Last Updated on August 1, 2023 by Dean Anderson
Having a high quality camping cooler is one of the best things you can do if you plan on getting out into the wilderness. Whether you’re on your own, with friends, or with loved ones, having a cooler will keep your food and drinks at the right temperature.
You don’t just need a good cooler when camping, either. You can take one on a picnic with you, or even having one to take out into the garden with you on a nice day is beneficial.
Some people who work outdoors in hot climates may need a cooler to remain hydrated and energized. Coolers are an essential part of your camping gear.
In this guide, we’re going to review the best coolers for camping. You’ll get an idea of what to buy and what not to buy, so let’s get on with these 5 ice chest reviews.
1. YETI Tundra 35 Cooler – Fantastic performance & construction but at a price
This cooler comes in three attractive colors; white, blue, and beige. It can hold up to 20 cans, keeping them cool with the equivalent of 3 inches of permafrost insulation. Users have reported the Yeti Tundra 35 can keep drinks and food cold for 3-4 days on the same ice even when in full sun. This makes it perfect for outdoor workers, fishermen and campers.
The performance and durability is mainly down to the thick armored rotomolded construction. Other refinements like the T-Rex lid latches made of heavy duty rubber are also major plus points.
The cooler as a whole weighs 17 pounds, not the lightest but even when full it isn’t too heavy to carry, for one person.
Pros
- Sturdy and durable rotomolded construction
- Carry’s 20 cans with a 2:1 ice ratio
- T-Rex heavy duty rubber latches
- Replace ice every 3-4 days even when in full sun
- Very sturdy
- Effective even without ice
- Comes with a small dry goods rack
- Handy drain plug included
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Heavy when loaded
- One of the most expensive options
Conclusion
The Yeti Tundra range is one that started many of the modern refinements to coolers off. It’s one of the best ice chests on the market today and the numerous positive reviews speak for themselves. The only major criticism is the price. Yeti is an expensive brand. So can we get the same level of performance and durability from a cheaper more value-for-money product?
2. Pelican Products ProGear Elite Cooler, 35 quart – Military grade construction & great cooling but on the heavy side
The Pelican cooler has a dual handle system and comes in a variety of attractive colors including pink, blue, green, red, and more. We love the latches that we could open even with gloves on and it’s fair to say this baby is almost military grade in terms of construction, certainly as good as the Yeti.
The excellent construction however means the cooler weighs in at a hefty 32 pounds, one of the heaviest on the list. Once it’s filled with ice and drinks it’s a struggle for one person to carry any great distance. If you only have to move from the car to the campground though, this is not an issue.
The external drain plug is also really handy. You can drain the cooler without opening the main lid. It’s also great for cleaning especially if you’ve been storing meat or fish and need to rid the unit of any nasty smells or stains.
Pros
- Solid build
- Available in 7 attractive colors
- 2″ polyurethane insulation
- 5-10 days ice retention according to users and the manufacturer
- Robust latches can be used even with gloves
- Almost military grade construction
- External drain is air tight and handy for cleaning
- A great all round cooler
- Reports of great customer service from Pelican
Cons
- Expensive
- Must drain water every day for best performance
- Heavy at 32lbs even when empty
Conclusion
The Pelican ProGear is a very good cooler, with a solid build and does what it says on the tin. Customer reports of ice lasting between 5-10 days and keeping beverages cold is great news for campers and those working out in the sun. However, as it’s so heavy, we can’t help thinking it would be much better with wheels or even just one wheel to make transportation easier from place to place.
3. Engel Coolers High Performance ENG35 Roto-Molded Cooler – Very light and attractive but not the best camping cooler given the price tag
With an Engel cooler, you get Neutral colored options, ensuring you blend in seamlessly with the environment around you. This could make it a great cooler for somebody who is outdoors a lot, maybe a fisherman. At 14 pounds it’s one of the lightest coolers on the list, making it pretty easy to take with you wherever you go.
Pros
- Light at only 14lbs and easy to carry
- Attractive looking (although the white version is hard to clean)
- IBSC certified bear resistant
- Rotationally molded construction
Cons
- Latches are not as sturdy as other models
- Better at keeping things cold rather than frozen
- Light colors difficult to clean
Conclusion
This is an OK cooler, but it performs better at keeping things cold, rather than frozen. It may not be as sturdy as other models either, although it’s fairly easy to carry. If you’re a clean freak, then you don’t want to get the white version, as the stains and marks will annoy you when you find you struggle to remove them.
The cooler can break after prolonged use too, which is not what you want to hear when you’re spending good money on an ice chest. It’s just not as good as other high end ice chests on the market, and you could potentially get a much cheaper cooler to do the same job.
4. Coleman 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler – Beautiful retro looks and perhaps the best ice chest for the money on test
This attractive retro style cooler comes in multiple colorways, including black, maroon, orange, green and sky blue. It’s a faithful reproduction of the 1954 original with a few modern tweaks to improve cooling performance.
