After carefully examining several coolers, as well as their brand reputation and reviews, I’ve concluded that the Yeti Tundra 65 Cooler is the one cooler to rule them all, whether you’re camping, RVing, or both.
It’s what’s inside the cooler that counts when it comes to coolers. Of course, the cooler’s quality—you know, the portion that houses your favorite summer beers, seltzers, and other seasonal drinks—is just as crucial.
Even though the cooler industry is crowded with competition, the products on this list have been hand-picked to enhance your entire RVing and camping experience.
Besides, managing what needs to stay cool for long periods can be tough without a trusty cooler during a tour or camping getaway during the summer holidays.
That said, nothing beats cracking open a cold one after a good tour through the wilderness. As a result, the following are 8 of the best coolers for your camping and Rving pleasures.
1. Yeti Tundra 65 – Best Overall
2. RTIC 53Q – Runner Up
3. Coleman 50Q – Best Mobile Cooler
4. Igloo Polar 100Q – Best Large
5. Coleman Soft Cooler – Best Small
6. Dometic CFX3 55L – Best Powered
7. Costway Portable Cooler – Best Budget Powered
8. Igloo Trailmate – Best For All Terrains
The Yeti Tundra 65 Cooler case ticks many checkboxes to find itself the best overall in the list. The Yeti brand has a giant footprint in the cooler market and never fails to deliver quality equipment. In light of that, let’s take a look at what makes this list the best coolers for your camping and RVing experience.
8 Of The Best Coolers For Camping And RVing
While the corroding, beat-up coolers that you and your pals smashed into as kids after Little League games will always hold a special place in your warm heart, there are times when you actually need a nice camping cooler for your RVing tours (particularly when camping out for a few days in the summer sun).
We’re talking about something high-tech, long-lasting, and capable of keeping all of your supplies, food, and beverages at the ideal temperature. That’s correct, and you’ll need an adult cooler for the twenty-first century. And if you’ve been searching online for the best, you won’t have to look any further.
So, starting with the Yeti Tundra 65, here’s what these coolers have to offer.
1. Yeti Tundra 65– Best Overall
Nothing beats the elementary ice chest, which still gets the job done after all these years. The YETI Tundra 65 has 3 inches of permafrost insulation and an armored shell that is unquestionably unbreakable. Its rubber locks also keep you from having to deal with cracked plastic. It’s one of the more expensive coolers, but it’s one that will last for generations.
While these high-end, rotomolded coolers are pricey, they’re well worth the money for anyone who regularly plans to use their cooler. You can use them whether you’re in the Appalachian Mountains of Glacier National Park since they’re both leakproof and bear-proof. Furthermore, Yeti backs this product up with a five-year warranty.
They also contain molded tie-down holes to keep the cooler safe in the back of a truck or on a boat. Yeti’s iconic large cooler, the Tundra 65, is ideal for long road journeys and huge camping expeditions. If you need a smaller cooler, this heavy-duty workhorse is also available in several capacities, such as the Tundra 45.
2. RTIC 53 Quart Ultra-Light – Runner Up
The RTIC 53 Quart Ultra-Light Cooler is a close runner-up to the Yeti Tundra 65. RTIC coolers provide the majority of the features of Yeti coolers at a somewhat lower cost. For optimum organization, these hard-sided coolers come with an interior basket.
They’re lighter than conventional rotomolded coolers, and the closed-cell foam insulation keeps ice for a long time. Thanks to the sturdy rubber locks and gasket, this cooler is also bear-resistant! RTIC coolers are a wonderful choice for campers looking for a high-quality product at a reasonable price.
3. Coleman 50 Quart Rolling– Best Mobile Cooler
There’s something for everyone with Coleman, from the straightforward ice chest to the classic portable. And it’s a well-known brand. Coleman has been a camping and RV enthusiast’s best friend for decades, and this wheeled chest will hold ice for up to five days in 90°F heat with its insulated lid and extra wall insulation.
It likewise has a capacity of 84 cans, and you could even use it as a seat since the closed lid supports up to 250 pounds! That’s portability without the need to refresh your chest.
4. Igloo Polar 100 Quart– Best Large
The enormous capacity of the Igloo Polar Cooler allows you to store a lot of food for both long and short RVing and camping trips. Because it’s a hard-sided cooler, you shouldn’t take it trekking, but it might be useful if you’re camping for several days.
This sort of cooler is popular among canoeists on slow river journeys. When they’re out in the woods on their own, they claim the Igloo Polar 100Q to be the best way to keep their food and beverages chilled for days, even in the heat.
5. Coleman Soft Cooler – Best Small
It’s the no-frills, tiny portable cooler. As the name implies, this tiny man can accommodate nine cans, which equals nine cool beverages for you. Sure, it may appear to be a whole Dad bag, but who cares? It gets the job done and is well worth the money.
Furthermore, it has a front zippered pocket, two side mesh pockets, a dry storage pouch, and lid bungees for additional storage.
