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 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. 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 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 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.

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.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.

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 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). Yet, even with the large capacity on offer, the Pinnacle still maintains a relatively lightweight build, weighing 6.3kg unladen. 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. 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.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.