Coolers are kind of one of those afterthought items for the yard that most people don’t really take the time to research. While ice chests are pretty much a just a tool to keep stuff cold, choosing the right one for your home is not as simple as it sounds. Considering how many different styles and sizes of ice chests are available, knowing how and where you will use it most is essential to picking a versatile cooler that will work for your backyard parties, camping, tailgating and even fishing. I’ve gone ahead and done the hard work for you and researched the heck out of the best ice chests & coolers for 2020 and compiled a nice buyers guide to help you pick the right cooler for your budget and needs.
Top 5 Portable Ice Chest Coolers
TOP PICK – Orca 26 Qt White CoolerThis 26-quart cooler from Orca is my pick for a smaller, manageable cooler that’s still sturdy enough to last for many years. It’s perfect for camping, small get-togethers, outdoor sports and other activities. This cooler is built with about three layers of insulation to keep the contents cold for a long time. In my experience, the cooler stays cold for a little under a week before needing new ice. The lid also feels dependable, unlike many other coolers. It has a tight seal that traps cold and prevents any leaks. The Orca also comes with side handles that allow for easy portability. The Orca is a reasonably priced high-end cooler. I’m confident that I’ll be able to rely on it for a long time to come, and none of the parts feel as if they’ll easily break off. The Orca does come in different sizes. The 26-quart is a convenient size because it’s easy to pack into a smaller space, and it’s relatively light at about 20 pounds. Still, even those 20 pounds can feel like a burden when you’re carrying a cooler with such a small capacity around — it can fit only about 24 cans of beer, for example. However, all high-end coolers seem to have the same issue with being heavy for their size. If that means a better, longer-lasting product, then that seems to be a fair trade off. I’d recommend this product to any family that wants a small yet tough cooler. Review Summary
Top Features
Needs Improvement
#2 Igloo Polar CoolerThe best part about this cooler is the size. It’s much bigger in person than you’d expect which is useful for large family gatherings, picnics or camping trips. You can fit several large bags of ice in this unit, and the more ice you add, the cooler it gets. For such a large cooler, it’s impressively lightweight. The Polar is fully insulated with Ultratherm technology. It also comes with UV inhibitors to prevent the lid from heating up in the sun. The cooler is designed to keep ice cool for up to 5 days at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. I didn’t get a chance to use it in those conditions, but I did notice that it began to melt slightly at around the 3-day mark. That’s not bad for such a large, affordable cooler, but it’s something to keep in mind for those that need longer-term ice storage. Another perk of the Polar is that it comes with a threaded drain plug. That means you don’t have to worry about picking up the entire cooler and dumping out melted water. For me, a cooler of this size without a drain would be a huge inconvenience, so it’s great that the drain comes included and is easy to use. The cooler comes with two handles, so it’s easy to lift into the car. The lid snaps closed and you can tie it down, so there’s no risk of spilling the contents of the cooler all of your trunk. However, the handles themselves are relatively flimsy — they’ve stayed intact so far, but the quality feels subpar like they might come loose at some point. Also, the lid isn’t air-tight like some other coolers are. That’s likely the culprit behind the shortened cooling time. Since this unit is affordable, it’s still a great value for the money. It’s great for storing huge amounts of ice over a few days. Review Summary
Top Features
Needs Improvement
#3 Pelican ProGear Elite CoolerThis cooler from Pelican is a nice medium size. It’s small enough to be handled relatively easily but large enough to hold plenty of ice and other items. On the other hand, it’s quite heavy for its size at around 36 pounds, so it’s much better for local activities like parties or tailgates. It’s not ideal for any activity where you’d need to carry it and its contents for a long distance. Though the Pelican doesn’t hold nearly as much ice as the Polar, it keeps the ice solid for much longer. It claims to keep ice cool for up to 10 days, and my experience was that it does exactly that. It’s truly impressive in that regard, and it’s not surprising once you see how rugged it looks in person. It looks like it’s built to last. The cooler is quite durable. It doesn’t dent or scratch easily. Though it’s unlikely that you’ll be using it in rough conditions, it’s nice to know that it will hold up to some manhandling if need be. A couple drops or rolls are unlikely to be noticeable at all. The handles on this cooler are reliable, too. The hardware is all made of stainless steel, so the cooler is resistant to wear-and-tear. This cooler also includes a latch, which helps keep the contents completely protected. The latch is easy to open while still being sturdy. This cooler is noticeably higher in price than some other models, but in this case, you get what you pay for. It’s a high-quality model that will last for many years, so if you use coolers regularly, this one will eventually pay for itself. The only true downside to this unit is the weight. It’s difficult to manage with just one person. Review Summary
Top Features
Needs Improvement
