Coleman Steel-Belted Portable Cooler

Last updated: November 16, 2021


For the price, the Coleman Steel-Belted Portable Cooler provides a very durable cooler option. The 54-quart capacity will keep your items cold for up to 4 days. The key differentiator that sets this cooler apart from the rest at this price point are the metal hinges and handles that gives it a more sturdy feel.

Coleman Steel-Belted Portable Cooler

We looked at the top Coolers and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Cooler you should buy.

Product Details

Key Takeaway: With a drain and a capacity of 54 quarts, this is one cooler you'll want to bring to your next beach day. The stainless steel hardware makes it a durable long lasting companion.

In our analysis of 77 expert reviews, the Coleman Steel-Belted Portable Cooler placed 13th when we looked at the top 15 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

Go back in time with cold food and drinks today when you take a Coleman 54 Quart Steel Belted Cooler along with you. It looks just like the one you remember with its classic design first developed in 1954. Large enough to hold 85 cans and tall enough to hold 2-liter bottles upright, you’ll have plenty of space for refreshments for a whole group of people. Whether you’re headed on an overnight camping trip, to a tailgate party, or out to a BBQ, the comfort-grip steel handles and stainless steel lid latch make getting to your destination easy, comfortable and secure. Once you arrive, the Have-A-Seat lid will ensure you always have a place to sit and relax while you enjoy the day with a cold drink in hand. When the fun is done, the leak-resistant channel drain makes it easy to empty any excess water without tilting the cooler, so you’re ready for your next fun adventure. A Coleman Steel Belted Cooler will rekindle your fondest outdoor memories — and equip you to make many new ones.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

Solid stainless steel latches remain secure under pressure.
If the legion of similarly designed coolers still in active use after 30 or more years is any indication, this is a very durable design. Our testing supports the same. We had no problems with the overall structure or hardware.
If you invest your bucks here, expect 4 days ice retention without disappointment in places where temperatures rise up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Carrying and transporting this cooler is a breeze, thanks to the ergonomic steel handles.
The cooler is built in such a way with rust-resistant stainless steel framework which makes it extremely durable.
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Remember when we talked about durable handles? Coleman’s steel handles and metal brackets are sturdy and durable.
Rust-resistant stainless steel hardware will give you years of high-quality performance
One of the selling points of this cooler is the excellent insulation system that can keep drinks ice cooled for up to 4 days.
Kept drinks cold for 12 hours in our tests
Its solid steel latch ensures it is securely sealed to prevent leaks during transportation.
Further, since comfort is a priority during transportation, Coleman enhanced the rough handles with rubber grips to make carrying this thing less painful.
This Coleman 54-quart steel cooler is the most popular contemporary steel cooler available today – it boasts a nice combination of value, construction, and timeless old-school style.
Anyway, taking into account the price tag of these coolers (that is significantly less than rotomolded coolers) such good options as the Coleman Steel Belted cooler described in this paragraph can be a worthy replacement to high-end coolers.
It is portable and simple design cooler with a wide-opening lid and the solid lid latch. It has a comfortable and effective handle for easy carrying.

What reviewers didn't like

Ice melts faster than advertised.
The lid latch takes some getting used to, and one must occasionally get down and visual with it in order to assure that it is secured.
Very heavy to carry when full and no wheels.
Few users have pointed out the packaging being a bit flimsy.
Be prepared to do some heavy lifting to bring it to the picnic though: because it doesn't have a telescoping handle or wheels for transporting, you'll have to carry it in two hands or enlist a buddy to help.
As simple as it would have been, Coleman actually didn’t bother make a unified belt, instead the steel is bent around the cooler and meets around the back, leaving an annoying line right in the middle.
We will say one negative thing though; the construction of this cooler doesn’t really live up to the standards of the original Coleman steel ice chests, which were truly full-on metal brutes.
We want to pay you attention on one thing that has disappointed us when we were considering this option. The generation of these Coleman coolers differs from the old original ice chests by their structure. The manufacturers of this new Coleman coolers lineup added a lot of plastic in their production.
View our Cooler buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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