Need a reliable cooler for your next camping trip or tailgate? We did the research to find the best coolers made by American manufacturers. Check out our top picks below, along with what liked and didn't like about each one, and factors we considered in our research.
Our Findings
There are several different American made cooler brands that are manufacturing high quality products. Brands like Bison, Esky, Grizzly, Igloo, Cabela's, Orca, Orion, Pelican, and others are all making ice chests right here in the USA. We found a variety of options that have best in class qualities: whether it's ice retention, durability, or other features. Orion, Cabela's, Igloo, and Pelican are some of the top brands that rose to the top of our analysis.
Top Recommendations
| Best Coolers Made in the USA | Best for: |
| Orion 45 | Durability |
| Igloo Sportsman 55-Qt Cooler | Affordability |
| Pelican Elite 45-Qt Cooler | Latches |
| Cabela's Polar Cap 40-Qt Equalizer | Ice Retention |
| Grizzly 15 Cooler | Small Cooler |
| Cordova Excursion Cooler | Large Cooler |
| Orca Cooler | Easy to Carry |
| Igloo Marine Breeze Roller Cooler | With Wheels |
Recommendations: Going Deeper
Check out some more in-depth product details below. We go into what we liked, what we didn't like, and the best qualities about all our top picks.
Best Cooler for Durability: Orion 45
The Orion 45 is a total beast. This cooler tested best among the competition for durability - it barely had any scratches after all stress tests, and the latches also were the most secure. We love the non-stick pad on top of the cooler for holding gear or acting as a cutting board. The Orion 45 also has several bottle openers on each side, tie downs, and a rail system that allows you to mount a phone, camera, or other gear. This cooler does moderately well in ice retention - not league leading, but good enough to hold ice for about a week. The handles are comfortable and durable, made with reinforced climbing rope, so they can handle just about anything. Dimensions: 27 x 17.5 x 18.5 inches. Also be sure to check out our exclusive interview with the folks at Orion Coolers, as well as our full review of the Orion 45.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Best Value Cooler: Igloo Sportsman 55-Qt Cooler
Coming in at less than $170, this huge Igloo Sportsman Cooler is one of the best values we found on the market. This cooler's ice retention is middle of the road at about a week, but that is plenty long for a weekend camping or fishing trip - handling surprisingly well given the size of the cooler. The latches are sturdy and air tight, and kept out dirt and other elements during tests. The drain on the Igloo Sportsman works well and drains water quickly. It also has some nice anti-skid feet that prevent the cooler from sliding around in the back of your car. Overall, a great value cooler for under $170. Dimensions: 31 x 17.5 x 18.2 inches. Check out our full review of the Igloo Sportsman.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Cooler with the Best Latches: Pelican Elite 45-Qt Cooler
If you value having a safety valve for products you buy, the Pelican Elite has the best product warranty and the best latches among high quality coolers. The warranty lasts for a lifetime, and they'll send you a brand new cooler in case anything ever happens to yours. The Pelican Elite is second to the Cabela's Polar Cap Equalizer in terms of ice retention, lasting over 8 days in several field tests. The drain plug and handles were the only two downsides to this cooler - these two elements didn't fair as well as the rest of the cooler during durability tests. Pelican is also one of our top picks for tumblers made in the USA. Dimensions: 29.7 x 20 x 19.2 inches.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Best Cooler for Ice Retention: Cabela’s Polar Cap 40-Qt Equalizer
The Cabela's Polar Cap Equalizer cooler tested best against the competition in terms of ice retention - lasting nearly 9 days in several tests (although they advertise 12 days). The thick insulation coupled with air-tight latches (which also serve as bottle openers) keep the cold in and the elements out. Construction of the Polar Cap Equalizer is solid, easily surviving several durability tests and advertised as "bear-resistant" by Cabela's (that claim seems to hold up from field tests). The molded-in handles were some of our favorites among the competition. This cooler also has a pressure release valve, something you don't see on many other coolers, which helps with lid opening. Overall, you can't go wrong with this cooler that leads the industry in ice retention. Dimensions: 32 x 18 x 18.5 inches. Check out our full review of the Polar Cap Equalizer.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Best Small Cooler: Grizzly 15 Cooler
Grizzly Coolers is making some great high quality coolers for folks who are looking for something small, but effective. They do have larger options, but we found their smaller rotomolded coolers to test better on ice retention and other stress tests. If you need something small to bring on your next hunting trip or fishing trip, Grizzly is a great option. They come in a bunch of different colors as well. Just make sure to stick to their hard-side coolers - their soft-side coolers are not made in the USA.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Best Large Cooler: Cordova Excursion Cooler
