The 10 Best Cool Box Reviews For UK Travelers (2022)
Last Updated on April 17, 2022
Nothing dampens your mood faster than a lukewarm drink in the middle of a hot day. If you’re planning a day at the beach, fishing, hiking or road ripping, do everyone a favour and carry a cool box! You don’t have to waste your time looking for the best cooler, we’ve go the best cool boxes of the year right here for you!
Our Top 3 Cool Box Picks
1. The Best Cool Box (91 L) By Coleman
2. The Best Cool Box (66 L) By Coleman
3. The Best Lightweight Cool Box By Greenfield Collection
Product Testing & Comparison
Our reviewer followed a specific set of guidelines to determine the best of the best for our list:
- Durability
- Portability
- Capacity
Our reviewer focused primarily on durability. These boxes need to be strong enough to take a minor beating without the insulation failing. We also looked for another important factor – portability. It doesn’t matter how spacious or effective the cooler is if you can’t take it anywhere, right?
Finally, we looked for a large capacity. While this could be gotten around by being very lightweight and easy to move around, we primarily favoured cool boxes that had a decent (minimum 30 litre) capacity. Now – let’s see what’s best for you, shall we?
Compare our top 3 picks below, or scroll past to see the detailed analysis of all 10 products.
Scroll left to view more products:
The Best Cool Box (91 L) By Coleman | The Best Cool Box (66 L) By Coleman | The Lightweight Cool Box By PicnicWare | |
AWARDS | |||
PRICE | Price not available on Amazon View Product | £147.75 on Amazon View Product | £14.99 on Amazon View Product |
OVERALL SCORE | |||
RATING | |||
PROS | High ice retention. | Keeps contents cold for days. | Keeps drinks and food cool or warm for 5-7 hours. |
CONS | None. | Not really big enough for a large family trip. | Only suitable for one person’s needs. |
BOTTOM LINE | Effective, food-safe, and surprisingly portable, this is as good as it gets. | BPA-free, effective, and portable, this is a great mid-sized cooler. | While small, this is highly portable, making it great for picnics and hikes! |
RATING CATEGORIES | The Best Cool Box (91 L) By Coleman | The Best Cool Box (66 L) By Coleman | The Lightweight Cool Box By PicnicWare |
PORTABILITY (40%) | |||
DURABILITY (30%) | |||
CAPACITY (30%) | |||
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS | The Best Cool Box (91 L) By Coleman | The Best Cool Box (66 L) By Coleman | The Lightweight Cool Box By PicnicWare |
DIMENSIONS | 91.4 x 41.2 x 43.8 cm | 80 x 40.6 x 47 cm | 34 x 25 x 25 cm |
CAPACITY | 90.8 litres | 66 litres | 15 litres |
MATERIAL | High density polyethylene, polyurethane | High density polyethylene, polyurethane | Polyester |
VIEW PRODUCTS | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
The Best Cool Boxes Reviewed In 2022
1. The Best Cool Box (91 L) By Coleman
Best Cool Box
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 91.4 x 41.2 x 43.8 cm
- Capacity: 90.8 litres
- Material: High density polyethylene, polyurethane
Effective, food-safe, and surprisingly portable, this is as good as it gets.
This cool box won the top slot. We loved its massive size and incredible features. Let’s dive into those features to see if this is the best box for you.
The cooler has a sturdy design that includes insulation technology for keeping the ice cooler for longer. The box is suitable for long-distance travelling, to be used as a camping fridge and to keep drinks frosty during hiking.
The electric cool box weighs 7.4kg when empty and has a capacity of 91 litres. The lid of this electric coolbox is levelled and strong in a way that you can pack items on top, making it strong enough for packed travelling conditions. As a bonus, your new box also comes with 4 additional beverage holders.
Our reviewer loved this thing. It’s lightweight, spacious, and made from durable materials that will keep anything inside nice and cool all day. The BPA-free plastic it uses ensures it’s food-safe, and in general, this thing just does its job perfectly. In fact, it does it so well that our only complaint is that it doesn’t come with ice packs – yeah, it’s that nice.
Pros
- High ice retention.
- Effortless to carry.
- Suitable for hiking and camping
- BPA-free therefore safe to store food and drinks for longer periods
Cons
- None.
2. The Best Cool Box (66 L) By Coleman
Best Mid-Sized Cool Box
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 80 x 40.6 x 47 cm
- Capacity: 66 litres
- Material: High density polyethylene, polyurethane
BPA-free, effective, and portable, this is a great mid-sized cooler.
Did you love the first cool box but you don’t need something that big? Then this smaller version is the best option for you. Indeed, you get a 66 L capacity instead but with all the benefits of the larger box. Let’s have a quick recap.
You can look forward to a high-tech insulation design that keeps contents cool for days. Measuring 71cm x 40cm x 44cm, it’s BPA-free, meaning you can safely store food, fruits, and drinks inside. The box is also fitted with strong handles in case you need to move it around the campsite or carry it to the car.
