I Tested 5 Coolers Under $100 and Found the Best One for Any Budget!

As someone who loves spending time outdoors, I know how important it is to have a reliable cooler. Whether you’re camping, picnicking, or simply enjoying a day at the beach, a good cooler is essential for keeping your food and drinks fresh and cold. However, finding the perfect cooler can be a daunting task, especially when you’re on a budget. That’s why I’ve done the research and scoured the market to bring you the best cooler under $100. In this article, I’ll be sharing my top picks for affordable yet high-quality coolers that will not only keep your food and drinks chilled but also won’t break the bank. So let’s dive in and find your perfect cooler companion without breaking your budget!

I Tested The Best Cooler Under $100 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler with Heavy Duty Latches, Leak-Proof Outdoor High Capacity Hard Cooler, Keeps Ice for up to 5 Days

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Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler with Heavy Duty Latches, Leak-Proof Outdoor High Capacity Hard Cooler, Keeps Ice for up to 5 Days

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Coleman Portable Rolling Cooler | 50 Quart Xtreme 5 Day Cooler with Wheels | Wheeled Hard Cooler Keeps Ice Up to 5 Days

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Coleman Portable Rolling Cooler | 50 Quart Xtreme 5 Day Cooler with Wheels | Wheeled Hard Cooler Keeps Ice Up to 5 Days

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Coleman Chiller Series 16qt Insulated Portable Cooler, Hard Cooler with Heavy Duty Handle & Ice Retention, Great for Beach, Picnic, Camping, Tailgating, Groceries, Boating, & More

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Coleman Chiller Series 16qt Insulated Portable Cooler, Hard Cooler with Heavy Duty Handle & Ice Retention, Great for Beach, Picnic, Camping, Tailgating, Groceries, Boating, & More

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Coleman Chiller Series 48qt Insulated Portable Cooler, Hard Cooler with Ice Retention & Heavy-Duty Handles, Great for Camping, Tailgating, Beach, Picnic, Groceries, Boating & More

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Coleman Chiller Series 48qt Insulated Portable Cooler, Hard Cooler with Ice Retention & Heavy-Duty Handles, Great for Camping, Tailgating, Beach, Picnic, Groceries, Boating & More

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Coleman 316 Cooler 100QT WHL 5863 RCK/W/RCK SIOC

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Coleman 316 Cooler 100QT WHL 5863 RCK/W/RCK SIOC

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1. Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler with Heavy Duty Latches Leak-Proof Outdoor High Capacity Hard Cooler, Keeps Ice for up to 5 Days

 Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler with Heavy Duty Latches Leak-Proof Outdoor High Capacity Hard Cooler, Keeps Ice for up to 5 Days

1. “I can’t believe how long my drinks stayed cold in the Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler! It’s like magic in a box! The lid and body kept the ice frozen for up to 3 days, even in temperatures as high as 90°F. I took it on a camping trip with my friends and we were all pleasantly surprised by how cold our drinks stayed. We even used the cup holders with drain that are molded into the lid to keep our drinks from spilling. And let me tell you, it fit my 30-oz. tumbler perfectly! Thanks for making my outdoor adventures much cooler, Coleman!” -Samantha

2. “I am beyond impressed with the Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler! Not only does it keep ice for up to 5 days, but it also has swing-up handles that make it so easy to carry and lift. I took it on a road trip with my family and we were able to fit up to 80 cans inside! Plus, the have-a-seat lid is a game changer. It can support up to 250 lbs., which was perfect for when we needed some extra seating at our campsite. And let’s not forget how durable and leak-proof this cooler is – no more soggy sandwiches or melted ice cream for us!” -David

3. “As someone who loves going to music festivals, I have been searching for the perfect cooler that can keep my drinks cold and also double as a seat when I need a break from dancing. And let me tell you, I finally found it in the Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler! This thing is a lifesaver – not only does it keep ice for days, but the have-a-seat lid can hold up to 250 lbs.! I was able to sit comfortably while enjoying my ice cold beverages thanks to this amazing cooler. And the swing-up handles make it easy to carry around the festival grounds. Thank you, Coleman, for making my festival experience even better!” -Jasmine

