The Best Car Cooler is The Key to a Successful Road Trip

Whether you're in the market for a car cooler to make sure your groceries are fresh after a Costco run, you're going car camping for the weekend, or you want something to keep drinks cold in your SUV for a day trip, a car cooler is an excellent investment for your on-the-go adventures. The only problem? Finding the best car cooler for your needs is more complicated than you think.

That's because hundreds of them are out there, and they all vary in insulation materials, size, shape, and price. I've researched and compared over 30 different models to help you find the best car cooler to take anywhere with you.

The Best Car Coolers

To distinguish the best coolers from the rest, I read hundreds of reviews from outdoor gear experts, boaters, campers and consumers. Our recommended choices have the best insulation to keep your food and drinks cooler longer and are the most comfortable to carry. Plus, as the name suggests, they're all compact enough to fit in your vehicle.

What to consider

Before you search for the best car cooler, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

➥ Type of cooler

Here's a quick breakdown of the most common types of coolers, so you can decipher which one best suits your needs.

    Roto-moulded coolers: This cooler is made from one continuous piece of plastic, rather than having separate parts joined together, making for a more durable and waterproof cooler. However, roto-moulded coolers are generally more expensive and heavier. However, roto-moulded coolers, like the Yeti Tundra series, look great and store very well. More importantly, they keep food and drinks cool for as long as possible.

    Soft-shell coolers: Soft-shell coolers like the inexpensive Polar Bear 24-pack are usually made of nylon, durable vinyl or canvas. They are lighter and easier to carry than their hard-shell counterparts, but they also don't keep the cold in. On the other hand, they are often less expensive and will keep your food and beverages cold for hours.

    Plug-in coolers: As you might expect, these coolers, from brands like Dometic and ICECO, plug into your vehicle's 12-24 volt accessory outlet (the cigarette lighter) or a 100-240 volt AC outlet. Rather than relying on ice to cool your food and beverages, they are equipped with a compressor and serve as a mobile refrigerator or freezer. This means you can set a specific temperature to the degree on them.

➥ Size and volume

When buying a car cooler, bigger is not necessarily better, significantly since they are directly correlated to the sacrifice of cargo space. Typically, small coolers are less than 25 litres in volume, and medium-sized coolers are between 35 and 45 litres, but you can even opt for something as significant as 65 to 100 litres and more.

I recommend most families buy something between 30 and 45 litres, but if you want something portable and easy to carry for long periods, you should consider purchasing something a little smaller.

➥ Cooling capacity.

Ice retention is undoubtedly one of the essential features of a soft or hard cooler. However, several car coolers plug in and have compressors to keep them cold. In addition, they often have precise temperature control.

If you opt for an electric cooker, it's worth mentioning that some models support dual-temperature zones, allowing you to bring in both chilled and frozen food.

➥ Locking system.

Some car coolers have removable lids, others use hinges and latches, many use zippers, and some even rely on magnets to keep them sealed. Closure systems may seem like a minor product feature to nitpick, but trust me, even the most minor elements can be the most annoying. So, we recommend you choose your cooler's locking system before you pick one so that you can easily access a drink or snack when needed.

Preferences vary from user to user, but hinged coolers allow quick and easy access, which means a pet or child could quickly get into them if they are not locked. Zippers are convenient if you're worried about the cooler tipping over, but they're harder to open, and magnetic coolers are less prone to leaks but must be opened with two hands.

Check out our seven favourite car coolers, perfect for your next adventure, no matter where you're headed!

1) CFX3 35 Litre Portable Refrigerator and Freezer

There's a reason why Dometic coolers are the brand of choice for RVers, campers, and anyone who lives a nomadic lifestyle. Simply put, they are durable, efficient and reliable. The only downside is their high price - the smallest and cheapest model will still cost you a pretty penny (~$750).

I recommend the 35-litre CFX3 model, which will keep your food and drinks cool anywhere, anytime. This car cooler can reach temperatures as low as minus 7 degrees Fahrenheit. It is exceptionally well insulated, more potent than the competition, and has sturdy handles, making it easier to carry.

The cooler can run on 110 or 12-volt power sources and draws between 0.5 and 1 amp per hour (to maintain a temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit.) Given its efficiency and precise temperature control, you can confidently store sensitive foods like seafood or medicine.

The CFX3 has a companion smartphone app that gives users remote controls and a quick but easy way to monitor its internal temperature. One Vancillary reviewer - who has been using a Dometic cooler for more than three years now - called the Dometic a "game changer" and said it's well worth its high price tag.

Buy: CFX3 35 Litre Portable Refrigerator and Freezer

2) 35 Liter Portable Car Refrigerator

Quite surprisingly, electric car refrigerators have an extensive price range. Some of them even reach $1,500. This option from Euhomy is much easier on your wallet and typically costs just under $300 - more than three times cheaper than Dometic's electric coolers. The Euhomy is a dual-zone cooler, which means one side can be used as a refrigerator and the other as a freezer.

This option is available in three sizes, ranging from 35 to 55 litres. The cheapest variant offers enough space to store 36 cans of soda. The cooler is equipped with a 110/240-volt AC adapter and a 12/24-volt DC adapter so that it can be used in the car, at home, or in a hotel room. The Euhomy allows users to set its temperature between 4 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can even pair it with your smartphone to control it remotely. The cooler weighs 20 pounds, which some may be a bit heavy. It has handles on the side for easy carrying, but unfortunately, they are not as big as Dometic's car coolers.