Just like the above option, this was a favourite of our reviewer. It’s extremely effective at keeping everything nice and cool and is made from BPA-free materials, ensuring it’s food safe. Its only downside is that its 66-litre capacity makes it a bit hard to accommodate a large family’s needs.
Pros
- Keeps contents cold for days.
- Easy to use and move.
- BPA-free.
Cons
- Not really big enough for a large family trip.
3. The Lightweight Cool Box By PicnicWare
Best Lightweight Cool Box
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 34 x 25 x 25 cm
- Capacity: 15 litres
- Material: Polyester
While small, this is highly portable, making it great for picnics and hikes!
This bag is the best if you are looking for style and cooling properties. Indeed, this luxury cooling bag will look chic wherever you take it and can easily be carried thanks to the shoulder strap and its lightweight design.
The fabric is also designed to keep contents cold or warm for 5-7 hours. This is perfect for a day trip or an overnight visit where you take your own snacks and drinks.
This was a favourite of our reviewer due to its small size. While it can’t hold enough to accommodate a family, our reviewer found it was perfect for a nice little picnic with her partner. It’s small, light, and ergonomically designed, making it great for taking on hikes or individual camping trips.
Pros
- Keeps drinks and food cool or warm for 5-7 hours.
- Lightweight.
- Stylish appearance.
- Adjustable shoulder strap.
Cons
- Only suitable for one person’s needs.
4. The Heavy Duty Cool Box By IGLOO
Best Heavy Duty Cool Box
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 97 x 44 x 45 cm
- Capacity: 114 litres
- Material: Plastic and UltraTherm
Replacing anything on a regular basis makes no financial sense. So if you are in the habit of buying things that last, then this is the cooler box for you.
Indeed, the case is virtually indestructible thanks to its wildly durable construction.
Not only is this box exceptionally durable but if you give it a good pre-chill, it will keep your food or drinks cold for 5 days or more. On average, though, you can expect the box to keep items cold for 3 to 5 days without a thorough pre-chill. The box is also easy to open, lock, and is also leak-proof.
Our reviewer loved this thing. It’s extremely durable and large enough for even the largest gatherings. This is, however, a bit of a double-edged sword. The size of this thing makes it nearly impossible to move alone, requiring another person to help carry the thing. Otherwise, though, it’s stable, easy to clean, and locks – a standout in this list.
Pros
- Virtually indestructable.
- Lock that doubles as a bottle opener.
- Drainage holes for easy cleaning.
- Stable bottom.
Cons
- Very large
- Hard to move with one person
5. The Insulated Cool Box By Igloo
Best Insulated Cool Box
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 74.9 x 40.3 x 41.9 cm
- Capacity: 66 litres
- Material: Polypropylene
Here’s another great choice if you are shopping for coolers that can keep stuff cold for a couple of days.
True enough, you can expect up to 5 days of frostiness regardless of how hot the day becomes. This is a small cooler that weighs around 4.9 kilograms when empty and is suitable for camping or travelling.
This cooler also has a threaded drain plug that opens and closes easily. The plug is responsible for the draining of excess water in the cooler box. This cooler box has holders on the side that makes it easier to move around.
Our reviewer quite liked this for its ease of use. Specifically, the drain plug allows you to pack it with ice once making it to your desired location and drain it when you’re done. This cuts out the need to dump ice or carry a bone-breakingly heavy cooler back to the car. While it’s not massive, it’s still got a 66-litre capacity, making it great for small families or groups, though it may need a bit of backup for large gatherings.
Pros
- Keeps items cold no matter the heat outside.
- Easy to carry and clean.
- Draining plug.
- Rotating handles.
Cons
- Not large enough for a family.
6. The Portable Cooler With Wheels By Mobicool
Best Portable Cool Box
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 53.2 x 40 x 45.2 cm
- Capacity: 48 litres
- Material: Plastic
This cooler box is perfect if you need something bigger but still easy to move around.
Thanks to the wheels and pull handle, you can navigate this cooler easily to wherever you need it to go. But let’s look at why this box is a great addition to your picnic, boat or campervan.
The 48 L capacity enables this cooler to hold an entire crate of beer or other frosty goods. The dual lid also minimizes cold loss and there are two internal compartments. This cooler can also be kept cool by plugging it into a power source, allowing you to use it as a mini-fridge as well.
This is cool for those who camp in caravans or near power sources, or for those hosting cookouts in the garden… less so for anywhere else. Our reviewer found that the need for a 2-pin plug severely limited where she could use this – though it does its job extremely well.
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Pros
- Smooth working wheels.
- Dual internal compartments.
- Dual lid.
- Can be used as a mini-fridge.
Cons
- Heavier than other coolers.
- Requires a plugin power source
7. The 33 L Cool Box By Coleman
Best 33 L Cool Box
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 46 x 33 x 40 cm
- Capacity: 26 litres
- Material: High density polyethylene, polyurethane, plastic, polyurethane foam
The Coleman cooler is made for tough outdoor conditions.
