Wet beverages and ice floating in a pool of water in a cooler getting on your nerves? It might be time to switch to an ice pack designed for coolers. Not only do these chill your items optimally, but they keep things nice and dry too. There are plenty of types of ice packs, too, such as ones filled with gel, water, or refrigerant and they may come in different sizes.
We've looked for some of the best ice packs for coolers and came up with a top 10 list. Cooler Shock's reusable version is great because you can easily refill them for future use. After considering the nine other options, you can read through the buying guide to help you pick out the best ice pack for your cooling needs. Check out the end of the article for a video on how to efficiently pack a cooler, too!
Quick List - Top Ice Packs For Coolers
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You might be wondering if you should choose ice packs or ice cubes for your cooler. Ice packs are denser than the pure water used in regular ice cubes and therefore don't melt as quickly. Plus, ice cubes have more sides reacting to heat, thus speeding up the melting process.
Plus, the refrigerants in ice packs absorb heat from the items in the cooler, resulting in a more even interior temperature. Another benefit is that they’re more organized than ice cubes, giving you more space inside your cooler.
Ice packs also take up less space in your freezer, and you won't have to deal with a bunch of melted water! If you typically buy ice cubes, ice packs can also save you money in the long run.
When choosing an ice pack for your cooler, the outer material should be durable and not leak, the defrosting process should not lead to too much sweating, and the ice pack should retain cold for as long as you need it.
Ice packs have a soft or hard casing. Soft packs are great for limited space because you can manipulate the shape of the ice pack according to the items inside your cooler. They’re also ideal for soft coolers, which often don’t have much capacity for bulkier ice packs.
On the other hand, hard ice packs are rigid blocks that can easily be stacked along the walls of a hard cooler for optimal insulation.
Soft or hard ice packs also come in sizes ranging from five to over 13 inches long. They may also have different widths and thicknesses. We recommend pairing the ice pack with what you’re working with: larger ones for big coolers and small ice packet-types for lunchboxes.
The ice pack you choose should retain its coldness, even under direct sunlight or hot temperatures. Ice packs help keep perishable goods within safe temperatures (41 to 167 degrees Fahrenheit) during transport. This is especially good for items like meat! They also keep beverages chilled.
Most cooler ice packs last about 24 to 36 hours, but some made for shorter cooling need around four to six hours. If you need cold beverages for a day trip, then this time frame would suffice. For camping or overnight trips, however, you will need longer-lasting ice packs.
We recommend going through the product description for cold retention duration and double-checking company claims by reading reviews to ensure your ice pack performs reliably.
Not all ice packs are created equal. Although most are filled with a mixture of vinyl-coated silica gels, water, and refrigerants like hydroxyethyl cellulose and sodium polyacrylate, some require more maintenance than others.
We recommend checking if the ice pack can be placed directly to the freezer until frozen before use or requires pre-filling with water. Ice packs that need filling will have a required quantity, a funnel for convenient pouring, and a screw-on cap for sealing. They often need shaking or squeezing before freezing or using to activate the refrigerants.
You should also check the required time it takes to freeze the ice pack to ensure you have enough preparation time for your needs. Heavy-duty ones often need at least 24 to 48 hours in the freezer, while some designs have a quick-freeze capability and can be used after an hour.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cooler Shock Reusable Ice Pack|5 pack | ![]() | Refillable Soft Ice Packs That Chill Quickly | |
2 | Tourit Ice Pack|4 pack | ![]() | Slim Ice Pack Sticks for Tight Spaces | |
3 | Yeti Refreezable Reusable Cooler Ice Pack | ![]() | A Break-Resistant Ice Pack | |
4 | Komax IceTank Pack|3 pack | ![]() | Large, Flexible Ice Packs That Are Ready to Use | |
5 | Kona Extra Large Slim Ice Packs|20 pack | ![]() | Quick-Freezing Ice Packs Ready in 25 Minutes | |
6 | Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers Ice Packs|4 pack | ![]() | Compact Ice Packs for All Cooler Types | |
7 | Arctic Ice Tundra Series|Medium | ![]() | An Ice Pack for Chilling Meat and Ice Cream | |
8 | Pelican Ice|5 pounds | ![]() | Ice Pack With a Wide Cooling Surface and Handles | |
9 | Cooler Shock Ice Packs for Coolers|2 pack | ![]() | Long-Lasting Ice Packs That Easily Slide Into Large Coolers | |
10 | RTIC Ice Pack|2 pack, large | ![]() | Quick-Freeze Ice Packs That Keep Coolers at 23 Degrees |
These soft ice packs can be used in hard coolers and lunch boxes. They have an internal temperature of 18 degrees Fahrenheit to chill items colder than ice. Plus, they can stay cold for up to 48 hours and can be filled with water for future use. The cooling gel mixture inside helps the water freeze quicker for the next trip.
A few reviewers commented on the quality of the bags, noting they easily rip. Meanwhile, many reviewers liked the compact size of the ice packs, noting they are perfect for lunchboxes and coolers. They also confirmed that they keep items cold for hours!
If space is limited in your cooler, these ice pack sticks can fit in the gaps between items to keep them cold for longer. They take about eight hours to freeze completely. The materials used are non-toxic and BPA-free so that you can use them in contact with food too.
