Choosing the right cooler for keeping ice frozen can be tricky. Pelican and YETI coolers, known for keeping ice up to 10 days, set high standards. Our guide lists the top 5 best coolers for ice retention, highlighting key features like durability and size.
Find your perfect match here.
Quick Recommendations
For those who love outdoor activities, choosing the right cooler is key. Here are some top picks to keep your ice frozen longer.
- All around top choice cooler for ice retention: Pelican Elite 50 Quart
- Fan favorite for ice retention: Yeti Tundra 65
- Ultra-Tough cooler for ice retention: RTIC 65 QT Ultra-Tough
- Best budget cooler: Coleman 50-Quart Xtreme Hard Cooler with Wheels
- Best small and easily accessible cooler for ice retention: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Zipperless Hardbody Cooler
These options cater to different needs, whether you're looking for something small or large, with or without wheels.
Factors to Consider for Ice Retention
When picking a cooler for ice retention, it's important to consider the insulation quality, size, capacity, durability, and portability. These factors will directly impact how well your cooler can keep the ice cold.
Insulation Quality
Good insulation keeps ice longer. The best coolers for ice retention often have thick walls and a tight lid. For example, the Pelican Elite 50QT Cooler has 2" of polyurethane insulation.
This setup helps them hold ice for up to 10 days.
Size and Capacity
The size and capacity of a cooler affect how much ice it can hold. Big coolers can keep more ice, which means they can stay cold longer. For example, the Yeti Tundra 65 is great for long trips because it's big enough to hold lots of food and drinks along with the ice.
On the other hand, if you need something smaller, there are best small hard coolers for ice retention like the Artic Zone zipperless cooler that still do a good job keeping things cold without taking up too much space.
Choosing the right size also means thinking about what you will use it for. If you plan to go camping or fishing for several days, a larger cooler like the Pelican Elite 50 Quart might be better.
But for short day trips or picnics, smaller models work just fine and are easier to carry around.
Now let's talk about durability and how it helps in keeping your items cold.
Durability
Coolers need to be strong to last long. Brands like Yeti, Orca, and RTIC make coolers tough for outdoor use. Many coolers on our list are rotomolded. Rotomolded coolers have consistent wall thickness and are often more durable. For more information on rotomolding, read our "Rotomolding vs. Injection Molding" post.
Portability
After talking about durability, we need to think about how easy it is to carry these coolers. Portability matters a lot. You will move your cooler from the car to the campsite or anywhere else.
Some coolers are heavy even when empty. The RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Cooler stands out for being easy to carry. It gives you the best of both worlds: light weight and strong ice holding power. Other cooler models have all-terrain wheels for ultimate transportation ease.
How to Increase Cooler Ice Retention
If you've landed on this blog post, it's clear that you have a focus on ice retention. For tips to put to use with your cooler to improve ice retention, check out our "Cooler Use 101: So You Have a Pelican Elite Cooler—Now What?" post. And for a list of awesome ice packs head over to Adventure Ready for "Top 8 Ice Packs For Coolers - The Ultimate Guide For Keeping Your Cool".Top 5 Coolers for Ice Retention
1. Pelican Elite 50 Quart
Exceptional Ice Retention and Convenient Features for Outdoor Adventure
Highlights
- 7-8 days of ice retention
- Spacious interior to hold food for a family of 4 for 5 days + ice or 34 canned beverages + ice
- Tough exterior for durable use
- Built-in stainless steel bottle opener
- Built-in, sloped drain with tethered drain cap
- Large base for stability on various surfaces
- Price: $299.95
The Pelican Elite 50 Quart stands out as a strong choice for anyone needing to keep food and drinks cold over long periods. Its impressive ice retention capability of 7–8 days is perfect for extended family trips or tailgate parties, ensuring your items stay chilled the entire time.
The cooler doesn’t just excel in cooling performance; it’s packed with features like built-in cup holders, fish ruler, and a stainless steel bottle opener that add convenience to any outdoor activity. Designed with mobility in mind, it has molded-in handles and tie-down slots making it easy to transport and secure in any setting.
What sets the Pelican Elite 50 Quart apart from others is its blend of durability and functionality. The rugged construction guarantees a lifetime of use, while thoughtful additions such as non-skid feet prevent sliding during transit. Plus, the sloped drain design makes cleaning up after use a breeze.
Pros
- Lifetime guarantee
- Keeps ice for 7–8 days
- Built-in cup holders and fish ruler on the lid
- Stainless steel bottle opener included
- Non-skid, non-marking raised rubber feet
Cons
- Heavy
- Limited color options
The Pelican Elite 50 Quart cooler is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who value durability, long-lasting ice retention, and convenient features like cup holders and a built-in bottle opener. If you're looking for a reliable cooler to keep your drinks cold during extended adventures, this is the one for you. Take your outdoor experience to the next level with the Pelican Elite 50 Quart cooler today!
2. Yeti Tundra 65
(Images Credits: Amazon)
Top Choice for Keeping Ice Intact During Outdoor Adventures and Parties
Highlights
- Up to 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick FatWall design
- Certified Bear-Resistant
- T-Rex Lid Latches constructed of heavy-duty rubber
- Price: $350
The Yeti Tundra 65 stands out in the cooler market for its exceptional durability and ice retention capabilities. Its rotomolded construction ensures it can withstand rough handling. The heavy-duty T-REX latches won't break off like those on cheaper models, ensuring your contents stay secure. With up to three inches of PermaFrost Insulation and a FatWall design that's certified bear-resistant, this cooler keeps ice frozen for days, not hours.
