Camping Ice-Keeping Equipment Guide: Soft Coolers, Hard Coolers, Portable Refrigerators and Ice Makers
Quick answer: choose a soft cooler bag for short trips and motorcycle camping, a hard cooler for the best ice retention without power, a portable refrigerator for multi-day car camping, and an ice maker if you want fresh ice on demand.
Ice-keeping equipment on the market falls into three categories: soft cooler bags, hard coolers and portable refrigerators. With so many options, how do you pick one that fits your needs and keeps things cold? This WhoWhy guide covers all three and adds a high-speed ice maker you can use at home and outdoors.
1. Soft cooler bags
The lightest option, soft cooler bags suit short trips or frequent shopping that needs short-term cooling. They are a favorite among motorcycle campers and backpackers, and common designs attach to motorcycles or fold flat for backpacks.
2. Hard coolers
Hard coolers are the most popular choice, with good insulation and no electricity needed. They are durable and withstand external pressure, suiting camping, fishing and travel. The lid can serve as a work surface or seat, and sizes range to suit different group sizes.
▶ YETI Roadie 24 Hard Cooler, a space-saving design
▶ YETI Tundra 35 Hard Cooler, a cooler and work surface in one
3. Portable refrigerators
Portable refrigerators cool, and some dual-compartment models also freeze. They have LCD panels and buttons for precise temperature control, solving food preservation while camping. As car camping grows, look for models that support car charging.
▶ ENGEL Sawafuji portable refrigerators with a Japanese compressor, all models support car charging
4. Ice makers
A bonus pick: this ice maker met its funding goal on Makuake quickly and is a favorite for home and outdoor use in Japan. It has a sleek design and makes ice fast just by adding water. It runs on an outdoor power source or AC, can make ice in as little as 6 minutes, and has an automatic internal cleaning function.
▶ High-speed Ice Maker ICE-C01-BK, air freight from Japan
Ice-keeping gear is a must for summer camping. Enjoy the scenery with a cold drink, and cheers to great times outdoors.