It’s the largest unit on test holding up to 85 cans. Considering that the weight at around 19 pounds is pretty good. Plus the size means if you bring the cooler you’ll always have a place to sit.
Budget wise it is the most cost effective cooler reviewed here coming in at approximately half the price of the Yeti.
Pros
- Surprisingly one of the least expensive coolers on the list
- Rust proof and leak resistant
- Heavy duty cooler
- Gorgeous retro looks from the big brand
- Holds up to 85 cans and can even hold 2 litre bottles upright
- Includes a channel drain to dispose of excess water without tilting
- Made in the US
Cons
- May not last as long as the more expensive coolers on the list
- Doesn’t perform as well as the more expensive items on the list
Conclusion
This is a heavy duty cooler that is perfect for those who may be on a budget. With Coleman, you get excellent value for money. Many agree this cooler is a brilliant, cheap alternative to a Yeti or an Orca. The cooler may not last as long as other options as there are some concerns about durability. Furthermore, it won’t keep things cool quite as well as the best on test here but you can’t complain for the price. Think overnight trip or a tailgate party rather than everyday use when working out in the field or on extended camping trips.
5. ORCA TP0400RCORCA Cooler 40-Quart – Awesome cooling performance
The Orca comes in a variety of amazing colorways, including cool contrasting colors such as orange, blue, yellow, red and green like the one reviewed here. If you want to make a statement, then this is the cooler for you. When you spend this kind of money on a cooler though you expect serious cooling capability as well as great looks. The Orca does not disappoint. Users report great cooling even after 7 days of camping.
The gasket seal is so good you often have to undo the drain plug to interrupt the suction formed between the lid and the unit. This is especially true if you change altitudes whilst traveling to the campground.
The lifetime warranty also helps to justify the heavy weight price tag, and you can buy the Orca in many different sizes, ranging from 20 quart to 140 quart. The 40 quart test model was a decent 24 pounds in weight, so it’s not too light or too heavy.
Pros
- An amazing high quality cooler suited to all purposes
- Looks great
- Sizes from 20-140 quart
- Full gasket seals things in brilliantly
- Useful mesh storage on one side
- Made in America
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive, quality comes at a price
- A little heavier than other options
Conclusion
The Orca is well worth the money for serious campers. Although it is the most expensive option on the list, you get what you pay for with the Orca. If you know you’re going to get a ton of use out of your ice chest, then you couldn’t invest your money in a better chest. Many believe the Orca is better than the Yeti, with both at similar price points and with similar features. Let’s discuss which one we think is best below!
Which are the Best Coolers for Camping? Conclusion:
Having now read through these ice chest reviews, you might just think you have a good idea of the winner. Due to some of the big names on this review page, the winner may not be so clear to others. The Yeti and Orca brands are two clear contenders for the top spot, but which one of these comes out on top? We think the Orca wins the battle, looking and performing a little better than the Yeti, with the added bonus of a lifetime warranty and being made in America. Yeti coolers are now made in China, and this puts off some buyers, due to quality concerns. However, they are both decent brands – you just get more for your money when you go for the Orca.
If you’re on a budget and only want a cooler for occasional use then do consider the Coleman 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler. It’s the least expensive on the list, and one of the lightest too given the size. It may not be built as well as an Orca or a Yeti, and may not last years or come with a lifetime warranty, but it’s an incredible, easily affordable option for those with limited funds. In fact, you’ll find some ice chests on the higher end of the price scale that do not compete with the Coleman. If you’re not looking to spend hundreds of dollars on your cooler, then the retro Coleman is your answer.
Is there a cooler you should avoid? Surprisingly the Engel Cooler is probably the cooler that is best avoided, as it just doesn’t live up to expectation or justify its price. Despite claiming to keep ice for up to 10 days many users claim it struggles to keep it for 2-3 days. You would be better off spending a little more money on a better model or going for a cheaper cooler like the Coleman, as it does a better job. The quality of the Engel simply does not justify the luxury price tag.
In summary you can’t go wrong with the Orca or the Coleman these are 2 of the best coolers for camping. If you’re looking for coolers with a little more storage with wheels and handles so you can pull along checkout these models.
Eight years ago, I took a risk and left a miserable office job to follow a lifestyle career that involved my love for the great outdoors. I’ve taken my love for camping, hiking and travel to the next level by running my small campground with a friend near Portland, Oregon. It’s for way less money but this has truly been a dream come true and the running involves lots of family and friends.
The next evolution of that was to get online and start allcampingstuff.com. At our campground, I spend a lot of time setting up camping equipment for customers and disposing of the garbage products they leave behind. If I can help just a few people with advice on good camping gear, then this website venture will be worth it.
So, if you want to avoid the duds and spend your money wisely you’ve hopefully come to the right place.
