You’ve just caught the fish of your dreams. It’s beautiful, it’s big, your secret fishing technique has paid off. You are already dreaming of the glory that this trophy will bring you, provided of course you bring it home.
You have several options for transporting fish: a plastic bag, newspaper, a fishing basket, a cooler, a boiler. However, be aware that certain options allow better conservation of fish.
When traveling, camping, you will need a cooler to keep your fish fresh. This is why a very good model is necessary if you do not want to end up with a device that often breaks down or does not cool enough.
Some low-end models may simply not work and may not cool your fish. To escape such disasters, I will share with you a comparison of the best coolers on the market which will help you to make the best choice.
Prefer to invest in equipment that offers good value for money, rather than buying according to a brand.
The Best Fishing Coolers Reviewed
| Editor’s Award | Brand |
| Our Top Pick | Igloo Polar Cooler |
| Alternative Top Pick | Silver Horde Katchkooler II Bag |
| Best Budget Pick | Coleman 28-Quart Cooler |
| Best Portable | IceMule Pro Insulated Backpack Cooler Bag |
Our Top Pick: Igloo Polar Cooler
Our Top Pick
When it comes to insulated fishing coolers, Igloo is definitely the best to go for. They are known to have excellent construction of these kinds of coolers.
The Polar Cooler model is made from simple plastic with a sterile white color. The insulation technology built in the cooler is the Ultratherm which is responsible for the maximum cooling it provides in both the body as well as the lid.
Another amazing feature that makes this fishing cooler simply the best is its dual snap-fit latches that secure the lid firmly, and also a tie-down loop as another option. This way, fish caught can afford to stay fresh for as long as five days, considering there’s adequate ice packed in as well.
Even better, the whole product is safe for even children so there’s no need for worry of danger when camping with your little ones.
What We Like:
- Simple and compact | Straightforward design keeps things simple in the best way.
- Good, sturdy latches | The latches help keep it firm at all times hence ensuring fish stored in it is kept fresh till it’s ready to be consumed.
- Insulation | The low-price refrigerators have white cork plates as insulation, so the refrigerator does not have a high degree of thermal insulation and they are also much weaker.
- Capacity | Large capacity refrigerator; reinforced side handles for transport; drain plug with thread, 2 plastic closures.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Alternative Top Pick: Silver Horde Katchkooler II Bag
Alternative Top Pick
Silver Horde Katchkooler II Bag
From the appearance and style of this cooler, you can tell that, unlike the standard ice-box designs, it was built in a unique fashion – what’s more, this well-crafted cooler was specially designed for fishermen of every and any type.
Its handy strap makes it easy and flexible to transport from place to place either at the start or the end of a day’s catch. Another thing to consider is its compact size which ensures easy storage, either at the bottom of the cupboard or anywhere else that’s cold and dry.
Not only does it preserve the flavor of the fish caught upon storage, it also is easy to clean. All that is required of you is to rinse with water only once then let it dry.
This is another great feature that definitely attracts buyers to purchase theirs.
What We Like:
- High-density cell foam insulation.
- Waterproof fabric.
- Twin straps with a reinforced handle.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Budget Pick: Coleman 28-Quart Cooler
Best Budget Pick
The Coleman cooler is built from a strong and durable polyethylene and is big enough to comfortably store up to 36 can drinks at a time. I can’t say for sure the equivalent of that to fish but it’s a whole lot.
Another feature that makes the Coleman cooler worthy to consider is the fact that it is built with Thermozone insulation which till date, is acknowledged to be the most advanced insulating technologies on the fishing market.
If you are the kind of person that likes to keep things simple and have a tight budget, I recommend you go for this. This is an all-round product and I guarantee you will be very satisfied with the value you get for your money.
What We Like:
- Large Storage | It has lots of space for food, drinks and most importantly, fish.
- Cheap | Very reasonable price point.
- Good design | Classical styling.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Portable: IceMule Pro Insulated Backpack Cooler Bag
Best Portable
IceMule Pro Insulated Backpack Cooler Bag
The approach of the construction of this fish cooler is quite different as it was built to function as a backpack for the individual hence making it hands-free for easier use.
The technology of the cooler is considered to be the most portable and still functions to an optimal level of performance. This product comes with several other sizes and straps to your taste allowing your arms focus on other fishing gear.
This makes the backpack comfortable to wear as the straps have been double padded and ventilated hence making it easy to store, even when not in use.
The cooler is absolutely collapsible, so you can rest assured there won’t be problems bringing it from or to your fishing location.
What We Like:
- Strongly built | Waterproof and resilient construction is nice to see.
