Keep your water, food, and other items cool for long with our list of the best ice packs for coolers. These ice packs come in handy when you go on hikes, camping, or long journeys. As outdoor activities can be tiring and stressful, a glass of chilled water or beverage after a long hike can be refreshing. However, such options may not be available in rough, obscure terrains. So, a cooler can come to your rescue and provide you with refreshing drinks. These ice packs prevent the food from spoiling and can work for hours. You can also use them for pain relief and in your picnic baskets, lunch boxes, and more to suit your specific requirements. With various options available, choosing the right one may be confusing. Browse our list of products to choose the right ice packs for proper food and drink storage.
11 Best Ice Packs For Coolers
1. Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers Ice Packs
These ice packs are not just reusable, but also practical for everyday use. The set comes with four ice packs and is long-lasting. Owing to its sleek make, it can fit into tight spaces comfortably. For increased cooling power, you can stack several of these ice packs together. These packs are made of plastic and are non-toxic and BPA-free. Pros
Compact and portable Leak-proof Sized for all types of bags Freezer-safe
Cons
May not stay frozen for long May not be dishwasher-friendly
2. Cooler Shock Ice Packs
This three-pack set functions slightly differently than your traditional ice packs. To use these packs, fill the pouch with water, zip it, and seal it with an iron. It can keep the water at 18°F for up to 48 hours. Designed to accelerate the cooling process, these packs are also available in a screw cap style and smaller medium-size packs. They can withstand hundreds of cycles of freezing and thawing and are non-hazardous and child-safe. You may refer to the detailed user guide included with the pack to make optimal use of the product. Pros
Reinforced with nylon for leak-free design Compatible with lunch boxes, picnic baskets, plastic containers Delivers mess-free results Made to freeze quickly
Cons
May not be entirely flat May be slightly heavy
3. Healthy Packers Reusable Ice Packs
This set comes with four long-lasting hard gel ice packs for your insulated cooler bag. As they are slim and lightweight, they can fit into tiny lunch bags as well. You can also use these ice packs in breastmilk bags, your child’s bento boxes, or food containers. The cool packs are 100% BPA-free and non-toxic. Besides, they freeze quickly and are stackable as well. Pros
Reusable packs Versatile and durable Suitable for daily use Easy to clean after use
Cons
May be slightly thin May require additional stacking for long-lasting coldness
4. Yeti Ice Freezable Ice Packs
Yeti ice pack goes the extra mile and absorbs the heat in your cooler, thereby keeping the contents in your cooler cold for long periods. Its unique shape allows it to freeze faster, and the pack itself is a great alternative to ice. As it is impact- and break-resistant, this tough cookie can take the toughest of hits and falls like a pro. If you have a sore neck, you can even press this pack against it for quick pain relief. Pros
No messy clean-ups Available in three sizes Non-toxic Made of food-grade material
Cons
May be slightly heavy Color may vary slightly
5. Arctic Ice Reusable Ice Pack For Cooler
The Chillin’ Brew ice pack by Arctic Ice freezes at 28°F and is designed for use during a picnic, an outdoorsy adventure, or a barbeque session with your buddies in your backyard. It features an ultra-sonic spin-welded cap, which keeps the packs sealed and leak-proof at all times. As it is a large ice pack, it ensures faster cooling and can also be used in ice chests. Reusable up to a whopping 100,000 times, these packs are non-toxic and keep things colder than ice. Pros
Mess-free design Suitable for cooling beverages Top-rack dishwasher-safe Made of non-toxic material
Cons
May be smaller than expected May thaw in a short period
6. Blue Ele Compact Ice Packs
This colorful set of four ice packs is convenient for everyday use and fits into small insulated coolers and containers comfortably. Lightweight and durable, it can also be stacked one on top of the other for greater cooling power. These reusable packs are eco-friendly materials and are 100% BPA-free, food-grade, leak-proof, and filled with non-toxic gel. For best results, freeze the ice packs for three hours before using it. Pros
Lightweight and reusable Easy to clean Made of HDPE shell Suitable for all ages
Cons
May be smaller than you expect May not keep food cold for long
7. Oicepack Ice Pack For Coolers
