Key Takeaways for Choosing a Cooler
- Hard coolers with thick walls keep contents chilled longer, while soft coolers are easier to carry and store.
- Backpack coolers are soft coolers best for beach trips and hikes with one or two people.
- Personal coolers are compact hard or soft coolers that are best for lunches or poolside snacks with one or two people.
- Chest coolers are hard coolers with large capacities suitable for tailgating and multi-day camping trips.
- Beverage coolers keep drinks cool for your guests at outdoor meals and celebrations.
- Plan enough capacity for a 2:1 ratio of ice to food and drinks, but make sure the cooler is a manageable size and weight.
Cooler Construction
When you’re shopping, you’ll see both hard coolers and soft coolers. In general, hard coolers keep food and drinks colder longer, but soft coolers are easier to carry.
Hard Coolers
Hard coolers typically have thicker insulation than soft coolers and keep food and drinks cool longer. A rotomolded cooler is a hard cooler with a body and lid each made from a single piece of plastic. This premium hard cooler has latches and gaskets that keep the lid tightly closed, and high-density injected insulation for better ice retention than standard models. Top-rated hard coolers include options from RTIC Outdoors, Grizzly Coolers and Igloo.
Soft Coolers
Soft coolers or soft-sided coolers have waterproof liners, foam insulation and flexible outer shells. They’re compact, lightweight and easy to carry with handles or shoulder straps. Many types can be compressed for easy storage. Some have a hard liner that helps the cooler keep its shape and protects the contents.
Types of Coolers
We explain some of the most common types of coolers below, including features and common uses. Keep in mind capacity ranges vary by the specific cooler model. Any estimates for how long any cooler can keep contents chilled vary and depend heavily on factors like cooler construction, outside temperature and how often you open the cooler.
Backpack Coolers
Backpack coolers are typically soft-sided and are available in capacities ranging from 15 to 36 cans. These coolers are designed for easy, hands-free portability and are a good option for hiking or a day at the beach. Popular backpack coolers include options from Coleman, Titan by Arctic Zone and Ninja.
The best backpack coolers have closed-cell, high-density foam to improve ice retention and can keep food and drinks cool at a jobsite or campsite. Some insulated backpack coolers can keep contents cool for up to 48 hours, depending on the cooler and factors like external temperature and sun exposure.
Backpack Cooler Features to Look For
- Chilled dry storage
- Exterior pockets
- Padded, adjustable shoulder straps and chest straps
- Waterproof construction
- Leak-resistant zippers
- Sturdy molded base
Personal Coolers
Personal coolers and tote bag coolers are the best coolers for lunches and are good options for picnics and relaxing poolside. Soft-sided models are lightweight and easy to store, while hard and rotomolded personal coolers can often act as side tables. Capacities range from eight to 36 cans. Like backpack coolers, personal coolers with closed-cell insulation can keep contents cool for up to 48 hours, depending on the design and conditions. Compact beverage coolers and insulated lunch boxes are common variations of personal coolers.
Personal Cooler Features to Look For
- Integrated bottle opener
- Gasket seals
- Secure latches
- Cupholders
- Wheels
- Drain spout
Look for removable liners that make cleaning easier.
Chest Coolers and Ice Chests
Chest coolers, also known as ice chest coolers, are large models that often have thicker, more efficient construction than personal coolers or backpack coolers. In addition to traditional models, look for premium rotomolded chest coolers that keep contents chilled up to six days, depending on the cooler and conditions.
Chest coolers make perfect camping coolers, tailgating coolers or fishing coolers, with capacities ranging from 16 to 188 cans or more. Marine coolers and wheeled cart coolers are variations of chest coolers. Keep in mind, the larger capacities of chest coolers mean you should pay close attention to size and consider the weight of the fully loaded cooler. It might require two people to lift.
Chest, Cart and Marine Cooler Features to Look For
- Wheels
- Cup holders
- Gasket seals
- Secure latches
- Drain spout
Powered chest coolers act as portable mini fridges. They don’t need ice, but they do need constant power. Many are compatible with vehicle accessory outlets as well as standard 120-volt household outlets.
