Be it just for a summer standby or to chill a few bottles of beers, having a cooler is ideal when the summer-heat kicks in. If you are a fan of outdoor excursions, parties or just want to take a summer vacation, having a nice cooler by your side will surely boost your experience. There is a full line of cooler designs in the market, but one that is sure to steal your attention is a stainless steel cooler. Designed to be tough and offer outstanding experience, these coolers offer much more than the regular metal coolers.
In this buying guide, we will go through some of the best stainless steel coolers in the market. To get you going, here are some of the things to keep in mind when choosing the perfect stainless steel cooler.
Best Pick – Coleman 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler
Solid Construction, Large Capacity & top Rated
Designed to be used for pretty much any occasion, the Coleman ice box is a portable unit that has won the hearts of many. The container is made using high quality stainless steel material and features an incredible insulation. It is capable of holding up to 85 cans and keeping beverages cold for up to 4 days. It is a must have if you are planning on getting a cooler for outdoor, holding parties at home and when traveling.
Best Stainless Steel Coolers 2021
Here are the best stainless steel coolers the market has to offer.
9. Permasteel PS-206-SS-AM 80 Quart Rolling Patio Cooler
Price: Modestly priced.
Capacity: 80 Quart (110 – 12 ounce cans).
Special features: Bottom tray, Drain plug, 2 side handles.
Permasteel PS-206-SS-AM is a solid cooling bin that is made out of stainless steel materials. It has a capacity of 80 quartz which is enough to hold a  lot of cans for a party or a large event. The cooling chest is made with a bottom tray which is good for keeping other items and supplies. The lids that it comes with are easy to flip open which also makes cleanup a seamless process.
Moving the cooling chest around is also very easy, thanks to the caster wheels which have a locking gear. It is a great option for anyone looking to host parties in their backyard.
Pros and Cons
- It has a large capacity which holds lots of can.
- The cooling chest is easy to maneuver with.
- It could be a bit cheaper.
8. Belleze 80-quart Portable Rolling Ice Chest Cooler
Price: Modestly priced.
Capacity: 80 Quartz / 100 cans
Special features: bottom shelf, two sided lid.
The Belleze 80-quart Portable Rolling Cooler is a heavy duty stainless steel chest that is perfect for family parties and backyard entertainment. It is designed with two sided lids for easy access and usage. The wheels makes it easy to move around although it could be bulkier to carry with you for camping and distant events.
The cooler is easy to clean and a drain plug is in place for better convenience. It is 80 Quartz capacity which can hold 100 X 12oz cans. And if you need a cooler with additional storage, you will love this one as there is a bottom shelf. This is a cooler that is perfect for backyard parties and home events.
Pros and Cons
- The cooler has a high capacity and an extra storage space which makes it bigger than most in the market.
- The design is stable and long lasting.
- It is not designed for portability and cannot be easily carried with you outdoors.
7. Tommy Bahama – 100 Qt Stainless Steel Rolling Party Cooler
Price: highly priced.
Capacity: 100 Quart / 130 cans
Special features: Thermaform insulation, lower storage tray, towel rack, folding service tray.
This Tommy Bahama stainless steel cooler is a high performance cooler that comes with a wealth of features and functionalities to offer the ultimate party experience. Besides the highly appealing design, it is sturdy and loved by many users for its high performance. It owes its high performance to the unique thermaform insulation technology that keeps your drinks cold for a prolonged time.
Some of the things that makes it unique include the nice lower tray, locking wheel casters and the towel rack. It has everything that you’d need in a good cooler for throwing backyard parties and family entertainment events.
Pros and Cons
- It has a huge capacity of up to 130 cans which is larger than most in the market.
- The performance of the cooler is outstanding, thanks to the unique technology in use.
- The downside with this stainless steel cooler is that it is expensive.
6. Igloo Products Corporation 00044669 Stainless Steel Cooler
Price: Low price tag.
Capacity: 54 Quart.
Special features: Cool riser technology, handle grips, bottle opener.
Igloo is a well known brand in the outdoor entertainment arena and this stainless steel cooler is another product that they pride themselves in making. It is constructed with durability in mind and being rust-resistant makes it reliable for outdoors. It has a unique Cool Riser Technology to increase airflow underneath and boost the performance. Latch, stainless steel body, lid and hinges make it a durable cooler.
For easy draining, there is a triple-snap leak resistant drain plug in place. This cooler is well constructed and is perfectly designed for use in backyard parties, camping, tailgating and pretty much any outdoor event.
Pros and Cons
- It is a great performer and keeps drinks cold for a lengthy period of time as compared to most coolers.
- For its price, it is affordable and offers good value for the money.
- The downside of the heavy duty design makes this cooler heavier than most in the market.
5. Outsunny 80 QT Rolling Ice Chest Portable Patio Party Drink Cooler Cart
Price: Fairly priced.
Capacity: 80 Quartz
Special features: lockable wheels, two doors (lids).
Outsunny stainless steel ice chest is a toughly built cooler chest that is meant to be used in your patio or backyard. Its structure is simple but built to last. The stainless steel frame is heavy duty and every other parts including the lids are also well constructed. Moving the cooler 80 quartz cooler is seamless as it has 4 rolling wheels which can also be locked to keep it in one place.
This is an above average performance cooler that doesn’t disappoint when it comes to hosting backyard parties and family time at home. There is nothing so special with the cooler but works perfectly for an average cooler.
Pros and Cons
- Many users love it for its lengthy cooling.
- For its price, it offers good value for the money.
- Something could be done to improve the sturdiness on the legs as it is only held on 2 screws.
4. Clevr 80 Quart Qt Rolling Cooler Ice Chest
Price: Low price tag.