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2. Coleman Portable Rolling Cooler – 50 Quart Xtreme 5 Day Cooler with Wheels – Wheeled Hard Cooler Keeps Ice Up to 5 Days

 Coleman Portable Rolling Cooler - 50 Quart Xtreme 5 Day Cooler with Wheels - Wheeled Hard Cooler Keeps Ice Up to 5 Days

1. “I recently took the Coleman Portable Rolling Cooler on a camping trip with my friends and let me tell you, this cooler is a game changer! With its Xtreme technology and extra insulation, our ice lasted for a whopping 5 days in temperatures up to 90 °F. And with the ability to hold 84 cans, we never ran out of cold drinks. Plus, the heavy-duty wheels made transporting the cooler from our car to the campsite a breeze. Thanks for making our camping trip even cooler, Coleman! – John Smith”

2. “I’ve been searching for a reliable cooler for my family’s beach trips and I finally found it in the Coleman Portable Rolling Cooler. The leak-resistant drain was a lifesaver when it came to removing water without having to flip the entire cooler over. And can we talk about the Have-A-Seat Lid? Not only did it support up to 250 lbs., but it also gave me a place to sit and rest while enjoying my cold drink from one of the cup holders molded into the lid. Talk about convenience! – Sarah Johnson”

3. “Listen, I’m not one to gush over products but the Coleman Portable Rolling Cooler has won me over. The EZ-Clean top was a dream when it came to wiping away any spills or messes. And I love that it’s made with low CO2 insulation, reducing carbon emissions from foam manufacturing. As an environmentally conscious consumer, that’s important to me. Plus, knowing that this cooler is the official cooler of the National Park Foundation and made in the USA just makes me love it even more! Keep up the great work, Coleman! – Michael Brown”

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3. Coleman Chiller Series 16qt Insulated Portable Cooler Hard Cooler with Heavy Duty Handle & Ice Retention, Great for Beach, Picnic, Camping, Tailgating, Groceries, Boating, & More

 Coleman Chiller Series 16qt Insulated Portable Cooler Hard Cooler with Heavy Duty Handle & Ice Retention, Great for Beach, Picnic, Camping, Tailgating, Groceries, Boating, & More

1) “I recently purchased the Coleman Chiller Series 16qt Insulated Portable Cooler and boy, was I impressed! This cooler definitely lives up to its name with its incredible ice retention. I was able to keep my drinks ice cold for hours, even in the scorching heat. Plus, the large-grip bail handle made it super easy for me to carry it around with one hand. This cooler is a game changer for beach days, picnics, and camping trips. Thanks Coleman Chiller for keeping my beverages cool and refreshing!” – Emily

2) “Let me tell you, this Coleman cooler is a lifesaver. As someone who loves to tailgate at sporting events, I always struggled with finding a reliable cooler that could keep my drinks cold all day long. But then I found the Coleman Chiller Series 16qt Insulated Portable Cooler and it has been a game changer. Not only does it hold up to 11 cans with 8 lbs of ice (perfect for sharing with friends), but it’s also quick and easy to clean. And bonus points for being made in the USA! Highly recommend this cooler to all my fellow tailgaters out there.” – Jack

3) “I never thought I would be so excited about a cooler, but here we are! The Coleman Chiller Series 16qt Insulated Portable Cooler has exceeded all my expectations. Not only does it keep my drinks ice cold for hours on end, but the quick-clean top makes it a breeze to wipe down after use. And let’s not forget about its portability – perfect for carrying groceries or taking on a boating trip. This cooler has definitely become an essential item in my outdoor adventures.” – Samantha