Beverage Coolers
Full-size insulated beverage coolers are perfect for cookouts, with wheels to help you easily move them to a convenient spot. You can find beverage coolers with capacities of 150 cans or more. Depending on the model and use, some coolers can keep drinks cold for up to 48 hours.
Some beverage coolers are insulated plastic containers designed to hold liquids rather than cans or bottles. Large models include water coolers or sports coolers that are perfect for the sidelines or dugout. Small, personal beverage coolers keep you hydrated at practice or a workout.
Beverage Cooler Features to Look For
- Detachable tubs
- Integrated bottle opener and cap catcher
- Configurable cooler space
- Powered cooling
- Locking wheels
Follow safe food storage practices. Check the cooler manufacturer’s information for estimates of how long the cooler keeps food chilled. This time varies depending on factors such as external temperature, the temperature of the food when packed and how often you open the lid.
Cooler Capacity
Keep these factors in mind when you’re choosing a cooler size:
- You typically want a 2-to-1 ratio of ice to food and drinks.
- Cooler capacity is usually measured in either quarts or the number of 12-ounce cans the cooler can hold.
- The listed capacity might include dry storage or uninsulated space.
- Consider a capacity that’s a little bigger than you think you need, but make sure the size is manageable.
- If you’re shopping for a large cooler, make sure it fits your vehicle, and you have space to store it.
Estimating the Cooler Capacity You Need
The cooler size you need depends on factors like cooler design, how many people you’re serving, outdoor temperatures and how long you need to keep food and drinks cool. Check the manufacturer’s specifications and plan conservatively. Any estimate assumes good packing and sufficient ice. Use the general estimates below as starting points only for planning:
- 12 Cans or 15 Quarts: Lunch, hiking, a picnic or day-long road trip with a couple of people.
- 48 Cans or 60 Quarts: An overnight camping trip with three or four people.
- 90 Cans or 120 Quarts: Three or four days of camping with the family or a backyard party.
- 112 Cans or 150 Quarts: Large cookouts, block parties or tailgating with up to 20 people or more.
Ready to Find a Cooler for Your Outing?
Shop Lowes.com for coolers that work for just about any outdoor activity, from small soft coolers to large chest coolers and everything in between. Browse by capacity, construction, brand and more. Or visit your local Lowe’s and talk to a Red Vest associate. They can show you the range of coolers available and help you pick the right type for any trip, cookout or party.
FAQ for Choosing a Cooler
Use the questions and answers below to help you get the best performance from your cooler.
How Do I Keep Coolers Cool Longer?
Follow the cooler manufacturer’s instructions to keep your food and drinks cool, but here are some general tips:
- Chill your cooler with ice water and then replace the ice before loading.
- Refrigerate food and drinks before packing.
- If using a cooler over an extended period, freeze food before packing it.
- Fill the cooler as full as possible.
- Keep the cooler out of direct sunlight and cover it.
- Open the cooler only as necessary and close it as quickly as possible.
- Replenish ice as needed.
How Can I Clean My Cooler?
Rinse with a hose and use a solution of dish soap and water and a sponge or cloth to clean residue and dirt. Make a paste of water and baking soda to scrub tough stains. Remember to clean the drain spout and plug. Deodorize the cooler with equal parts white vinegar and water. Just wipe down the interior with the solution, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. Be sure to replace the drain plug before loading the cooler.
What Accessories Do I Need for My Cooler?
Depending on your cooler and how you plan to use it, there are several accessories that make it more convenient to store, transport and serve chilled food and drinks:
- Ice packs are reusable and can be more convenient than cubed ice.
- Dry-bags keep food from getting soggy in a cooler.
- Tie downs help keep a cooler secure on a luggage rack or boat.
- Locks for compatible coolers help keep the contents secure.
- Cutting boards make it easier to prepare and serve food.