Best Camping Coolers for The Money

We are strong believers that camping out doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the comforts of home. Even if you’re enjoying the beauty of nature, that doesn’t mean that you should not enjoy an ice-cold drink in hand.

With that said, we know that some of you are looking for the best camping coolers for the money. And if you don’t know where to begin, then we’re glad to tell you that you came to the right place.

Quick Look of Top 6 Camping Coolers for The Money

Igloo BMX Family with Cool Riser Technology
Coleman Cooler Xtreme Cooler for camping
Coleman Excursion Portable Cooler
Coleman Rolling Cooler 50 Quart Xtreme 5
Coleman Cooler, Steel-Belted Cooler
Coleman Cooler, 40-Quart Portable Cooler

Best Camping Coolers for the Money: Reviews

Top RankingBrands
1Igloo BMX Family with Cool Riser Technology
2Coleman Xtreme Cooler
3Coleman Rolling Cooler
4Coleman Excursion Portable Cooler
5Coleman Steel-Belted Cooler
6Coleman 40-Quart Portable Cooler

1. Igloo BMX Family with Cool Riser Technology

Igloo BMX Family with Cool Riser Technology

If you’re looking for a cooler with impressive performance, then the Igloo BMX Family with Cool Riser Technology is perfect for you. With its superior ice retention and impressive design, there’s no doubt that it’s one of the best camping coolers for the money.

This cooler boasts a heavy-duty blow-molded construction, so you don’t have to worry about its strength and durability. It is made with a thick MaxCold foam completed with an insulated lid for superior ice retention. As a result, you can enjoy ice-cold drinks for up to 5 days!

Additionally, the Igloo BMX Family with Cool Riser Technology also has Cool Riser Technology. This feature involves an elevated base that keeps it away from hot surfaces. This is another reason why it offers excellent ice retention.

The Igloo BMX Family with Cool Riser Technology also has UV inhibitors that protect the cooler from sun damage. This helps improve the shelf life of the cooler, so you can enjoy its benefits for years to come.

And with 6 fun colors to choose from, this cooler will surely make your camping trip more memorable.

Pros

  • Users can choose between 6 fun colors.
  • Has a large 52-quart capacity.
  • It is made with premium and durable materials.
  • It has UV protection for prolonged longevity.
  • It has a convenient threaded drain plug.
  • It can retain ice for up to 5 days.

Cons

  • Not the best when it comes to durability.

2. Coleman Xtreme Cooler

Coleman Cooler Xtreme Cooler for camping

The Coleman Xtreme Cooler is another impressive feature that you should look out for. With its solid construction and impressive capacity, there’s no doubt that this deserves recognition as one of the best camping coolers for the money.

Thanks to its Xtreme Technology, this cooler from Coleman comes with an insulated lid and extra wall insulation for added temperature retention. These features help it retain the ice for up to five days but provided that the temperature outside does not exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

We also love that the Coleman Xtreme Cooler is designed for camping. With this cooler, you don’t have to bring an extra stool – you can simply sit on the lid since it can support adults of up to 250 pounds.  It also has comfortable handles, allowing you to take it with you to various places with ease.

This cooler from Coleman also has conveniently-molded cup holders on the lid, so it can also serve as a mini table for you and your friends. This makes it highly usable for different purposes – the all-in-one cooler that’s definitely worth the money.

Pros

  • It is easy to assemble.
  • Easy to clean.
  • It has comfortable handles.
  • It can retain the ice for up to 5 days.

Cons

  • Not recommended for long camping trips.

3. Coleman Rolling Cooler

Coleman Rolling Cooler 50 Quart Xtreme 5

For unmatched portability, the Coleman Rolling Cooler is the best pick. It is designed for camping out, so it has all the features that make the trip more convenient for you. This is why we’ve included it as one of the best camping coolers for the money.

One of the key features of this cooler is its built-in heavy-duty wheels. This allows you to easily push or pull it through anything. These wheels are also meant for all-terrain, so you don’t have to worry about pulling it through rough roads.

The Coleman Rolling Cooler also comes with telescoping handles that make it easily navigable. These two features work together for impressive portability and convenience.

Like the Xtreme Cooler, this item also comes with Coleman’s Xtreme technology. You can expect decent ice retention from this cooler to last you for days.

And like most Coleman coolers, the Coleman Rolling Cooler comes with molded cup holders and a have-a-seat lid to maximize its use.

Pros

  • Built with Coleman’s Xtreme Technology.
  • It is easy to clean.
  • The lid doubles as a seat to maximize space.
  • Cup holders are molded into the lid.
  • It has telescoping handles and heavy-duty wheels for superior portability.

Cons

  • Some users report issues with the handle.

4. Coleman Excursion Portable Cooler

Coleman Excursion Portable Cooler

The most affordable item on this list is the Coleman Excursion Portable Cooler. But even if it’s not expensive, Coleman made sure that it does not compromise on quality and features. We’re so impressed by this cooler that we had to name it as one of the best camping coolers for the money.

This cooler has a decent 9-quart capacity, making it perfect for short camping trips or beach adventures. This capacity allows you to take up to 9 cans of drinks with you to enjoy.

