When it comes to car camping, there are a few things that you need to think about in order to make your trip as comfortable as possible. One of those things is the cooler you bring. You might be thinking, “A cooler? Why do I need one of those when I’m going camping?” Well, a cooler can keep food and drinks cold while keeping them safe from animals (and burglars!). The bad news is that there are lots of coolers out there with different features and prices—and knowing what exactly makes one better than another can be tricky if you’re not an expert. But don’t worry! We’ve done all the research for you so that now all you have to do is decide which type suits your needs best!
How Long Will You Be Camping?
The answer to this question is going to determine what sort of cooler you need. If you’re going on an overnight, then an insulated bag with ice packs will probably do the trick. However, if you’re going on a longer trip and want food that lasts more than a day or two, then an insulated hard-sided cooler is probably your best bet.
The duration of your trip will also affect how much food needs storing–if it’s just one person going out for a weekend or two nights at campground near their home town (or even just staying overnight at home), then any old bag will do as long as it keeps things cold enough for comfort levels between meals! But if there are three people traveling across country by car in search of adventure…well…then we’ll need something more substantial than just some bags filled with ice cubes!
What Size Cooler Are You Looking For?
When choosing a cooler, you should consider the following:
- How many people are going on the trip?
- What type of food and drinks will you be bringing? (e.g., ice cream, soda, sandwiches)
- How long will you be gone for? You might want a smaller cooler if it’s just for one night, but if it’s an extended trip with multiple nights at campsites or in hotels then go big! A larger cooler can hold more food and drinks which means less trips from home base to where ever else we’re staying each night. Also consider how much space there is in your car–if there isn’t any room for a large model then it’s probably best not to get one at all!
How Much Do You Want to Spend on Your Cooler?
How much you want to spend on your cooler is a personal decision, but it can also be influenced by how much ice you plan on buying. As I mentioned above, coolers have gotten more expensive in recent years. You can get a high-quality cooler for about $300 if that’s what works for your budget (I recommend the Yeti Tundra 45). But some people might prefer spending less, in which case Yeti-like, off-brand coolers can be found for under $200. They’re not as well-insulated as the big brand-name coolers and are substantially heavier, yet they cost half as much.
Coolers are also generally more expensive than they used to be because they’re made better–they’re insulated better and made out of stronger materials so they’ll last longer than those old school Rubbermaids did back in the day!
Do You Need an Insulated or Electric Cooler?
You’ll want to consider the length of your trip when deciding on whether to buy an insulated or electric cooler. Insulated coolers are great for long trips, but they’re not always practical for shorter ones. Electric coolers, on the other hand, work well for short trips since they don’t require ice and can be plugged into any regular outlet in your car or campsite (assuming there is one). If you’re not interested in carrying around bags of ice or having them melt inside your vehicle while driving from place to place, then an electric cooler may be a good option for you. However! Electric coolers tend to be significantly more expensive than unplugged models–and they also make noises while running that some people find annoying–so make sure this purchase is right before spending money on something new!
Conclusion
So, now that you know a little more about the different types of coolers and how they work, it’s time to pick one! The best way to do this is by figuring out what kind of trip you’re going on and how long it will last. If it’s just overnight camping with some friends or family members at your local park or campground, then an insulated cooler might be perfect for keeping drinks cold while still being easy on your wallet. If you plan on heading out into the wilderness where there are no stores nearby (or even access roads), then you’ll need something bigger like an electric model which doesn’t rely on ice but instead has built-in refrigeration systems powered by batteries, solar electricity or propane gas canisters.
