Each was left outside for eight hours, with temperature readings taken every 60 minutes. Carrying comfort, usability, additional stowage, quality and price were all factors in our overall rating. Verdict When selecting the finest cool box for your next outdoor activity, there are a few factors to consider. This guarantees that you get the right cool box for your needs, regardless of size or cooling capability. We’ve created a detailed buying guide below, including all of the essential characteristics to look for.

This weight is also significant since it affects how you handle the cool box. Regular carrying handles, for example, would be insufficient for a fully loaded 57L cool box. The big cool box’s wheels make transportation easier and more convenient. While none of the cool boxes leaked when upright, all but one leaked from the lid if tipped over onto their side. It's worth making sure your cool box isn't going to fall over easily when being transported. Comfort You can also find premium quality coolers made from rubber which improves their grip and cooling retention. Regularly designed cool boxes (mostly made with outer fabric) typically last a few hours. Similarly, plastic coolers will last anywhere between a day or two. If you want a cooler that lasts for up to 5 days, a premium quality plastic or rubber-covered cool box will be more suitable. The Yeti Tundra 45 comes in at that magical 45 litre mark, and is certainly one of the most impressive coolers on the market in terms of ruggedness and insulation – a shame it’s rather expensive. This is one to buy if you’re running a decent budget, and like to have the best – both in terms of brand, support and performance. 3 inches of Insulation

Summer is the peak season for enthusiasts heading to motorsport events, car shows, or simply taking a drive out to make the most of the long days and – hopefully – warm weather. And those seeking to avoid overpriced service station sandwiches will turn to a cool box or bag to keep their homemade food fresh. Yet, even with the large capacity on offer, the Pinnacle still maintains a relatively lightweight build, weighing 6.3kg unladen. The best cool box should be made from high-quality, robust, and impact-resistant material. This allows it to survive harsh conditions and rough rides. Generally, you can find cool boxes made from plastic shells such as polyethene or those made from fabric with hard foam underneath. 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. To help find you the most portable cool boxes, we tried carrying each half-filled cool box on an identical route so we could evaluate and identify any discomfort.

You should look out for extra features to enjoy the best value from your cool box. Different cool boxes have a variety of additional features. Some of the features to look out for include beverage holders or wheels. If you opt for smaller or medium-sized cool boxes, go for one with a shoulder strap. To replicate getting bits in and out of the bag, we opened and closed it at regular intervals throughout the test. Whether you are out camping, fishing, or simply out for a picnic, a passive cool box helps keep your food and drinks chilled so that they don’t heat up and spoil. Our tests showed some key differences between these two products that are worth considering before buying: However, you will have to spend more on larger cool boxes. Furthermore, you should expect extra weight with a large-sized cool box – although weight is impacted by the material as well.

We tested passive cool boxes and electric cool boxes from major UK retailers and brands. We bought every product we tested, so you can be sure our opinion isn't biased by us receiving freebies. Insulation The best cool boxes keep the contents chilled better for longer. The best electric cool boxes cooled the chilled bottles of water to an even lower temperature by the end of the day than when we put them in. Leakproof Size is a key feature to look out for since it determines how much your cool box can support. Passive or non-electric cool boxes have a size range of between 1 L to up to 100L. For example, a 28L cool box can carry up to 36 330ml cans. A 57L cool box, on the other hand, carries up to 75 cans. All cool boxes performed OK, but all the electric cool boxes we tested performed better than passive ones. 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

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. By investing in the best cool box, you can enjoy the outdoors as if you were at home. After all, these passive coolers still operate the same as your fridge at home. So, you can stuff them with all your favourite foods and drinks to enjoy them outside. In fact, passive cool boxes are ideally designed to suit the cool UK weather. Different cool boxes come with varying cooling capacities. For passive cool boxes, the cooling effect is prolonged as the size increases. Typically, cool boxes maintain their effect for about 12 to 100 hours. So, you certainly want to go for a large box with at least a 2-day cooling effect for overnight camping trips. Absorption cool boxes Similar in size and design to compressor cool boxes, but you can also power these with gas.

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Featuring a uniquely intuitive design, the Vango Pinnacle Wheelie Cooler is designed for picnics, camping, sporting events, and similar activities where you need to keep your food and drinks chilled. Electric cool boxes Don’t require ice but they do require power. You either plug the box into your car (12V), the most common type of charger, or into the mains by a UK plug. They require constant power, though will still keep contents cool for a few hours if you unplug. You can get battery-powered boxes, but they’re less common and far more expensive. Built with premium insulation technology, the Coleman 28QT Xtreme Cooler can hold ice for several days to make it a perfect companion for overnight trips. With a 26 litre capacity, this cooler is smaller than the other options we’ve reviewed, and is more suited to short breaks for individuals or couples at the most. The shoulder straps help relieve your hands, so you don’t get fatigued from carrying the box with your hands for a long time. Larger cool boxes, on the other hand, are sometimes fitted with side handles. This design allows two people to carry the box together. Some cool boxes are even equipped with a robust lid that doubles as a seat.

The strong lid design also allows the cool box to double as a sturdy seat, allowing it to support loads of up to 113 kilograms. Furthermore, the upright position of the cooler makes it easy to load and store anywhere, while the handle allows for reliable carrying. Passive cool boxes are extremely well insulated containers which are specifically designed so that if you put pre-chilled items inside, the heat from the sun is unable to get in and warm them up. The best passive cool box will combine a decent load space with excellent insulation and a strong lifting handle at a price point which won’t break the bank. When choosing the best cool box, you want to pay close attention to the insulation as well. Fillings such as those made from polyurethane offer a longer-lasting effect – which, in turn, allows the cool box to maintain low temperatures for longer.We consider 45 litres to be about the perfect amount of capacity for a passive cooler on a family camping trip. Any more than that, and you’ve used up alot of space in your car or camper for not much benefit because the temperature cannot stay cool forever. Any lower capacity and you can’t fit enough food or drink in it! We like the design and materials used by Vango. The green exterior really feels tough and impact-resistant, whilst the insulated interior can keep your goods chilled for up to 4 days (100 hours). 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.