- Variety | Different sizes and different colors mean there’s an IceMule out there for everybody.
- Less leaking | The closure system is zipperless, meaning, less leaking.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean my fishing fridge?
The best way to keep your fridge clean and fresh is to drain it, rinse it and dry it as soon as you get home. If you notice that there is a sticky smell, here is how to clean your fridge to get rid of the fishy smell:
- Rinse the refrigerator thoroughly and then clean it with a mixture of a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent and half a cup of baking soda and a sponge or scrub brush.
- Spray it with a bleach suitable for food. Rinse it after a few minutes and leave it open to dry.
Another way to eliminate odors is to spray the inside and outside of the refrigerator with a mixture of dishwashing and chlorine detergent, wait a few minutes and then rinse it under pressure with a hose and let it dry. If it still detects a smell, repeat the process until it disappears.
Are there other options to consider in choosing a fishing cooler?
Before browsing a price comparison site to find out where to buy a new electric cooler at a lower price, know that our models displayed are the best currently according to customer reviews and professional tests.
Likewise, to see life in azure blue, try to buy a model equipped with transport wheels and robust transport handles that will not let you go after a few months.
As for the design of the electric cooler, you do as you want, but as with everything in life, take your time to choose the one that will be most useful to you without having any regrets.
How can I keep the inside of the cooler longer?
You don’t want to leave the lid open for long periods of time. Unless of course you like your food and drinks floating in a pool of warm water. But it’s not just keeping the inside of the cold room colder than just keeping the lid closed. Here are some tips to optimize the cooling capacity of your cooler.
- Pre-cool the box – The day before you charge your cooler for fishing, add ice and pre-cool the interior. This will help prevent the ice from melting as quickly when you load it the next day.
- Use block ice or dry ice – Just about everyone uses ice cubes, but they are woefully ineffective when it comes to keeping things cool. If you can try using block ice instead or dry ice blocks. Just make sure your box is compatible with dry ice before using dry ice. Not everyone is.
- Minimize the number of times you open the lid – There is little that helps hold the ice more than keeping the lid closed.
- Do not leave the cooler in the sun – Always store it in the shade. Under the picnic table, under an umbrella, behind a tree or in the shade of the car. On cloudy days or at night, you have a break.
What power and autonomy to choose?
Our first recommendations if you want to choose an electric cooler without breaking the bank or being fooled by poor product quality is to check the power, autonomy and capacity that you consider interesting.
Indeed, power emanates the performance of the cheap electrical appliance. If you choose a small power cooler you may not be very satisfied.
You should know that, as a general rule, the power of a cooler is between 10W and 100W. The more powerful your cooler, the more your food will be kept cool and away from heat. The autonomy of an ultra-powerful cooler will also be much more important.
When we talk about the autonomy of the cooler, we mainly refer to the capacity that the cooler has to keep food cool without the need to be connected to an electric source. This autonomy can vary between 6 hours and 15 hours.
What capacity for my electric cooler?
In addition, it is also important to check the materials with which the cooler is designed because its performance depends on it. The most reliable and robust materials are PVC and insulating materials, expanded polyurethane foam and polypropylene are known to be very effective.
Finally, in terms of capacity, it depends on what you want to take with you and what you plan to consume as when you prepare a meal in your pressure cooker at a smart price. And you should know that the capacity of an electric cooler is between 1 and 6 liters.
Are there other options to consider in choosing a fishing cooler?
Before browsing a price comparison site to find out where to buy a new electric cooler at a lower price, know that our models displayed are the best currently according to customer reviews and professional tests.
Likewise, to see life in azure blue, try to buy a model equipped with transport wheels and robust transport handles that will not let you go after a few months.
As for the design of the electric cooler, you do as you want, but as with everything in life, take your time to choose the one that will be most useful to you without having any regrets.
Other Worthy Mentions
These are ones that didn’t quite make the cut as one of the top picks, but are still interesting enough to be worth a look.
Igloo Polar 120 Portable Refrigerators
Key Features:
- Fridge with thermal insulation (pu) injected about 25/30 mm thick high density. This makes the refrigerator have a high thermal insulating grade and is much more robust.
- The low-price refrigerators have white cork plates as insulation, so the refrigerator does not have a high degree of thermal insulation and they are also much weaker
- External dimensions approx: 100x45x45 cm
- Large capacity refrigerator; reinforced side handles for transport; drain plug with thread, 2 plastic closures
- Filled only with ice and unopened, it could keep 0º C for up to 4 days depending on the outside temperature and ice quality
Key Features:
- It is both versatile and durable
- Heavy-duty rubber latches that ensure fish is cold and fresh
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