Best cool box - please recommend one!

[tostaky]

I need a cool box, not only for camping but also for day-trips.
we have a Ds and im TTc-ing for another one (so likely to be 4 in the future.

whats the best cool box i should get that will last me some years, mostly for day-trips but also for the occasional camping (once a year)

ta

----

This thread is very old so some of the suggestions may be outdated, but we've recently updated our best cooling boxes page with plenty of Mumsnetter-approved options for camping and day trips. We hope you find it helpful.
MNHQ

[shoppingmad]

Hello
I have just been camping with my halfords cool box and it was ace. It has the option of plugging it in as well if you go for an electric hook up when camping.

[Sunshinemummy]

I've got this one. I haven't used it yet but it's recommended all over the place and keeps things cold for 5 days.

[whatsthetimemrwolf]

I've just ordered the Coleman Xtreme from here. I spent ages choosing and decided on this because it gets very good reviews.

[Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner]

how does t fdo that then for 5 days? do you have to put about 6 ice blocks init or non or does it come with its own? or am i misreadig and its electric?

[hana]

we have an igloo one - has been fine. it's not a fancy electric one, we just use ice blocks (ones I make myself) or the ice packs. haven't gone camping longer than 4 nights tho, so not hardy campers!

[bunnyrabbit]

I have a Coleman Extreme.

Have used for weekends lots and used it for a week once before. I put two frozen 2ltr bottles of water in the bottom which will keep some ice for about 3/4 days I reckon. I think 5 days is if you don't open it every 2 mins like I do!

For the week I just refroze two normal ice packs every other day. At the end of a week I still had some ice in the bottles and it stayed very cold. Will be using it again in 3 weeks time for a week.

No it's not electric.

BR

[Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner]

BR what size do you have - ?

[Glitterknickaz]

Ours is a large Mobicool. Has mains for hook up and also 12v for in car use. Can also maintain heat as well as cooling. Bloody ace.

[VanillaPumpkin]

We have the 40l Igloo Maxcold. It was brill on our last trip. Everything still very cold after 3 days. Probably too big for day trips though it does come with wheels and a handle to pull it.

[bunnyrabbit]

Actually, I know this sounds daft, but I can't remember what size it is! I think it's the same as this one

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

We have one of the Igloo Maxcold ones, it is admittedly rather on the large size but we do take it for picnics if the picnic area is close to the car and you can whack everything in it.

Took it to France last year and Holland this year and were able to take nearly a week's supply of food which all arrived beautifully cold/frozen.

[bunnyrabbit]

Looked last night. Yep it is the 36ltr one.

[Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner]

thanks bunny - i am hoping that would be big enough for 4 for a long weekend.

[bunnyrabbit]

Oh yes I should think so. We'll be using ours for a week, although I won't take a weeks worth of stuff with as I prefer to top up.

[hercules1]

Just bought the lakeland one recommeded here. Now umming and ahhing about sending it back and gettign coleman extreme. What do you think?

[Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner]

im not familiar with that one but if your going to buy things as you go and the camp shop freezes ice blocks for you you should be ok.

[FlappyTheBat]

Another Coleman Extreme user here, had to persuade dh that we needed it, but after 1st camping trip using it, he was converted.

We have the 100lt version. Night before we go camping, stick about 4 ice blocks in it. Day we leave, it depends on whether we are near shops or not but always source bag of ice which is emptied out into coolbox, food stuck in food bags onto ice, kept things nice and cold when outside temp was 29c+.
Still had a little bit of ice in coolbox after 4 days!

[Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner]

thats impressive - im looking at just the 36 one but at almost £50 i think dh would chuck a mental !

[FlappyTheBat]

Got mine last year for about £75, dh couldn't believe how much I'd spent and it is massive.
But means we can buy food/ice/drinks and go to very remote campsites without having to worry about buying food for a few days.