10 Best Ice Chests 2020 [Buying Guide]

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Heather
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Jennifer
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Samantha
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How to Choose the Best Ice Chest

Whether you’re going on a road trip, heading to a tailgate, or having a party in your backyard, the best ice chest really makes the whole experience even better. There are so many products out there to choose from so we researched some of the top-rated models and put together this review to help you figure out which one is the right one for you. Before we get started, let’s take a look at some key things to keep in mind.

Capacity: We included a range of sizes for you to choose from. Sometimes you need space to bring drinks for the whole gang and other times you only need to carry along enough for you and a buddy.

Wheels: Wheels make it really easy to get your cooler from here to there, especially if you’re camping, fishing, or carrying a lot of other gear. We also included an ice chest on wheels that perfect for outdoor parties and picnics.

Material: Some of these products are made of durable plastic that’s easy to clean and really tough. We included a lot of metal options, too. The metal options are also really strong and some of them have really cool looking designs.

Color: You’ll find just about everything when it comes to color. A few of these coolers only come in the brand’s proprietary colors while others give you lots of options to choose from including shiny metals and cool pastels.

Weight: You’re going to be pulling or lifting this cooler a lot so it’s important to pay attention to the weight. Bear in mind that this is the weight of the empty cooler without any food or drink in it.

Size: If you’re planning to pack your cooler into your car, take a close look at the size. Some of these coolers take up quite a bit of space so make sure you can fit them into your car with your other supplies.

Top 10 Products

Now that you have a better idea of what to look for, let’s look at our picks for top rated ice chest. We put our top and budget picks at the top of the list so they’re easy to find, especially if you’re in a hurry. That’s the best way to get an idea of the range of items that are available. Some of these items are truly unique so stick around if you can. Okay, let’s get to it.

YETI Tundra 45 Cooler

Our top pick is the YETI Tundra 45 Cooler. YETI is a well-known, trust brand when it comes to ice chests and it’s pretty easy to see why. This cooler features three inches of PermaFrost insulation and an extra thick FatWall design to make sure that ice doesn’t melt too quickly. That’s not all, it’s also certified bear resistant. The 35-liter capacity holds up to 26 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio. Rotomolded construction and heavy-duty rubber T-Rex lid latches make this cooler practically indestructible. It’s the perfect cooler to take on all your adventures. A dry goods basket is also included so you have a place to stash sandwiches and other foods that you want to keep cool and dry. One more thing, there are five bright colors to choose from.

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Coleman Xtreme 5-Day Cooler

A cheap ice chest that really gets the job done is the Coleman Xtreme 5-Day Cooler. This is a great choice if you’re looking for something easy to transport. It features two large, heavy-duty wheels and a telescoping handle that make it easy to wheel to your campsite or move around your tail-gaiting party across any terrain. And get this, the insulated walls and lid give you five full days of ice retention in temperatures of up to 90 degrees F. This 50-quart capacity can hold up to 84 cans so this one’s definitely big enough for a crowd. One more thing, the wipe-clean lid is designed to double as a seat or can be used as a table thanks to the integrated cup holders.

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Klein Tools Work Cooler

If you want something small and convenient to take with you to work, the best small ice chest we found is the Klein Tools Work Cooler. The main compartment has an 18-can capacity and keeps your food and drink cold for up to 30 hours. There’s also an inside storage compartment that can hold items like napkins and utensils but is also a great place to store things like keys, medicine, and even your phone. Don’t worry, there’s a lock loop built in so you can add one for extra security. The lid stays open at a 90-degree angle so it’s easy to find just what you’re looking for plus it’s designed to double as a seat that can hold up to 300 pounds.

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TRINITY TXK-0802 Cooler

The TRINITY TXK-0802 Cooler is perfect for an outdoor party in your backyard. It’s made of high-quality stainless steel and holds up to 96 cans of your favorite soda or beer. It also features an attached bottle opener and cap catcher which makes it perfect for bottles, too. This cart is just shy of three feet tall making it easy for you and your guests to reach in and pull out your favorite drink. There’s a steel bottom shelf for additional storage, too. Cleanup is easy, just unscrew the drainage plug to empty when the party’s over and wipe clean. This chest includes a water and UV resistant cover for protection against the elements when not in use. It has two adjustable strap fasteners to ensure a snug fit against wind and rain.

