7 Best Coolers (2018)

After 12 hours of research evaluating 75 products, we picked Coleman 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler as our top choice.

When hitting up a tailgate party, going camping, planning a game day BBQ, or spending the day at the beach, a cooler is a must-have! Not only do coolers provide an airtight place to pack food that needs to stay cool, cold, or frozen, they give you plenty of space for all the ice required to maintain the precise temperature. It’s critical to have when planning any outing that requires bringing along raw food or chilled drinks.

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We’ve done the research of all the top-rated products on the market to bring you the best coolers for you to use at home, in your backyard, at the beach, or anywhere you go. Our list of coolers will ensure you can find the perfect product for you according to your specific needs.

Need more kick-ass camping gear? We've got flashlights, tents, and all the gadgets you need to make your trip a blast!

Best Cooler with Warmer

2. Wagan EL6224 12V Cooler/Warmer

User Score

92 User Score

26 Bought | Save: $8 (9% OFF)

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4.67 Faveable Rating

Why People Love it

The perfect road trip or camping cooler
Keeps food hot or cold
Compact; sized perfectly for carrying in your car

ProsCons

With this cooler you have the option of cooling or warming up contents. It's sized for 2-liter bottles, features a 27 can capacity, powered by 12V power supply (from car or portable battery pack), and comes with a 7.5 foot long cord.

Maintains cold temperature, but doesn’t cool contents; drains car battery.

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Details

Capacity: This cooler has a 27-can capacity and is tall enough to hold (four) 2-liter bottles standing upright. The fact that it’s just 11” x 8” x 12” means it’s perfect for storing in your car on long road trips or packing along with the rest of your camping gear.

Construction: The cooler is made with a simple plastic exterior and decently thick insulation, with a lid that seals it airtight when closed. On its own, insulation and temperature maintenance is average at best. But when you plug it in (to a 12V DC power supply, from your car or portable battery), this thing becomes a dream!

The cooling mechanism will help to maintain a temperature of pre-chilled food and drinks as low as 32 F. Add your drinks and food, pour in some ice, and switch it on, and the built-in motorized cooler will ensure your food stays cold.

But wait, that’s not all! Want to store breast milk, bottled tea, or water at a higher temperature? Place the pre-heated items into the cooler and switch on the “warming” setting, and you can heat those items up to 140 F.

The built-in indicator lights and switches make it easy to see which setting the cooler is on, and you’ll find this combination of warming and cooling makes for one heck of a handy travel accessory!

Price: $80 is a high price considering how small this cooler is, but it’s so worth it to have the motorized cooler and warmer combo working for you. Just be careful not to run the device when your car is turned off—it will drain your battery quickly!

Learn more:Wagan EL6224 12V Cooler/Warmer »

7 Best Coolers