The best cool boxes and bags for camping, picnics and festivals

No more sour milk or sweaty cheese: these are the cool boxes that keep their chill when it matters

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Whether you’re heading to a festival or pitching up at a campsite with the whole family, nothing spoils a trip faster than a bottle of sour milk and a warm can of beer. A reliable cool box is your best defence against such disappointments, and today’s models are designed to keep your provisions frosty, long after you’ve lost your phone signal. But which ones are actually up to muster?

From insulated picnic bags to heavy-duty ice chests, I’ve tested 14 of the best coolers and rounded up the ones that should keep you (and your hummus) fresh. Because no one should have to settle for tepid wine after the effort of pitching a tent.

Best cool box overall:
Coleman Pro cooler box
_{£135 at Millets}

Best budget cool box:
Campingaz Icetime Plus
_{£29.46 at B&Q}

Best electric cool box:
Outwell Ecocool
_{£149.44 at Amazon}

Best cool bag:
Quechua Backpack Cooler 100
_{£24.99 at Decathlon}

Best cool box for multiday chilling:
Oyster Tempo cooler
_{£353 at Oyster}

Best cool box on wheels:
Yeti Roadie 48 wheeled cool box
_{£400 at John Lewis}