For anyone needing a reliable cooler that balances size with performance, the Yeti Tundra 65 is a great pick. It offers ample space for a large catch or enough drinks and food for group gatherings without being too bulky to transport.
Whether you're keeping fish fresh on a long fishing trip or making sure beverages stay cold at a backyard barbecue, this cooler has you covered. That balance of portability with exceptional ice retention is why we place the Yeti Tundra 65 at number one among coolers designed to keep your items chilled longer.
Pros
- Spacious interior for storing plenty of food and drinks
- Durable construction that can withstand tough conditions
- Excellent insulation to keep ice frozen for extended periods
- Versatile use for outdoor activities or backyard gatherings
Cons
- Heavy to carry when fully loaded
- Expensive compared to other coolers
3. RTIC 65QT Ultra-Tough Cooler
(Images Credits: Amazon)
Durable and Versatile Cooler for Extreme Outdoor Adventures
Highlights
- Portable and insulated
- True 65 quart capacity
- Up to 2.4 inches of closed-cell foam
- 5-year warranty
- Positive customer reviews
- Price: $259.99
The RTIC 65 stands out as an incredibly tough and versatile cooler, making it our number three pick for keeping your beverages and food cold during outdoor adventures. It's built to last with rotomolded construction, ensuring impact resistance and durability in all conditions. Whether you're camping, fishing, or hosting a barbecue, the RTIC 65 offers up to 2.4 inches of insulation, promising long-lasting ice retention that keeps everything inside chilled for the duration of your trip.
This cooler isn't just about keeping things cold; it's designed with convenience in mind. Available in multiple sizes including a spacious 65 qt capacity that can hold up to 84 cans, it doubles as a bench, step stool, or even a makeshift tabletop when needed.
The RTIC Ultra-Tough Cooler’s blend of extreme durability and practical design elements like heavy-duty T-latches add further value, securing its place as a top choice among outdoor enthusiasts looking for reliability without sacrificing convenience.
Pros
- Comes in various sizes for different needs
- Versatile use as a bench, step stool, or tabletop
- Exceptional ice retention for long-lasting cooling
- Designed for extreme durability and impact resistance
Cons
- Heavy and bulky when loaded
- Higher price than some competitors
Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a rugged and versatile cooler to keep ice, drinks, and food cold on their adventures.
4. Coleman Xtreme 50 Quart
(Images Credits: Amazon)
Durable, High-Capacity Cooler With Extended Ice Retention for Outdoor Adventures
Highlights
- Insulated rolling cooler for camping
- Large 50-quart capacity
- Weight capacity of 250 pounds
- Wheeled for easy transportation
- Comes with a 1 year limited warranty
- Price: $64.99
The Coleman Portable Rolling Cooler stands out for keeping ice frozen up to five days at less than $100. Its telescoping handle and rugged wheels make it easy to pull across a range of terrain. This means less hassle moving your drinks and food around during outdoor adventures.
What really sets this cooler apart is its dual-purpose lid that supports up to 250 lbs, allowing it to double as an extra seat. Perfect for camping or tailgating when seating is limited.
The improved drain system is leak-proof, making water removal a breeze without the need to tip over the cooler. Whether you're planning a beach day or a weekend camping trip, the Coleman Xtreme offers reliability with extended ice retention even when temperatures soar near 90°F, ensuring your drinks stay chilled longer.
Pros
- Robust lid with 250 lbs weight capacity for sitting
- Leak-proof drain system for easy water removal
- Extended ice retention up to 5 days even at 90°F
- Price under $100
Cons
- Can be heavy when fully loaded
- The telescoping handle may not be as durable as expected
- Some reviewers find the durability and ice retention don't live up to their full expectations
Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and campers seeking a durable, high-capacity cooler with extended ice retention for under $100. The Coleman Xtreme is perfect for those who value portability and rugged design without compromising on cooling performance.
5. Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze
(Images Credits: Amazon)
Superior Ice Retention for a Day Cooler
Highlights
- Insulated cooler for keeping items cold
- 30 can capacity
- Zipperless lid for quick access
- Compact size: 11"D x 16.5"W x 12.25"H
- Keeps ice up to 3 days
- Price: $62.99
The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless Cooler stands out in the cooler market with its compact design and a patented, "flip-open" Zipperless lid for quick access to food and drinks. Its features make this our choice for one of the best small coolers for ice retention.
Beyond its cooling power, the cooler is built tough. Its Rhino-Tech exterior is not only resistant to water and stains but also won't tear or puncture easily, making it perfect for rugged adventures. An adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap eases carrying discomfort, allowing you to haul your supplies without strain. Plus, the innovative SmartShelf feature lets you neatly separate harder items from soft ones, preventing sandwich squishing tragedies.
Whether used on a sunny beach day or camping under the stars, this cooler's thoughtful design and durable build cater well to all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts.
Pros
- Adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap for convenience
- Rhino-Tech water and stain resistant exterior
- Deep Freeze high performance insulation with radiant heat barrier
Cons
- Limited color options available
- Some users find the Zipperless lid design not as secure as they'd like and some ice retention capability is lost with this design
The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who value durability and convenience in a cooler.
Conclusion
Choosing the right cooler means your food stays cold longer. Look at the Pelican 50QT Elite or the Yeti Tundra 65. They are strong, keep ice well, and fit lots of stuff. Think about getting one for your next outdoor trip.