A few reviewers experienced leaks. However, many reviewers said that their food and drinks stayed cold for up to 12 hours. They also liked the versatile and space-saving size, saying they are great for lunchboxes and small coolers.
This heavy-duty option is great at keeping your cooler cold for hours. You can store this in-between sharp edges of food packaging or underneath multiple beverages, and it will not rip or burst. It takes about four hours to freeze, although overnight is better to keep it at around 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
A few reviewers expected it to stay cold longer. However, most noted that it keeps items cold during their workday. Many liked that it's durable and well-made, too. Users liked that it helps ice stay frozen longer as well.
These ice packs' wide and slim design makes them great for insulating the walls of coolers and lunchboxes. They are reusable and only need to be frozen to use; no filling or shaking is needed. Plus, the materials are food-safe, including the refrigerant contents and nylon packaging.
While users said that these cool items reliably, a few reviewers noted that the outer material needs extra care during handling to prevent tears and leaks. Still, many users confirmed that these ice packs keep their coolers cold for a long time, even when it's hot outside.
While other ice packs need at least 24 hours to freeze, these only need 25 minutes! The design is extra wide and thin, allowing you to line them up along your cooler walls for optimal insulation. Plus, you can use them again and again without shaking or refilling.
This ice pack is only good for day trips as it only retains coldness for up to six hours. So, a few reviewers wished that they stayed cold longer. On a positive note, many confirmed that the ice packs' space-saving design makes them very versatile. They also liked that they can have one ready in less than an hour!
These ice packs are great for keeping your food and beverages cold in all types of coolers, from soft lunch boxes to hard cases. The compact size allows the ice pack to fit between items and on the sides without taking up too much space. This listing includes four ice packs so that you can line the walls of your cooler for better insulation.
It should be noted that these ice packs don't last as long as others in big coolers, although the manufacturer offers larger-sized versions. Still, many reviewers liked their slim size and durable feel. They said they are great for short-term cooling needs.
If you need an ice pack to keep things frozen like meats and ice cream, this one will keep your cooler extra cold! It freezes at negative five degrees Fahrenheit. It comes in several sizes, but we selected the medium size that's perfect for smaller coolers.
A few reviewers complained about this ice pack not being as cold as expected, but other reviewers noted that it can take up to a day to freeze for the best results. Meanwhile, many others said it's well-designed and keeps food and drinks cold or frozen for extended periods.
This durable ice pack has two handles for easy handling. Just one five-pound ice pack can keep a large cooler cold. It only takes around 10 hours to freeze and can be popped right back into the freezer for the next use. The brand also offers a limited lifetime warranty for customer assurance.
A few reviewers said that this ice pack eventually leaks. On a positive note, many reviewers confirmed that its coldness lasts for a long time, some saying more than two days. They added that it works well with Pelican coolers.
The thin and wide shape of these ice packs makes it easy for you to line them up by your cooler walls for optimal cold retention. If you use them in a high-quality cooler, you can expect your food and beverages to stay cold for up to two days. You can then refill and freeze the ice pack for the next use.
According to a few reviewers, these ice packs have a risk of leaking from the top. Meanwhile, many users said that they last a surprisingly long time, even in hot weather. They also said that the shell is durable, and they noted that the size works well for many coolers.
These reusable, dishwasher-safe, and BPA-free ice packs keep cooler temperatures at an ideal 23 degrees Fahrenheit. They can be used with regular ice to extend cold retention. It only takes around five hours to refreeze the ice packs, and they are break-resistant.
Many users were amazed at how long these ice packs lasted, noting they stayed cold under the sun for hours. They were still completely frozen after 12 hours, added other reviewers. They also mentioned that these ice packs help prevent regular ice from melting quickly.
If you're looking to get the most out of your ice pack, here are a few tips. Use your ice pack with a high-quality cooler to ensure that all sides are sealed adequately with no opportunity for cold air to escape.
Avoid placing your cooler in direct heat or sunlight and set it up in the shade if possible to minimize heat exposure.
You can pre-cool your cooler before your trip with additional ice packs. Experts note that this simple step of balancing the temperatures of the cooler and ice packs before storing items can extend the ice pack's cold retention up to 12 hours.
Other ways to prolong cold retention through balancing would be to chill your food and drinks beforehand and keep the cooler's lid closed as long as possible to prevent cold air from coming out.
Lastly, pack your cooler until full to eliminate as much space for air to travel internally, which leads to heat creation. You can use frozen bottles to fill up any gaps, which can also serve as extra ice packs in the process.
There are efficient ways of packing a cooler rather than stuffing everything in it and expecting things to fit. This video by Parks Canada will help explain what to pack first to keep all your meats, fruits, and goods cold and fresh for your next camping trip!
Whether you're relaxing at the beach or roughing it outdoors, we have some items that can keep your food and drinks cold!
No. 1: Cooler Shock|Reusable Ice Pack|5 pack
No. 2: Tourit|Ice Pack|4 pack
No. 3: Yeti|Refreezable Reusable Cooler Ice Pack
No. 4: Komax|IceTank Pack|3 pack
No. 5: Kona|Extra Large Slim Ice Packs|20 pack
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