED CONSTRUCTION - Evolved to be thinner and lighter-weight for easier transport, while still incredibly tough
4 Columbia PFG Brewha 58 Can Family Size
Our Score:
9.4
Columbia
  • Patented, "flip open" Zipperless lid allows for quick access to food and drinks; 58 can capacity
  • Expandable, insulated, leak proof front compartment; Includes an adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap with pad
  • FDA compliant HardBody liner with removable SmartShelf
  • Another quality Coleman product
  • Camping Coolers
  • Made of the highest quality materials
  • UV Inhibitors to protect against sun damage
  • Ultratherm insulated body and lid
  • 【Collapsible soft cooler】- This is an excellent design, suitable size, easy to store portable ice pack. You can fold it flat and pack it in your luggage, or store frozen food while shopping. Made with high-quality 600D polyester fabric and reinforced zippers to ensure maximum durability. Features an Ultra Safe leak-proof, easy-clean interior lining. The soft leakproof lining is also easy to clean simply wipe down with a wet cloth.
  • 【Portability & outer pockets】- Four-layer thermal insulation bag keeps food and drinks cool and large enough for a 6-pack. Side handle and shoulder strap makes it easy to carry; features YKK zippers, with an extra corkscrew.
  • EXTRA LARGE CAPACITY - Extra-large size yet weighs only 1.8 lbs. The Maelstrom Icy Hollow Soft sided cooler will hold up to 60 cans of your favorite drinks plus 2-4 ice-packs. Or, with 45 cans you can add 15 lbs. of ice for long lasting coldness. Whether it's camping, hiking, picnicking, or a BBQ party, this cooler bag easily packs a lot of food, fruits, beer, meat, or even seafood together. It’s large enough to carry all.
  • DURABLE - Maelstrom Ice Hollow Soft Sided Cooler Bags have double-stitched carry options. All pick-up points, the shoulder straps and carry handles are reinforced. This cooler bag can handle more weight than you’d prefer to carry. Capacity: 15.75*10.24*14.17 inches, 10.5 Gallons of ice and drinks.
  • Dual snap-fit lid latches secure lid closure
  • Foam insulation in body and lid holds ice up to 5 days at 90°f
  • Threaded drain plug for hose hook-up
  • FOR THE LONG HAUL: Heavy-duty 6-inch wheels and durable tow & swing-up handles designed for easy transport
  • FULLY INSULATED: Lid and body Keeps the Ice up to 5 days in temperatures as high as 90°F; logo color on cooler may vary
  • EASY TO OPEN: Recessed lip for easier access to contents

What to Look For in a best family coolers?

Some consumers are concerned about ordering best family coolers. Various aspects should always be explored before making big product choices. Our expertise on best family coolers will help determine the best possible decision.

Please keep in mind the following points before selecting best family coolers:

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.

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.

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.

FAQs

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

Our developers make it reliable for the info by their rich experience. best family coolers data is also kept up to date on any occasion. You might relax knowing that the information is updated and accurate.

Try reporting any best family coolers problems or inconsistencies so that we can make your life better. Thanks to your feedback, we'll push for even greater quality levels!


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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