How We Research
Every guide on Coolers Junkie starts with one question: will this cooler work for the person who is shopping for it? For us, that means what you plan to pack, how far you carry it and how long it has to stay cold.
Here is how we answer it.
1. We start with your trip
A beach day, a week of camping and a boat each call for a different cooler. A cooler that suits one trip can be a pain at another.
We check the size, weight and carry style the maker lists. When your trip limits the choice, we say what to look for.
2. We compare specs and features
We look at quart size and can capacity, wall and lid insulation, the lid seal, latches, handles, drain plugs, wheels and empty weight. For soft coolers we look at liners, zippers and straps.
Brands describe their coolers in their own words, so we name the brand for every claim. Ice life numbers are the maker's claims, and real results change with heat, how much ice you use and how often you open the lid.
3. We look at buyer feedback
We read through what buyers report after using a cooler. We look for patterns, like latches that loosen, wheels that jam in sand, zippers that leak and lids that don't seal.
One angry review doesn't sink a product. A pattern does.
4. We score each product
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. A cooler that's great for one reader may score lower in a guide written for another.
Scores spread out on purpose. A 10 is rare.
5. We keep pages up to date
Products change, and some disappear from stores. Many coolers also come in several sizes and colors under one name, so we check each model and size, and we only link new units.
We skip unknown brands with no track record and any product with a known recall. When we update a guide, the "Updated on" date at the top changes with it.
What our picks are not
Our picks are research, not lab tests. We don't claim to have used every cooler we cover.
We don't give food safety advice, and we can't promise that any cooler will keep food safe. Follow the maker's manual and trusted food safety guidance, and keep perishable food cold.
A large cooler gets heavy once it's loaded, so check the empty weight and ask for help lifting. If a maker says a cooler is bear resistant, we name the maker and the group that certified it, and you should still follow the rules of the park or campground you visit.