#4 Yeti Tundra 110 CoolerThe Yeti Tundra 110 was designed especially as a fishing / rafting cooler, but I can assure you that it’s also well-suited to many other uses. This model is quite large — it can hold 101 pounds of ice or 65 cans of beer. That makes it perfect for parties and tailgates. As such a sizable cooler, it’s quite heavy even while empty. You’ll definitely need two people to lift it if it’s full. In my experience, the Tundra keeps ice cold for at least a week before it begins to melt noticeably, though it depends on whether it’s sitting directly in the sun. The cooler’s quality is noticeable immediately, from the latch to the handles to the rubber feet. The sides are layered with about 3 inches of permafrost to keep the contents nice and cool, and the walls are even designed to be bear-resistant — perfect for camping, though thankfully I don’t have personal experience with that quite yet. The Tundra also has not one but two drain plugs. That allows it to drain more quickly than other models once the ice is melted. This cooler is top of the line, so it’s not cheap. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants an item that will last for a long time without needing any repairs or maintenance. It comes in different sizes. Take a look at some of the other Yeti Tundra ice chest models. Review Summary
Top Features
Needs Improvement
#5 Coleman Coastal Xtreme Ice ChestFor an affordable, reliable cooler that can hold an amazing amount of ice, the Coleman Coastal Xtreme is my pick. It’s quite lightweight for a cooler of this capacity — it weighs just 13 pounds and can hold a whopping 120 quarts of ice. Like most Coleman products, this cooler is reliable quality. It’s exactly what you expect out of a standard camping cooler, complete with built-in cupholders and side handles. The cooler also doubles as a seat. It can hold up to 250 pounds of weight, which speaks to the high level of quality of the lid. Most of the cooler feels sturdy and relatively durable for the price, with the exception of the handles. They’ve held up thus far, but they do feel a bit cheaply made for a cooler that can hold so much weight. The hardware is made of stainless steel, but the handle hinges are made of plastic. This cooler keeps ice cold for several days before melting. It comes with drain plugs for easy draining. A cooler of this size is naturally difficult to fit into a small space. It took up the entirety of my trunk space, which for me was a con. While the size is, of course, a necessary tradeoff for the capacity, this cooler is best for those who truly need to store a ton of items. Otherwise, the generous capacity will go to waste. Coleman makes a 120 qt marine version of this cooler as well, take a look here. Review Summary
Top Features
Needs Improvement
Ice Chest / Cooler Buyer’s GuideThere’s a lot of different styles and models of ice chest on the market these days. It can be difficult to narrow down your cooler options if you don’t know where to start. I reviewed 5 of the best coolers that I believe fit into most buyer’s budgets and offer varying levels of performance based on the needs of the user. Before you jump into buying a new ice chest, take a quick look at some of the things you’ll want to consider. This will help you get the best cooler for where and how you plan on using it. Ice Chest SizeNearly every cooler manufacturer offers their models in multiple sizes. These will have varying dimensions as well as capacities. Try to determine how much food or drinks you’ll need to keep cold at any given time and for how long you’ll want to keep your items cold. Also consider how far you will need to move the cooler, as the weight can be an issue if you only have one person available to lift the heavier sized coolers. Cooler Brand NameWhile buying an ice chest strictly based on brand name isn’t necessarily a good idea, you will find that in most cases, the bigger brand names tend to produce higher quality products. Yeti, Orca, Coleman, Igloo & Thermik are all large brands that have been making excellent ice chest’s for many years. Keep in mind that you may be paying extra for the name as well, so factor that into your decision of which coolers to put on your buying list. PriceYou can easily spend up to $700 on a 110 quart marine grade cooler from one of the larger brand name manufacturers. But don’t let the cheaper price tags fool you into thinking they’re inferior quality. If you shop around a bit, you can find similar style coolers for a fraction of the cost. I’ve included several of these in my reviews above. On average, you should expect to spend around $200 for a quality ice chest that will hold in the 65 to 100 quart range and have quality parts & construction. InsulationInsulation is the main factor in determining how long your cooler will keep your items cold. Obviously the thicker the insulation, the better the cooler will perform at keeping stuff cold. The higher end coolers will normally feature 3″ of insulation. Cheaper models may only have 1″ of insulation, which will only keep cold for shorter periods of time. I recommend going with a unit that has at least 2″ of insulation in the body. This is a good trade off of cooling, overall weight and the cost will be reasonable as well. Fit & FinishOnce you have the size and style of cooler narrowed down, pay particular attention to the latches and hinges. These are the weak link on most coolers and cheap, plastic hinges, latches and handles tend to be the first parts to fail. You’ll pay a bit more, but an ice chest with metal hinges, and hard rubber latches will help provide a better seal, which will keep your items cold as long as possible. Also make sure the cooler has at least one drain plug. It’s no fun trying to dump out 50 pounds of ice and water without making a complete mess. More Resources: The Best Ice Chest for Camping from https://www.yardmasterz.com/entertaining/best-ice-chests/
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
About UsTake your yard to the next level. We review all the best outdoor & yard products to help you turn your backyard into an amazing place to entertain friends and family. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |