Are you on the hunt for the perfect sized cooler for kayaking, camping, fishing or a day at the beach? Maybe you are looking for a lunch cooler? Don't miss this list of American made coolers for every adventure and invest in at least one high quality ‘Made in USA' cooler for this summer.
American Made Coolers
When looking for an American-made cooler, consider the quality and durability of the materials used. High-quality coolers typically feature robust construction with thick walls and a sturdy lid. They are often made from roto-molded plastic, which ensures exceptional insulation and impact resistance. You will notice that our list includes brands that are more known for manufacturing kayaks. This shows how strong their cooler material is!!
Pay attention to the cooler's ability to maintain ice retention for extended periods, as this is a key indicator of its insulation efficiency. Features like heavy-duty latches, reinforced hinges, and secure handles are also important, as they contribute to a cooler’s overall durability and ease of use. Look for coolers that offer UV resistance and are bear-proof certified if you plan on using them in rugged outdoor environments.
Another critical aspect to consider in a cooler that suits your needs, is the design and additional features that enhance the functionality and convenience. Many American-made coolers come with practical extras such as built-in bottle openers, and cup holders, which can be especially useful during outdoor activities. Drain plugs for easy cleaning and non-slip feet to keep the cooler stable on various surfaces are also beneficial features. Furthermore, consider the size and weight of the cooler in relation to your needs, ensuring it offers adequate storage capacity without being overly cumbersome. Lastly, check for a solid warranty and positive customer reviews, as these can provide insights into the cooler’s performance and the manufacturer's confidence in their product.
Coolers NOT Made in the USA
When searching for an American cooler, be sure to check the descriptions in the company's listing. Some brands on our list offer other types of coolers that are NOT made in the USA. We try to clarify this in our product listing.
Buyer beware! The brands below do not manufacture or assemble coolers in the United States.
- Frio: Frio used to offer a made in USA lunch tote, but no longer do. They have been removed from this list
- Otterbox: Otterbox used to offer a hard sided cooler, but now they only offer imported soft sided products. They have been removed from our list.
- RTIC
- CANYON Coolers
- YETI: On their website, YETI states that SOME of their Tundra ice chests are made in the USA. The label would be on the product if so. The website products are not labeled in the description. I have never seen a made in the USA YETI cooler in stores. NOTE: YETI Loadout products (which their website also states are made in USA) are not coolers, but are storage cases.
American Made Coolers
Is your favorite American made cooler brand on this list? If not, let us know in the comments below.
Bison Coolers
Bison Coolers rotomolded and soft sided coolers are both made in the USA. The Bison Cooler soft sided cooler (pictured) is available in one size and four colors. It fits 12 cans and has nearly an inch of insolation. Bison Coolers ice chest coolers are designed to keep ice for up to 7 days! Not only is this cooler incredibly well made, it's also ergonomically designed with rubber latches making it easy for 1 or 2 people to haul the cooler. Order it with the wire basket & cooler divider/cutting board to make hauling your goods more organized and easier than ever.
Shop Bison Soft Sided Coolers at:
Coleman 316 Series
Coleman 316 Series American made coolers are assembled in Wichita, Kansas. They are available in an assortment of sizes and colors.
Shop the Coleman 316 Series at:
Cordova
HUEY
HUEY coolers are made with corrosive resistant materials and are meant to last making them perfect for saltwater fishing and recreation. They are retro-molded for superior insulation.
HUEY coolers have additional accessory options like rod holders, clamps and more.
Icon Coolers
Icon Coolers is a family owned company that manufactures American made hard sided coolers. Icon Coolers ice chests are rotomolded and available in 3 sizes.
Shop Icon Coolers at:
Igloo
Igloo has a large selection of hard coolers that are made in Texas. The popular classic Playmate cooler is also American made.
Shop Igloo Playmate at:
KENAI by Grizzly
KENAI coolers are now made and sold by Grizzly. The hard sided coolers are made in the USA. NOTE: The soft sided coolers are imported.
Shop KENAI hard sided coolers at:
KONG Coolers
KONG Coolers are American made and assembled in the USA. They are manufactured by parent company Myers Industries/ Elkhart Plastics, a leader in the insulated commercial container industry. The Hardsided KONG coolers are available in multiple sizes and styles, including coolers with weals and carry straps. They also offer accessories for cooler add ons. KONG Coolers are certified Bear Resistant.
Shop Kong Coolers at:
Lifetime
Lifetime has a selection of hard coolers that are bear proof.
Shop Lifetime coolers at:
Orca
Orca hard-sided, roto-molded coolers are made in Ohio and are decorated, packed and shipped from the Orca warehouse in Nashville, Tennessee. They offer 7 sizes of coolers and 12 colors to choose from. The 20 Quart cooler (pictured) is the smallest size and has a stainless steel easy grip handle.
Shop Orca coolers at:
Pelican
Pelican hard sided coolers have been made in the USA since 1976 which makes them one of the longest running American cooler manufacturers. Pelican coolers have a reputation for being durable and high performing. Pelican still makes some coolers in the USA, like the 20Qt, 30Qt and 50Qt Elite Cooler pictured here. Note: The soft sided coolers are designed in the USA, but made in China. Not all Pelican coolers are made in USA. Check labels carefully.
Shop Pelican hard sided coolers at;
Taiga
Taiga is a Veteran owned and run company headquartered in Mesquite, Texas. Custom coolers are an option. Hard sided, soft sided coolers, and hemp filled polypropylene coolers are made in the USA. Hemp composite coolers Veterans: Receive a 15% discount when purchasing through their website.
Shop Taiga coolers at:
Have you visited our Made in USA Shopping District? It is the place to start your shopping when you want to find the best of American-made.
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I have a concern about Frio coolers.. I’m wondering if they lied when I asked about their Everyday Cooler being made in the USA. They told me it was when I ordered it this summer (late June 2024) but here you are saying that none of their items are made in the USA. I am curious as to how you found this out. If it’s true, it really is buyer beware as apparently some companies may lie or those answering product questions may not have updated info. There are also no “made in” labels on my cooler or the 24/7 cup I purchased, both of which the rep I contacted says were made in USA. Thank you for any info or suggestions you can share.
AO Coolers. Not all are made in the US but there is a Made in USA section so you don’t have to go through their entire inventory to find them 🙂
the Pelican cooler shown is made in china. Their 8 and 14qt hard coolers are both made in China
Thanks! I updated the post to focus on the Pelican Elite cooler which is still made in USA.
Really disappointed how this site functions. I’m looking for Iowa made products.
It LOOKS like you can sort by state, but the ads are for all over.
You’re doing vendors a diservice.
Instead of just leaving a spite ridden message to someone, how about given a suggestion or even donating to the site so that they could possibly implement the change?
Maybe you’ve heard this before, “Treat others as you would want to be treated.”