Coolers are an essential camping accessory that you will need on every adventure you take. You can go down to your local Walmart and buy a $30 cooler, or you can splurge on a name brand that costs upwards of $500. In my opinion, around $250 can buy you a very competent cooler than competes with the best of them. That’s why I recommend the Engel 65 High Performance Hard Cooler.
If you’ve never been camping or have just gone for a quick over night trip, coolers are a necessity for keeping refrigerated items fresh for days on end. The difference between a top of the line coolers ability to retain ice and an average one could be a difference of more than three to seven days.
In many instances, like going to the lake or tailgating for a day, it won’t require an expensive cooler. When you need your cooler to last more than a day or two, you will need to upgrade to a rotomolded (rotational molding) cooler. Rotomolding is a process manufacturers use to help shape the plastic which produces a very durable and high quality product.
Why I Chose Engel 65 High Performance
Engel has been on the scene for the last fifty years. As a reputable brand, they provide a reliable product at a very fair price point. This is why the Engel 65 high performance hard cooler comes in as my top recommended choice. This model can retain ice for up to ten days and comes with a 10 year warranty. It matches the top brands in all performance metrics and even outperforms them in some cases.
This cooler comes in at a just a fraction of the cost compared to name brands like YETI, Pelican, or Grizzly. Instead of paying for the brand name, you can save hundreds of dollars without compromising on the performance of the cooler. This is a no frills product that will confidently get the job done time and time again.
With so many sizes to choose from, I went with the 65 quart model because it is plenty big for most people. Better to have too much room than not enough.
What to Look for In a Cooler
- Price. The cost of a quality cooler can get expensive quickly. I recommend to not buy a cheap cooler because I haven’t seen one that can perform the same. However, that doesn’t mean you have to spend $500 on a cooler either.
- Size. This comes down to your lifestyle. Whether you’re single, a couple, or a family, this will greatly influence which size will be best suited for you.
- Colors. You may or may not care how your cooler looks. For some, a plain white cooler is great, and others could want something more noticeable and unique.
- Durability. Anytime you’re spending a good amount of money you want to be sure it will last. This is where warranties and trusted brands will provide value.
- Weight. Carrying a full cooler is not my favorite thing to do. Looking at specifications to see which brands are lighter than others can make a surprising difference.
Cooler Brands to Consider
- YETI – This is a top of the food chain brand that makes high quality and durable coolers. The model numbers and quart sizes don’t align which is confusing to buyers. You can’t go wrong with one, but it comes with a cost.
- Pelican – Great products made in the USA with lifetime warranties. I really like the color options and practicality of their coolers. They to be a bit heavier and more bulky than coolers though.
- Grizzly – A quality brand that competes with the best of them. Simple design with a solid range of colors and sizes.
- Orca – Love the design and color options of this brand. Made in the USA and is a top performer in its class.
- Coleman – Your classic entry level cooler. Not many options to upgrade on sizes and color.