The best cool boxes for UK summer fun

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Cool boxes open up many options for on-the-go or al fresco dining. Check out these great hand-picked choices for a range of budgets.

Are you tired of soggy sandwiches and warm drinks ruining your outings? With summer on the way (allegedly!), it's the perfect time to dust off your outdoor gear and take an excursion.

Whether heading to the beach, a music festival, or just enjoying a day out in the sun, a good cool box is essential to keep your food and drinks at the perfect temperature.

Don't let the unpredictable British weather ruin your outdoor adventures - with a cool box by your side, you'll always be prepared for anything the elements throw at you.

If you’re heading on a road trip or doing a spot of car camping, investing in a cool box is a decision you won't regret. When looking for the best cool box, it's worth considering a few key factors.

Active or passive: Passive cool boxes are the traditional type of cool box. They are usually made of plastic and are great for short trips or picnics. Active cool boxes, on the other hand, use a power source and can cool items more quickly and keep them cool for longer which makes them ideal for extended trips and outings

Capacity: Consider the size of the cool box you need, based on how many people you will feed. A large capacity means you can pack more food and drinks, but it may also be heavier.

Portability: Cool boxes can get rather heavy, so you may want a wheeled cooler for easy transportation. Consider the distance you will need to walk with the cool box and whether you can lift and move it easily.

Additional features: Some cool boxes have features like a built-in cup holder, side pockets, and even Bluetooth speakers.

Read more: Check out these 8 top-rated car air fresheners

Grab your sunscreen, pack your favourite snacks and let's explore the best cool boxes for your next outdoor excursion!

Specifications

Weight: 4.92 kg

Capacity: 30 litres

Voltage: 240V AC & 12V DC

Material: ‎Polyurethane

Has a large capacity

Comes with both cooling and heating functions

Fan can apparently be a bit noisy

Firstly, it's worth pointing out that this is not a true, ‘refrigerator’. However, the Oypla Coolbox is a highly rated portable electric cooler that can keep your food hot and cold on the go.

With a 30-litre capacity, it is large enough to store plenty of items from your food items to ice packs. It also features a convenient carry handle and a locking lid to keep the contents secure and gets a solid 4.4 star rating on Amazon.

Specifications

Weight: 680 g

Capacity: 24 litres

Material: ‎‎Expanded Polyethylene Foam

Lightweight

Leak-proof design

Need to keep several ice packs inside for good insulation

If a cool box is not the right choice for you, then opt for a cooler bag instead. The Lifewit large cooler bag is made from high-density Oxford fabric and waterproof lining and is durable and easy to clean.

It also has a leak-proof design to prevent any spills or mess. This cool bag comes with a detachable shoulder strap and padded handles, making it easy to carry and transport. It is ideal for short, day trips that are less than 24 hours.

Specifications

Weight: 17 kg

Capacity: 31 litres

Voltage: 12/24V DC

Large capacity

Sturdy and robust structure

Pricey

Rather heavy to carry

If you’re looking for a heavy duty cool box, that is in fact more akin to a proper fridge/freezer, and aren't too worried about the price tag then we have just the option for you.

The Dometic CDF 36 Portable Compressor Freezer is a powerful, capable cool box designed to keep your food and drinks cold even in the hottest conditions.

Its rugged construction and robust handles also make it easy to transport. It is ideal for use in cars, trucks, boats and camping applications.

Specifications

Weight: 10.1 kg

Capacity: 45 litres

Voltage: 240V and 12V

Dual volt connectivity

Easy to transport

Internal dividers for food and drinks

May take some time to cool efficiently

If you have a big family or travel with multiple companions and want to ensure that everyone's well-fed and taken care of on your trips, then you might need a cool box with a large capacity and greater storage space. Fear not, we have just the option for you. With a 45-litre capacity, the Hi Gear 45-Litre 12V/240V cooler can accommodate plenty of items, from food and drinks to medication and even beauty products.

Specifications

Weight: 5.81 kg

Capacity: 24 litres

Material: Plastic

Extremely durable

Easy drainage

Available in multiple colours

Rather heavy

Insulation is said by some to be not as good as its predecessors

Lined with polyurethane foam, the YETI Roadie 24 Cooler is a high-end, heavy-duty cool box designed for those who need high performance and durability.

Boasting a 24-litre capacity and a tall, slim design, it can easily store a day's worth of food and drink and will even accommodate a bottle of wine standing upright.