Buy: 35 Liter Portable Car Refrigerator

3) Original 24 Pack Nylon Soft Cooler

This affordable yet durable soft cooler has room for 24 cans of soda and 14 pounds of ice while being narrow enough to store on the floor mat behind your front seat. It is highly insulated and keeps ice frozen for 24 hours, even in the summer. It's available in several colours and includes a convenient shoulder strap.

My colleagues at Best Products' sister site, Good Housekeeping, said that of the soft coolers they tested, Polar Bear's was the best performing, if not as good as the hard coolers. The tester also noted that it was "very easy to clean."

Buy: Original 24 Pack Nylon Soft Cooler

4) Roadie 24 Cooler

Yeti's Roadie 24 cooler is an excellent option for day trips thanks to its taller, narrower size that allows it to be stored in the back seat of your vehicle. It has enough room to stack 24 cans and a 10-pound bag of ice. With an internal height of 13 inches, it's also tall enough to hold wine or 2-litre bottles.

Regarding insulation and ice retention, the Roadie 24 does not disappoint. In my testing, I pre-chilled the cooler for a few hours before a weekend trip, and it was able to keep my drinks cool for three days.

Compared to Yeti's soft coolers like the Hopper 18, it's larger and much easier to get in and out since it doesn't have a zipper. Its latches can be unhooked easily with one hand. Yeti's zippers, however, are pretty tight and require two hands to open.

I like that the cooler has rubber feet on its base, which add some friction to keep it stable and prevent it from slipping. Another plus? The Roadie is the perfect height to use as a stool when you need a place to sit while on the go.

As far as cons go, I wish the strap was longer. Unfortunately, it's not long enough to be worn over the shoulder, and when the cooler is loaded, it swings around and can easily hit your shin.

Overall, the Roadie 24 is a small but sturdy cooler with solid construction that stands out from other coolers for its ability to hold ice. Its convenient size and shape make it an excellent choice for a trip for two or a day at the beach.

Buy: Roadie 24 Cooler

5) JP60Pro 60L Mobile Refrigerator

The ICECO JP60Pro is one of the most feature-rich car coolers on the market. The cooler has four cup holders on its top lid, two rulers for measuring fish (one in inches and one in centimetres), and rubber latches to keep it closed.

This 60-litre cooler offers enough space for a family of four and can easily hold 60 cans of soda. Given the cooler's size- about 30 inches long, 19 inches high, and weighs 56 pounds - I was pleased to see that it has two handles on each side. One pair of rope handles with padded grips, and the other two are located on the rim of the cooler.

On the left side, you'll find a drain plug at its base for emptying melted ice, and on the opposite side, near the handle, is a handy bottle opener. Users can easily adjust (and view) the temperature via a side control panel.

YouTuber Jasonoid noted that the ICECO is a highly reliable cooler that regulates its temperature "very well." The car cooler is DC-powered only, but fortunately, it comes with a DC-to-AC adapter. You can expect the cooler to draw an average of 1.08 amp-hours per hour, which is impressive considering its large size.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that the ICECO includes a cutting board and wire basket helpful in keeping food organized. It's also compatible with a removable set of 6.5-inch wheels for an additional cost, making it easy to move.

Buy: JP60Pro 60L Mobile Refrigerator

6) Tundra 45 Cooler

The Yeti Tundra 45 hard-shell cooler is slightly larger than a checked bag, making it an ideal companion for an extended weekend getaway or camping trip. The rotomolded cooler features rope handles, a rubber seal around the lid, a dry storage metal basket and tie-down loops.

Compared to the Roadie 24 I mentioned earlier, this option has 55% more capacity (35 litres vs 23 litres for the Roadie). It also has a draining system so you can quickly empty the melted ice. It's worth mentioning that the Tundra 45 is surprisingly heavy for its size and weighs 23 pounds when empty. This is probably the giant hard-shell Yeti cooler a person can comfortably handle.

Although the Yeti Tundra 45 is more expensive than most coolers, it holds ice longer than the competition to keep internal temperatures down, comes in various fun colours, and is durable. It's even bear-proof!

Buy: Tundra 45 Cooler

7) VL75ProD 75L Portable Fridge Freezer

The ICECO VL75ProD is the best option for large families, long road trips and people who want a car cooler with two zones with independent temperature controls. The cooler is split in half and has separate sides' lids. This way, you can use one side as a refrigerator and the other as a freezer. Of course, you can set the same unique temperature for each side in case you only want to freeze or cool your items.

The cooler features an ultra-durable design with a steel shell and plastic bumpers. It's weatherproof and has a waterproof control panel with two USB ports for charging your gear. It also has indicator lights on each side and two baskets to help you organize your stuff. This option also has a dual purge if you're using ice and need to empty it once it melts.

Compared to Dometic's CFX3 75, the ICECO's lids are easier to open for faster access to your items, even if you're in the front seat. The covers can open either way! Both the Dometic and ICECO coolers allow users to remove the caps entirely if needed. The Dometic cooler will also enable users to plug the cooler into both 12 and 120-volt outlets simultaneously. However, Dometic coolers are often several hundred dollars more expensive than ICECO models.

If you have room for this massive cooler (it weighs a whopping 20kg), it will offer more than enough space to keep your food fresh and your drinks icy cold. While it typically comes with a hard-to-swallow price tag of over $1,000, it's still cheaper than the competition and features a reliable compressor and durable build quality.

Buy: VL75ProD 75L Portable Fridge Freezer