Capacity: 80 Quart.
Special features: Bottom tray, 4 caster wheels, Sturdy handles, bottle opener.
Clevr is an amazing brand that has won accolades for their amazing range of equipment and appliances. Their 80 Quart rolling cooler ice chest is a great cooking bin that is suited for patio, backyard and outdoor functions. The ice chest is made using high quality powder coated stainless steel which is strong and durable.
There are 2 handles which together with 4 caster wheels makes maneuverability a breeze. For convenience, the bottom tray offers space to store different items and supplies. Overall, this is a good quality ice chest that can be used to keep beverages cold for days.
Pros and Cons
- It is very affordable considering its large capacity.
- It is very convenient and can store beverages cold for days.
- It takes some time to assemble it.
3. Best Choice Products 80-Quart Rolling Cooler Cart
Price: Fairly priced.
Capacity: 80 Quartz.
Special features: Built-in bottle opener, side handles, bottom storage tray and a catch tray.
To uphold Best Choice Products’ legacy is this highly rated stainless steel cooler with a capacity of 80 quartz and up to 70 cans. The cooler comes detached and needs some assembling which is easy, thanks to the manual. It is a cart cooler that easily rolls on 4 wheels with a braking system making it easy to use on a deck, patio, and backyard. This cooler has been designed for easy cleaning and a drain plug is also well placed for easy draining.
It is a high quality stainless steel cooler that is designed to be conveniently used on patios and backyard decks.
Pros and Cons
- It is of good quality and performance keeping drinks cold for a lengthy time.
- The construction is strong and the cooler lasts long.
- It is bulky and cannot be easily carried for use in camping and outdoor activities.
2. Trinity TXK-0802 Stainless Steel Cooler with Shelf
Price: Low price tag.
Capacity: 80 quartz/ 96 cans.
Special features: cap catcher and bottle opener, bottom shelf.
Trinity TXK-0802 Stainless Steel Cooler comes in a sleek design and finishing touches that is sure to turn heads. It is delivered in parts and the user is required to assemble it which could take 15 to 30 minutes. The use of a 304-grade stainless steel in the construction makes it a very heavy duty which also translates to long life.
The cooler also comes with basic features like a bottle opener, cap catcher towel holder and casters for easy mobility. The bottom shelf is also a great additional storage space. Anyone who needs a well rated stainless steel cooler that can last ages should consider this one.
Pros and Cons
- The use of high grade steel guarantees better durability of the cooler.
- For its performance and quality, the price is a steal.
- Some users have reported issues while assembling the cooler.
1. Coleman 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler
Price: Low price tag.
Capacity: 5 Quart / 85 cans
Special features: comfort grip handle, steel belted.
Coleman has earned itself a name in the industry for making outstanding products. Their stainless steel cooler is no different and ranks as the best selling in the market today. It has a high capacity that can hold 85 cans and is made of heavy duty parts that are rust resistant.
One of the selling points of this cooler is the excellent insulation system that can keep drinks ice cooled for up to 4 days. It is an excellent cooler that can be used for anything. Be it parties at home or camping, this is a good cooler worth investing in. And its price tag is one that is hard to beat.
Pros and Cons
- It is the most affordable in this list and also among the cheapest in the market.
- The cooler boasts a high customer satisfaction rate.
- Few users have pointed out the packaging being a bit flimsy.
Choosing A Stainless Steel Cooler
When shopping for the right cooler, you should pay attention to the factors below.
Capacity
Coolers, whichever material they are used come in different sizes and shapes. You don’t just buy a cooler because it is the best in the market. You also have to factor in whether it will meet your needs. So, the first thing that you need to ask yourself is how much capacity you need. Will you be using it to put a few bottles of beer or do you intend it to be used in parties for many people? Answering these questions will hint you towards the right cooler that suits your needs.
Sturdiness & Durability
Let’s face it. The strength and durability of any product all depend on the materials that have been used in constructing it. As for the case of stainless steel coolers, they are partially or wholly made of steel, but it is also important to keep in mind that there are different grades of steel which can impact the strength and durability of that cooler.
Portability
Perhaps one of the things that you need to ask yourself is how and where you are going to be using the cooler. Are you going to be using it when camping or moving around in your outdoor excursions? If so, you need to ask yourself how portable it is. Some are designed to be carried with you while some are heavy and only designed to be used in your backyard. If you are always moving then you need to get one that is lightweight and designed to be easily carried.
Pricing
With the fact that these coolers are made by different brands, there is also a difference in pricing. You don’t want to end up spending much for what you won’t use and expensive ones don’t also mean that you are getting your money’s worth. You need to have a budget in mind and besides the pricing, you should also factor in the quality you are getting.
Final Verdict
Whether you are planning to throw a party at home or going camping in the scorching summer sun, a cooler is one of the things that will come in handy. The stainless steel coolers above are some that will surely appeal to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do stainless steel coolers work?
A: Stainless steel coolers are made using high quality materials and have a cooling system in place. They are also well insulated to keep the beverages and drinks on the inside cold for long.
Q: How long do stainless steel coolers keep beverages cold?
A: The ability of an ice chest to store beverages and other drinks cold for long depends on a number of things. The design and insulation that it has are major factors. Being made of stainless steel with good insulation, the standard stainless steel coolers are capable of storing beverages cold for up to 3 days.
Q: Do I really need a stainless steel cooler?
A: The question on whether you need a stainless steel cooler depends on your intended purposes. If you travel or spend time outdoors in the summer, then having cold beverages would really be great. Depending on the number of people that you expect to serve the drinks, there are different sizes of coolers in the market to consider.
