Last Updated on January 27, 2024 by Jeremy

One of the most sought-after items on your camping list checklist should be none other than a cooler. A device that is needed to keep beer at an ice-cold temperature and prevent food spoilage during your adventurous trip. To question what the best ice coolers for camping are going to be, you’ll be introduced to a list of 10 unique options that are bound to keep you satisfied.

Yeti Tundra 65 Cooler

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Yeti, an extremely popular name brand in camping supplies, has built and designed a cooler that is durable, rugged, and even bear resistant.

Rated by the IGBC, or Interagency Grizzly Bear Committe as “resistant”, this cooler is great for hunting, fishing, camping, rafting, barbecuing and even, beer-drinking.

The Yeti cooler holds 77 cans only or 58lbs of ice only, comes with 1 dry goods basket, and holds the ice at over 30 degrees Celsius for up to 4 days. This is due to its extra thick wall permafrost-built sides that allow for this ice retention.

Interlocking hinge pins and an extraordinary lid seal also allow the Yeti ice cooler to keep ice formed longer. Adding minimum sun exposure, poor ice quality, and too little ice will also keep your ice lasting the threshold of long-lasting.

Some other neat features of this brand include:

• Easy to clean.
• Keeps food hot or drinks cold, works both ways.
• 5-yr warranty
• T-rex lid latches
• Double haul handles
• Anchor point tie down slots
• Vortex draining system.
• Permafrost Insulation

The Yeti cooler weighs 30.3 lbs., and measures 30.8″ x 17.3″ x 16″ outside and 23.3″ x 10.7′ x 11.3″ inside. It is also rated on the Yeti website at 4.8/5 stars based on a few thousand reviews.

Engel 50 High Performance Hard Cooler

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The Engel cooler is composed of a roto-molded material, which means that there is a plastic forming process that produces durable, hollow and rugged, single piece molds into its cooler shape. The process is similarly to that of how kayaks are made with the same materials.

That said, food or beverages stay hot or cold with a 2″ closed-cell foam insulation, airtight sealed lid while also being IGBC certified, a.k.a. bear-resistant.

Spouting a 10-day ice retention, this incredible 48qt cooler holds 50 cans or 55 lbs of ice, plus it is dry ice compatible and is backed with a 10-year warranty.

Measuring 24.25″ x 17.5″ x 18.25″ on the outside, 18″ x 11.75″ x 13.25″ on the inside, and weighing 24 lbs. this cooler also has:

• Unity Latch system – Marine grade quality.
• Arctic Vault Gasket – Airtight seal.
• Non-Skidding Feet – Less movement in transit.
• “Flick” Drain Plug – Twist to Open
• Self-Stopping Rear Hinge – Non-Breakable.

Coleman Vintage 54-Quart Steel Belted Cooler

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Known for their popular lanterns, tents, sleeping bags, camping chairs and other camping equipment, Coleman has a very popular steel belted cooler that is considered another great option to choose from.

Weighing only 18.1 lbs., this unit is the perfect size to take on the family picnic, to the beach under a pop-up shade tent, or even to a backyard grill / BBQ party.

The Coleman cooler can hold 85 cans, has a 4-day ice retention and can even be used as an extra seat holding weight up to 250 lbs.

It’s rust resistant, comes with stainless steel hardware, and has a built-in no tilt draining system. The measurements of the outside of this cooler are 17.25″ x 25.5″ x 17.5″, while the inside measures 18.5″ x 10.25″ x 12.875″, ensuring that all your meals and beverages can easily fit.

Igloo BMX 52 QT Cooler

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Igloo ice coolers are yet another popular name brand, and one that sticks out for keeping products at their required temperatures. This specific cooler has a 5-day ice retention and carries up to 83 cans. What’s more, is that its heavy duty, blow-molded construction only weighs 16.4 lbs.

That said, this ice cooler is designed with rubberized T-latches, a triple point swing handle, threaded drain plug, fixed pads, a stainless-steel kick plate, and is backed by a 3-year warranty. It’s cool-rise technology make this the perfect cooler for taking along on a fishing expedition on a stand-up paddle board, as it also features a molded in fish ruler on the lid.

If I recall, we grew up with many styles of Igloo name brand coolers, and none of them have ever disappointed, so I personally would not over-look this particular cooler as an option. The reason it’s in the best ice coolers for camping list is its portability to take on extra excursions.

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Grizzly 40 Cooler

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If you’re looking for another roto-molded cooler that is durable, consider one of these Grizzly brands that bases its name due to the fact it is also bear-resistant (IGBC) certified. The versatility of this cooler holds 44 cans with 10lbs of ice, plus its dry-ice compatible.