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Igloo Ice Cube Roller Cooler

Another great portable ice chest is the Igloo Ice Cube Roller Cooler. Igloo is a well-known brand when it comes to coolers and this one is a good example of why they have sure a good reputation. The polyethylene construction uses ultratherm insulation to keep the contents cold for a long time. At 60 quarts, it can hold quite a bit of food and drinks, too. It features two durable wheels and a push-button locking telescopic handle for easy transport over all kinds of terrain even when the cooler is fully loaded. The cube design is easier to lift and fits nicely into your car when it’s time for a road trip. One more thing, the lid also doubles as a table with four molded cup holders.

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Coleman Steel-Belted Cooler

The Coleman Steel-Belted Cooler is a popular cooler for a lot of reasons. This high-capacity, heavy-duty cooler has a 54-quart capacity that holds up to 85 cans and has enough vertical space to hold 2-liter bottles upright. Plus, it keeps them cold for up to four days in temperatures as high as 90 degrees F. The cool retro design harkens back to the original look from back in 1954. It features rust-resistant stainless steel hardware and comfort-grip steel handles for easy lifting. The seat is durable enough to use as a seat and the metal construction is practically indestructible. Use the leak-resistant channel drain for easy cleanup and start preparing for your next adventure. There are also seven different colors available including retro options like rose pink and turquoise.

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Koolatron Coca-Cola Ice Chest

If you’re looking for a cooler that’s effective and stylish, the Koolatron Coca-Cola Ice Chest just might be the one for you. It’s the perfect size for a small get together and holds up to 18 cans or 12 bottles. Thick and durable insulation keeps the cold air in and is really easy to wipe clean. The metal exterior is painted bright red with a crisp white old fashioned Coca-Cola logo painted right across the front. There are chrome accents on the top corners to give this chest even more of a retro look. A swing-lock handle is easy to use and adds another cool chrome accent. This chest is easy to clean and a great size for a day trip or long car ride.

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Monoprice Pure Emperor Cooler

Next up is the Monoprice Pure Emperor Cooler was made for big adventures. It’s built with extra-thick walls and a pressure-injected body and lid for long-lasting durability. There’s an extra-thick rubber seal that keeps cold things cold for more than five days and hot things hot for more than six. Rubber anchor latches keep the lid securely locked down and there are steel reinforced padlock holes at the front corners for added security and to keep bears out of your food. If you go on a lot of road trips, you’ll appreciate the tie-down slots that make it easy to strap this cooler down for travel. There’s a convenient bottle opened so you’ll never have to hunt yours down by the campfire ever again. Plus, there are four colors to choose from.

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ENGEL USA Ice Box Cooler

Up next is the ENGEL USA Ice Box Cooler, a lightweight airtight cooler that’s actually waterproof up to a depth of three feet which actually makes it a good choice to store things like your camera, medical supplies, or safety equipment when you’re out on the road. Of course, if you’d rather use it for food, it’s perfect for that, too. An airtight gasket keeps outside air from getting in, keeping your cold food cold. This box cooler is a really good choice for keeping hot food hot, too. This marine-grade cooler features a non-absorbant surface that’s easy to wipe clean and it has an easy to carry top-handle and integrated shoulder strap for comfort. All of the hardware is corrosion-resistant stainless steel, too, so this is a perfect choice for fishing or boating.

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Seavilis Cooler

Last up in our ice chest reviews is the Sevilis Cooler. There are a few different sizes to choose from ranging from 35 to 75 quarts. The larger models come with some great accessories including a dry goods basket, divider, and cup holder but these aren’t included in the 35-quart version. The rotomolded construction uses commercial grade insulation and a UV protection surface to keep your food cold for as long as possible. Easy open cam latches and a bolt hinge provide easy access to the inside so you can quickly find what you’re looking for. The handles are made of heavy-duty nylon rope that you can remove if necessary and there are molded tie-down slots so it’s easy to secure. This cooler comes with some nice extras, too, including a compass for navigation and two built-in bottle openers.

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About the Author

Kimberly Graf

Expert Researcher and Writer

Kimberly Graf is a researcher and writer for GeekWrapped.com. She covers kitchen, cooking, and home products.

Learn more about Kimberly

Article last updated on:

September 29, 2019

See more reviews:

Best Ice Chests

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

YETI Tundra 45 Cooler

Coleman Xtreme 5-Day Cooler

How to Choose the Best Ice Chest

Top 10 Products

YETI Tundra 45 Cooler

Coleman Xtreme 5-Day Cooler

Klein Tools Work Cooler

TRINITY TXK-0802 Cooler

Igloo Ice Cube Roller Cooler

Coleman Steel-Belted Cooler

Koolatron Coca-Cola Ice Chest

Monoprice Pure Emperor Cooler

ENGEL USA Ice Box Cooler

Seavilis Cooler

About the Author

TOP PICK

YETI Tundra 45 Cooler