The Coleman Excursion Portable Cooler is also highly portable. It is designed with a bail handle, making it easy to carry with just one hand. And since it only weighs 2.7 pounds by itself, you know that it’s not hard to carry around.

And since it comes in a compact size, it can easily fit in your car for maximum transportability.

So if you’re looking for a cooler that can keep your drinks cold for a day or two, you can rely on the Coleman Excursion Portable Cooler to do that for you.

Pros

  • Fairly lightweight.
  • It can be conveniently carried with one hand.
  • Very affordable.
  • It is made of premium and durable materials.

Cons

  • It is tricky to open.

5. Coleman Steel-Belted Cooler

Coleman Cooler, Steel-Belted Cooler

The Coleman Steel-Belted Cooler is another item that’s considered one of the best camping coolers for the money. Thanks to its heavy-duty design, you know that this cooler is worth the investment.

This cooler boasts superior insulation that allows it to retain the temperature for up to 4 days. Thanks to its 54-quart capacity, you can also stock up on food and drinks to last you for days. This makes it ideal for long-term campers and big families.

Since it’s made by Coleman, it has a Have-A-Seat Lid that you can conveniently sit on so you don’t have to bring an extra stool. But you must take note that it can only support people weighing up to 250 pounds.

With its fun retro design, the Coleman Steel-Belted Cooler will surely make you the envy of the campsite. You even have 6 colors to choose from, so you can choose the one that best reflects your personality.

Pros

  • It offers decent ice retention.
  • You can sit on the lid.
  • It has a stylish retro design.
  • It has a large 54-quart capacity.
  • Users have 6 colors to choose from.

Cons

  • Not recommended for long trips.
  • Some users report issues with the latch.

6. Coleman 40-Quart Portable Cooler

Coleman Cooler, 40-Quart Portable Cooler

For those who love camping in style, we believe the Coleman 40-Quart Portable Cooler is for you.

This portable cooler uses thermoelectricity to retain the temperature. If you’re car camping, you can simply plug it there for continuous power supply to keep its contents cold and refreshing.

The Coleman 40-Quart Portable Cooler comes with an 8-foot cord to make sure that it can be safely and conveniently attached to the power source. No need to bring your own since it’s already part of the package.

The standard temperature that this cooler can maintain is up to 40 degrees colder than the temperature of its environment. Thus, you’re assured that it can keep your favorite food and drinks cold and delicious.

Despite its large 40-quart capacity, the Coleman 40-Quart Portable Cooler only weighs 6 pounds by itself. This makes it highly portable, and this is why it’s perfect for camping trips and beach adventures.

All things considered, the Coleman 40-Quart Portable Cooler is perfect for the camper who prefers camping in style.

Pros

  • Looks stylish.
  • It can keep the items cold for as long as it is connected to a power source.
  • Has a decent 44-quart capacity.
  • Made of premium and durable materials.

Cons

  • It is quite pricey.
  • It is dependent on power.

We also reviewed other kitchen stuff. You may also check out Wood Burning Camp Stove and Grills for RV Camping

What to look for before buying a camping cooler?

Buying a camping cooler that’s worth the money can be tricky. But to make things easier for you, here are the main factors that you should consider before buying one.

Capacity of a Camping Cooler

The capacity of the cooler is one of the most important factors you have to consider. It should be big enough to hold everything you need, and it largely depends on the number of people joining you on the trip.

Thus, we recommend making an assessment first of the number of campers that usually join you on your adventures. Bear in mind that a cooler that’s too small can feel limiting, while a cooler that’s too big can be impractical.

Temperature Retention of a Camping Cooler

As much as possible, go for a camping cooler that can retain the temperature for up to a few days. This is especially true if you’re camping with your family and friends for three days or more. After all, you would want to have enough stock of your favorite food for days.

But if you usually just camp overnight, you don’t need something that offers long temperature retention. After all, this feature usually comes with a high price tag. So if you don’t need it, it’s best to do away with it.

Portability of a Camping Cooler

Don’t forget about portability. Since you’re using it for camping, it should offer features that make it easy to carry. This includes ergonomic handles or a lightweight design. Some camping coolers even have wheels that allow you to easily pull it across the campsite.

If you’re planning to buy a large camping cooler, this is one of the first factors you have to keep in mind before you buy it.

Other Features of a Camping Cooler

It also helps to look into its other features. For example, Coleman understands that coolers can be bulky and take up a lot of space. To maximize the use of its space, you can either use it as a chair or as a table.

Different coolers have different features. The final choice largely depends on what you need most in a cooler.

Final Thoughts

In general, coolers can be quite expensive. If you know where to look, you can certainly find the best camping coolers for the money.

But if you find all the choices overwhelming, you can always check out our top 6 picks for the best camping coolers. We guarantee that they suit the taste of different campers – and that assures you that you’ll find the perfect one for you. As a result, you know that you’re putting your money in the right place.

You can also consult our buying guide if you need help choosing from our selection. We guarantee that it will help you narrow down your options so you end up with the one that best matches your needs. 

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