Best Cheap Cooler & Affordable Ice Chest Guide – Penny-Pincher Specials

This is one of the most highly-rated value coolers at Amazon (read customer reviews right here), and is our personal favorite for ‘small’ affordable coolers (12-quart, 10.5” x 10.5” x 10.5” cube design).

For a small, very affordable cooler, it is packed with functional and well-thought-out features like a recessed lid designed to hold bottles upright, a dry storage compartment built into the lid, molded corners on the bottom for increased stability and durability, and a curved-wall shape that makes it comfortable to carry if you’re holding it up against your body.

The best thing about this cooler of course, though, is that it downright performs. From the lid to the handles to the sidewalls, it is quality built and works absolutely perfectly as a day trip or lunch cooler. It’s not a premium roto-molded cooler so don’t expect it to hold ice for more than a day or so, but for an afternoon’s use, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the performance.

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It doesn’t have much along the lines of super fancy features, but it’s just a simple, no-frills cooler with quality construction that makes it one of the best values for the size range.

In the last couple of years, Coleman has actually made some fairly significant improvements in the traditional design and construction, such as adding Thermozone insulation that is free of CFC/HFC’s.

At 26” x 14” x 14.5”, it is the perfect standard, mid-size cooler. Not quite a personal/picnic cooler and not a bulky behemoth that will take up half of your car, it’s best used for throwing in the boat or car/truck/van for an afternoon’s use or short camping trip.

The two-way flip up handles are great quality and will last for years and years.

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This is easily our pick for the best value cooler when it comes to large ice chests. It is quality built, has some super functional and well-designed features, and best of all, it really will hold ice for up to 5 days (in the proper conditions) – just as the name suggests.

At 60-quarts, this is a big, beast of a cooler that will hold up to 82 cans with ice. The wheels are rugged and well-built but don’t expect it to roll easily (or at all) over uneven or soft surfaces such as sand or dirt (especially when it’s loaded down).

The extended handle is a fantastic feature, making it very comfortable and convenient to tow when you are able to roll it. Otherwise, it’s got two solid side handles for carrying, but you’ll definitely need two people to lift it unless it’s completely empty.

It’s got four cup holders built into the hinged, two-piece lid. The split lid design is a smart feature, as it allows easy access while not letting a ton of air out every time you open it.

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This is a cool, super convenient little cooler bag that is loaded with zippers, pockets, storage compartments, and an array of neat, unique little features, making it an excellent day-tripping bag that can serve multiple functions.

It’s actually constructed of super tough 600D polyester fabric and has 8mm of foam insulation, so it will certainly get the job done as far as being able to maintain ice and keep things cold (or hot).

The elastic mesh side pockets conveniently hold standard 750mL bottles of wine, and there are pockets and storage compartments galore to stash all your little accessories and condiments in.

At 11” x 10” x 8”, it’s a convenient size that is not at all uncomfortable to sling over your shoulder and carry for long distances, even when fully packed.

And lastly, one of our absolute favorite things about this little guy is the manufacturer’s warranty – 100% lifetime money-back guarantee.

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It is a very well-selling and well-reviewed product (at Amazon), and in all honesty, we’re a little surprised that more manufacturers have not put more effort into the backpack cooler market. So many times you want to pack in a nice lunch and some cold drinks to enjoy after a walk or short hike, but with a traditional backpack, of course, you can’t really take much with you other than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

The padded straps make it super comfortable to carry even when loaded down to its full capacity, which is about 20 cans plus ice (dimensions are 12.25” x 16.5” x 7.75”).

As a dual-functioning cooler/backpack, it’s naturally got plenty of little zipped storage compartments, as well as two mesh side pockets for carrying larger bottles of wine or soda.

Thumbs up for OA Gears' product, it's our Best Value Cooler in the cooler backpack category.

Check it out at Amazon right here.

There’s not a ton to say about this one, other than it’s your best bet if you’re looking for the absolute cheapest cooler/cooler bag out there.

It’s a combination of quality materials and construction are which made it a no-brainer to include on this list. Granted, you can find plenty of similar-priced coolers out there, but they’re going to be a super poor quality that is constructed with the cheapest materials possible.

The exterior is a durable 300D no-rip polyester, with a standard PEVA lining. EasyLunchboxes also make very inexpensive plastic food containers that are designed specifically to fit the cooler bag.

Read customer reviews and get it at Amazon right here.