The Best Lightweight Coolers For 2024
By, Sara RyanUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler
The Arctic Zone Cooler is the perfect solution for year-round outdoor adventures. The new design features a patented, "flip open" Zipperless lid and a removable SmartShelf for quick access to food and drinks. Features FDA compliant HardBody liner with removable SmartShelf and insulated front pocket. Read Review
2. Best For The Price: CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag
With the capacity to hold 50 cans of your favorite beverage plus ice, this soft-sided cooler keeps food and drinks cold. This collapsible cooler folds down to less than 3 inches so you can store just about anywhere. The SnapBasket Cooler has a steel wire frame on top, a solid base, and a patented SnapHinge on each side for ultimate portability. Read Review
3. Best Portable: RTIC Soft Cooler 30 Can, Insulated Bag Portable Ice Chest Box
The RTIC soft cooler is the perfect insulated cooler bag for any outdoor adventure. The soft, lightweight nylon shell protects your food and drinks from the elements, while its floating design gives you a great way to transport your goodies without the hassle of carrying around a heavy cooler bag. Ideal for a day at the pool or lake, no matter where your adventure takes you. Read Review
4. Best Versatile: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler, Charcoal
The YETI Roadie 24 Cooler is a durable, hardworking cooler that offers a cold and dry storage solution wherever you go. With its cool-to-the touch Permafrost insulation, the Roadie keeps food and beverages cold for hours. And with its built-in handles to help fit it into your car, the Roadie can be your companion on all your adventures. Read Review
If you’re looking to keep food and drinks cold without filling your backpack, check out these lightweight coolers. Whether you’re a frequent camper or simply love nature, lightweight coolers will make your excursions that much more enjoyable.
One of the best things about lightweight coolers is that they are generally inexpensive to purchase. They tend to have smaller capacities as well, so you won’t be paying an arm and a leg for something that doesn’t meet your needs either. If you’re looking for the best lightweight coolers on the market today, take a look below.
However, after investing in 18, we've come up with a name that's worthy of your requirement: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless HardBody Cooler. If you desire extra features not included in this model, you might look into another one, CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag. It could better suit your needs.
Our Top Picks
- Features FDA compliant HardBody liner with removable SmartShelf and insulated front pocket
- Ultra Safe leak proof, easy clean interior lining; water and stain repellent, wipe clean exterior
- Patented, "flip open" Zipperless lid allows for quick access to food and drinks
- Patented SnapHinges on both sides of the cooler bag offer structured support when the tote is open; to close the cooler, simply push the side hinges in, folding the compact bag down flat
- The perfect size for food delivery services and a great solution to haul groceries from the store or farmer's market to your kitchen at home; comfortable handle and duffel bag handles make toting heavy loads easy
- MULTIPLE USES – It’s the perfect ice cooler, drink cooler, travel cooler, beer cooler, lunch cooler, camping cooler, beach cooler. Features 2 inches of closed-cell foam.
- IT’S A FLOATING COOLER – Not to mention it’s a floating cooler, it floats, so your drinks and snacks can go wherever you go. Ideal for a day at the pool or lake, no matter where the adventure takes.
- It's got a taller build than its predecessor, so it now accommodates a standard bottle of wine (or 2 liter bottle) upright, and is a better fit behind the driver's or passenger's seat of a car
- ROTOMOLDED CONSTRUCTION - Evolved to be thinner and lighter-weight for easier transport, while still incredibly tough
- The Roadie 24 holds 18 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-can ratio or 24 lbs of just ice. It measures 16 1/2” L × 14 1/2”W × 17 1/2” H
- FULLY INSULATED: Lined with high-density insulation and food contact material.
- KEEPS COLD: Keeps contents cold for all of your adventures. Reccomended to be used with reusable ice packs.
- Heavy-duty wheels: Effortless rolling over any terrain
- Xtreme Technology; Insulated lid and extra wall insulation keep ice up to 5 days in temperatures as high as 90°F
- Have-a-seat lid: Closed lid supports up to 250 pounds
- Lightweight Yet Durable: The Soft Pack is prepared to take on every adventure with a heavy-duty nylon shell.
- Go Big: This cooler has enough room to house 40 cans of your favorite beer or multiple days’ worth of meals — wherever your priorities lie.
- Sweat-Free: Keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours while avoiding the mess thanks to 2 inches of closed-cell foam and puncture and tear-resistant liner.