Featuring grip slip feet, which means no sliding, it also comes with:

• 2″ threaded drain for faster clean-out
• Silicone gasket lid promoting ice longevity.
• 2″ tie-down slots including a locking system.
• Bear claw latch ensuring animal proof security.
• Integrated hinges making it durable.
• Molded in handles with easy grip and carry.
• Lifetime Warranty

This cooler measures 25.5″ x 16″ x 15.325″ on the outside and 11.75″ x 19.5″ x 10.5″ inside of the cooler, plus it only weighs 24 lbs. making it another favorable option to tote along on a fishing trip. Why you might ask, is because of a 22″ molded ruler on the lid.

Pelican 80QT Elite Wheeled Cooler

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I feel that this cooler deserves an A+ rating as one of the best just on looks alone. With the secure latches, a built-in bottle opener, a molded-in fish ruler on the lid, and really rugged wheels, the Pelican Elite ice cooler is perfect for that 5-day camping trip.

Featuring 2″ polyurethane foam & a 360-degree freezer-grade gasket, the cooler also comes with a built-in slope drain with tethered cap, plus it is put together with stainless steel hardware.

Able to hold 58 cans & ice at a 2:1 ratio, the Pelican Elite has a 10-day ice retention rating along with a IGBC certification. It weighs only 49.5 lbs. dry and can carry 75.7L of supplies.

Measurements of this cooler are:

• Exterior – 42.8″ x 20.75″ x 20.25″
• Interior – 29″ x 13″ x 13″

OCRA 58QT Hard Side Cooler

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With similarities to the Grizzly and Engel Cooler, this 58qt unit is also roto-molded making it another durable option to consider taking along on a picnic, hunting trip, or camping trip.

The integrated insulation gives this cooler a 10-day ice retention rating with the help of the lid gasket. Flex grip handles make it easy to carry, plus the quick lock rubber handles make the lid stay locked in place to create that perfect seal.

A neat feature on this cooler is the cargo-net attached to the side, making it convenient to transport more supplies. Weighing 36lbs, this cooler measures 27″ x 19.38″ x 19″ on the outside while the interior is 19″ x 13″ x 13″.

Dometic CFX3 55IM Powered Cooler

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Different than Furrion RV appliances and Suburban RV appliances, Dometic is another brand that makes RV appliances, and this cooler happens to fit into that category. Known as the ultimate powered cooler, this series is the first electric cooler with its own ice maker.

The CFX has a rapid freeze plate which makes ice in only a few hours. Powered by AC, DC or solar, this unit is the tallest fridge cooler in the series.

It’s lightweight construction features fender frames, strong aluminum alloy handles, and a high-performance compressor that includes noise and vibration reduction.

Temperatures range between -7- and 50-degrees Fahrenheit, all controlled by a mobile app which puts the control of your food at your fingertips.

This cooler can hold 53L or 83 cans, weighs only 47.19 lbs., and measures 28.35″ x 17.9″ x 18.9″ (WxDxH).

Canyon Outfitter 35QT Cooler

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Built for a 1-2 nighter for a backwoods camping trip, taking a jeep or a side by side, this 1-piece roto-molded cooler comes with a drain plug, 2″ tie-downs, molded-in aluminum hinge, and EZ cam latches to create an air-tight seal.

Also, IGBC certified, it can hold 32 cans for maximum ice retention making it the perfect cooler for weekend usage. In total, it has a 64 can capacity, weighs 22lbs dry, and measures 24″ x 15.75″ x 16.75″ on the outside, with interior measurements of 17.5″ x 9.75″ x 12.5″.

This cooler has a lifetime warranty and comes with no hassle-free parts. Something I think all coolers should have, but that’s just my opinion. Still, though, its rugged, durable and can be accompanied alongside a backpack for the ultimate camping get-a-way.

Titan 60 Can Wheeled Cooler

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The last of the best is this Titan cooler by Arctic Zone, which sports an easy access lid, an expandable insulated front compartment, and a telescopic hook-n’-go handle that holds up to 100lbs.

This cooler can handle up to 3 days of ice cooling with its deep freeze insulation as it is also leak proof with its leak proof lining. Another neat features the detachable cart, and the fact that it can hold up to 60 cans while only weighing 6.75 lbs. says a lot.

Not bear-proof however, the measurements of this cooler are 14.75″ x 15.5″ x 19″ on the outside while the inside measures 13.25″ x 12″ x 14.75″.

Conclusion

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From this extensive top 10 list to the conclusion, we have learned about the best ice coolers for camping, as to how they are designed, whether or not they are bear-resistant, and how durable, rugged, and portable they actually are.

Having these choices available show that you can calculate your trip days and base your decision on capacity and ice retention.

A lot of these choices have their own pluses and minuses, but in the end its about where you are going with that cooler, and whether you want longevity of the product or quality. Even though some of these brands come with both, a good quality cooler was hard to find, until now!

What’s your pick? Have any cooler stories? Perhaps you’re intrigued to learn what we carry for coolers on our online store? If so, leave a comment below!

Cheers!