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Some drivers spend a lot of time in their cars. It can be expensive and inconvenient to stop on your drive to buy food and drinks. Car coolers provide a great option for snacking while driving. You can save time and money by packing some beverages and easy-to-eat food items instead. Our buying guide features some of the best car coolers on the market.

A mostly polyester cooler bag designed to keep your drinks and beverages cold. This option contains a Velcro handle for easy transport and can be used for any outdoor endeavor.

This shoulder bag carry car cooler is available in three sizes. The inner hard shell keeps the soft-sided cooler from collapsing. Add pre-frozen ice-blocks and you are ready to go.

This is a car cooler that looks like an armrest. It can be used for keeping food cold or hot. Connector included. Has no handle, but it can be easily moved with two hands.

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This cooler from Coleman is perfect for tailgating, picnics, and other outdoor activities. It keeps the food up to 40 degrees colder than the temperature outside. Its 8-foot power cord makes it easier to plug into outlets in your car or boat. The door can open from the left or right side to make it easier to store, giving you more options to use. It is extremely lightweight by itself, so it is easy to haul around. It is about the price you would expect for electric coolers, but it runs on the lower end so it makes it more affordable than competitors. 

You will have to ensure this is plugged in to keep things cool, so if you are looking to be really off grid, then this is not the item for you. It also will not work the best in hotter climates, so taking it to the desert or on a tropical beach isn’t the best idea. It draws power continuously, so it will drain your batteries quickly. Make sure you have charging options to keep a power supply running to it.

If you are looking to spend a bit more on a high-quality cooler, this iceless chest from Igloo is a great option. It comes in a silver color with a white lid, and it has a large handle for ease of carrying, as well as two side handles. Its dimensions are 12.87 x 16.65 x 18.23 inches. It is made of plastic with a polypropylene liner. Its power cord is 8 feet long, so you should have no trouble reaching your car’s 12V receptacle for power. However, if you are parked, that does drain the battery. It can cool items within up to 36 degrees lower than the surrounding temperature.

While its smaller, compact size makes transportation easy, the downside is that you can’t fit much within it. This is definitely a disappointment given the higher price, but Igloo has designed this as a beverage cooler. It also needs about four hours to cool down the interior from room temperature, so you will need to wait to put your items in. There are also reports of the cord getting quite hot to the touch, so you will want to run it in a place where you are not likely to reach.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

Buy a car cooler to fit your driving habits. If you take road trips or spend many hours driving, then consider a larger cooler that will hold more items. 

It will help you save money and time and help you eat healthier. You can bring along food and drinks that you like best, so you don’t have to stop to buy items at a convenience store.

Pack some of your favorite snack items. Bring water, soda, fruit, vegetables, sandwiches, and any other popular food items. Pack food that is easy to eat while driving.

If you are looking for a car cooler, consider the Igloo Iceless Cooler. The handle makes it easy to transport, and it keeps your food cool through its plug-in design.

For a budget-friendly option, try the Arctic Zone Titan Cooler.

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