The Best Large Hard Cooler
We looked at the top 14 Large Hard Coolers and dug through the reviews from 142 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Large Hard Coolers.
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Nothing enhances a hot summer day like an ice-cold beverage or some refreshing food like chopped fruit. If you find yourself outside in areas where there isn’t electricity or the availability of a refrigerator, you will need an insulated cooler that can keep these cold treats cold during a hot day.
Coolers are made in soft varieties that are convenient to collapse and pack away when they aren’t in use, or the cooler can be hard and constructed of rigid materials that give them more durability and strength. We are focusing on hard coolers and their benefits in this buying guide where we will break down some of the common differences in the varying styles and sizes you can find online, so you can make an informed decision on which hard cooler will work best for you.
A cooler ultimately needs to keep things cold. The best way to set yourself up for success when using a cooler is to put drinks or food in it after they are already cold, whether that means they were in your freezer or refrigerator or simply purchased from the cooler-section of a local store. The addition of ice will then make the internal temperature of the cooler drop even further, setting you up for the best results in your quest to keep your drinks cold.
The insulation of the cooler is now the main factor that works at keeping the cold inside and the heat outside. Generally, a thicker cooler will have more insulation in it, since they are designed to have a bigger buffer of air or insulating materials between your cold items and the outside air. As heat tries to enter the cooler, the greater layers of insulation will make the process much slower. If you are hoping to have ice and drinks last for multiple days in your hard cooler, you will want to look for really thick coolers that have been proven to perform at the highest level. These coolers will often be very rugged and well-made.
The size of a cooler makes a world of difference when it comes to how and where it can be used. If you are taking your own lunch with a few drinks out to a remote spot to have a secluded meal, you could have great luck using a Coleman FlipLid Personal Cooler, 5 Quarts that will hold a decent amount of food and drinks for one person without becoming a heavy burden that takes up unnecessary space. These smaller hard coolers work well for simply packing some drinks with you when you’re outside working in the heat of the summer or playing at the beach as well. If you want something a little bigger, maybe for that picnic for two that you’re planning, or just to fit more drinks inside, there are bigger varieties that still have a sturdy and solid handle attached like the classic-looking Igloo Cooler. Coolers like these are fun and convenient to grab when you’re on the go.
Some of you might be shaking your head because you need a cooler than can hold enough food to feed a small army, hold refreshments for a children’s soccer team or sustain a whole family for a weekend of camping. Hard coolers come in huge sizes as well, often being able to hold enough weight inside that it will take two people to lift it. With a large hard cooler, you will have a lot of space to drinks, food and ice inside without having to do any mental gymnastics to make it all fit. These types of coolers have sturdy handles on each side that are easy to use when the cooler is weighted down and there is even a drain plug built-in at the bottom to allow for easy drainage when the ice finally melts away. Other models offer features like a set of wheels on one end so you can still move the heavy cooler by yourself if you’re up for pulling it along behind you.
Our Picks For The Top Large Hard Coolers
- 1. Igloo BMX Foam Insulated Large Hard Cooler, 52-Quart
- 2. Arctic Zone Titan Flip Open Zipper Free Large Hard Cooler
- 3. Coleman FlipLid Bail Handle Cooler, 5-Quart
- 4. Klein Tools Shoulder Strap Large Hard Cooler, 17-Quart
- 5. RTIC Stainless Steel Large Hard Cooler, 45-Quart
- 6. Coleman Plastic Wheeled Large Hard Cooler, 50-Quart
- 7. Arctic Zone Seamless Anti-Skid Large Hard Cooler, 20-Quart
- 8. Igloo Polar Threaded Drain Plug Large Hard Cooler, 120-Quart
- 9. YETI Tundra Aluminum Large Hard Cooler, 45-Quart
- 10. YETI Tundra 65 Interlocking Lid Cooler, 52-Quart
- 11. Igloo Playmate Pal Easy Carry Cooler, 7-Quart
- 12. Igloo Portable Large Hard Cooler, 16-Quart
- 13. Coleman Excursion Portable Large Hard Cooler, 9-Quart
- 14. Igloo BMX Reinforced Large Hard Cooler, 25-Quart
Thanks to this cooler's built-in tie down points, you can safely transport it in the back of your truck. The cooler has a heavy-duty blow-molded construction and rubberized T-grip latches to keep your drinks secure. Since the lid and body are well insulated, you'll also enjoy five days of ice retention, which makes this cooler a great choice for ca...
Multiple Color CombinationsYou'll find this cooler comes in a choice of aquamarine/black, sandstone/red and green/orange.
Not only is the outer material on this large hard cooler water and stain resistant, but so is the inner lining. The coolor features a flip-top lid to make accessing your drinks and snacks a breeze. For added storage, the bag offers two mesh side pockets and two front zipper pockets.
Versatile ChoiceYou'll find this large hard cooler comes in a choice of white, moss, blue and process blue.
We love how easy it is to grab this large hard cooler and head out the door. The handle folds down for easy access to the goods inside and rugged exterior means it can handle whatever abuse you put it through.
Small and ConvenientThis large hard cooler is a personal-sized cooler that is very well made.
This large hard cooler is designed to work as a lunchbox and includes a strap for easy carrying. The lid can handle up to 300 pounds, so you can set it down and use it as a seat wherever you are. It can keep items cool for up to 30 hours, even in 90-degree temperatures.
Best for Job SitesFor those who take lunch to job sites, this large hard cooler provides a lid that doubles as a seat, giving you a handy place to eat.
Why we recommend these large hard coolers?
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Our experts reviewed the top 14 Large Hard Coolers and also dug through the reviews from 142 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Large Hard Coolers.
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The Best Bang For Your Buck
Coleman FlipLid Bail Handle Cooler, 5-Quart
Our Take
We love how easy it is to grab this large hard cooler and head out the door. The handle folds down for easy access to the goods inside and rugged exterior means it can handle whatever abuse you put it through.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
What to Look For
- Some coolers have built-in cup-holders on their lids. This handy feature could be useful when you’re using the cooler’s lid as a side table that you don’t plan on opening often.
- Hard coolers with a short and wide stance will be very stable when placed on uneven surfaces. These proportions would be ideal for those of you who plan to use it in places where the ground might not be flat.
- If you want your cooler to keep ice for a really long time, you will want to condition the cooler before using it. A simple way of doing this is to pre-cool the inside of the cooler with ice or something similar the night before you plan to pack your cooler with the actual food and drinks of your choice. The inside of the cooler will now start off in cold state so it won’t immediately transfer room-temperature heat into your drinks and ice. Condition your coolers and you’ll see a noticeable difference in how long they hold ice.
Large Hard Cooler Rankings
7. Arctic Zone Seamless Anti-Skid Large Hard Cooler, 20-Quart
8. Igloo Polar Threaded Drain Plug Large Hard Cooler, 120-Quart
More to Explore
The portable ice chest has been around since the middle of the 20th century and has been a popular product since those early development years. Today, the technology of making some of the higher-end hard coolers is referred to as “rotationally molded coolers” where a process constantly rotates a mold while the plastics set in. This process effectively makes completely smooth interior surfaces that have no seams or flaws that could eventually lead to leaks or inefficiencies.