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. While none of the cool boxes leaked when upright, all but one leaked from the lid if tipped over onto their side. It's worth making sure your cool box isn't going to fall over easily when being transported. Comfort Holidaying 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.

Absorption cool boxes Similar in size and design to compressor cool boxes, but you can also power these with gas. The best cool boxes have features that improve portability, such as wheels and extendable handles. The worst have uncomfortable handles and are heavy to carry. Durability 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: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.

Igloo Sportsman Profile 2 30qt Cooler is an easy to carry, versatile and durable cooler that can easily fit into any vehicle. Cool Riser Technology elevated design improves cooling performance. The cool, thermecool foam liner helps reduce the risk of spills and is designed to fit all popular beverage sizes, including 2L bottles upright. Integrated “pouring channels” in liner allow for easy purging of melted ice. Read ReviewTo replicate getting bits in and out of the bag, we opened and closed it at regular intervals throughout the test. A lightweight portable cooler that keeps contents chilled for up to 2 days. This portable, yet durable cooler is the perfect solution for outdoor events and picnics. The Coleman Cool Box 30QT has a BPA-free interior so all food inside stays safe and fresh, while the lid includes a padded handle for easy transport. Read Review

The cooler is your best friend during the summer. It keeps your food fresh, cold, and at the right temperature all day long. When it comes to selecting the best cooler for you, there are a few things you should keep in mind. To get the results you will read next is thanks to the hard work of our team during 19 hours of product research and analysis. As a direct consequence of this, we were able to identify Igloo Sportsman Profile 2 30qt as the top model for this year. The performance of this product is of an excellent standard, and it offers a complete set of features that can satisfy your requirements. RELATED: We make a detailed review of best cooler for canoe to help you stop confusing and save time and effort. 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 Our tests showed some key differences between these two products that are worth considering before buying: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. All cool boxes performed OK, but all the electric cool boxes we tested performed better than passive ones. 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.