The 7 Best Coolers Tested by GearLab

Our top picks ensure your perishable food items stay perfectly chilled for the long haul. The maximum number of items that may be added to the cart has been reached. You must identify your local store and sign in to see local price and availability information and place orders. Bought a package of 25 fuses, replaced the blown ones and packed some extras in a Baggie for each cooler. We tested the 40L model, but there’s also a smaller 30L model and a larger dual-zone 50L model with two areas that can be independently cooled. She has worked in restaurant kitchens, professional test kitchens, and also on farms and at farmer’s markets.

Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice. Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Lowe’s reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted. The young salesman was taking a stroll after a hard day’s work selling typewriters, and spotted a new type of lamplight in a drugstore window in Brockton, Alabama. This new light burned with a strong, steady white flame and was fueled by gasoline. The standard lamp of the era burned kerosene and produced a smoky, flickering, yellowish light. Was stricken with very poor eyesight, and was very interested in this new, steady white light that enabled him to read even the smallest print in books and on medicine bottles.

The 50ºF threshold we highlight represents the average maximum ideal temperature to serve beer. The American Homebrewers Association breaks down the optimal serving temperature range for different types of beer, which we based this threshold on. The backpack is great for group outings and coleman electric cooler can still be used for personal use, though that might feel a bit overkill. The bag’s footprint is on the large side, and since it doesn’t collapse, it’s not storable in tight places. Due to this deep size, cleaning the bottom corners can be a challenge for those with shorter builds.

Another inexpensive and lightweight option is the Coleman 316 Series 52. Though its insulation performance isn’t all that strong, it’ll last for most overnighters or day trips. Thermoelectric coolers use “solid-state cooling,” meaning there is no compressor or refrigerants. It uses the transfer of heat or cold through solid metal to run the device. Thermoelectric cooling is incredibly effective, but it does depend on the ambient temperature in which the cooler is operating. For example, if you are trying to run your cooler in the middle of the desert sun, the solid metal plate may have a hard time cooling since the original transfer begins at such a high temperature.

By day she evaluates tools for your enjoyment; by night, she Frankenstein’s her ever changing fleet of rust-bucket-oddities back to repair. Her dream is to open a roadside attraction where the public can view, drive, and learn repairs at her emporium of curious cars. Hearst Autos doesn’t need to game algorithms for traffic or promote lousy products to earn a buck. Instead, we’re more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust that our readers have in Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track to deliver honest opinions and expert evaluations. This cooler/freezer won’t be for every driver, as the size makes it unwieldy and difficult to store. But if you have the room, it’s the perfect tool to transform a tailgate party.

Attachment is easy, and the flexible, pivoting arm allows for freedom of bike movement and no loss of turning radius or steering ability. We are so genuinely impressed by this rolling icebox’s portability that we hardly even notice or mind its heavier initial weight. Regardless of your journey ahead, the RTIC Backpack 30 is the bag that will get you there. The backpack-style soft cooler remains structurally rigid and can accommodate just about anything you’d want to take on a picnic.

coleman electric cooler

We always conduct the windy test first because stoves burn more fuel for longer in the presence of wind, and as the fuel canister empties, it becomes less efficient. For the windy test, we wanted to give each stove as much of an advantage as possible. After we have the pre-test, mid-test, and post-test fuel canister weights, we subtract the mid-test weight from the pre-test weight to determine the amount of fuel used in the windy test. Then we calculate the difference between the mid-test and post-test weights to determine fuel usage during the windless test.

The most important metric for most of us is how well an ice chest keeps food cold and fresh. This metric is also the source of many extraordinary claims from manufacturers. From models with “5-Day” in the name to stickers boasting up to 16 days of ice retention, it seems that just about every product out there will knock your socks off. While all these things will help extend the life of your ice and, therefore, the freshness of your food, it’s unlikely that every consumer will follow these stipulations for each use. So we tested these coolers the way that we, and most consumers, would use them. We bought some ice, filled each model half full, and put in a small device that measures ambient temperature.