Types of Coolers: The Most Detailed Buying Guide 2025
Coolers have become a familiar item, you often use them on picnics, camping trips or to preserve food every day. Especially if you consider outdoor cooking, you can use gas grills or even smoker pipes for pellet grills. When you have a reliable cooler preserve ingredients and keep foods fresher.
Camping Harmony understands that choosing a suitable cooler is not easy. There are countless models, designs, and materials on the market today. Therefore, this article aims to provide you with the most detailed and useful information about types of cooler. We will help you easily make a wise decision when choosing to buy a cooler.
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Classification of Cold Storage Containers According to Material and Structure
Coolers are classified based on material and structure, directly affecting cold retention, durability and portability. Below, we will introduce each type in detail:
Hard Coolers
Hard coolers are made from high-quality hard plastic, especially rotomolded plastic, creating a monolithic structure, extremely durable and impact-resistant. This technology helps the box withstand harsh conditions, ideal for long-term picnics, exploration, fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities. The cold retention ability of the hard box is outstanding, it can keep ice for many days, even weeks.
When you plan to bring marinated foods on long trips, a hard case is a great option to preserve the flavor. However, the cooler is quite heavy and difficult to move. Yeti Tundra is a typical example, famous for its ability to keep ice for 5-7 days. According to the market, Yeti Tundra is favored by professional outdoor enthusiasts and those who need to preserve food for a long time.
Soft Cooler
Unlike hard coolers, soft coolers are made from soft fabric or plastic. We appreciate their versatility and light weight, making them easy to fold and carry. Soft coolers are great for short trips, picnics, or bringing a packed lunch. They tend to retain less cold than hard coolers. The Igloo Packable Puffer Cooler is a popular soft cooler option.
Styrofoam Cooler
Styrofoam coolers are made from foam insulation. The biggest advantages of this type of cooler are its low cost and light weight. Styrofoam type is the cheapest option on the market. Otherwise, styrofoam coolers are fragile, have low cooling capacity, and are not environmentally friendly. They are often used for temporary, short-term needs.
Metal Cooler
Metal coolers usually made from stainless steel or aluminum, represent luxury and durability. Metal coolers have good cold retention and can withstand strong impacts. But the cost of metal containers is often higher than other types.
Classification of Cold Storage Containers According to Purpose of Use
After learning about the types of coolers according to material. Let’s look at how to classify them according to their intended use, making it easier for you to choose the right product.
Cooler for Camping/Picnic
For camping or picnic trips, we recommend choosing a box with large capacity, long-lasting cold retention, and high durability. Hard-sided coolers are often the optimal choice, especially for multi-day trips. A good example is the Coleman Xtreme bucket, known for its ability to hold ice for up to 5 days in harsh weather conditions. You can freely prepare meats such as types ribeye steaks, goat meat for special grilled dishes, or prepare baby back ribs for a BBQ party.
Coolers for Fishing/Hunting
In fishing or hunting, coolers need to be impact-resistant, waterproof, and able to keep cold for a long time to preserve your catch. We recommend choosing hard or metal coolers with a sturdy design. The Pelican ProGear Elite Cooler is famous for its durability and outstanding cold retention ability.
Coolers for Parties/Events
For parties or events, coolers need to be large enough to hold enough drinks and food for many people. You should choose coolers with wheels for easy movement, or coolers that are specially designed to hold drinks. Here, the Igloo Party Bar Cooler is designed with a convenient cup holder and opening lid.
Coolers for Outdoor Activities (Sports, travels)
For short-term sports or travels, coolers need to be compact, lightweight and easy to carry. Soft coolers or cooler boxes are suitable options. We suggest you choose the ones with straps or backpack designs for easy portability. The Polar Bear Coolers Backpack Cooler is a great choice for outdoor activities.
Top 23 Best Cooler Products 2025
Below is a detailed comparison of popular cooler products, covering their brand, type, capacity, key features, advantages, disadvantages, and price range. Please note that prices may vary depending on the retailer and time of purchase.