The Excursion cooler from Cordova Coolers is a monster - this thing is 128 quarts and will hold up to 32 one gallon jugs, 120 cans, or 120 pounds of ice. We we a little worried that it would perform poorly in the ice retention test because of how light the cooler is, but we were pleasantly surprised and it performed pretty well. If you need something huge to bring with you to your next tailgate or camping trip, definitely check out Cordova Coolers. Update: it looks like their Excursion cooler is no longer available, so we linked to their next biggest size below, the 88-quart Journey cooler.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Easiest Cooler To Carry: Orca Cooler
Orca Coolers is making some great hard-sided rotomolded coolers right here in the USA. Their 20 quart cooler that we tested (shown here) did decent on ice retention, lasting about a week. What we really like is the thick metal handle over top of the cooler that makes it really easy to carry. It was your typical rubber latches that you find on a lot of other higher-end coolers which we found to perform just fine and keep the cooler secure. If you need something easy to carry down to the beach or wherever you are going, definitely check out Orca Coolers.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Best Cooler with Wheels: Igloo Marine Breeze Roller Cooler
If you need a cooler with wheels, the Igloo Marine Breeze cooler was the best we found on the market, especially for taller people. The wheels roll smoothly and are very durable. The Igloo Marine Breeze is well insulated to keep your contents cold and has UV inhibitors to prevent against sun damage. It also sports a stain and odor resistant liner. Overall, a quality cooler on wheels at a very affordable price under $100. Dimensions: 27.5 x 19.1 x 16.8 inches. You can read more in our full review of the Igloo Marine Breeze.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Recap: Best Coolers Made in the USA
- Orion 45 - Durability
- Igloo Sportsman 55-Qt Cooler - Affordability
- Pelican Elite 45-Qt Cooler - Latches
- Cabela's Polar Cap 40-Qt Equalizer - Ice Retention
- Grizzly 15 Cooler - Small Cooler
- Cordova Excursion Cooler - Large Cooler
- Orca Cooler - Easy to Carry
- Igloo Marine Breeze Roller Cooler - With Wheels
YouTube Video: How to Find Coolers Made in the USA
What About YETI?
Contrary to popular belief, YETI coolers are not 100% made in the USA. Their popular Tundra series is made at facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Philippines. They also outsource manufacturing to China for some of their other popular products. Check out our recent article on YETI for more information. We also have similar research on where Coleman coolers are made.
Factors We Considered
Durability
Durability is a must with your cooler - it goes through a lot, whether it's a camping trip or hunting excursion. We analyzed several field tests to find the ice chests that held up best to each stress test. We wanted to make sure that the shells were unscathed, handles and latches stayed intact, and nothing (dirt, etc.) got inside the cooler.
Ice Retention
In order for a cooler to get good grades, the bottom line is ice retention - how long can my food and drinks stay cold? We looked at dozens of consumer tests to find the best average length of ice retention before the cooler temperature reached 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler construction is a big factor here - you need thick insulation for ice to last long. Your latches are also important - they help keep the cooler air tight so that cold stays in and the elements stay out.
Handles
Handles are all about usability and comfort. Generally, rope handles performed better than plastic ones. However, we did find that molded-in handles (especially on the Cabela's cooler) were especially comfortable and functional.
Drain
The drain is an important piece of the cooler to remove excess water and fully drain the cooler after use. We looked for drains that had a large water flow and were durable - often times manufacturers will neglect the drain when designing the durability for the rest of the cooler.
Latches
Sturdy and easy to use latches are essential for ice retention and durability. Typically they come in a few different varieties: heavy duty rubber, plastic, and metal. We found, generally, that rubber performed best.
Portability
Your cooler is your mobile refrigerator. While a super lightweight cooler may be great for portability, you typically sacrifice durability and ice retention ability. We looked for coolers that had good heft that you can easily carry around. Wheels help as well! Wheels we considered are made of hard plastic or rubber and well constructed so they can support everything in your cooler.
Value
We eliminated any coolers from consideration where we felt that the cooler quality did not meet the price tag. After all, we're consumers too, and we want to make sure you're getting the best cooler for your money.