Keep your refreshments, snacks, and beverages chilled for extended periods with the help of these high-quality ice packs. You can use these packs to preserve seafood better, as a cold compress for relieving pain, and even to cool off your furry little friend. They are slim, lightweight, and shaped like a jigsaw puzzle. Yes, this means that you can connect four of these packs to make an ice pack cube. They are also 100% leak-proof, BPA-free, and made of non-toxic materials. Pros
Set of ten ice packs Great for use in tight spaces Suitable for stacking No water injection needed Has a safe sealing mouth design Can be used as a building block toy
Cons
May condense in short time May not be dishwasher-safe
8. Tourit Reusable Cooler Pack
Shaped like a tall water bottle, this set of eight ice packs is exceptionally versatile. It contains hard gel and is one of the best ice packs to keep your foods and beverages cold and fresh for long periods. Due to its slim and unique design, you can fit it in tight spaces or smaller pouches, such as a child’s lunchbox or a breastmilk bag. To use these reusable, BPA-free, and non-toxic ice packs, allow them to freeze for at least eight hours or until they are completely frozen. Pros
Available in multiple colors and sizes Lightweight and portable Suitable for everyday use Suitable for insulated backpacks
Cons
Gel may be prone to leaking
9. Ice Lock Watertight Ice Bag
Whether you are hosting your friends and family for an outdoor picnic or setting up camp for the night, it is a good idea to keep this extra-large ice cooler bag handy. It can hold up to ten pounds of ice. To use this bag, fill it with ice cubes or blocks of ice, seal it up and leave it in your cooler. You can also use this bag as an emergency water storage bag for power outages. It also comes with a water spout for easy pouring and is completely collapsible for easy storage. Pros
Free of BPA Watertight seal reduces leakages Four-layer protection Made of food-safe materials Has an easy grip handle on top
Cons
May be smaller than expected May not be dishwasher-safe
10. Kona Slim Ice Packs For Coolers
Although these cooler packs are large their slim design allows them to fit into any regular cooler. You can utilize these reusable packs to store meat, snacks, drinks, and more. They are sturdy and durable and can absorb a large amount of heat to keep everything cold for a long time. Most importantly, these packs freeze in only 25 minutes. Pros
Can be used in reusable shopping bags Free of BPA Lightweight design Reusable packs
Cons
May be larger than you expect
11. Pelican Cooler Ice Pack
A great addition to your outdoor trips and a practical mate for your coolers, this ice pack chills the contents of your cooler rapidly and keeps them fresh for extended periods. It is custom-designed to fit Pelican coolers and boasts a UV protective shell. It also features a unique dual-grip design for easy handling. This reusable ice pack is also BPA-free and non-toxic. Pros
Available in three variants FDA-compliant Rugged build for added durability Available in single- and double-handle designs
Cons
Seals may not be durable
How To Choose The Right Ice Packs For Coolers?
Reusable Reusable may mean that a product could be used 10 times or 10,000 times. Look for a product that can be used for many years. This way, not only does it have a great value for money, you need not worry about re-purchasing it. Impact-resistant This is one of the most important features to look for. As the ice packs sit inside our coolers, containers, and lunchboxes, we don’t want it to break and leak all over our food. Find one that can withstand a crash and fall. Safe materials As these ice packs mingle quite frequently with our food and beverages, always look for one, which is made of food-grade materials. Ensure that they are BPA-free and non-toxic. Size In the case of ice packs, the bigger the size, the better the cooling may not always ring true. However, choosing an ice pack for its size depends on your preference. If your cooler isn’t too large and already over-crowded, pick a set of smaller ice packs that are stackable for better cooling. Duration Most ice packs claim to offer long-lasting coldness, but just how long is long-lasting? Look for an ice pack that can keep the contents of your cooler cold for at least 5 hours.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Our writer and editor, Sakshi John, specializes in curating lists of products that belong to the furniture and household categories. In this article, she has curated a list of the best ice packs for coolers available in the market after considering factors like materials, size, and ability to resist impact. After assessing multiple products and user reviews, she has added the top-rated products with detailed descriptions and an informative buying guide.
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