Best Hard Shell Coolers Of 2024: Great Picks & Buying Guide

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Of The Best: Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology

The Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology is a strong and durable cooler that offers excellent ice retention for up to four to five days. The heavy duty blow-molded construction with reinforced base offers increased strength and protection, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. Extremely durable yet lightweight, this cooler is perfect for anyone looking to stay cool while on the go! Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler, Navy

The YETI Roadie 24 Cooler is the perfect cooler for on-the-go lifestyles. ROTOMOLDED CONSTRUCTION provides an all-new and lighter design with a thin but durable body, while still remaining incredibly tough. QUICKLATCH makes it easy to open and close this cooler without fumbling at the lid, so you can keep your hands free and enjoy the ride. Read Review

3. Best Economical: Coleman Ice Chest | Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Hard Coolers

It's the cooler that'll keep your drinks ice cold and your food safe from pests. Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Hard Coolers are sturdier than ever with a new exterior design and stain-resistant liner. The recessed lip makes it easy to access items inside, and the exterior is made of a tough polypropylene that won't absorb water or stains. Read Review

4. Best Comfortable: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler, White

The YETI Roadie Cooler from Yeti is the perfect solution for outdoor enthusiasts who want to keep their food and beverages nice and cold. The cooler features a Rotomolded construction that's thinner and lighter-weight for easy transport. It also has an improved leak-proof gasket. The YETI Roadie Cooler is the perfect size to fit and stay hidden in your vehicle, or anywhere you need a place to store some drinks, food, and ice! Read Review

Whether you’re heading to the lake, the mountains, or just hosting a backyard barbecue, having cold drinks available is a must. Luckily, there are several great hard shell coolers on the market that will keep your refreshments ice-cold for hours at a time. These days, most hard shell coolers are made from high-quality materials with sturdy latches and closures.

They also tend to be more spacious than ever before making them perfect for keeping sodas and other drinks chilled while you’re hanging out in the yard or at the beach. If you’re looking for an awesome hard shell cooler to bring along on your next picnic, camping trip, hike, or road trip, check out these top picks.

We think the product that comes highly recommended for best hard shell coolers is Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology. In case you need more alternatives and more in-depth guidance, you may explore the following.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology
Our Score:
9.8
Igloo
  • MaxCold body with 20% thicker foam and insulated lid provide advanced cooling performance and up to 4-day ice retention.
  • UV inhibitors protect the cooler against sun damage for extended life.
  • Rubberized T-grip latches keep lid secure.
TOP Choice #2 YETI Roadie 24 Cooler, Navy
Our Score:
9.7
YETI
  • 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
  • EASY TO OPEN: Recessed lip for easier access to contents
  • FOR THE LONG HAUL: Heavy-duty 6-inch wheels and durable tow & swing-up handles designed for easy transport
  • LARGE CAPACITY: Holds up to 101 cans
4 YETI Roadie 24 Cooler, White
Our Score:
9.4
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
  • The Roadie 24 is 10% lighter in weight and holds 20% more than a Roadie 20, it even performs 30% better thermally
  • 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
5 CAMP-ZERO 10 | 10.6 Qt. Premium Cooler
Our Score:
9.2
CAMP-ZERO
  • Grizzly certified to be bear resistant when used with the appropriate locks. Locks not included
  • Virtually Indestructible rotomolded premium cooler with secure locking system, textured lid and two molded-in cup holders
  • Enhanced wall thickness with freezer grade gasket for superior ice retention and dry ice compatible
  • MADE TO LAST: 3 year warranty
  • INCLUDES: Inner try for non-perishables to stay cool and dry, and a snap-in, flexible lid organizer
  • DRY BOX: Built in dry storage compartment features a push button latch and tablet/phone easel slot
  • Accommodates most tall bottles and includes removable divider/cutting board and ideal for most wine bottles
  • Folding aluminum comfort grip handle with stainless steel hardware and non-marring feet
  • 30% LIGHTER THAN ROTOMOLDED – The RTIC Ultra-Light Hard Cooler 52 qt is designed to be more than 30% lighter than rotomolded coolers of the same capacity. Perfect for anywhere adventure takes you.
  • MULTIPLE USES – It’s the perfect ice cooler, drink cooler, travel cooler, beer cooler, can cooler, camping cooler, beach cooler, boat cooler, or barbecue cooler. It can be carried by one person.
  • Leak-resistant gasket
  • Rugged latches + handle
  • INTERIOR LID COMPARTMENT - Holds personal items such as phone, medicine, documents, etc.
  • HOURS OF COOLING - Keeps cool up to 41°F // 5°C for 30 hours
  • LARGE MAIN COMPARTMENT - 17-quart (16.1 L) main compartment can hold 18 cans, measuring 12in x 16.2in x 12in (30.5cm x 41.2cm x 30.5cm)

What Factors Should You Consider While Choosing best hard shell coolers?

Getting to the best decision for a product purchase may take a bit of time. In a nutshell, we're available to serve you with your product problems at all hours of the day and night!

You can rest assured if you consider the following points before selecting best hard shell coolers:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

In general, product information and news are now available to users. In addition, as previously said, the Internet is constantly updated with new technology. Thus, customers will need to be informed so please subscribe to our newsletter or visit our website frequently to check the latest information.

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About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

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