The cooler features a unique Vortex drain plug, making it easy to clean and drain any soapy water, spillages or melted ice without needing to pour liquids out by tilting.

Specifications

Weight: 748 g

Capacity: 4 litres

Material: Polyester

Lightweight

Easy to transport

Lacks capacity for many applications

The Coleman 5 Quart FlipLid Personal Cooler is compact, pretty affordable and designed for personal use.

Yes, here in the UK we don't really use the quart measure much, but basically this is a large lunchbox sized cool box. If nearly £25 sounds a lot for such an item, consider its durability. One Amazon reviewer says theirs has lasted 25 years!

With a 4-litre capacity, it can hold up to six 330ml cans or enough food items for a decent lunch for two, making it ideal for short trips or couples’ picnics.

It's also lightweight and the innovative FlipLid top can be reversed to be used as a tray.

Specifications

Weight: 13.7 kg

Capacity: 49 litres

Material: Polyurethane

Extremely durable

Easy to clean

Keeps things cold for days

Expensive

Will usually need two to carry when full

If you’re big on sharing your outdoor activities like fishing and camping with multiple family members or friends then you may need a more specialised cool box.

For these, or any other outdoor activity where keeping large amounts of food and drinks cold is essential, the YETI Tundra 65 Cooler could be exactly what you need.

It's designed to keep food and drinks cold for extended periods, even in extreme temperatures.

Along with its feast-swallowing 49-litre capacity it features thick PermaFrost insulation and a freezer-grade gasket that work together to keep contents cold for days.

Specifications

Weight: 360 g

Capacity: 30 litres

Power / Wattage: 120 W

Material: Polyester

Lightweight

Affordable

Will rip if overloaded

What's more convenient than a cooler bag? A cooler bag that is both cheap and fully collapsible.

This insulated cooler bag is spacious enough to hold various items, including large bottles and containers.

It is also easy to carry, thanks to the adjustable shoulder strap and reinforced handles, making it ideal for both camping and general food shopping applications.

Do be aware though, that if overloaded, this item is known to rip.

It depends on the type and quality of the cool box, the ambient temperature, the amount of ice or ice packs used to keep the contents cold and the volume and nature of the items being stored.

Generally, passive cool boxes will keep your food and drinks cold for up to 24-48 hours while active cool boxes can keep the contents cold for longer periods, usually up to several days.

In terms of its construction a good cool box will last for many years, decades even, depending on the amount of use and abuse it gets. As for the contents, see above, but items such as sandwiches and fruit can stay cold for 24-48 hours.

Other goods like dairy products are more sensitive to temperature changes and may not stay fresh for as long. Drinks can stay cold for up to 12-24 hours but all of these timing will be affected by the use, or failure to use, ice packs.

Most electric cool boxes use something called the Peltier effect (discovered nearly 200 years ago!) which requires no moving parts - though a fan is often used to assist - to keep items cool.

If a compressor is involved then really you are looking at a mini-fridge, using the same technology found in your domestic appliance.

All electric cool boxes, however, are most effective when connected to a main electricity source before use in order to get the temperature down to its minimum level before frozen ice packs are added.

Once your journey is underway they can usually be plugged into a 12 volt car cigarette lighter and run off the car's battery to keep its contents cool for longer.

There's not much of a difference between a cool bag and a passive cool box. A cool box is typically made of hard, durable materials like plastic or metal while a cool bag is typically made of fabric with a thermal inner lining, is more flexible and lightweight than a cool box and easier to stow away when not in use.

If you have access to a power source and need to keep your contents cool for an extended period, an active electric cool box may be the best option. However, if you don't have access to a power source, or if you don't need to keep your contents cool for long periods, a passive well-insulated cool box may be sufficient.

If you’re looking for a reliable electric cool box that is great for long car journeys, then we recommend the Oypla 30L Cool box.

For those who love the outdoors and are looking for something more heavy-duty and sturdy, the YETI Roadie 24 Cooler is a great option.

It's alright if you’re on a tight budget. The COLEMAN 5 QUART FlipLid COOLER will give you great cooling at an extremely affordable price.

We hope our list proves helpful in your search for the best cool box to make your picnics and outdoor excursions more fun.

Prices updated on 12/05/2023. We are not responsible for any changes on the prices mentioned above.

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