Why Trust Us

When you’re packing perishables for a long weekend—or a full crew in peak heat—guesswork isn’t good enough. We built Portable Coolers Guide to replace opinions with measurements and to turn those measurements into decisions you can trust.

Evidence First, Field Validated

Our Cold Economy Score standardizes performance as chill‑hours per lb of ice per quart across three heat zones. We pair lab‑style controls with real‑world field days—boats, campsites, tailgates, beaches, and jobsites—so our recommendations reflect how coolers are actually used.

Transparent, Reproducible Methods

We publish the assumptions behind every recommendation: pack‑outs, opening schedules, pre‑chill states, and even how color and solar exposure affect hold time. Our calculators (Ice Budget, Size Finder, Loadout Recipes, and the Powered Cooler Runtime Planner) mirror the same math and test data we use internally.

Independence and Integrity

We disclose how we get gear (retail, loan, or sample) and how we earn (affiliate links). Partners don’t buy placements or scores. If we’re uncertain, we say so. If we make a mistake, we correct it and timestamp the change.

What This Means for You

• Clear trade‑offs quantified: know the impact of opening frequency, ice type, pre‑chill, color, and shade.
• Right‑sized choices: pick the capacity that fits your trunk/boat/kayak and your group’s actual needs.
• Less weight and waste: carry only the ice you need; stop paying for meltwater.
• Reliable hot‑weather performance: tactics that meaningfully extend hold time when temperatures spike.

Want the details? See How We Test for our full methodology or email us at [email protected].