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. 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. 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.

If you buy a large cool box, be sure it includes a drain plug. Melted ice is easily disposed of in cool boxes with drain plugs. Furthermore, you don’t have to fumble around with the contents to get rid of the melted water. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. What Are the Pros and Cons of Non-Electric Coolers? All cool boxes performed OK, but all the electric cool boxes we tested performed better than passive ones. 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. 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 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. LeakproofHolidaying 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. 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 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. 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.

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. To replicate getting bits in and out of the bag, we opened and closed it at regular intervals throughout the test. Yet, even with the large capacity on offer, the Pinnacle still maintains a relatively lightweight build, weighing 6.3kg unladen. 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.Absorption cool boxes Similar in size and design to compressor cool boxes, but you can also power these with gas. 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! 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. Some work in different ways: Our tests showed some key differences between these two products that are worth considering before buying:

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. 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.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. 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. The Coleman 28QT can hold up to 36 standard cans of beverages and a 2-litre bottle height. In addition, the lid features two inset cup holders which offers somewhere to place a bottle or can. Unfortunately they’re not large enough to take a mug of tea.