Best cool boxes for camping and keeping food and drink cool

The best cool box could make all the difference to your next camping or beach trip.

We've tested electric cool boxes and passive ones on everything from insulation to durability and portability.

Cooler boxes from top brands such as Thermos, Igloo, Coleman and others have been put through their paces.

The best electric cool boxes

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The electric cool boxes we tested

All the electric cool boxes we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

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Halfords 24L 12V Electric Cool Box

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Most recently tested May 2023

Capacity 24 litres or 30 x 330ml cans

Weight 4.5kg

Outer dimensions (HxWxD) 43 x 43 x 31cm

Inner dimensions (HxWxD) 30 x 29 x 22cm

Need to know Can accommodate 2 litre bottles, cubby hole to store charger; 12V charger; running cost per hour on maximum setting: 1.58p; one-year warranty; also available in 8, 14 and 40-litre sizes

Hi-Gear 28L 240V electric Cooler

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Most recently tested May 2023

Capacity 28 litres or 50 x 330ml cans

Weight 5.5kg

Outer dimensions (HxWxD) 46 x 43 x 31cm

Inner dimensions (HxWxD) 33 x 35 x 25cm

Need to know Comes with a spare fuse; 12V charger and 240V mains plug; running cost per hour on maximum setting: 1.58p, no manufacturer warranty information advertised

Koolatron P75 12V electric Cool Box

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Most recently tested May 2023

Capacity 34 litres or 51 x 330ml cans

Weight 6.1kg

Outer dimensions (HxWxD) 41 x 53 x 41cm

Inner dimensions (HxWxD) 30.5 x 40 x 30.5cm

Need to know Includes shelf to use chest on its side like a mini fridge; 12V charger; running cost per hour on maximum setting: 1.46p; one-year warranty; also available in 9, 17,  24, 27, 31, 42 and 49-litre sizes

Outwell EcoCool Lite 24L electric Cooler Box

Available from Outwell (£65.99)

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Most recently tested May 2023

Capacity 24 litres or 29 x 330ml cans

Weight 4.3kg

Outer dimensions (HxWxD) 41 x 43 x 27cm

Inner dimensions (HxWxD) 32 x 33 x 21cm

Need to know Comes with inside divider; 12V charger and UK mains plug; running cost per hour on maximum setting: 1.46p; two-year warranty; other colours available, 12V-only model also available

See our pick of the best food and drink to pack for your picnic

The best cool boxes

Only logged-in Which? members can view the cool box test results below. See further down the page for our electric cool box test results.

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The cool boxes we tested

All the cool boxes we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best cool boxes from our tests. 

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendation below.

Coleman 30QT Performance Cooler

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Most recently tested June 2021

Capacity 28 litres or 49 x 330ml cans

Weight 3.0kg

Outer dimensions (HxWxD) 39 x 42 x 25cm 

Inner dimensions (HxWxD) 33.5 x 39 x 25.5cm

Need to know Two cup holders on top of the lid; two-year warranty; also available in 4.7, 15, 26 and 56-litre sizes

Igloo BMX 25 Heavy Duty 23L Cool Box

Available from Igloo (£109.95) (Out of stock)

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Most recently tested May 2023

Capacity 23 litres or 39 x 330ml cans

Weight 4.5kg

Outer dimensions (HxWxD) 40 x 50 x 31cm

Inner dimensions (HxWxD) 30 x 38 x 21cm 

Need to know Rubber pads to prevent sliding, fish-measuring ruler moulded into the lid; one-year warranty; also available in 22, 49 and 68-litre sizes, other colours available

Koolatron Ultra Kool Ice Chest

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Most recently tested May 2023

Capacity 25 litres or 36 x 330ml cans

Weight 3kg

Outer dimensions (HxWxD) 42 x 37 x 30cm

Inner dimensions (HxWxD) 34 x 31.5 x 21.5cm

Need to know Three cup holders on the lid; one-year warranty

Quechua Rigid Camping or Hiking Cooler Box

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Most recently tested June 2021

Capacity 24 litres or 43 x 330ml cans

Weight: 3.8kg

Outer dimensions (HxWxD) 41 x 41 x 26.5cm

Inner dimensions (HxWxD) 32 x 38 x 24.5cm

Need to know Four cup holders on the underside of the lid and a removable insert; two-year warranty; also available in 32-litre size