- The Hopper Flip 12 has ColdCell Insulation, a closed-cell foam that offers superior cold-holding to ordinary soft coolers, with a capacity of up to 12 cans plus ice
- The Hopper Flip 12 dimensions are 12 5/8 in long x 10 in wide x 11 ½ in high and an empty weight of 3.1 lbs
- The only personal cooler that’s game for full days in the tree stand, early mornings in the duck boat, or afternoons on the water
- Hydroshield Closure - Uses powerful magnets to create an ultra leak-resistant shield. Wide-mouth opening makes it easy to get in and out. Dual, Quick-Release Buckles ensure that your Hopper won’t open unexpectedly
- Leakproof Liner - RF welded seams eliminate stitching and provide a leakproof interior liner and waterproof exterior that resists mildew, punctures, and UV rays
- Double-Stitched Carry Options -Every pick-up point is reinforced. Hopper can handle more weight than you’d prefer to carry. Capacity: 7.2 Gallons, 20 cans, 28 lbs. of ice (just ice)
- Keeps contents up to 40 degrees colder or warmer than the surroundings
- 40-quart capacity holds up to 44 cans
- Versatile hot/cold thermoelectric cooler keeps food items at an optimal temperature
Try one of the following guide to pick best lightweight coolers for you need
Maybe you feel overwhelmed by the variety of choices when it comes to purchasing best lightweight coolers? Visitors didn't even know if a better option was available. We have a few suggestions which will make things easier and thus save you time and effort.
Review them out below to see whether the item you're looking for is right for you!
Wheeled (Rolling) Coolers
Cooler Construction
Cooler Drain Systems
Bear-Resistant Ratings
Cooler Sizes (Capacities)
Weight And Portability
Cooler Latch And Closure Systems
Ice Retention And Cooling Capabilities
FAQs
What Is The Best Hard Cooler?
There are many coolers. It really doesn't matter which cooler you choose. A cooler that is more resistant to damage will be the most suitable if you intend on using it every week.
How Much Do Coolers Cost?
Consider what your cooler will be used for. If you need it to store food or drinks for several days or at extreme temperatures then more money is an investment in food safety. A cooler that is cheap and cheerful may suffice if you just need to chill a handful of drinks for an afternoon barbecue.
Can I Use Dry Ice In A Cooler?
Most times, the answer is yes. Some coolers can be damaged by dry ice, but the majority should work fine. However, you will need to cover dry ice with blankets or other insulators. A cooler designed for dry ice is best if you plan to use it every day. You won't have to do any special tasks because the cooler has compartments to store dry ice.
Does Food Stay Cool In A Portable Cooler Without Ice?
But it will take longer than if you put ice inside the cooler. Insulation in the cooler stops food from heating up faster than if left out. The temperature of the cooler and how chilled the food were at the beginning will determine the time it takes to cool down. Even frozen foods will heat up faster if they are kept cool in a trunk compartment of a vehicle.
Which Size Cooler Do I Need?
Although you might feel compelled to buy a large cooler, make sure it fits in the car. Smaller coolers can be lifted without the need for assistance. However, coolers with larger capacities can hold more ice and so tend to stay cool longer than smaller models.
Higher coolers can store bottles more upright. Models with recessed lids are better for loading items higher, but they may become warmer.
How Long Does A Cooler Stay Cold?
It all depends on how efficient the cooler is at insulation. This includes the temperature outside, initial temperature of food and its stacking. Food can be kept cold for up to 4 days with ice (the best), in ideal conditions. A high-end cooler may even keep it chilled for as long as 10 days.
How Does A Portable Cooler Work?
Combining the insulation of the cooler with the ice you put inside, either ice cubes, ice packs, or foam, slows down warm air circulation and helps keep things cool.
How Do I Clean My Cooler?
Warm water and dish soap will generally clean your cooler. You can also use warm water and bleach to remove stubborn stains or odors.
Conclusion
The website has a buying guide for best lightweight coolers for your needs. It will assist you in determining what to purchase and how much was to purchase! If the above options do not meet your needs, consider Coleman Ice Chest | Coleman 316 Series Wheeled Hard Coolers as an alternative.
Whether any of this makes it sound daunting or if you want more information, please give us a call, our members of the team are always happy to chat and brainstorm ideas with you!
About Sara Ryan
