Are Lifetime Coolers Good? Sizes and Comparison

On this page (8 sections)

1. Are Lifetime coolers good for the way you travel?
2. Which Lifetime cooler size fits your plans?
3. How should you set up and use a Lifetime cooler?
4. What should you know about Lifetime’s ice-retention claims?
5. What does bear resistant mean for these coolers?
6. What common buying and use mistakes should you avoid?
7. How do Lifetime coolers compare with other brands?
8. Are Lifetime coolers good, and which one should you choose?

Lifetime coolers can be a good fit if you want a hard cooler in a useful size with features such as a drain, gasket or divider. To answer “are Lifetime coolers good” for your plans, compare capacity, empty weight and the features you’ll use.

The three High Performance models here cover compact day trips through large group loads. Lifetime claims ice retention of up to 5 days for the 28 quart, 8 days for the 65 quart and 10 days for the 115 quart.

Treat those as brand claims, since ice life changes with packing, lid openings, shade and outside temperature.

Are Lifetime coolers good for the way you travel?

They’re worth considering if a hard-sided cooler suits your trip and you can manage its size and weight. These models have polyethylene construction and features that vary by size, so the best fit depends on what you carry and where you’ll store it.

A hard cooler makes sense when you want a firm container that can sit in a vehicle, campsite or picnic area. It is less convenient when you need to carry the cooler a long distance or have limited storage space.

Think about the cooler’s empty weight before adding food, drinks and ice.

If you’re still choosing a style, our guide to hard, wheeled, soft and backpack coolers explains which form works for different trips. For a car-based outing, how to choose a road trip cooler can help you plan around passenger and cargo space.

Which Lifetime cooler size fits your plans?

Match capacity to the amount you expect to pack, then check whether you can move and store the cooler. A larger quart rating gives you more room, but it also means a heavier and bulkier cooler to handle.

The 28 quart is the most compact option in this comparison. The 65 quart lands in the middle, while the 115 quart is designed for a much larger load.

Don’t choose only by the retention claim: a cooler that is too big can waste space and make loading and transport harder.

Is the 28 quart Lifetime cooler a good choice for small loads?

Choose the 28 quart model for a smaller load when a hard cooler is more useful than a soft bag. Its empty weight is 17.4 lb, making it the lightest of these three, and the gasket helps maintain cool air.

Lifetime claims up to 5 days of ice retention. Exterior dimensions are 21.5 x 13 x 16 in, which gives you concrete measurements to compare with a vehicle trunk, shelf or storage spot.

It has locations for a lock and bottle opener, plus feet designed to grip and slide. Skip this size if your regular trips call for a large group’s food and drinks or if you need the hose-compatible drain found on the 65 quart model.

Is the 65 quart Lifetime cooler the right middle size?

Pick the 65 quart model when you need more room than the compact option and want a capped drain. It weighs 25.5 lb empty and measures 28.4 x 18.1 x 17.5 in externally, so check your storage and transport space before you buy.

Lifetime claims up to 8 days of ice retention. This model has a hose-compatible drain, two rope handles with molded grips, four serviceable feet, two bottle openers and two lid latches.

The two lock holes give you a place to fit locks, which are not included. Choose a smaller model if you have little storage room or expect to carry the cooler far by hand.

Should you buy the 115 quart Lifetime cooler?

Choose the 115 quart model when capacity for a large load matters more than easy handling. It has the most room of these three, but its 42.5 lb empty weight makes it a poor match if you need one person to carry it often.

Lifetime claims up to 10 days of ice retention. The cooler includes a divider that doubles as a cutting board, and it has a gasket and feet designed to grip and slide.

Plan where it will sit when full before choosing it. If your trips involve small groups, tight vehicle space or frequent lifting, the added capacity may cost more effort than it saves.

How should you set up and use a Lifetime cooler?

Start with a clean, dry cooler, chill the contents, and organize what you’ll need before opening the lid. Those steps reduce warm air entering the cooler and help you avoid rummaging through the full load.

For a trip, place food and drinks in a way that keeps frequently used items near the top. Keep the cooler in shade when possible.