6. Dometic CFX3 55L – Best Powered Cooler
The Dometic CFX3 45 is a truly great powered cooler that’s easy to operate, tough enough for almost any expedition, and built to keep things cold and fresh in almost any situation.
This high-tech cooler functions like a refrigerator with remarkable freezing capabilities, yet it is ruggedly suited for camping and RVing excursions. It’s ideal for serious explorers who wish to travel long, twisting dirt roads and leave their vehicles unattended for days on end.
Dometic coolers are an excellent alternative whether you’re a van lifer with a solar power bank or have a vehicle with two batteries. Thanks to the battery safety technology, you’ll never have a dead car battery, which keeps you from draining too much power.
Best of all, these coolers link to your phone via a mobile app, allowing you to monitor your energy use and select the perfect temperature wherever you are.
7. Costway Portable Cooler – Best Budget Power Cooler
The Costway 54 Quart delivers remarkable performance for roughly a third of the price of some of its competitors. We measured this unit at -8.9 degrees Fahrenheit, despite being rated to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. It also boasts outstanding energy efficiency, with a standard power draw of only 50 Watts and an “Eco” mode to boot.
Inside, the Costway is spacious, with inside light and specific cut-outs to fit tall bottles you’re storing “on ice” for your camping and RVing adventures.
8. Igloo Trailmate – Best For All Terrains
Last but not least on the list, we have the Igloo Trailmate Journey Cooler. This Igloo cooler is made to be used on any surface. It is suitable for sand dunes, dirt roads, and grassy terrains.
This cooler has a capacity of 70 quarts of food and beverages. A bottle opener, cup holders, an outside storage pocket, and a butler tray are among the added amenities. Overall, it’s an excellent cooler fit for the bumpiest camping and RVing expeditions.
Best Coolers For Camping And RVing: Buyers Guide
The best cooler differs from one individual to the next. As a result, there are a few factors to consider, helping you make an informed selection based on your unique requirements and preferences. That said, the following are key aspects to consider.
How Mauch Capacity Do You need?
The size of the cooler you want will be decided by the amount of space you require. Make sure you think about how much room ice will take up. Some people believe that the larger, the cooler chest is, the better, but evaluate if a huge cooler will be convenient for you to handle.
Consider The Weight And Wheels Of The Cooler
Will you be able to carry the cooler after it is full? The heavier a cooler is, the more insulation it possesses. If you’re going to bring a big, hefty cooler, make sure it has wheels. That said, all-terrain wheels with non-skid or non-slip feet are another crucial attribute to look for when you are out camping or RVing. In most circumstances, pulling a big ice chest is preferable to lifting it!
Consider The Cooling Power
Make sure you have a cooler that will keep ice frozen and food and drinks cold for the duration of your trip. Better-performing coolers will have at least 1.5″ of insulation. However, the additional insulation will reduce the storage space available within.
Furthermore, it’s also a good idea to have a cooler with feet that elevate it off the ground, so the ice doesn’t melt as quickly.
Handels Is A Must
When it comes to heavy-duty coolers, comfortable handles are sometimes disregarded. When trying to operate a full, portable cooler, you don’t want to irritate your hands.
Look for handles made of stainless steel or other materials that are both robust and comfortable to grasp. And if you have are planning to get a cooler with wheels, keep in mind not to use the handles to lift the cooler, as most of them are designed to pull the cooler.
Consider The Sealing Power Of The Cooler
The gasket determines the seal’s strength. If the gasket fails and outside air seeps in, the ice won’t stay frozen for as long, and the insulating value will be lost. It would be best to ensure that the cooler you are interested in has a rubber gasket.
This Insulation Effective
Another critical decision when selecting a cooler is the thickness of the insulation. Many coolers have thicker walls and a more insulated cover. The increased insulation can make a difference in the cooling capability of a few days.
The Draining System
The cooler must include a drain that allows you to drain water from the exterior without turning the cooler over or even tilting it. That said, the position of the draining system should not be an obstacle to its uses and preferably be located at the bottom of the cooler.
The Durability Of The Cooler Is Essential
Much like the desired thick insulation, you don’t want a flimsy cooler on your hands. The cooler must be durable enough to withstand rocks, branches, water, bears, and other opportunistic critters. Rotomolded structure and big handles, locks, and hinges are all things to look for, including a reliable seal.
Best Overall
The Yeti Tundra 65 checks all buyer’s guide boxes and has been a leader in the cooler box market for campers and RV enthusiasts alike! While it’s not the most inexpensive option on the list, it’s definitely worth the money and will last generations to come.
The Yeti Tundra 65 is the go-to cooler for many happy campers as it is one of the finest camping coolers because it has just the right amount of room and is quite durable. It also includes PermaFrost insulation that is pressure-injected, resistant to outdoor temperatures, and backed with a five-year warranty.
Good luck, and happy camping!
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