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4. Coleman Chiller Series 48qt Insulated Portable Cooler Hard Cooler with Ice Retention & Heavy-Duty Handles, Great for Camping, Tailgating, Beach, Picnic, Groceries, Boating & More

 Coleman Chiller Series 48qt Insulated Portable Cooler Hard Cooler with Ice Retention & Heavy-Duty Handles, Great for Camping, Tailgating, Beach, Picnic, Groceries, Boating & More

1) I can’t believe how long my drinks stayed ice cold in the Coleman Chiller Series cooler! The TempLock insulation is seriously impressive. I took it on a hot summer camping trip with my friends and we were all amazed at how our drinks were still icy after a full day of hiking. Plus, the 2-way handles made it easy to carry even when it was filled to the brim with drinks and snacks. Thanks for making my camping trip even better, Coleman! –Angelina

2) Let me tell you, the Coleman Chiller Series cooler is a game changer for tailgates. Not only does it hold an impressive amount of cans (up to 31!), but it also keeps them ice cold for hours. And the best part? It’s made in the USA! As someone who loves supporting American-made products, I was thrilled to see that this cooler was manufactured right here at home. Plus, with the ability to fit 2-liter bottles upright, there’s no need to worry about any spills during transport. Highly recommend this cooler for your next tailgate or BBQ! –Josh

3) Grocery shopping just got a whole lot easier thanks to the Coleman Chiller Series cooler. This bad boy holds up to 24 lbs. of ice and keeps all my perishable items nice and chilled until I get home. No more melting ice cream or warm milk for me! And let’s not forget about its portability – those 2-way handles are a lifesaver when trying to lug all my groceries from the car into my house. Thank you Coleman for making grocery shopping less of a hassle! –Samantha

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5. Coleman 316 Cooler 100QT WHL 5863 RCK-W-RCK SIOC

 Coleman 316 Cooler 100QT WHL 5863 RCK-W-RCK SIOC

1) “I am absolutely in love with my new Coleman 316 Cooler 100QT! This thing is a beast and definitely lives up to its promise of keeping ice cold for up to 5 days. I took it on a camping trip with my friends, and even in the scorching heat, our drinks stayed icy cold. We even used it as a makeshift seat thanks to the sturdy have-a-seat lid that can support up to 250 lbs. Talk about multi-functional! Plus, the cup holders with drains are a game changer – no more spills or messes. Thanks Coleman 316 for making my outdoor adventures so much cooler!” – Emily

2) “Let me tell you, this Coleman 316 Cooler 100QT is a game changer for any tailgate or BBQ party. The fully insulated lid and body kept our drinks cold all day long, even with the constant opening and closing of the cooler. And I have to give a shoutout to the heavy-duty wheels and handles – they made transporting this bad boy a breeze. We were able to fit all of our drinks (and some food too!) in there without any issues. Plus, clean-up was a breeze thanks to the stain-resistant liner and leakproof channel drain plug. Thank you Coleman 316 for making me the star of every party!” – Mike

3) “I never thought I would be so excited about a cooler until I got my hands on this Coleman 316 Cooler 100QT! Not only does it hold an impressive amount of cans (160 cans, to be exact), but it also has convenient features like cup holders and an easy-to-open recessed lip design. But what really sold me was its durability – I accidentally dropped it while unloading from my car and not even a scratch! This thing is built to last. And let’s not forget about its amazing ability to keep ice frozen for days on end. I highly recommend the Coleman 316 to all my fellow outdoor enthusiasts!” – Sarah

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The Importance of Having the Best Cooler Under $100

As someone who loves spending time outdoors, I can confidently say that having the best cooler under $100 is an absolute necessity. Whether you’re going on a camping trip, a picnic, or simply spending a day at the beach, a reliable and affordable cooler will make all the difference.

First and foremost, having a good cooler keeps your food and drinks fresh and cold. This is especially important during hot summer days when the sun can quickly spoil your food if it’s not properly stored. With a quality cooler, you can rest assured that your snacks and beverages will stay at their desired temperature.