The outer shell is made from HDPE or high-density polyethene and is BPA free. There’s also a UV reflecting colour additive which protects the boss against discolouration and cracking.
The box has a capacity of 33 litres, retains ice and keeps the contents cold for three days. The internal space is also BPA free so you can rest assured that your cooler is safe to carry food, drinks or fruits.
Our reviewer liked this as a lightweight, easy to carry cooler that’s still a bit tough. This makes it great for taking camping or hiking, especially if you’re doing so with only a few people. Larger groups will need another cooler, but it’s great for small gatherings. It does lack a locking mechanism, which is a bit of a bummer, but not a deal breaker.
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Pros
- Large storage space.
- Keeps content cold for 3 days.
- BPA free.
- Made for tough outdoor conditions.
Cons
- No locking mechanism to secure the lid.
8. The Electric Cool Box By Igloo
Best Electric Cool Box
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 89.5 x 44.1 x 42.5 cm
- Capacity: 95 litres
- Material: Polypropylene
If you’re looking for a cooler box that is electric, this box is another good choice.
It can act as a cooler on a day trip or double as a mini-fridge in your campervan. Either way, it has excellent cooling retention thanks to its UltraTherm (1.5” thick) insulation that can keep the contents cold for up to 5 days.
The coolbox has a latch that tightly secures the lid while the lid itself allows quick access to your favourite cold drinks and foods. It’s also fitted with a drain plug to make the box easier to clean. This is a large cooler capable of holding up to 95 litres, making it perfect for a big picnic or long outdoors trip.
This was another massive favourite of our reviewer. While it’s a bit hard to move due to its size and lack of wheels, it’s huge, allowing an obscene amount of drinks to fit inside. Additionally, it’s wildly tough and easy to clean, making it a fantastic choice for large parties or gatherings.
Pros
- Large capacity.
- Tough and durable.
- Draining plug for easy maintenance.
- Keeps items cool for up to 5 days.
- Doubles as mini-fridge.
Cons
- No wheels.
9. The Picnic Cooler Bag By Lifewit
Best Picnic Cooler Bag
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 40.5 x 31 x 26.5 cm
- Capacity: 30 litres
- Material: Polyester fabric
Do you want to impress a special lady or gentleman or do you just want to treat your spouse in style the next time you go on a picnic?
Then this attractive cooler box is the way to go. Let’s look at its best features to see if this is the bag for you.
Besides its stylish appearance and easy carry handle, you can also look forward to a 30-L capacity, durable construction, outer pockets for extra storage, a shoulder strap if you want to take it along hiking, and great thermal resistance.
This is another smaller, more portable and stylish cooler. Our reviewer loved it for small picnics and hikes with her partner, but made two notes. First, it is still quite small. Second, it’s prone to taking damage, as the fabric isn’t super durable.
Pros
- Stylish appearance.
- Comfortable and portable.
- Large capacity.
- Suitable for picnics and hiking.
- Durable materials.
Cons
- Not suitable for large family events.
- Fabric isn’t durable
10. The Budget Cool Box By Thermos
Best Budget Cool Box
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 44.2 x 27.4 x 45.8 cm
- Capacity: 32 litres
- Material: Polystyrene
This basic thermos cooler is a great beginner box.
This does not mean that there are no benefits. You can still reap plenty of perks with this budget cooler.
The inner walls are all well-insulated to keep items cooler for longer. It’s definitely suitable for outdoor use so take it along on a camping trip or even to the beach. The box is also lightweight, making it easy to transport, and offers a capacity of 32 litres.
Our reviewer loved this as an individual, easily carried cooler. While it’s small and a bit easy to damage, it’s still great – especially as a starter cooler for students. Its lid can only seal when the handle is down, though, so don’t plan on loading this and carrying it when full.
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Suitable for outdoor use.
- Keep food cold for up to 8 hours.
- Can be used in a domestic setting.
Cons
- The lid can only be sealed when the handle is down.
- Not very durable
Your Guide To Cool Boxes
A good cooler box can mean the difference between a refreshing meal and wasted food. Our guide will give you all the essential points to keep in mind before you make that final decision.
Factors to consider when buying a cool box
Look at the quality. This can be assessed by physically handling the item, reading reviews, and an upper price range. Secondly, what capacity do you need? Make sure that you don’t buy a cooler that is too big or small to avoid later disappointment.
Mobility is also important so look for something that offers ergonomic handles, a shoulder strap or wheels. The cooler box must also be durable, food-safe, and easy to clean. You can also choose a box with extra features like an electric connection, drainage hole and dual inner compartments.
FAQs
Q: How safe is it to use a gas-powered cool box?
A: A gas-powered cooler is safe to use in an area that has good ventilation. However, the safest option is an electric cool box which poses none of the threats of a gas-powered box.
Q: Do all the coolboxes have wheels?
A: No. not all the cool boxes have wheels for mobility.