Thermos Cool Box

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Most recently tested June 2021

Capacity 28 litres or 45 x 330ml cans

Weight 2.4kg

Outer dimensions (HxWxD) 40 x 42 x 27cm

Inner dimensions (HxWxD) 34.5 x 37.5 x 23.5cm

Need to know One-year warranty; also available in 32-litre size

Yeti Roadie 24L Cool Box

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Most recently tested May 2023

Capacity 24 litres or 34 x 330ml cans

Weight 5.9kg

Outer dimensions (HxWxD) 44 x 42 x 36cm

Inner dimensions (HxWxD) 33 x 31 x 24cm

Need to know: Rubber pads to prevent sliding; five-year warranty; also available in 48 and 60-litre sizes; other colours available

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How we test cool boxes

We test passive cool boxes and electric cool boxes from major UK retailers and brands. 

We buy every product, so you can be sure our opinion isn't biased by us receiving freebies.

We regularly revisit the cool boxes on sale to see if there are any new and popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do.

Insulation

• We place chilled bottles of water in each passive cool box, along with two ice packs, and measured the temperature increase over the course of the day.
• To replicate getting bits in and out of the bag, we open and close it at regular intervals.
• For electric cool boxes, we also measure how much it cooled in the first hour after turning it on, and only put the chilled bottled water in, no ice packs.

Leakproof

• We fill the bags with water and leave them for an hour to see if they leak. 
• While none of the cool boxes leaked when upright, all but one leaked from the lid if tipped over onto their side, so it's worth making sure your cool box isn't going to fall over easily when being transported.

Comfort

• We carry each half-filled cool box on an identical route to evaluate and identify any discomfort.
• The best cool boxes have features that improve portability, such as wheels and extendable handles. The worst have uncomfortable handles and are heavy to carry.

Durability

• We drop each box multiple times from different angles.
• The best cool boxes were barely scratched when dropped, the worst shattered and broke when dropped.

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

How does a cool box work?

A cool box keeps food and drink cool by insulating it from the outside environment.

Unlike cool bags, which rely on the material properties of the bag to provide this insulation, there are different types of cool box:

• Passive cool boxes work just like cool bags. They use the box's material to provide insulation and need ice or ice packs to keep them cool.
• Electric cool boxes don’t require ice but need to be plugged in to keep cool. A 12V car plug is the most common type of charger, but several come with a UK mains plug or adaptor.  by a UK plug. You can get battery-powered boxes, but they’re less common and far more expensive.
• Compressor cool boxes These top-of-the range coolers usually start at 40 litres and resemble a mini-fridge. They need plugging in, and hi-tech models are available that can be controlled with apps.
• Absorption cool boxes Similar in size and design to compressor cool boxes, but you can also power these with gas.

Watch: How to make clear ice using your cool box

Watch our video below to find out how you can make clear ice for impressive cocktails and drinks using your cool box.

Is a cool box better than a cool bag?

Our tests showed some key differences between these two products that are worth considering before buying:

• Build Cool bags are easier to store, being made from soft material, but offer less protection than a cool box when in use. When not completely full, some cool bags have a tendency to collapse in on themselves, knocking over the bottles inside.
• Portability Cool boxes tend to be heavier, and the hard shell makes them more uncomfortable to carry than most cool bags. However, some cool boxes have wheels and extendable handles that makes transporting a full box much easier on solid, even surfaces. You can also get backpack-style cool bags that are comfortable to carry even on long walks.
• Size You'll generally find that cool boxes have larger capacities. You can get cool bags up to 50 litres, but if you need more consider a cool box instead.
• Features It's common for cool boxes to have a nozzle for draining water out of them. Some even have taps attached for drink decanting – ideal for larger events. Cooler bags generally don't have these but do have side compartments and mesh pockets for organisation.
• Holidaying with a large group, or throwing a big garden party? In this case, a cool box will likely meet your needs better than a cooler bag. 
• If you're into trekking, want something for the odd picnic, or to keep your lunch cool for work A cooler bag may be the way to go.

If you're thinking of investing in a cool bag, read our reviews of the best cooler bags