Limit how long the lid stays open. For more packing guidance, see how to pack a cooler so food stays cold and dry.

If you use the 65 quart drain, position the cooler where water can flow out safely. Its capped spout works with a garden hose, so route the hose where drainage won’t create a mess.

The 115 quart divider can separate contents or serve as a cutting board.

What should you know about Lifetime’s ice-retention claims?

The stated retention times are up to 5 days for 28 quarts, 8 days for 65 quarts and 10 days for 115 quarts. These are Lifetime’s claims, not a guarantee for every trip or packing method.

Actual ice life can change with the amount and temperature of the contents, how often you open the lid, the amount of ice and outdoor heat. A larger model’s longer claim does not automatically make it the best choice if you only need a small load.

See our guide to how long ice lasts in a cooler for practical factors that affect ice life. Pre-chilling drinks and food, using enough ice and keeping the lid closed are simple ways to support cooling.

What does bear resistant mean for these coolers?

Lifetime describes all three models as IGBC certified and able to withstand a bear for up to an hour when locked. The claim depends on locking the cooler, so make sure you understand how the lock points work on the size you choose.

The 65 quart model has two holes for locks. Locks are not included.

The 28 and 115 quart models have locations for a lock. Follow current guidance for the place you plan to camp, since a cooler’s features do not replace safe food-storage practices.

What common buying and use mistakes should you avoid?

The biggest mistake is choosing by capacity or claimed ice life alone. Check the empty weight, exterior dimensions and features against the way you’ll transport, store and drain the cooler.

Avoid buying the 115 quart model for a small, occasional load just because it has the longest claim. Its weight and size can make routine handling harder, while a compact model may not leave enough room for a group’s supplies.

Don’t assume that a bear-resistant claim means the cooler is ready to use without a lock. Also avoid leaving the lid open while deciding what to take out; organize items before the trip so you can close it promptly.

How do Lifetime coolers compare with other brands?

Compare the specific cooler’s size, weight and useful features with the model you might buy from another brand. Brand names alone don’t tell you which cooler fits your load or how much weight you’ll want to move.

Our guide to RTIC cooler lines and sizes covers another hard-cooler range, and the Igloo vs YETI cooler comparison helps frame two other familiar brands. For a wider brand overview, see coolers like YETI and our guide to the best cooler brands.

For manufacturer details, visit Lifetime’s cooler information.

Are Lifetime coolers good, and which one should you choose?

Yes, Lifetime coolers can be a good choice when one of their sizes and features matches your trip. Pick the 28 quart for a smaller load and the lightest empty weight, the 65 quart for a middle capacity with a hose-compatible drain, or the 115 quart when you need the most room and can manage its weight.

Before you decide, measure your storage space and consider who will lift the cooler when it’s full. If you’re still choosing the cooler style, start with our cooler guide by type.

Frequently asked questions

Are Lifetime coolers good?

Lifetime coolers can suit people who want a hard cooler with a choice of sizes and useful features such as a gasket, drain or divider. The 28, 65 and 115 quart models have claimed ice retention of up to 5, 8 and 10 days, respectively.

Those are Lifetime’s claims.

Ice life on a trip depends on the load, opening frequency and surrounding conditions.

Which Lifetime cooler size should I choose?

Choose by the load you need to carry, the room available and who will move the cooler. The 28 quart weighs 17.4 lb empty, the 65 quart weighs 25.5 lb and the 115 quart weighs 42.5 lb.

The largest model offers the most capacity here, but it takes more space and effort to move.

Are Lifetime coolers bear resistant?

Lifetime describes all three models as IGBC certified and able to withstand a bear for up to an hour when locked. The 65 quart model has 2 lock holes, while the 28 and 115 quart models have lock locations.

Locks are not included with the 65 quart model.

Follow current IGBC guidance and local food-storage rules.

How do Lifetime coolers compare with other brands?

Compare the particular model’s capacity, empty weight, drainage and other features with the cooler you are considering. The three Lifetime models range from 28 to 115 quarts and have ice-retention claims from 5 to 10 days.

Our guides to RTIC and Pelican coolers cover those brands separately.