| Brand | Product Name | Type | Capacity | Key Features | Advantages | Disadvantages | Price (USD) |
| Yeti | Tundra 45 | Hard | 45 qt (42.6 L) | Rotomolded, PermaFrost insulation, T-Rex locks | Extremely durable, excellent cooling | Heavy, expensive | 325–375 |
| Roadie 24 | Hard | 24 qt (22.7 L) | Compact design, portable | Durable, great cooling for its size | Expensive for size | 250–300 | |
| Hopper Flip 18 | Soft | 18 cans | Waterproof, easy to carry | Lightweight, convenient | Less cooling than hard coolers | 275–325 | |
| RTIC | Rotomolded 45 | Hard | 45 qt (42.6 L) | Rotomolded, competitive price | Durable, good cooling, affordable | Limited color options | 200–250 |
| Soft Pack 30 | Soft | 30 cans | Waterproof, affordable | Convenient, budget-friendly | Less durable than Yeti | 100–150 | |
| Pelican | Elite 30QT | Hard | 30 qt (28.4 L) | Impact-resistant, lifetime warranty | Extremely durable, great cooling | Heavy, expensive | 250–300 |
| Dayventure Backpack Cooler | Soft | 20 cans | Backpack design, portable | Comfortable, easy to carry | Average cooling | 200–250 | |
| Orca | 26 Quart Cooler | Hard | 26 qt (24.6 L) | Made in the USA, lifetime warranty | High quality, excellent cooling | Expensive | 250–300 |
| Coleman | Xtreme 5 Day Cooler | Hard | 70 qt (66.2 L) | Budget-friendly, 5-day cooling | Large capacity, affordable | Less durable than Yeti | 70–100 |
| 42 Can Soft Cooler with Wheels | Soft | 42 cans | Wheels and handle for easy transport | Easy to move, affordable | Average durability | 50–75 | |
| Igloo | BMX 25 | Hard | 25 qt (23.7 L) | Durable, sturdy design | Affordable, well-built | Less cooling than Yeti | 100–150 |
| Reactor 32 Can Backpack Cooler | Soft | 32 cans | Backpack design, multiple compartments | Convenient, affordable | Average cooling | 50–75 | |
| Engel | DeepBlue 35 | Hard | 35 qt (33.1 L) | Superior cooling, sturdy design | Long-lasting cooling, durable | Expensive | 250–300 |
| Canyon Coolers | Outfitter 35 | Hard | 35 qt (33.1 L) | Durable, competitive pricing | Great value for quality | Limited color options | 200–250 |
| Grizzly | 40 Quart Cooler | Hard | 40 qt (37.9 L) | Made in the USA, lifetime warranty | High quality, durable | Expensive | 300–350 |
| Cordova | Adventure Series 50 | Hard | 50 qt (47.3 L) | Sturdy design, versatile features | Durable, convenient | Relatively expensive | 300–350 |
| Lifetime | 28 Quart High Performance Cooler | Hard | 28 qt (26.5 L) | Great price, decent cooling | Affordable, good performance | Less durable than Yeti | 100–150 |
| Thermik | 45QT Rotomolded Cooler | Hard | 45 qt (42.6 L) | Rotomolded, competitive price | Durable, good cooling, affordable | Less popular brand | 200–250 |
| Siberian Coolers | Alpha Pro 40 | Hard | 40 qt (37.9 L) | Sturdy design, great cooling | Durable, good performance | Relatively expensive | 250–300 |
| RovR | RollR 60 | Hard (with wheels) | 60 qt (56.8 L) | All-terrain wheels, many accessory options | Easy to move on any terrain, convenient | Expensive | 400–450 |
| OtterBox | Trooper LT 30 | Soft | 30 cans | Waterproof, durable | Durable, convenient | Average cooling | 250–300 |
| Polar Bear | Backpack Cooler | Soft (backpack style) | 24 cans | Backpack design, waterproof | Convenient, comfortable | Average cooling | 150–200 |
| AO Coolers | Canvas Soft Cooler | Soft | Multiple sizes | Lightweight, foldable, affordable | Convenient, budget-friendly | Less cooling compared to others | 50–100 |
5 Factors to Consider When Choosing to Buy a Cooler
When you choose the right cooler, it requires careful consideration of many factors. We’ve listed the most important ones:
Ability to keep cold
The cooling factor is assessed by the time the ice remains frozen, which is affected by the material, insulation thickness, lid design and ambient temperature. A cooler with thick insulation and a tight lid will keep food and drinks fresh longer, especially suitable for long trips or places without electricity.
Size and Capacity
When you choose the size and capacity of the cooler, it should be based on the number of people, time of use and type of food to bring. If you are traveling alone or on a short trip, you only need a small cooler. On the contrary, a large group or a long trip requires a larger capacity cooler. For example, a family of 4 going on a 2-day picnic is usually suitable for a 40-50 liter cooler.
Durability and Materials
The durability of a cooler depends on the material such as hard plastic, metal, fabric, or foam, with hard and metal boxes generally being more durable. To choose a quality product, you can check the thickness of the material, the strength of the joints, and details such as hinges and locks. Such as rotomolded plastic coolers are more durable than regular plastic.
Convenience Features
Some coolers come with convenience features to enhance the user experience. Wheels make it easy to move, especially with heavy coolers. Internal storage compartments help keep food organized. Drain valves make cleaning quick and easy. Sturdy handles make it easy to carry or pull.
Price and Brand
You can compare prices between different types of crates and brands to find the right product for your budget. Some reputable brands such as Yeti, Coleman, Igloo, and Pelican are highly rated for quality.
5 Tips for Proper Use and Storage of Coolers
To keep your cooler working effectively and for a long time, we would like to share 5 tips:
- Cool the cooler before use: Put ice in the cooler a few hours before to cool the cooler.
- Use large ice cubes or dry ice: Large ice cubes melt slower than small ice cubes.
- Do not open the cooler too often: Limit hot air from entering the cooler.
- Clean the cooler after each use: Avoid bacteria and odors.
- Store the cooler in a cool, dry place: Avoid direct sunlight.
Wrap up
At this point, we believe that you already have the “secret” to choosing the right types of coolers for you. The final choice is up to you, carefully consider your needs, budget and personal preferences to “bring home” a perfect companion for every journey.