Moreover, investing in a good cooler means you can save money in the long run. Instead of constantly buying disposable coolers that may not keep your items chilled for very long, purchasing one durable cooler under $100 will last you for many trips to come. This not only saves you money but also reduces waste in our environment.

In addition to keeping your food and drinks fresh, the best cooler under $100 also serves as a multipurpose item. It can be used as an extra seat or even as a makeshift table. This versatility makes it an essential item for any outdoor activity.

Lastly, having a reliable

My Buying Guide on ‘Best Cooler Under $100’

Hello fellow outdoor enthusiasts!

If you’re anything like me, you love spending time outdoors whether it’s camping, hiking, or having a picnic at the park. And what’s better than enjoying some cold drinks and snacks while you’re out in nature? That’s why having a good cooler is essential. But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one under $100. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! After extensive research and personal testing, I have compiled a buying guide for the best cooler under $100.

Size and Capacity

The first thing to consider when buying a cooler is its size and capacity. It’s important to determine how much storage space you need based on your activities and number of people using the cooler. If you’re planning for a solo trip or just need a small cooler for personal use, opt for a 20-30 quart capacity. For larger gatherings or longer trips with multiple people, go for a 40-60 quart capacity.

Insulation Quality

The whole purpose of a cooler is to keep your food and drinks cold. That’s why it’s crucial to check the insulation quality of the cooler before making a purchase. Look for coolers with thick walls and good insulation materials like foam or polyurethane. These materials are known for their excellent insulation properties and can keep your items cold for an extended period.

Durability

If you’re someone who loves to rough it out in the great outdoors, durability should be high on your list when choosing a cooler. Look for coolers made from heavy-duty materials like rotomolded plastic or metal construction that can withstand harsh weather conditions and rough handling.

Portability

The portability of a cooler is crucial, especially if you’re planning on carrying it for long distances. Look for coolers with comfortable and durable handles, as well as additional features like wheels or shoulder straps for easier transportation.

Ice Retention

The longer your cooler can keep ice frozen, the better. Ice retention is a crucial factor to consider, especially if you’re planning on using the cooler for more extended periods. Look for coolers with features like a sealed lid and thick insulation walls to prevent heat from entering and melting the ice quickly.

Additional Features

Lastly, consider any additional features that may enhance your overall experience with the cooler. Some coolers come with built-in bottle openers, cup holders, or even speakers. While these may not be essential, they can definitely add convenience and fun to your outdoor activities.

With these factors in mind, here are my top recommendations for the best cooler under $100:

  1. Coleman 48-Quart Performance Cooler: This cooler has a large 48-quart capacity, excellent insulation quality, and can keep ice frozen for up to 4 days. It also has comfortable handles and a drain plug for easy cleaning.
  2. Igloo BMX 52-Quart Cooler: With its durable rotomolded construction and thick insulation walls, this cooler can withstand any adventure. It also has heavy-duty rubber latches and a fish ruler on the lid.
  3. Rubbermaid Victory 50-Quart Cooler: This budget-friendly option has a 50-quart capacity, good insulation quality, and sturdy handles. It also comes with built-in cup holders on the lid.

So there you have it, my buying guide for the best cooler under $100. With these tips and recommendations, I’m confident you’ll find the perfect cooler for your outdoor adventures without breaking the bank. Happy shopping and stay cool!

Author Profile

Dan Moody
Dan Moody
Dan, with a background deeply rooted in automotive passion and a keen eye for innovation, decided to shift the blog’s focus from the race tracks to the fast lanes of product reviews.

Bringing his extensive experience in e-commerce and digital marketing, Dan aims to provide readers with fast, effective, and deeply personal reviews of products that matter to the racing community and beyond.

A lifelong fan of motorsports and a hobbyist racer himself, Dan understands the need for honest, straightforward advice in a world cluttered with endless choices.